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Mudavanhu A, Schols R, Goossens E, Nhiwatiwa T, Manyangadze T, Brendonck L, Huyse T. One Health monitoring reveals invasive freshwater snail species, new records, and undescribed parasite diversity in Zimbabwe. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:234. [PMID: 38773521 PMCID: PMC11110352 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06307-4] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Snail-borne trematodes afflict humans, livestock, and wildlife. Recognizing their zoonotic potential and possible hybridization, a One Health approach is essential for effective control. Given the dearth of knowledge on African trematodes, this study aimed to map snail and trematode diversity, focusing on (i) characterizing gastropod snail species and their trematode parasites, (ii) determining infection rates of snail species as intermediate hosts for medically, veterinary, and ecologically significant trematodes, and (iii) comparing their diversity across endemic regions. METHODS A cross-sectional study conducted in 2021 in Chiredzi and Wedza districts in Zimbabwe, known for high human schistosomiasis prevalence, involved malacological surveys at 56 sites. Trematode infections in snails were detected through shedding experiments and multiplex rapid diagnostic polymerase chain reactions (RD-PCRs). Morphological and molecular analyses were employed to identify snail and trematode species. RESULTS Among 3209 collected snail specimens, 11 species were identified, including schistosome and fasciolid competent snail species. We report for the first time the invasive exotic snail Tarebia granifera in Zimbabwe, which was highly abundant, mainly in Chiredzi, occurring at 29 out of 35 sites. Shedding experiments on 1303 snails revealed a 2.24% infection rate, with 15 trematode species identified through molecular genotyping. Five species were exclusive to Chiredzi: Bolbophorus sp., Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma mattheei, Calicophoron sp., and Uvulifer sp. Eight were exclusive to Wedza, including Trichobilharzia sp., Stephanoprora amurensis, Spirorchid sp., and Echinostoma sp. as well as an unidentified species of the Plagiorchioidea superfamily. One species, Tylodelphys mashonensis, was common to both regions. The RD-PCR screening of 976 non-shedding snails indicated a 35.7% trematode infection rate, including the presence of schistosomes (1.1%) Fasciola nyanzae (0.6%). In Chiredzi, Radix natalensis had the highest trematode infection prevalence (33.3%), while in Wedza, R. natalensis (55.4%) and Bulinus tropicus (53.2%) had the highest infection prevalence. CONCLUSIONS Our xenomonitoring approach unveiled 15 trematode species, including nine new records in Zimbabwe. Schistosoma mansoni persists in the study region despite six mass deworming rounds. The high snail and parasite diversity, including the presence of exotic snail species that can impact endemic species and biomedically important trematodes, underscores the need for increased monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aspire Mudavanhu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe.
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ruben Schols
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, KU Leuven Kulak, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Emilie Goossens
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tamuka Nhiwatiwa
- Department of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, School of Agriculture and Fisheries, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia
| | - Tawanda Manyangadze
- Department of Geosciences, School of Geosciences, Disaster and Development, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Bindura University of Science Education, Bindura, Zimbabwe
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4000, South Africa
| | - Luc Brendonck
- Laboratory of Animal Ecology, Global Change and Sustainable Development, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
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Kapour Kieng Katsang G, Wambui CW, Madinga J, Huyse T, Mitashi P. Mapping of intermediate host snails for schistosomiasis in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a systematic review. Folia Parasitol (Praha) 2024; 71:2024.010. [PMID: 38841845 DOI: 10.14411/fp.2024.010] [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: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a snail-borne disease that has a considerable impact on human and animal health, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The intermediate hosts of the schistosome parasites are freshwater snails of the genera Biomphalaria Preston, 1910 and Bulinus Müller, 1781. In order to identify existing gaps in the spread of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this study compiled the available knowledge of the distribution, population dynamics and ecology of the intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and Scopus for all malacological studies on schistosoma intermediate hosts in DRC published between 1927 and October 2022. A total of 55 records were found, of which 31 met the inclusion criteria: these were published field and experimental studies conducted in the DRC and focused on snails as intermediate hosts of schistosomes. The analysis of these studies revealed that more up-to-date data on the distribution of snail intermediate hosts in the DRC are needed. Moreover, ecological factors have been less studied for Bulinus species than for Biomphalaria species. These factors play a crucial role in determining suitable snail habitats, and the lack of comprehensive information poses a challenge in snail control. This review makes it clear that there are no current malacological data in the DRC. There is a clear need for molecular and ecological research to update the exact species status and population dynamics of all potential intermediate host species. This will facilitate targeted snail control measures that complement drug treatment in the control of schistosomiasis in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Joule Madinga
- National Institutes for Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Biomedical Department, University of Kikwit, Kikwit, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
| | - Patrick Mitashi
- Department of Tropical Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Zhong D, Bu L, Habib MR, Lu L, Yan G, Zhang SM. A haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of Biomphalaria glabrata, an important intermediate host of schistosomiasis and the best studied model of schistosomiasis vector snails. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011983. [PMID: 38421953 PMCID: PMC10903818 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011983] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the world's most devastating parasitic diseases, afflicting 251 million people globally. The Neotropical snail Biomphalaria glabrata is an important intermediate host of the human blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni and a predominant model for schistosomiasis research. To fully exploit this model snail for biomedical research, here we report a haplotype-like, chromosome-level assembled and annotated genome of the homozygous iM line of B. glabrata that we developed at the University of New Mexico. Using multiple sequencing platforms, including Illumina, PacBio, and Omni-C sequencing, 18 sequence contact matrices representing 18 haploid chromosomes (2n = 36) were generated (337x genome coverage), and 96.5% of the scaffold sequences were anchored to the 18 chromosomes. Protein-coding genes (n = 34,559), non-coding RNAs (n = 2,406), and repetitive elements (42.52% of the genome) were predicted for the whole genome, and detailed annotations for individual chromosomes were also provided. Using this genomic resource, we have investigated the genomic structure and organization of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and fibrinogen-domain containing protein (FReD) genes, the two important immune-related gene families. Notably, TLR-like genes are scattered on 13 chromosomes. In contrast, almost all (39 of 40) fibrinogen-related genes (FREPs) (immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) + fibrinogen (FBG)) are clustered within a 5-million nucleotide region on chromosome 13, yielding insight into mechanisms involved in the diversification of FREPs. This is the first genome of schistosomiasis vector snails that has been assembled at the chromosome level, annotated, and analyzed. It serves as a valuable resource for a deeper understanding of the biology of vector snails, especially Biomphalaria snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Mohamed R. Habib
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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Dumidae A, Subkrasae C, Ardpairin J, Pansri S, Homkaew C, Thanwisai A, Vitta A. Genetic variation of the freshwater snail Indoplanorbis exustus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Thailand, inferred from 18S and 28S rDNA sequences. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:93. [PMID: 38212518 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08120-5] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Indoplanorbis exustus, a freshwater pulmonate snail, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical zones and plays a significant role as an intermediate host for trematode parasites. Various genetic markers have been used for species identification and phylogenetic studies of this snail. However, there are limited studies about their molecular genetics based on nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes. A genetic analysis of I. exustus in Thailand was conducted based on the nuclear 18S rDNA (339 bp) and 28S rDNA (1036 bp) genes. Indoplanorbis snails were collected from 29 localities in 21 provinces covering six regions of Thailand. Nucleotide sequences from 44 snails together with sequences from the GenBank database were examined for phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity. All sequences of the selected nucleotide regions exhibited a high level of similarity (99%) to the sequences of I. exustus in the GenBank database. The maximum likelihood tree based on the 18S and 28S rDNA fragment sequences of I. exustus in Thailand revealed only one group with clear separation from another genus in the family Planorbidae. The I. exustus 28S rDNA sequences showed intraspecific genetic divergence ranging from 0 to 0.78% and were classified into 8 different haplotypes. Conversely, the 18S rDNA data showed lower variation than the 28S rDNA data and revealed a single haplotype and intraspecific distances of zero among all sampled individuals. The haplotype network of 28S rDNA sequences of I. exustus in Thailand revealed six unique haplotypes and two haplotypes shared by at least two regions. Overall, both markers were successful in the identification of I. exustus. However, these markers, particularly the 18S rDNA, may not be suitable for genetic analysis within the species, particularly for population genetic studies, due to their limited variation as seen in this study. In summary, this study not only enhances understanding of genetic variation in I. exustus but is also useful for the selection of molecular markers in future genetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulhakam Dumidae
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Chanakan Subkrasae
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Jiranun Ardpairin
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Supawan Pansri
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Chanatinat Homkaew
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Aunchalee Thanwisai
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
- Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology (CEMB), Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand
| | - Apichat Vitta
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
- Centre of Excellence in Medical Biotechnology (CEMB), Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Faculty of Sciences, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
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Dias IHL, Fonseca ÁLS, Sousa SRMD, Goveia CDO, Fernandez MA, Enk MJ. Experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni from Belém, Pará, Brazil: Strains newly isolated vs. laboratory maintained. Exp Parasitol 2023; 252:108573. [PMID: 37380123 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108573] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that occurs in locations with inadequate sanitation conditions. The geographic distribution of Schistosoma mansoni trematode depends directly on the presence of its intermediate host, Biomphalaria mollusks. Studies involving recently isolated and laboratory strains are not common due to the difficulty in cycle maintenance. This study evaluated the susceptibility and infectivity responses in intermediate and definitive hosts with strains of S. mansoni, one isolated and kept in laboratory environment for 34 years (BE) and the other recently collected (BE-I) METHODS: For experimental infection, a total of 400 B. glabrata mollusks were divided in four infection groups. Thirty mice were divided in two groups for infection with the two strains. RESULTS It was possible to notice differences about S. mansoni infection in both strains. The laboratory strain was more harmful to freshly collected mollusks. Differences in the patterns of infection in mice could be observed. CONCLUSION Particularities occurred in each group of infection by S. mansoni strains, despite having the same geographic origin. Effects from the parasite-host interaction are visible in terms of infection in definitive and intermediate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Helena Lima Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia da Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitoses Intestinais e Esquistossomose (LPIE), Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MS, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil.
| | - Álvaro Luan Santana Fonseca
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia da Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitoses Intestinais e Esquistossomose (LPIE), Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MS, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Sergei Rodrigo Magalhães de Sousa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia da Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitoses Intestinais e Esquistossomose (LPIE), Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MS, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Christiane de Oliveira Goveia
- Laboratório de Malacologia (LABMAL), Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MS, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - Monica Ammon Fernandez
- Laboratório de Referência Nacional para Esquistossomose - Malacologia (LRNEM), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Martin Johannes Enk
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Strictu Sensu em Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia da Universidade do Estado do Pará (UEPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil; Laboratório de Parasitoses Intestinais e Esquistossomose (LPIE), Seção de Parasitologia, Instituto Evandro Chagas/SVS/MS, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
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Goveia CDO, Caldeira RL, Barata RR, Lemos PDS, Teixeira Nunes MR, Dias IHL, Enk MJ. First report of Biomphalaria tenagophila (d'Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda/Planorbidae) in Pará State, Amazon region of Brazil. Exp Parasitol 2023; 247:108482. [PMID: 36801395 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2023.108482] [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: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mollusks belonging to Biomphalaria genus are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. In the Pará State, Northern Region of Brazil, there are reports of B. glabrata, B. straminea, B. schrammi, B. occidentalis, and B. kuhniana occurrence. Here, we report for the first time the presence of B. tenagophila in Belém, capital of Pará state. METHODS A total of 79 mollusks were collected and examined to search for possible S. mansoni infection. The specific identification was made by morphological and molecular assays. RESULTS No specimens parasitized by trematode larvae were detected. For the first time the presence of B. tenagophila in Belém, capital of Pará state, was reported. CONCLUSION The result increases the knowledge about Biomphalaria mollusks occurrence in the Amazon Region and specifically alerts on the possible role of B. tenagophila in schistosomiasis transmission in Belém.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane de Oliveira Goveia
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Malacologia, Ananindeua, PA, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia - Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil.
| | - Roberta Lima Caldeira
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Pesquisa em Helmintologia e Malacologia Médica, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Isabelle Helena Lima Dias
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Parasitária na Amazônia - Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil
| | - Martin Johannes Enk
- Instituto Evandro Chagas, Seção de Parasitologia, Laboratório de Parasitoses Intestinais e Esquistossomose, PA, Brazil
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Bu L, Lu L, Laidemitt MR, Zhang SM, Mutuku M, Mkoji G, Steinauer M, Loker ES. A genome sequence for Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the major vector snail for the human-infecting parasite Schistosoma mansoni. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011208. [PMID: 36961841 PMCID: PMC10075465 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011208] [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: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomphalaria pfeifferi is the world's most widely distributed and commonly implicated vector snail species for the causative agent of human intestinal schistosomiasis, Schistosoma mansoni. In efforts to control S. mansoni transmission, chemotherapy alone has proven insufficient. New approaches to snail control offer a way forward, and possible genetic manipulations of snail vectors will require new tools. Towards this end, we here offer a diverse set of genomic resources for the important African schistosome vector, B. pfeifferi. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Based largely on PacBio High-Fidelity long reads, we report a genome assembly size of 772 Mb for B. pfeifferi (Kenya), smaller in size than known genomes of other planorbid schistosome vectors. In a total of 505 scaffolds (N50 = 3.2Mb), 430 were assigned to 18 large linkage groups inferred to represent the 18 known chromosomes, based on whole genome comparisons with Biomphalaria glabrata. The annotated B. pfeifferi genome reveals a divergence time of 3.01 million years with B. glabrata, a South American species believed to be similar to the progenitors of B. pfeifferi which undertook a trans-Atlantic colonization < five million years ago. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The genome for this preferentially self-crossing species is less heterozygous than related species known to be preferential out-crossers; its smaller genome relative to congeners may similarly reflect its preference for selfing. Expansions of gene families with immune relevance are noted, including the FReD gene family which is far more similar in its composition to B. glabrata than to Bulinus truncatus, a vector for Schistosoma haematobium. Provision of this annotated genome will help better understand the dependencies of trematodes on snails, enable broader comparative insights regarding factors contributing to susceptibility/ resistance of snails to schistosome infections, and provide an invaluable resource with respect to identifying and manipulating snail genes as potential targets for more specific snail control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Bu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martina R Laidemitt
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martin Mutuku
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Gerald Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michelle Steinauer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Eric S Loker
- Department of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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Alharbi MH, Condemine C, Hesketh J, Kayuni SA, Arme TM, Archer J, Jones S, LaCourse EJ, Makaula P, Musaya J, Stothard JR. Biomphalaria pfeifferi (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Lake Malawi and Upper Shire River, Mangochi District, Malawi: Distribution, Genetic Diversity and Pre-Patent Schistosome Infections. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:126. [PMID: 36828541 PMCID: PMC9963223 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8020126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In November 2017, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, the key intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni in Africa, was first reported in Lake Malawi, Mangochi District. Two subsequent malacological surveys in 2018 and 2019 confirmed its lacustrine presence, as well as its presence along the Upper Shire River. These surveys provided sufficient specimens for analyses of the genetic structure and a transmission assessment for intestinal schistosomiasis. A total of 76 collected snails were characterized by a DNA sequence analysis of a 650 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1); by size fractionation of six fluorescently labelled microsatellite loci (Bgμl16, Bgμl, Bpf8, rg6, U-7, and rg9);by denaturing PAGE; and by detection of pre-patent Schistosoma infection by real-time PCR with a TaqMan® probe. Five closely related cox1 haplotypes were identified, all present within a single location, with only one haplotype common across all the other locations sampled. No allelic size variation was detected with the microsatellites and all loci were monomorphic. Overall, the pre-patent prevalence of Schistosoma spp. was 31%, with infected snails found at several sampling locations. In this part of Lake Malawi, Bi. pfeifferi exhibits low genetic diversity and is clearly being exposed to the miracidia of S. mansoni, which is likely facilitating the autochthonous transmission of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H. Alharbi
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- Ministry of Health, Buraydah 52367, Saudi Arabia
| | - Charlotte Condemine
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Josie Hesketh
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Sekeleghe A. Kayuni
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- MASM Medi Clinics Limited, Medical Society of Malawi (MASM), Lilongwe P.O.Box 1254, Malawi
| | - Thomas M. Arme
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
- School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - John Archer
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Sam Jones
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - E. James LaCourse
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Peter Makaula
- Research for Health, Environment and Development (RHED), Mangochi P.O. Box 345, Malawi
| | - Janelisa Musaya
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Private Bag, Blantyre P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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El-Khayat HMM, Mossalem HS, El-Hommossany K, Sayed SSM, Mohammed WA, Zayed KM, Saied M, Habib MR. Assessment of schistosomiasis transmission in the River Nile at Greater Cairo using malacological surveys and cercariometry. J Parasit Dis 2022; 46:1090-1102. [PMID: 36457778 PMCID: PMC9606168 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01529-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous field studies on the abundance and distribution of freshwater snails and cercarial populations are important for schistosomiasis control programs. In the present work, snail surveys and cercariometry were conducted for four successive seasons at 12 sites on the Nile River banks in the area of Greater Cairo to identify potential transmission foci for schistosomiasis. In addition, water physicochemical parameters were recorded. The results showed that the electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and pH were within the permissible levels, except that the water temperature increased, especially in the spring season. Malacological surveys identified 10 native snail species at the studied sites of the Nile River, namely Bulinus truncatus, Biomphalaria alexandrina, Lymnaea natalensis, Lanistes carinatus, Cleopatra bulimoides, Melanoides tuberculata, Helisoma duryi, Bellamya unicolor, Physa acuta, Thedoxus niloticus, and one invasive snail species, Thiara scabra. The calculated diversity index indicated that the structure of snails' habitats was poor, while Evenness index indicated that the individuals were not distributed equally. Natural infection results identified no schistosome cercariae in B. truncatus and B. alexandrina. However, the cercariometry recovered Schistosoma cercariae in all the surveyed sites during all seasons with variable distribution. The preceding data suggest that there are still some active transmission foci for schistosomiasis infection in the Nile River. Moreover, the present finding highlights the importance of cercariomety as a complementary approach to snail samplings for identifying the transmission foci for schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa M. M. El-Khayat
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Hanan S. Mossalem
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Karem El-Hommossany
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Sara S. M. Sayed
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Wafaa A. Mohammed
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Khaled M. Zayed
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Mohamed Saied
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
| | - Mohamed R. Habib
- Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Division, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411 Egypt
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10
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Maes T, De Corte Z, Vangestel C, Virgilio M, Smitz N, Djuikwo-Teukeng FF, Papadaki MI, Huyse T. Large-scale and small-scale population genetic structure of the medically important gastropod species Bulinus truncatus (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia). Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:328. [PMID: 36123605 PMCID: PMC9484234 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05445-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastropod snails remain strongly understudied, despite their important role in transmitting parasitic diseases. Knowledge of their distribution and population dynamics increases our understanding of the processes driving disease transmission. We report the first study to use high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to elucidate the population genetic structure of the hermaphroditic snail Bulinus truncatus (Gastropoda, Heterobranchia) on a regional (17–150 km) and inter-regional (1000–5400 km) scale. This snail species acts as an intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma bovis, which cause human and animal schistosomiasis respectively. Methods Bulinus truncatus snails were collected in Senegal, Cameroon, Egypt and France and identified through DNA barcoding. A single-end genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) library, comprising 87 snail specimens from the respective countries, was built and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform. Reads were mapped against S. bovis and S. haematobium reference genomes to identify schistosome infections, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were scored using the Stacks pipeline. These SNPs were used to estimate genetic diversity, assess population structure and construct phylogenetic trees of B. truncatus. Results A total of 10,750 SNPs were scored and used in downstream analyses. The phylogenetic analysis identified five clades, each consisting of snails from a single country but with two distinct clades within Senegal. Genetic diversity was low in all populations, reflecting high selfing rates, but varied between locations due to habitat variability. Significant genetic differentiation and isolation by distance patterns were observed at both spatial scales, indicating that gene flow is not strong enough to counteract the effects of population bottlenecks, high selfing rates and genetic drift. Remarkably, the population genetic differentiation on a regional scale (i.e. within Senegal) was as large as that between populations on an inter-regional scale. The blind GBS technique was able to pick up parasite DNA in snail tissue, demonstrating the potential of HTS techniques to further elucidate the role of snail species in parasite transmission. Conclusions HTS techniques offer a valuable toolbox to further investigate the population genetic patterns of intermediate schistosome host snails and the role of snail species in parasite transmission. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05445-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Maes
- Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Ch. Deberiotstraat 32, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. .,Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium.
| | - Zoë De Corte
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium.,Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Carl Vangestel
- Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, 1000, Brussels, Belgium.,Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Nathalie Smitz
- Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
| | | | - Maria Ioanna Papadaki
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Ch. Deberiotstraat 32, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Royal Museum for Central Africa, Leuvensesteenweg 13, 3080, Tervuren, Belgium
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11
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Satellite Imagery-Based Identification of High-Risk Areas of Schistosome Intermediate Snail Hosts Spread after Flood. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14153707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Snail intermediate host monitoring and control are essential for interrupting the parasitic disease schistosomiasis. Identifying large-scale high-risk areas of snail spread after floods has been greatly facilitated by remote sensing imagery. However, previous studies have usually assumed that all inundation areas carry snails and may have overestimated snail spread areas. Furthermore, these studies only used a single environmental factor to estimate the snail survival risk probability, failing to analyze multiple variables, to accurately distinguish the snail survival risk in the snail spread areas. This paper proposes a systematic framework for early monitoring of snail diffusion to accurately map snail spread areas from remote sensing imagery and enhance snail survival risk probability estimation based on the snail spread map. In particular, the flooded areas are extracted using the Sentinel-1 Dual-Polarized Water Index based on synthetic aperture radar images to map all-weather flooding areas. These flood maps are used to extract snail spread areas, based on the assumption that only inundation areas that spatially interacted with (i.e., are close to) the previous snail distribution regions before flooding are identified as snail spread areas, in order to reduce the misclassification in snail spread area identification. A multiple logistic regression model is built to analyze how various types of snail-related environmental factors, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), wetness, river and channel density, and landscape fractal dimension impact snail survival, and estimate its risk probabilities in snail spread area. An experiment was conducted in Jianghan Plain, China, where snails are predominantly linearly distributed along the tributaries and water channels of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The proposed method could accurately map floods under clouds, and a total area of 231.5 km2 was identified as the snail spread area. The snail survival risk probabilities were thus estimated. The proposed method showed a more refined snail spread area and a more reliable degree of snail survival risk compared with those of previous studies. Thus, it is an efficient way to accurately map all-weather snail spread and survival risk probabilities, which is helpful for schistosomiasis interruption.
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12
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Du S, Sun X, Zhang J, Lin D, Chen R, Cui Y, Xiang S, Wu Z, Ding T. Metagenome-Assembled Genomes Reveal Mechanisms of Carbohydrate and Nitrogen Metabolism of Schistosomiasis-Transmitting Vector Biomphalaria Glabrata. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0184321. [PMID: 35254167 PMCID: PMC9045156 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01843-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomphalaria glabrata transmits schistosomiasis mansoni which poses considerable risks to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, and is widely used as a model organism for studies on the snail-schistosome relationship. Gut microbiota plays important roles in multiple aspects of host including development, metabolism, immunity, and even behavior; however, detailed information on the complete diversity and functional profiles of B. glabrata gut microbiota is still limited. This study is the first to reveal the gut microbiome of B. glabrata based on metagenome-assembled genome (MAG). A total of 28 gut samples spanning diet and age were sequenced and 84 individual microbial genomes with ≥ 70% completeness and ≤ 5% contamination were constructed. Bacteroidota and Proteobacteria were the dominant bacteria in the freshwater snail, unlike terrestrial organisms harboring many species of Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. The microbial consortia in B. glabrata helped in the digestion of complex polysaccharide such as starch, hemicellulose, and chitin for energy supply, and protected the snail from food poisoning and nitrate toxicity. Both microbial community and metabolism of B. glabrata were significantly altered by diet. The polysaccharide-degrading bacterium Chryseobacterium was enriched in the gut of snails fed with high-digestibility protein and high polysaccharide diet (HPHP). Notably, B. glabrata as a mobile repository can escalate biosafety issues regarding transmission of various pathogens such as Acinetobacter nosocomialis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus as well as multiple antibiotic resistance genes in the environment and to other organisms. IMPORTANCE The spread of aquatic gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, exacerbates the burden of schistosomiasis disease worldwide. This study provides insights into the importance of microbiome for basic biological activities of freshwater snails, and offers a valuable microbial genome resource to fill the gap in the analysis of the snail-microbiota-parasite relationship. The results of this study clarified the reasons for the high adaptability of B. glabrata to diverse environments, and further illustrated the role of B. glabrata in accumulation of antibiotic resistance in the environment and spread of various pathogens. These findings have important implications for further exploration of the control of snail dissemination and schistosomiasis from a microbial perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Du
- Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingxiang Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Datao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Runzhi Chen
- Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Suoyu Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongdao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Parasitology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Ding
- Department of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
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