Abstract
The results of analysis, by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection and by nano-electrospray-ionization, double quadrupole/orthogonal-acceleration, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, indicate that adult Dracunculus medinensis and Schistosoma rnansoni both contain the opiate alkaloid morphine and that D. medinesis also contains the active metabolite of morphine, morphine 6-glucuronide. From these and previous observations, it would appear that many helminths are probably using opiate alkaloids as potent immunosuppressive and antinociceptive signal molecules, to down-regulate immunosurveillance responsiveness and pain signalling in their hosts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 309-316 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology |
| Volume | 96 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |
