In the first part of this paper current information on acquired resistance to schistosomes is reviewed and related to factors which have led to divergent interpretations of experimental results.The author then reports on and discusses experiments performed by her on the development of challenge infections in mice exposed to X-irradiated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. While there is some evidence that resistance to S. mansoni may be developed by such exposure, the author considers present findings equivocal and stresses that further research is needed to clarify the situation.
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