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Korycińska J, Bulantová J, Horák P, Dzika E. Molecular identification of Trichobilharzia species in recreational waters in North-Eastern Poland. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17598. [PMID: 39011383 PMCID: PMC11249002 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In Europe, avian schistosomes of the genus Trichobilharzia are the most common etiological agents involved in human cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch). Manifested by a skin rash, the condition is caused by an allergic reaction to cercariae of nonhuman schistosomes. Humans are an accidental host in this parasite's life cycle, while water snails are the intermediate, and waterfowl are the final hosts. The study aimed to conduct a molecular and phylogenetic analysis of Trichobilharzia species occurring in recreational waters in North-Eastern Poland. Methodology The study area covered three water bodies (Lake Skanda, Lake Ukiel, and Lake Tyrsko) over the summer of 2021. In total, 747 pulmonate freshwater snails (Radix spp., Lymnaea stagnalis) were collected. Each snail was subjected to 1-2 h of light stimulation to induce cercarial expulsion. The phylogenetic analyses of furcocercariae were based on the partial sequence of the ITS region (ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2 and 28SrDNA). For Radix spp. phylogenetic analyses were based on the ITS-2 region. Results The prevalence of the Trichobilharzia species infection in snails was 0.5%. Two out of 478 (0.4%) L. stagnaliswere found to be infected with Trichobilharzia szidati. Moreover, two out of 269 (0.7%) snails of the genus Radix were positive for schistosome cercariae. Both snails were identified as Radix auricularia. One of them was infected with Trichobilharzia franki and the other with Trichobilharzia sp. Conclusions Molecular identification of avian schistosome species, both at the intermediate and definitive hosts level, constitutes an important source of information on a potential threat and prognosis of local swimmer's itch occurrence, and helps to determine species diversity in a particular area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Korycińska
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jana Bulantová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ewa Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
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2
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Gacad JLJ, Yurlova NI, Tanabe-Hosoi S, Urabe M. TREMATODE SPECIES DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION BY ENVIRONMENTAL DNA-qPCR ASSAY IN LAKE CHANY, RUSSIA. J Parasitol 2024; 110:221-231. [PMID: 38897603 DOI: 10.1645/23-87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys promise to be a sensitive and powerful tool for the detection of trematodes. This can contribute to the limited studies on trematode ecology, specifically in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we developed species-specific primer and probe sets for Moliniella anceps, Opisthioglyphe ranae, and Plagiorchis multiglandularis cercariae and applied a novel eDNA qPCR assay to detect larval trematodes quantitatively. We evaluated the effectiveness of the assays using filtered lake water samples collected from different sites of Lake Fadikha and Kargat River Estuary in Lake Chany, Russia, showing high species specificity and sensitivity in all 3 assays. Further, all 3 assays had high efficiencies ranging from 94.9 to 105.8%. Moliniella anceps, O. ranae, and P. multiglandularis were detected in the environmental water samples through real-time PCR. Thus, we anticipate that our approach will be beneficial for biomonitoring, measuring, and managing ecological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle Laura J Gacad
- Division of Environmental Dynamics, Graduate School of Environmental Science, The University of Shiga Prefecture, 2500 Hassaka, Hikone, Shiga 522-8533, Japan
| | - Natalia I Yurlova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 11 Frunze Street, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Shoko Tanabe-Hosoi
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Faculty of Environmental Science, The University of Shiga Prefecture, 2500 Hassaka, Hikone, Shiga 522-8533, Japan
| | - Misako Urabe
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Faculty of Environmental Science, The University of Shiga Prefecture, 2500 Hassaka, Hikone, Shiga 522-8533, Japan
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3
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Blankespoor CL, Blankespoor HD, DeJong RJ. Swimmer's itch control: Timely waterfowl brood relocation significantly reduces an avian schistosome population and human cases on recreational lakes. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0288948. [PMID: 38359003 PMCID: PMC10868848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Swimmer's itch (SI) is a dermatitis in humans caused by cercariae of avian and mammalian schistosomes which emerge from infected snails on a daily basis. Mitigation methods for SI have long been sought with little success. Copper sulfate application to the water to kill the snail hosts is the historically employed method, but is localized, temporary, and harmful to many aquatic species. Here, we test an alternative method to control Trichobilharzia stagnicolae, a species well-known to cause SI in northern Michigan and elsewhere in North America. Summer relocation of broods of the only known vertebrate host, common merganser (Mergus merganser), greatly reduced snail infection prevalence the following year on two large, geographically separated lakes in northern Michigan. Subsequent years of host relocation achieved and maintained snail infection prevalence at ~0.05%, more than an order of magnitude lower than pre-intervention. A Before-After-Control-Intervention (BACI) study design using multiple-year snail infection data from two intervention lakes and three control lakes demonstrates that dramatic lake-wide reduction of an avian schistosome can be achieved and is not due to natural fluctuations in the parasite populations. The relevance of reducing snail infection prevalence is demonstrated by a large seven-year data set of SI incidence in swimmers at a high-use beach, which showed a substantial reduction in SI cases in two successive years after relocation began. In addition, data from another Michigan lake where vertebrate-host based intervention occurred in the 1980's are analyzed statistically and show a remarkably similar pattern of reduction in snail infection prevalence. Together, these results demonstrate a highly effective SI mitigation strategy that avoids the use of environmentally suspect chemicals and removes incentive for lethal host removal. Biologically, the results strongly suggest that T. stagnicolae is reliant on the yearly hatch of ducklings to maintain populations at high levels on a lake and that the role of migratory hosts in the spring and fall is much less significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis L. Blankespoor
- Science Department, Jackson College, Jackson, Michigan, United States of America
- University of Michigan Biological Station, Pellston, Michigan, United States of America
- Swimmer’s Itch Solutions, LLC, Adrian, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Harvey D. Blankespoor
- University of Michigan Biological Station, Pellston, Michigan, United States of America
- Swimmer’s Itch Solutions, LLC, Adrian, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Hope College, Holland, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Randall J. DeJong
- University of Michigan Biological Station, Pellston, Michigan, United States of America
- Swimmer’s Itch Solutions, LLC, Adrian, Michigan, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
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4
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DNA Barcoding of Trichobilharzia (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae) Species and Their Detection in eDNA Water Samples. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We designed and tested species-specific PCR primers to detect Trichobilharzia species via environmental DNA (eDNA) barcoding in selected Austrian water bodies. Tests were performed with eDNA samples from the field as well as with artificial samples from the lab, where snails releasing cercariae were kept in aquariums. From two localities, Trichobilharzia was documented based on the release of cercariae from snails, enabling morphological species identification. In both cases, the corresponding species were detected via eDNA: Trichobilharzia szidati and Trichobilharzia physellae. Nonetheless, the stochasticity was high in the replicates. PCR tests with aquarium water into which the cercariae had been released allowed eDNA detection even after 44 days. As in the PCRs with eDNA samples from the field, positive results of these experiments were not obtained for all samples and replicates. PCR sensitivity tests with dilution series of T. szidati genomic DNA as well as of PCR amplification products yielded successful amplification down to concentrations of 0.83 pg/µL and 0.008 pg/µL, respectively. Our results indicate that the presumed species specificity of PCR primers may not be guaranteed, even if primers were designed for specific species. This entails misidentification risks, particularly in areas with incomplete species inventories.
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5
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Environmental DNA in human and veterinary parasitology - Current applications and future prospects for monitoring and control. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2022; 29:e00183. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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The Tails of Two Avian Schistosomes: Paired Exposure Study Demonstrates Trichobilharzia stagnicolae Penetrates Human Skin More Readily than a Novel Avian Schistosome from Planorbella. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060651. [PMID: 35745505 PMCID: PMC9228815 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel schistosome from Planorbella snails currently known as avian schistosomatid sp. C (ASC) was recently described as being capable of causing the papules associated with swimmer’s itch. We conducted a paired study with 24 human volunteers, exposing each of their forearms to five drops of water containing cercariae of ASC or Trichobilharzia stagnicolae, and examined the skin for papules 1–3 days later. A mixed effects model showed that only the parasite species significantly affected the number of papules, while prior experimental exposure, swimming history, and swimmer’s itch experience did not. The total number of papules produced by the two species were very different: ASC produced a total of 2 papules from the 298 cercariae used, compared to 49 papules from 160 T. stagnicolae cercariae, a difference factor of more than 43X, which was comparable to the odds ratio of 45.5 computed using the statistical model. A well-known agent of swimmer’s itch, T. stagnicolae, is able to penetrate human skin more frequently than ASC, likely meaning that ASC is only a minor cause of swimmer’s itch where T. stagnicolae is present. We also completed limited experiments that compared the cercarial behavior of the two species in vitro and in situ. A known stimulant of schistosome cercarial penetration, α-linolenic acid, did not stimulate ASC cercariae to initiate penetration-associated behaviors as frequently as T. stagnicolae. However, when placed on esophageal tissue of the known vertebrate host for ASC, Canada goose (Branta canadensis), ASC cercariae were observed penetrating the esophageal epithelium quickly, whereas T. stagnicolae cercariae did not exhibit any penetration behaviors.
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7
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Loker ES, DeJong RJ, Brant SV. Scratching the Itch: Updated Perspectives on the Schistosomes Responsible for Swimmer's Itch around the World. Pathogens 2022; 11:587. [PMID: 35631108 PMCID: PMC9144223 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most studies of digenetic trematodes of the family Schistosomatidae dwell on representatives causing human schistosomiasis, the majority of the 130 identified species of schistosomes infect birds or non-human mammals. The cercariae of many of these species can cause swimmer's itch when they penetrate human skin. Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in our understanding of schistosome diversity, now encompassing 17 genera with eight more lineages awaiting description. Collectively, schistosomes exploit 16 families of caenogastropod or heterobranch gastropod intermediate hosts. Basal lineages today are found in marine gastropods and birds, but subsequent diversification has largely taken place in freshwater, with some reversions to marine habitats. It seems increasingly likely that schistosomes have on two separate occasions colonized mammals. Swimmer's itch is a complex zoonotic disease manifested through several different routes of transmission involving a diversity of different host species. Swimmer's itch also exemplifies the value of adopting the One Health perspective in understanding disease transmission and abundance because the schistosomes involved have complex life cycles that interface with numerous species and abiotic components of their aquatic environments. Given the progress made in revealing their diversity and biology, and the wealth of questions posed by itch-causing schistosomes, they provide excellent models for implementation of long-term interdisciplinary studies focused on issues pertinent to disease ecology, the One Health paradigm, and the impacts of climate change, biological invasions and other environmental perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasites Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Randall J. DeJong
- Department of Biology, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA;
| | - Sara V. Brant
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasites Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
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8
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McPhail BA, Froelich K, Reimink RL, Hanington PC. Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050565. [PMID: 35631086 PMCID: PMC9146278 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian schistosomes are considered a public health nuisance due to their ability to cause swimmer’s itch when accidentally encountering humans rather than their intended avian hosts. Researchers have been monitoring their presence and abundance through snail collections and cercariometry. Cercariometry methods have evolved over the last several decades to detect individual schistosome species from a single water sample, simplifying the monitoring of these parasites. This methodological evolution coincides with the development of the field of environmental DNA (eDNA) where genetic material is extracted from environmental samples, rather than individual organisms. While there are some limitations with using molecular cercariometry, notably the cost and its inability to differentiate between life cycle stages, it substantially reduces the labor required to study trematode populations. It also can be used in complement with snail collections to understand the composition of avian schistosomes in an environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A. McPhail
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
| | - Kelsey Froelich
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
- Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA;
- Saint Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Dr., Saint Joseph, MI 49085, USA
| | - Ronald L. Reimink
- Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA;
- Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th St. Hope College, Holland, MI 49423, USA
| | - Patrick C. Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Rudko SP, McPhail BA, Reimink RL, Froelich K, Turnbull A, Hanington PC. Non-resident definitive host presence is sufficient to sustain avian schistosome populations. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:305-315. [PMID: 35007566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
To control swimmer's itch in northern Michigan inland lakes, USA, one species of bird, the common merganser (Mergus merganser), has been relocated from several lakes since 2015. Relocation efforts are driven by a desire to reduce the prevalence of the swimmer's itch-causing parasite Trichobilharzia stagnicolae. The intention of this state-sponsored control effort was to interrupt the life cycle of T. stagnicolae and reduce parasite egg contribution into the environment from summer resident mergansers such that infections of the intermediate snail host Stagnicola emarginata declined. Reduced snail infection prevalence was expected to substantially reduce the abundance of the swimmer's itch-causing cercarial stage of the parasite in water. With no official program in place to assess the success of this relocation effort, we sought to study the effectiveness and impact of the removal of a single definitive host from a location with high definitive host and parasite diversity. This was assessed through a comprehensive, lake-wide monitoring study measuring longitudinal changes in the abundance of three species of avian schistosome cercariae in four inland Michigan lakes. Environmental measurements were also taken at these lakes to understand how they can affect swimmer's itch incidence. This study demonstrates that the diversity of avian schistosomes at the study lakes would likely make targeting a single species of swimmer's itch-causing parasite meaningless from a swimmer's itch control perspective. Our data also suggest that removing the common merganser is not an effective control strategy for the T. stagnicolae parasite, likely due to contributions of the parasite made by non-resident birds, possibly migrants, in the autumn and spring. It appears likely that only minimal contact time between the definitive host and the lake ecosystem is required to contribute sufficient parasite numbers to maintain a thriving population of parasite species with high host specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney P Rudko
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Agence de la Santé Publique du Canada, 200 René-Lévesque Blvd., Montréal, Québec, H2Z 1X4, Canada
| | - Brooke A McPhail
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357F South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Ronald L Reimink
- Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th St. Hope College, Holland, MI, 49423, United States; Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15(th) St., Holland, MI, 49423, United States
| | - Kelsey Froelich
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357F South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada; Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15(th) St., Holland, MI, 49423, United States; Saint Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Dr., Saint Joseph, MI, 49085, United States
| | - Alyssa Turnbull
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357F South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Patrick C Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357F South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Alberta T6G 2R3, Canada.
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10
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Helmer N, Blatterer H, Hörweg C, Reier S, Sattmann H, Schindelar J, Szucsich NU, Haring E. First Record of Trichobilharzia physellae (Talbot, 1936) in Europe, a Possible Causative Agent of Cercarial Dermatitis. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111473. [PMID: 34832628 PMCID: PMC8619437 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several species of avian schistosomes are known to cause dermatitis in humans worldwide. In Europe, this applies above all to species of the genus Trichobilharzia. For Austria, a lot of data are available on cercarial dermatitis and on the occurrence of Trichobilharzia, yet species identification of trematodes in most cases is doubtful due to the challenging morphological determination of cercariae. During a survey of trematodes in freshwater snails, we were able to detect a species in the snail Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) hitherto unknown for Austria, Trichobilharzia physellae; this is also the first time this species has been reported in Europe. Species identification was performed by integrative taxonomy combining morphological investigations with molecular genetic analyses. The results show a very close relationship between the parasite found in Austria and North American specimens (similarity found in CO1 ≥99.57%). Therefore, a recent introduction of T. physellae into Europe can be assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaus Helmer
- Central Research Laboratories, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (S.R.); (J.S.); (N.U.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Hubert Blatterer
- Department of Water Management, Office of the State Government of Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria;
| | - Christoph Hörweg
- 3rd Zoological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (C.H.); (H.S.)
| | - Susanne Reier
- Central Research Laboratories, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (S.R.); (J.S.); (N.U.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- 1st Zoological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Helmut Sattmann
- 3rd Zoological Department, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (C.H.); (H.S.)
| | - Julia Schindelar
- Central Research Laboratories, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (S.R.); (J.S.); (N.U.S.); (E.H.)
| | - Nikolaus U. Szucsich
- Central Research Laboratories, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (S.R.); (J.S.); (N.U.S.); (E.H.)
| | - Elisabeth Haring
- Central Research Laboratories, Natural History Museum Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria; (S.R.); (J.S.); (N.U.S.); (E.H.)
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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11
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McPhail BA, Rudko SP, Turnbull A, Gordy MA, Reimink RL, Clyde D, Froelich K, Brant SV, Hanington PC. Evidence of a Putative Novel Species of Avian Schistosome Infecting Planorbella trivolvis. J Parasitol 2021; 107:89-97. [PMID: 33556182 DOI: 10.1645/20-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Freshwater gastropods of the genera Lymnaea Lamarck, 1799, Physa Draparnaud, 1801, Gyraulus Charpentier, 1837, Radix Montfort, 1810, and Stagnicola Jeffreys, 1830 are considered suitable intermediate hosts for avian schistosomes. A large trematode biodiversity survey performed across 3 yr on 6 lakes in Alberta confirmed 3 already-reported snail hosts for 7 North American avian schistosomes; however, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) nucleotide sequence from 1 cercarial sample (from a single specimen of Planorbella trivolvis) was distinct from all other COI schistosome sequences. As part of a simultaneous, comparable study of P. trivolvis by us in Michigan, we collected another cercarial type from 6 lakes that was 99% similar (COI) to the aforementioned cercarial type. Phylogenetic analyses of the COI and 28S rDNA genes recovered the former cercaria in a clade of avian schistosomes. In Michigan, the feces of a Canada goose (Branta canadensis Linnaeus, 1758) had a miracidium with an identical COI nucleotide sequence. Preliminary swimmer's itch and cercarial emergence studies were performed to determine if the cercariae could cause swimmer's itch and to study the emergence pattern as compared with species of Trichobilharzia Skrjabin and Zakharow, 1920.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A McPhail
- 357 South Academic Building, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85th Avenue, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
| | - Sydney P Rudko
- 357 South Academic Building, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85th Avenue, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
| | - Alyssa Turnbull
- 357 South Academic Building, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85th Avenue, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
| | - Michelle A Gordy
- 357 South Academic Building, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85th Avenue, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
| | - Ronald L Reimink
- Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th Street, Hope College, Holland, Michigan 49423.,Freshwater Solutions LLC, 6906 48th Avenue, Hudsonville, Michigan 49426
| | - Daniel Clyde
- Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th Street, Hope College, Holland, Michigan 49423
| | - Kelsey Froelich
- Saint Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Drive, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085
| | - Sara V Brant
- Museum of Southwestern Biology, Division of Parasites, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 1 University of New Mexico MSC03 2020, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
| | - Patrick C Hanington
- 357 South Academic Building, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85th Avenue, Alberta, Canada T6G 2R3
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12
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Pennance T, Archer J, Lugli EB, Rostron P, Llanwarne F, Ali SM, Amour AK, Suleiman KR, Li S, Rollinson D, Cable J, Knopp S, Allan F, Ame SM, Webster BL. Development of a Molecular Snail Xenomonitoring Assay to Detect Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis Infections in their Bulinus Snail Hosts. Molecules 2020; 25:E4011. [PMID: 32887445 PMCID: PMC7116084 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25174011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease of medical and veterinary importance, transmitted through specific freshwater snail intermediate hosts, is targeted for elimination in several endemic regions in sub-Saharan Africa. Multi-disciplinary methods are required for both human and environmental diagnostics to certify schistosomiasis elimination when eventually reached. Molecular xenomonitoring protocols, a DNA-based detection method for screening disease vectors, have been developed and trialed for parasites transmitted by hematophagous insects, such as filarial worms and trypanosomes, yet few have been extensively trialed or proven reliable for the intermediate host snails transmitting schistosomes. Here, previously published universal and Schistosoma-specific internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA primers were adapted into a triplex PCR primer assay that allowed for simple, robust, and rapid detection of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis in Bulinus snails. We showed this two-step protocol could sensitively detect DNA of a single larval schistosome from experimentally infected snails and demonstrate its functionality for detecting S. haematobium infections in wild-caught snails from Zanzibar. Such surveillance tools are a necessity for succeeding in and certifying the 2030 control and elimination goals set by the World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pennance
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK;
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - John Archer
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Elena Birgitta Lugli
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
| | - Penny Rostron
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
| | - Felix Llanwarne
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Said Mohammed Ali
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Amour Khamis Amour
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Khamis Rashid Suleiman
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Sarah Li
- Schistosomiasis Resource Centre, Biomedical Research Institute, 9410 Key West, Rockville, MD 20850, USA;
| | - David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Jo Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK;
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, 4002 Basel, Switzerland;
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fiona Allan
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Shaali Makame Ame
- Public Health Laboratory–Ivo de Carneri, P.O. Box 122 Chake-Chake, Pemba, Tanzania; (S.M.A.); (A.K.A.); (K.R.S.); (S.M.A.)
| | - Bonnie Lee Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK; (E.B.L.); (P.R.); (F.L.); (D.R.); (F.A.); (B.L.W.)
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London W2 1PG, UK
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13
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Schistosoma species detection by environmental DNA assays in African freshwaters. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008129. [PMID: 32203507 PMCID: PMC7117781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical parasitic disease associated with severe pathology, mortality and economic loss worldwide. Programs for disease control may benefit from specific and sensitive diagnostic methods to detect Schistosoma trematodes in aquatic environments. Here we report the development of novel environmental DNA (eDNA) qPCR assays for the presence of the human-infecting species Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and S. japonicum. Methodology/Principal findings We first tested the specificity of the assays across the three species using genomic DNA preparations which showed successful amplification of target sequences with no cross amplification between the three focal species. In addition, we evaluated the specificity of the assays using synthetic DNA of multiple Schistosoma species, and demonstrated a high overall specificity; however, S. japonicum and S. haematobium assays showed cross-species amplification with very closely-related species. We next tested the effectiveness of the S. mansoni assay using eDNA samples from aquaria containing infected host gastropods, with the target species revealed as present in all infected aquaria. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of the S. mansoni and S. haematobium assays using eDNA samples from eight discrete natural freshwater sites in Tanzania, and demonstrated strong correspondence between infection status established using eDNA and conventional assays of parasite prevalence in host snails. Conclusions/Significance Collectively, our results suggest that eDNA monitoring is able to detect schistosomes in freshwater bodies, but refinement of the field sampling, storage and assay methods are likely to optimise its performance. We anticipate that environmental DNA-based approaches will help to inform epidemiological studies and contribute to efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis in endemic areas. Schistosomiasis, otherwise known as bilharzia or snail fever, is a prevalent human disease found across tropical regions of the world and is a major cause of disability. The disease is acquired from exposure to the schistosome infectious larvae released by infected host snails in freshwaters. Programs to restrict the transmission of schistosomiasis would benefit from rapid and reliable diagnostic methods to detect schistosomes. Here we report a study that has developed new diagnostic tools to identify the DNA from three human-infecting Schistosoma species within water samples. This “environmental DNA” (eDNA) approach requires the filtering and laboratory analyses of water samples, and avoids the requirements to locate, identify and individually test the infectious status of host snails. Our results showed that eDNA methods detect the presence of the parasite in freshwater bodies. However, there is need for further refinement for sampling and laboratory techniques to improve the performance of the assays. We anticipate that eDNA approaches will provide information on the distribution and abundance the water-borne parasites, and potentially contribute to the control and elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Liu Q, Zhang Y, Wu H, Liu F, Peng W, Zhang X, Chang F, Xie P, Zhang H. A Review and Perspective of eDNA Application to Eutrophication and HAB Control in Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E417. [PMID: 32188048 PMCID: PMC7143994 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Changing ecological communities in response to anthropogenic activities and climate change has become a worldwide problem. The eutrophication of waterbodies in freshwater and seawater caused by the effects of human activities and nutrient inputs could result in harmful algae blooms (HABs), decreases water quality, reductions in biodiversity and threats to human health. Rapid and accurate monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystems are imperative. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis using high-throughput sequencing has been demonstrated to be an effective and sensitive assay for detecting and monitoring single or multiple species in different samples. In this study, we review the potential applications of eDNA approaches in controlling and mitigating eutrophication and HABs in freshwater and marine ecosystems. We use recent studies to highlight how eDNA methods have been shown to be a useful tool for providing comprehensive data in studies of eutrophic freshwater and marine environments. We also provide perspectives on using eDNA techniques to reveal molecular mechanisms in biological processes and mitigate eutrophication and HABs in aquatic ecosystems. Finally, we discuss the feasible applications of eDNA for monitoring biodiversity, surveying species communities and providing instructions for the conservation and management of the environment by integration with traditional methods and other advanced techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Yun Zhang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Han Wu
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Fengwen Liu
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Wei Peng
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Fengqin Chang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
| | - Ping Xie
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, CAS, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Hucai Zhang
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, China; (Q.L.); (Y.Z.); (H.W.); (F.L.); (W.P.); (X.Z.); (F.C.); (P.X.)
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