Effects of experimental Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection on the reproductive biology of Biomphalaria straminea and Biomphalaria tenagophila.

Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis is an endemic zoonosis in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, but in recent years, new cases have been reported in various countries outside these regions, including Brazil, where it is considered an emerging disease. In this study, the effect of infection by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis, one of the main etiologic agent of this disease, on the reproductive biology of the planorbid snails Biomphalaria straminea and B. tenagophila was investigated during the pre-patent period. Alterations in the reproductive biology of B. straminea and B. tenagophila were analyzed in laboratory-reared specimens infected by A. cantonensis during 21days; the number of eggs, number of egg masses, number of eggs/mass, number of eggs/snail, viable eggs/snail, survival and galactogen content in the albumen gland were measured. The results indicated the occurrence of initial compensation in reproductive effort in both snail species, but at different moments in the pre-patent period. More specifically, a reduction of 46.53% in the eggs/egg mass ratio in infected B. straminea was observed, a reflection of a 50% decline in the concentration of galactogen contained in the albumen gland. Changes in this parameter were also noted in B. tenagophila, but only at the end of the study period, with a reduction of 15.49%. Histological analyses indicate that changes observed can be explained by the tissue damages caused by the migration and development of the larvae. These results shed more light on the host-parasite relationship and indicate the importance of studying reproductive aspects for efforts to control infected snails. Considering that terrestrial snails can also transmit eosinophilic meningitis (in addition to aquatic mollusks), the data obtained expand knowledge of this host-parasite relationship and provide support for programs to control this zoonosis.

The influence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda, Metastrongylidae) infection on the aerobic metabolism of Biomphalaria straminea and Biomphalaria tenagophila (Mollusca, Gastropoda).

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is considered the main agent responsible for human eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. This parasite has low specificity for mollusk hosts and it can also use aquatic snails as auxiliary hosts. Studies based on the metabolic profile of Biomphalaria spp. infected by A. cantonensis have been conducted to observe parasite-host interactions. In the present study, the glucose content in the hemolymph and glycogen content in the digestive gland and cephalopedal mass of Biomphalaria tenagophila and Biomphalaria straminea experimentally infected by A. cantonensis were evaluated, along with the activity of LDH. The snails were dissected from 6 to 21days after infection to collect the hemolymph and separate the tissues. Decreases of 96% and 6.4% in the glucose content triggered a transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism in the two infected snail species, B. straminea and B. tenagophila, respectively. That finding was confirmed by high-performance liquid chromatography. These results indicate that when infected, these snails are able to change their metabolic profile, suggesting a strategy to maintain their homeostatic balance.

Reproductive efficiency of asymptomatic Theileria equi carriers mares submitted to an embryo transfer program / Eficiência reprodutiva de éguas portadoras assintomáticas de Theileira equi submetidas a um programa de transferência de embriões

This study aimed to assess and evaluate the effects of Theileria equi infection on embryonic recovery, gestation and early embryonic loss. Thirteen Mangalarga Marchador Theileria equi positive donors (diagnosed through nested-PCR) and 40 embryos receptors were used. Donors were submitted to two embryo collections in two consecutive estrous cycles (GId); after, the same mares were treated with imidocarb dipropionate (1.2mg/kg IM.) in order to collect more embryos in two more estrous cycles (GIId). Receptors were divided into two groups (control and with treated) with 20 animals each, where one group was the control (GIr) and the other one (GIIr) treated with 1.2mg/kg IM of imidocarb dipropionate assessing the gestation rate at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. After 52 embryo collections, the embryonic recovery rates were 53.84% (14/26) and 65.38% (17/26) (p> 0.05) for GId and GIId, respectively. The gestation rate was 70% (14/20) (p>0.05) at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days in group GIr and for GIIr was 85% (17/20) (p>0.05) at 15 days, 80% (16/20) (p>0.05) at 30, 45 and 60 days. The treatment with imidocarb dipropionate did not cause significant improvement in the reproductive efficiency at an ET program.

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar a influência da infecção por Theileria equi nas taxas de recuperação embrionária, gestação e perda embrionária precoce. Foram utilizadas 13 doadoras e 40 receptoras de embrião da raça Mangalarga Marchador, positivas para Theileria equi através da técnica de nested-PCR. Nas doadoras foram realizados duas coletas de embriões em dois ciclos estrais consecutivos (GId), em sequência, esses mesmos animais foram tratados com dipropionato de imidocarb (1,2mg/kg IM.) para realização de mais duas coletas de embriões em dois ciclos estrais (GIId). As receptoras foram divididas em dois grupos de 20 animais cada, onde um grupo foi o controle (GIr) e, o outro grupo, foi tratado (GIIr) com 1,2mg/ Kg IM de dipropionato de imidocarb, com intuito de avaliar a taxa de gestação aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias. Após a realização de 52 coletas de embrião, as taxas de recuperação embrionária foram de 53,84% (14/26) e 65,38% (17/26) (p> 0,05) para GId e GIId, respectivamente. A taxa de gestação foi de 70% (14/20) (p>0,05) aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias no grupo GIr e para o GIIr foi 85% (17/20) (p>0,05) aos 15 dias, 80% (16/20) (p>0,05) aos 30, 45 e 60 dias. O tratamento com dipropionato de imidocarb não promoveu melhora significativa na eficiência reprodutiva em um programa de TE.