Integrated SEM, TEM and CLSM workflow for tegumental analysis of adult Schistosoma mansoni
Abstract
The tegument of Schistosoma mansoni is a key host-parasite interface and a major target for drug and vaccine development. Although ultrastructural studies of the tegument date back decades, methodological inconsistencies often complicate comparisons across studies. Here, we present a standardized, easy-to-use framework for investigating tegumental architecture using three complementary techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We provide step-by-step protocols, highlight strengths and limitations of each method, and illustrate their outputs using adult male worms. We also outline a scheme for unbiased quantitative analysis of the resulting images and indicate how the protocols can be adapted to female worms, to other developmental stages and schistosome species, and to immunolocalization at the ultrastructural level. This integrative pipeline enables reproducible morphological characterization and facilitates downstream applications in pharmacology, immunology, and parasite biology
Related
- Schistosoma mansoni infection enhances insertion sequence activity in the host gut microbiome
- Expression of TRPMPZQ in excitable cells and sensory structures throughout the Schistosoma mansoni lifecycle
- Extensive parasite transmission and variation in a functional receptor associated with drug resistance in endemic Schistosoma mansoni
- Safranal Enhances the Efficacy of Praziquantel Against Schistosoma mansoni Infection and Alleviates Liver Fibrosis, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Mice
- From first contact to challenge: Lung immune modulation by single-sex Schistosoma mansoni infections
BibTeX
@article{augusto2026integrated,
title = {{Integrated SEM, TEM and CLSM workflow for tegumental analysis of adult Schistosoma mansoni}},
author = {Ronaldo de Carvalho Augusto and Roberto Carlos Ferreira Joao and Helene Santos Barbosa and Christina Mello-Silva and Claudia Portes Santos},
journal = {Micron},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.micron.2026.104119},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05801628v1},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Integrated SEM, TEM and CLSM workflow for tegumental analysis of adult Schistosoma mansoni
AU - Ronaldo de Carvalho Augusto
AU - Roberto Carlos Ferreira Joao
AU - Helene Santos Barbosa
AU - Christina Mello-Silva
AU - Claudia Portes Santos
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Micron
DO - 10.1016/j.micron.2026.104119
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05801628v1
AB - The tegument of Schistosoma mansoni is a key host-parasite interface and a major target for drug and vaccine development. Although ultrastructural studies of the tegument date back decades, methodological inconsistencies often complicate comparisons across studies. Here, we present a standardized, easy-to-use framework for investigating tegumental architecture using three complementary techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We provide step-by-step protocols, highlight strengths and limitations of each method, and illustrate their outputs using adult male worms. We also outline a scheme for unbiased quantitative analysis of the resulting images and indicate how the protocols can be adapted to female worms, to other developmental stages and schistosome species, and to immunolocalization at the ultrastructural level. This integrative pipeline enables reproducible morphological characterization and facilitates downstream applications in pharmacology, immunology, and parasite biology
SN - 0968-4328
ER -