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Oyarzún-Ruiz P, Navarro MA, Moreno L, Landaeta-Aqueveque C. Pathological lesions associated with avian schistosomes (Digenea: Schistosomatidae) in the freshwater snail Chilina dombeiana (Gastropoda: Chilinidae) from Southern Chile. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 205:108145. [PMID: 38821315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108145] [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] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Avian schistosomes inhabit the blood stream of domestic and wild birds with aquatic snails as their intermediate hosts. In the Neotropics there is an emerging effort to describe species from these hosts, including Chile, although the knowledge about their pathological consequences is mostly understudied. This study aimed to describe the pathological changes associated with the parasitism of a native schistosomatid restricted to the Southern Cone of Neotropics. To achieve this, a total of 401 Chilina dombeiana snails (Chilinidae) were collected in two locations from Southern Chile. All of them were disposed to cercarial release procedure for three consecutive days. Furcocercariae released were stained and characterized by microscopic evaluation. Then, all snails were dissected under stereomicroscope and preserved in 10 % buffered formalin until histopathological analysis was performed. Eight out 401 (P = 2 %) snails were found parasitized with avian schistosomes. The released furcocercariae were identified as Schistosomatidae gen. sp. Lineage II which was previously reported in the same host. The main pathological change was an atrophy of ovotestes and an absence or mild infiltration of hemocytes in the surrounding tissues. Besides, a co-infection with echinostomes was found which was associated with a moderate hemocyte infiltration, granuloma-like lesion, and a reduced presence of schistosome' sporocysts. The latter would suggest an antagonistic interaction between these two digeneans, as has been proposed in the Echinostoma spp.-Schistosoma mansoni model. Despite the above, the release of furcocercariae was present but reduced, in contrast with the non-release of echinocercariae. This interaction requires further attention. This study represents the first attempt to characterize the pathological consequences of parasitism by a native, yet undescribed, avian schistosome in an endemic snail. Future studies should consider experimental infections to understand the dynamics of single infections in other Chilina species, including inter- and intra-specific parasitism as previous studies have found, including this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Oyarzún-Ruiz
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile.
| | - Mauricio A Navarro
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Lucila Moreno
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
| | - Carlos Landaeta-Aqueveque
- Departamento de Patología y Medicina Preventiva, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán 3780000, Chile
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Andrus PS, Stothard JR, Wade CM. Seasonal patterns of Schistosoma mansoni infection within Biomphalaria snails at the Ugandan shorelines of Lake Albert and Lake Victoria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011506. [PMID: 37578945 PMCID: PMC10424865 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal schistosomiasis is hyperendemic in many sub-Saharan African countries. In Uganda, it is endemic at both Lake Albert (LA) and Lake Victoria (LV) and caused by S. mansoni that uses Biomphalaria snails as obligatory intermediate snail hosts. To shed light on local patterns of infection, we utilised two PCR-based methods to detect S. mansoni within Biomphalaria spp. as collected at the Ugandan shorelines of Lake Albert and Lake Victoria from 2009-2010. Overall, at our Lake Albert sites, the mean infection prevalence was 12.5% (15 of 120 snails), while at our Lake Victoria sites the prevalence was 5% (3 of 60 snails). At our Lake Albert sites, the highest infection prevalence of 13.3% (8 of 60 snails) was at Walukuba, while at our Lake Victoria sites, the highest infection prevalence of 10% (2 of 20 snails) was at Lwanika. Three species of Biomphalaria, B. pfeifferi, B. stanleyi and B. sudanica, were identified at our Lake Albert collection sites, while only a single species, B. choanomphala, was identified at our Lake Victoria collection sites. Biomphalaria stanleyi (2 of 20 snails; 15%) had the highest infection prevalence, followed by B. sudanica (5 of 60 snails; 13.3%), B. pfeifferi (4 of 40 snails; 10%) and B. choanomphala (3 of 60 snails; 5%). Of the Biomphalaria species identified, B. choanomphala had the highest haplotype (gene) diversity score, followed by B. stanleyi, B. sudanica and B. pfeifferi. Sites with a higher mean prevalence of S. mansoni infection had higher intra-species haplotype diversity scores than sites with a lower mean prevalence. The wet seasons (LA: 13.3%; LV: 8.7%) had a consistently higher mean infection prevalence of S. mansoni than the dry seasons (LA: 9.5%; LV: 5%) for all species and all sites tested at both Lake Albert (n = 480) and Lake Victoria (n = 320), though the difference was not statistically significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Andrus
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher M. Wade
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and Associated Risk Factors in Human and Biomphalaria Snails in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:31-48. [PMID: 34259986 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00449-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Schistosomiasis is one of the leading chronic parasitic diseases in Ethiopia. We aimed to summarize the prevalence of S. mansoni in human and Biomphalaria snails as well as risk factors in Ethiopia. METHODS Literature search was carried out from Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed which reported Schistosoma mansoni infection in human and Biomphalaria snails in Ethiopia. The overall prevalence was estimated by a random-effect model and heterogeneities among studies were assessed by I2 test. RESULTS A total of 178,251 participants and 1,097 snails were tested for the presence of S. mansoni in the eligible studies. The pooled prevalence of S. mansoni was 32.5% (95% CI 28.0-37.0) and 15.9% (95% CI - 5.6-37.5) in human and Biomphalaria snails in Ethiopia, respectively. The highest pooled prevalence was 43.2% (95% CI 27.3-59.1) in South Nations and National Peoples region while the lowest pooled prevalence was 25% (95% CI 19.3-30.7) observed in the Afar region. Interestingly, the pooled prevalence of S. mansoni declined from 40.7% (95% CI 33-48.4) to 22.4% (95% CI 18.5-26.3) after the launching of mass drug administration (MDA). The analysis of risk factors showed that swimming habit (OR, 2.78; 95% CI 2.35-3.21) and participation in irrigation (OR, 2.69; 95% CI 1.45-3.73) were independent predictors for S. mansoni infection. CONCLUSION This study revealed that about one-third of human and nearly 16% of Biomphalaria snails were infected with S. mansoni in Ethiopia. This review indicated that the prevalence of S. mansoni declined after the implementation of MDA. This study highlights the importance of further integrated approaches for better control of schistosomiasis in Ethiopia.
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Zanardi VS, Barbosa LM, Simões FM, Thiengo SC, Blanton RE, Ribeiro Junior G, Silva LK, Reis MG. Prevalence of Infection of Biomphalaria glabrata by Schistosoma mansoni and the risk of urban Schistosomiasis mansoni in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2019; 52:e20190171. [PMID: 31508782 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0171-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Biomphalaria glabrata is considered to be responsible for the incidence of schistosomiasis in Brazil. Therefore, surveillance of areas where schistosomiasis is prevalent is fundamental for public health planning. This study was aimed to evaluate B. glabrata populations in water bodies of the city of Salvador, determine their distribution, estimate the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infections, characterize shed cercariae, and identify transmission foci. METHODS Malacological surveys were carried out in 17 water collections from Salvador. Snail species were identified based on shell and mantle characteristics. Snails were evaluated for S. mansoni infection by exposure to light and via real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using S. mansoni-18S rRNA subunit specific primers. RESULTS 1,403 B. glabrata were collected. Classical cercarial shedding indicated that 5 snails (0.4%) were positive for S. mansoni. A higher prevalence of infections was found in Horta de Saramandaia (5.5%) and Lagoa do IAT (1.9%). Non-Schistosoma larvae, such as Xiphidiocercaria, Strigeidae, Spirorchiidae and Clinostomidae, were observed in 3.2% of the snails. S. mansoni DNA was detected in 6.2% snails via qPCR. CONCLUSIONS B. glabrata is widely distributed in Salvador, as indicated by 7 water collections associated with a risk of schistosomiasis transmission. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify B. glabrata eliminating cercariae of Clinostomidae, Strigeidae, and Spirorchiidae in Salvador. We propose that qPCR may be employed in combination with classical cercarial shedding. Estimating S. mansoni prevalence in snails by only considering the results of light exposure method classical into account may underestimate the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lúcio Macedo Barbosa
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Salvador, BA, Brasil
- Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, BA, Brasil
| | | | | | - Ronald Edward Blanton
- Case Western Reserve University, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Mitermayer G Reis
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Salvador, BA, Brasil
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
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Rodriguez C, Prieto GI, Vega IA, Castro-Vazquez A. Assessment of the kidney and lung as immune barriers and hematopoietic sites in the invasive apple snail Pomacea canaliculata. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5789. [PMID: 30345179 PMCID: PMC6187997 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge on the immune system of Pomacea canaliculata is becoming increasingly important, because of this gastropod's role as intermediate host and vector of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the etiologic agent of eosinophilic meningitis in humans and domestic animals. Immune defenses of this gastropod comprise both humoral and cellular components, but they may also involve organs that act as immune barriers to prevent the spread of alien molecules and organisms. Both the kidney and lung are here shown to serve this function, because of (1) their positions in blood circulation, (2) the intricate architecture of their blood spaces, and (3) the proliferative and nodulation reactions of hemocytes to an immune challenge. However, these organs differ in that only the kidney shows permanent hemocyte aggregations. Microcirculation in the kidney was found to flow through an intricate vascular bed containing the permanent aggregations, which occurred either as hemocyte islets anchored by cytoplasmic projections of the renal epithelium or as perivascular accretions. Within 96 h of the injection of yeast cells, hemocyte nodules were formed both in the kidney and lung. Moreover, cell proliferation in renal hemocyte islets was measured by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. The proportion of BrdU positive nuclei increased 48 h after injection. Signs of nodule regression (apoptotic bodies, lipofuscin-like deposits) and a decrease in the proportion of BrdU positive nuclei were found at 96 h. In addition, the area of renal hemocyte islets was significantly increased 96 h after injection. Nevertheless, the high complexity of the small vascular chambers that constitute the lung's respiratory lamina would also facilitate hemocyte-antigen contacts, required to elicit cellular aggregation, and hence, nodulation. To our knowledge, this paper includes the first quantitative indication of hemocyte proliferation after an immune challenge among Caenogastropoda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Rodriguez
- IHEM, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Guido I. Prieto
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Israel A. Vega
- IHEM, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Castro-Vazquez
- IHEM, CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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Abou-El-Naga IF, Sadaka HAEM, Amer EI, Diab IH, Khedr SIAEH. Impact of the age of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails on Schistosoma mansoni transmission: modulation of the genetic outcome and the internal defence system of the snail. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:585-95. [PMID: 26061235 PMCID: PMC4569820 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Of the approximately 34 identified Biomphalaria
species,Biomphalaria alexandrina represents the
intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. Using
parasitological and SOD1 enzyme assay, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of
the age of B. alexandrina snails on their genetic variability and
internal defence against S. mansoni infection. Susceptible and
resistant snails were reared individually for self-reproduction; four subgroups of
their progeny were used in experiment. The young susceptible subgroup showed the
highest infection rate, the shortest pre-patent period, the highest total cercarial
production, the highest mortality rate and the lowest SOD1 activity. Among the young
and adult susceptible subgroups, 8% and 26% were found to be resistant, indicating
the inheritance of resistance alleles from parents. The adult resistant subgroup,
however, contained only resistant snails and showed the highest enzyme activity. The
complex interaction between snail age, genetic background and internal defence
resulted in great variability in compatibility patterns, with the highest significant
difference between young susceptible and adult resistant snails. The results
demonstrate that resistance alleles function to a greater degree in adults, with
higher SOD1 activity and provide potential implications for Biomphalaria
control. The identification of the most susceptible snail age enables
determination of the best timing for applying molluscicides. Moreover, adult
resistant snails could be beneficial in biological snail control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eglal Ibrahim Amer
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EG
| | - Iman Hassan Diab
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EG
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Cueto JA, Rodriguez C, Vega IA, Castro-Vazquez A. Immune Defenses of the Invasive Apple Snail Pomacea canaliculata (Caenogastropoda, Ampullariidae): Phagocytic Hemocytes in the Circulation and the Kidney. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123964. [PMID: 25893243 PMCID: PMC4404100 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemocytes in the circulation and kidney islets, as well as their phagocytic responses to microorganisms and fluorescent beads, have been studied in Pomacea canaliculata, using flow cytometry, light microscopy (including confocal laser scanning microscopy) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Three circulating hemocyte types (hyalinocytes, agranulocytes and granulocytes) were distinguished by phase contrast microscopy of living cells and after light and electron microscopy of fixed material. Also, three different populations of circulating hemocytes were separated by flow cytometry, which corresponded to the three hemocyte types. Hyalinocytes showed a low nucleus/cytoplasm ratio, and no apparent granules in stained material, but showed granules of moderate electron density under TEM (L granules) and at least some L granules appear acidic when labeled with LysoTracker Red. Both phagocytic and non-phagocytic hyalinocytes lose most (if not all) L granules when exposed to microorganisms in vitro. The phagosomes formed differed whether hyalinocytes were exposed to yeasts or to Gram positive or Gram negative bacteria. Agranulocytes showed a large nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and few or no granules. Granulocytes showed a low nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and numerous eosinophilic granules after staining. These granules are electron dense and rod-shaped under TEM (R granules). Granulocytes may show merging of R granules into gigantic ones, particularly when exposed to microorganisms. Fluorescent bead exposure of sorted hemocytes showed phagocytic activity in hyalinocytes, agranulocytes and granulocytes, but the phagocytic index was significantly higher in hyalinocytes. Extensive hemocyte aggregates ('islets') occupy most renal hemocoelic spaces and hyalinocyte-like cells are the most frequent component in them. Presumptive glycogen deposits were observed in most hyalinocytes in renal islets (they also occur in the circulation but less frequently) and may mean that hyalinocytes participate in the storage and circulation of this compound. Injection of microorganisms in the foot results in phagocytosis by hemocytes in the islets, and the different phagosomes formed are similar to those in circulating hyalinocytes. Dispersed hemocytes were obtained after kidney collagenase digestion and cell sorting, and they were able to phagocytize fluorescent beads. A role for the kidney as an immune barrier is proposed for this snail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A. Cueto
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Cristian Rodriguez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Área de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Israel A. Vega
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Área de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Castro-Vazquez
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
- Instituto de Histología y Embriología “Dr. Mario H. Burgos”, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Mendoza, Argentina
- Área de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
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Tissue responses exhibited by Biomphalaria alexandrina snails from different Egyptian localities following Schistosoma mansoni exposure. Exp Parasitol 2011; 127:789-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 01/01/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Mostafa OMS, El-Dafrawy SM. Susceptibility of Biomphalaria spp. to infection with Schistosoma mansoni in sympatric and allopatric combinations with observations on the genetic variability between snails. Vet Parasitol 2011; 180:226-31. [PMID: 21501930 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 03/07/2011] [Accepted: 03/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This investigation was carried out to study the susceptibility of Saudi Biomphalaria arabica to Egyptian Schistosoma mansoni in comparison with the susceptibility of Egyptian Biomphalaria alexandrina to the same parasite. This was in order to know the possibility that the parasite might be able to spread into Saudi Arabia and to determine the genetic variability between Egyptian B. alexandrina and Saudi Biomphalaria arabica snails. Lab bred Egyptian B. alexandrina and Saudi B. arabica snails were exposed individually to 10 freshly hatched Egyptian S. mansoni miracidia/snail. The mortality rate, infection rate, prepatent period, duration of cercarial shedding and cercariae production per snail were recorded in both the sympatric couple (Egyptian B. alexandrina and Egyptian S. mansoni) and in the allopatric combination (Saudi B. arabica and Egyptian S. mansoni). The results revealed that, the survival rate of snails exposed to Egyptian S. mansoni miracidia at 34th day post-exposure (at first cercarial shedding) was higher in B. arabica than in B. alexandrina. After shedding, the mortality rate was higher in the B. arabica, compared to B. alexandrina. The infection rate was higher in B. arabica than B. alexandrina; the mean of prepatent period was shorter in the B. arabica than in the B. alexandrina. However, the duration of cercarial shedding was longer in the Egyptian snails and the cercarial production per snail was higher in B. alexandrina snails than in B. arabica. To study the genetic variability between B. alexandrina and B. arabica, RAPD-PCR on the genomic DNA of snails was done. RAPD-PCR revealed significant variation between the two snail species. In conclusion, the results suggest that B. arabica can play a role in the transmission of Egyptian S. mansoni in Saudi Arabia and therefore this parasite might be able to spread into the Kingdom. In addition, the RAPD-PCR results demonstrated genetic variability between the two species which may be related to the differences in susceptibility of both Saudi and Egyptian Biomphalaria snails to Egyptian S. mansoni infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama M S Mostafa
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khaled University, Abha 61413, PO Box 9004, Saudi Arabia.
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Localization of carbohydrate determinants common toBiomphalaria glabrataas well as to sporocysts and miracidia ofSchistosoma mansoni. Parasitology 2008; 135:931-42. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182008004514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYThe presence of antigenic carbohydrate epitopes shared byBiomphalaria glabrataas well as by the sporocysts and miracidia representing snail-pathogenic larval stages ofSchistosoma mansoniwas assayed by immunohistochemical staining of paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues. To this end, both polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against soluble egg antigens (SEA) ofS. mansoniand monoclonal antibodies recognizing the carbohydrate epitopes LDN [GalNAc(β1-4)GlcNAc(β1-)], F-LDN [Fuc(α1-3)GalNAc(β1-4)GlcNAc(β1-)], LDN-F [GalNAc(β1-4)[Fuc(α1-3)]GlcNAc(β1-)], LDN-DF [GalNAc(β1-4)[Fuc(α1-2)Fuc(α1-3)]GlcNAc(β1-)] and Lewis X [Gal(β1-4)[Fuc(α1-3)]GlcNAc(β1-)] were used. Intriguingly, anti-SEA serum as well as anti-F-LDN antibodies displayed significant binding in the foot region, anterior tissue and the hepatopancreas of uninfected snails, whereas the Lewis X epitope was only weakly detectable in the latter tissue. In contrast, increased binding of antibodies recognizing LDN, LDN-F and LDN-DF was observed in infected snail tissue, in particular in regions involved in sporocystogenesis, in addition to an enhanced binding of anti-SEA serum and antibodies reacting with F-LDN. A pronounced expression of most of these carbohydrate antigens was also observed at the surface of miracidia. Hence, the detection of shared carbohydrate determinants in uninfected snail tissue, sporocysts and miracidia may support the hypothesis of carbohydrate-based molecular mimicry as a survival strategy ofS. mansoni.
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Azevedo CM, Borges CC, Andrade ZA. Changes induced in Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) following trials for artificial stimulation of its internal defense system. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2008; 101 Suppl 1:199-203. [PMID: 17308770 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762006000900031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2006] [Accepted: 06/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomphalaria glabrata can react through different pathways to Schistosoma mansoni miracidium penetration, according to the degree of resistance/susceptibility presented by different snail strains, which is a genetically determined character, resistance being the dominant feature. However, it has been observed that previous susceptible snail strain may change its reactive behavior along the course of infection, exhibiting later a pattern of cercarial shedding and histopatopathological picture compatible with high resistance. Such observation suggests the possibility of B. glabrata to develop a sort of adaptative immunity face a schistosome infection. To explore on this aspect, the present investigation looked for the behavior of S. mansoni infection in B. glabrata previously subjected to different means of artificial stimulation of its internal defense system. Snails previously inoculated with irradiated miracídia (Group I); treated with S. mansoni antigens (Group II) or with a non-related parasite antigen (Group III) were challenged with 20 viable S. mansoni miracidia, and later looked for cercarial shedding and histopathologic changes at different times from exposition. Nodules of hemocyte accumulations were found at the site of antigen injection. These nodules resembled solid granulomas, and were larger and more frequent in snails injected with S. mansoni products as compared to those injected with Capillaria hepatica. However, the presence of such granulomas did not avoid the S. mansoni challenge infection from developing in a similar way as that seen in controls. The data are indicative that hemocytes are able to proliferate locally when stimulated, such capacity also remaining localized, not being shared by the population of hemocytes located elsewhere within the snail body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine Machado Azevedo
- Laboratório de Patologia Experimental, Centro de Pesquisas Gonçalo Moniz-Fiocruz, Rua Valdemar Falcão 121, 40295-001 Salvador, BA, Brazil
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Azevedo CM, Borges CC, Andrade ZA. Behavior of Schistosoma mansoni-induced histopathological lesions in Biomphalaria glabrata submitted to ionizing radiation. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2004; 37:218-21. [PMID: 15330060 DOI: 10.1590/s0037-86822004000300005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Present report demonstrates that repeated radiation of Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria glabrata, totaling 15,000 rads, caused a sudden, albeit transient, suppression of cercarial shedding. Initially, sporocysts practically disappeared from the snail tissues. The more resistant developing cercariae presented nuclear clumping and vacuolation, before undergoing lysis. No host tissue reaction was evident at any time. Thirty-four days after the last irradiation, the snails resumed cercarial elimination. By that time numerous sporocysts and developing cercariae were detected, disseminated throughout snail tissues in a pattern similar to that of a highly malignant neoplasm, with no signs of host cellular reactions, which on the other hand were present in non-irradiated infected controls. The region of the ovo-testis was apparently destroyed after radiation, but returned to its normal appearance around 40 days after the last radiation. Ionizing radiation affected both host and parasite in S. mansoni-infected Biomphalaria glabrata, but the resulting impressive changes were soon reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carine M Azevedo
- Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica do Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa da Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brasil
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Heyers O, Walduck AK, Brindley PJ, Bleiss W, Lucius R, Dorbic T, Wittig B, Kalinna BH. Schistosoma mansoni miracidia transformed by particle bombardment infect Biomphalaria glabrata snails and develop into transgenic sporocysts. Exp Parasitol 2003; 105:174-8. [PMID: 14969695 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2003.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2003] [Revised: 09/08/2003] [Accepted: 11/04/2003] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Miracidia (and adults) of Schistosoma mansoni which had been subjected to particle bombardment with a plasmid DNA encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under control of the S. mansoni heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) promoter and termination elements were shown to express the reporter gene. Bombarded miracidia were able to penetrate and establish in Biomphalaria glabrata the intermediate host snail. Gold particles could be detected in the germ balls of parasites in paraffin-sections of snail tissue. The bombarded miracidia were able to develop normally and to transform into mother sporocysts. Reporter gene activity could be determined at 10 days post-infection by RT-PCR in snail tissues, but not by microscopy or Western blot which probably reflected sub-optimal expression levels of constructs. Our findings indicated that it is feasible to return transgenic miracidia to the life cycle, a crucial step for the establishment of a transgenesis system for schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Heyers
- Department of Molecular Parasitology, Institute for Biology, Humboldt University Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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