Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and Antibodies to DNA in the Serum of Hamsters and Man Infected with Schistosomes

Summary

(i). The guanine + cytosine content of S. mansoni has been shown to be 34.4 moles % on the basis of its buoyant density in CsCl and 34.9 moles % on the basis of its ultraviolet absorbance-temperature profile.

(ii). Antibodies to DNA have been demonstrated in hamsters infected with S. mansoni and humans infected with S. japonicum. These antibodies show a broad specificity and react with DNAs of parasite, bacterial, and mammalian origin.

(iii). Circulating DNA has been demonstrated in the serum of hamsters infected with S. mansoni.

(iv). It is suggested that schistosomiasis, in some instances at least, exhibits autoimmune or immune-complex disease.