The effect of temperature on mobility of Angiostrongylus costaricensis third stage larvae.

Third stage larvae (L3) from Angiostrongylus costaricensis were incubated in water at room temperature and at 5 degrees C and their mobility was assessed daily for 17 days. Viability was associated with the mobility and position of the L3, and it was confirmed by inoculation per os in albino mice. The number of actively moving L3 sharply decreased within 3 to 4 days, but there were some infective L3 at end of observation. A mathematical model estimated 80 days as the time required to reduce the probability of infective larvae to zero. This data does not support the proposition of refrigerating vegetables and raw food as an isolated procedure for prophylaxis of human abdominal angiostrongylosis infection.

[The distribution of Biomphalaria (Gastropoda, Planorbidae) in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Brazil]. / Distribuição de Biomphalaria (Gastropoda, Planorbidae) nos Estados do Rio Grande do Sul e Santa Catarina, Brasil.

An analysis to determine new localities colonized by the intermediate snail hosts (B. straminea, B. tenagophila and B. tenagophila tenagophila) of Schistosoma mansoni from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States (Brazil) was carried out. As regards the geographical distribution of the schistosomiasis vector, the possible extension of the endemic disease to Southernmost Brazil is commented on.