What characterizes the penetration mechanism involved in schistosomiasis compared to earthworm contact?
Answer
It is an active process by the parasite larva, not passive transference from a surface contaminant
The transmission route for schistosomiasis is defined by the parasite's active role. The larval forms of the parasite must actively swim and penetrate the skin barrier using their own capabilities when a host comes into contact with contaminated water. This is fundamentally different from the transfer mechanism associated with earthworms, where potential pathogens or eggs are passively transferred onto the skin surface simply by handling the creature, requiring a subsequent step (like hand-to-mouth contact) for infection to occur. The active penetration is the defining feature of schistosomiasis entry.
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