A Technique for the Detection of Polystoma integerrimum in the Common Frog (Rana temporaria)

Abstract

An infection of the frog bladder by the Monogenetic Trematode Polystoma integerrimum can be detected by testing the urine for the presence of the pigment haematin. This substance is an end product of the digestion of blood, which the parasite sucks from the capillaries of the bladder wall, and it is voided from the flatworm's gut into the bladder to pass eventually to the exterior with the urine (Jennings—unpublished work).An alkaline solution of luminol (3-amino pthallic cyclic hydrazide hydrochloride) and hydrogen peroxide exhibits an intense blue luminescence in the presence of haematin (Proescher & Moody, 1938) and this reaction, which is very sensitive, can be used to detect the pigment in the urine of infected frogs.