The changes in serum protein components of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum were investigated by paper-electrophoresis.
1) The examination of serum protein of mice infected with S. japonicum showed an increase of total protein in early infections (3 weeks after exposure to cereariae) raching the maximum 9 weeks after the infection, decrease in albumin was recognized in 5 weeks and notable decreas also in 6 weeks, there after no remarkable change being observed. A temporaly increase in α-globulin was observed between 3 and 6 weeks after the infection. The increase in β-globulin was recognized in 5 weeks reaching the maximum in 6 weeks. The remarkable increase in r-globulin was recognized in 6 weeks reaching the maximum in 7 weeks.
The remarkable decrease in A/G ratio was observed in 5 weeks and reaching the maximum in 6 weeks of the infection.
2) The examination of serum protein of superinfected mice showed an increase compared with that of the control. The albumin of the mice superinfected soon after the 1st infection (2-3 weeks after infection with cercariae) showed a decrease less than that of the control, but the albumin of the mice superinfected 4-7 weeks after the 1st infection showed an increase compared with that of the control. After superinfection the changes of α-globulin and A/G ratio were scarcely recognized. It is found that the changes of β-and γ-globulin depend upon the number of the infecting adult worms.
