Schistosome eggs, which may become lodged within the hosts tissues, are the major cause of pathology in schistosomiasis.
Granuloma formation is initiated by antigens secreted by the miracidium through microscopic pores within the rigid egg shell, and there is strong evidence that the vigorous granulomatous response, rather than the direct action of parasite egg antigens, is responsible for the pathologic tissue manifestations in schistosomiasis [REF].