Metastrongyloidea includes nematodes that parasitize mammals, mainly infecting their respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and are responsible for emerging zoonosis in the world. Terrestrial mollusks are their main intermediate hosts, with few exceptions. Here we present the results of a malacological survey to know the distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Macapá, Amapá, in the Brazilian Amazon region, after the report of a case of eosinophilic meningitis in 2018. Mollusks were collected in 45 neighborhoods between March 2019 and February 2020. They were identified, parasitologically analyzed, and their nematodes parasites were identified based on the morphology and MT-CO1 sequencing. Infections of An. cantonensis were observed in Achatina fulica, Sarasinula linguaeformis and Subulina octona. These are the first records of the natural infection of the last two species by An. cantonensis in the Brazilian Amazon region. The angiostrongylid Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which parasitizes cats, was also detected parasitizing A. fulica and Diplosolenodes occidentalis. This is also the first record of the slug D. occidentalis infected by Ae. abstrusus. The highest infection rates were recorded in neighborhoods where the environment conditions favor the proliferation of both mollusks and rodents. The results demonstrate the ample distribution of An. cantonensis in Macapá and the need for surveillance and mollusk vector control in Brazil and other countries.
Planorbidae comprises approximately 40 genera of freshwater gastropods, including roughly 250 species. Among the Planorbidae subfamilies, the significance of Planorbinae is due to its genus Biomphalaria, whose species are intermediate hosts of the trematode Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907, which causes schistosomiasis in humans and animals. Here, we present the analysis of the dataset of Planorbidae housed in the Collection of Mollusks of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, with a special focus on Biomphalaria species. This dataset includes 7,267 lots originating from 55 countries, representing 20 genera and 75 species collected from 1948 to 2023. Collections were performed in all regions of Brazil, comprising specimens from 26 states and the Federal District, particularly from the Southeast and Northeast. Within the dataset, Biomphalaria includes 3,926 lots of 31 species from 42 countries. These records will help improve our comprehension of schistosomiasis transmission dynamics and the geographic distributions of these medically important species.
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a metastrongilid nematode that causes feline aelurostrongylosis. The adult life stage parasitizes the lungs of wild and domestic felids. Terrestrial mollusks act as its intermediate host, and birds, amphibians, and small mammals act as paratenic hosts. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus presents a worldwide distribution, and in Brazil it has been recorded in most states. The present study investigates the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in terrestrial mollusks from urban areas of two out of the six Mesoregions of Rio de Janeiro state: Metropolitana and Centro Fluminense (46 municipalities). Larvae were recovered from the tissue of the mollusks collected during the surveys and identified based on morphology and sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2). In all, 2791 mollusks, belonging to 14 different species, were collected. Larvae of A. abstrusus were recovered from two species: Achatina fulica in 22 out of 46 municipalities, and from the slug Latipes erinaceus in 1 out of 46 municipalities. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was recorded in half (50%) of the municipalities of the Metropolitana Mesoregion and in 44% of those of the Centro Fluminense Mesoregion. Results indicate a strong association between A. abstrusus and A. fulica, since 99% of the mollusks infected with A. abstrusus were A. fulica. This study recorded A. abstrusus in the Centro Fluminense Mesoregion and naturally parasitizing L. erinaceus for the first time. Despite the high number of mollusks infected with A. abstrusus and their wide distribution in Rio de Janeiro State, there are still few reports of infection in Brazilian felids, probably given that this is an under-diagnosed parasitosis in this country. Further studies in other regions of the Rio de Janeiro State, and other Brazilian States, focusing on intermediate and definitive hosts, particularly in the urban environments where they coexist, are needed. These studies will enable further understanding of the epidemiology and prevention of aelurostrongylosis.
Cat Diseases , Felidae , Metastrongyloidea , Strongylida Infections , Animals , Birds , Brazil/epidemiology , Cats , Larva , Snails , Strongylida Infections/epidemiology , Strongylida Infections/veterinary
In January and February 2019, a malacological survey was conducted in the area surrounding the residence of a 12-year-old child that had contracted cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the municipality of Macapá, capital of the Amapá State, northern Brazil. The serological examination was positive for Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, the principal etiological agent of this parasitosis. A sample of 54 molluscs was artificially and individually digested for parasitological analysis, containing 38 specimens of Achatina fulica, nine specimens of Bulimulus tenuissimus and seven specimens of Sarasinula linguaeformis. A. fulica was the most abundant mollusc, and the only species infected with A. cantonensis, as well as presenting co-infections with other nematodes. This is the first report of cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the Amazon Region, and the first record of A. fulica infected with A. cantonensis in Amapá. These findings highlight the potential risks of human angiostrongyliasis, and the need to implement public health measures to control the spread of the disease.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis/isolation & purification , Snails/parasitology , Strongylida Infections/diagnosis , Strongylida Infections/veterinary , Animals , Antibodies, Helminth , Brazil , Child , Cities , DNA, Helminth/chemistry , DNA, Helminth/genetics , Humans , Strongylida Infections/parasitology
ABSTRACT: Considering the damage caused by terrestrial gastropods in strawberry producing areas in southern Brazil, this study aimed to i) identify the species associated with Fragaria x ananassa in rural properties in municipalities of Paraná State, Brazil; ii) describe and illustrate the diagnostic morphological and conchology features of the mollusk species; iii) construct an illustrated key based on these morphological and conchology features; iv) analyze two species collected in March 2017 to investigate the possible occurrence of parasitic nematodes of medical importance. Taxonomic determination of the mollusks was performed through morphological analysis of samples, and parasitological analysis was carried out using artificial digestion. The following gastropod species were identified: Bradybaena similaris (Bradybaenidae), Rumina decollata (Subulinidae), Deroceras leave (Agriolimacidae), Limacus flavus (Limacidae), and Meghimatium pictum (Philomycidae). Rumina decollata, L. flavus,and M. pictum were recorded for the first time as damaging strawberries in Brazil. No larvae of medical or veterinary importance, associated with samples, were reported. The main diagnostic features are described and illustrated. Besides, the potential of the gastropods as crop pests and vectors of nematodes associated with zoonotic diseases are discussed. Results can facilitate identification of gastropod species in strawberry crops and provide background information for future studies on bioecology and pest control.
RESUMO: Considerando os danos causados por moluscos terrestres em regiões produtoras de morangueiro no Sul do Brasil, neste estudo tivemos como objetivos i) identificar as espécies de moluscos associadas à Fragaria x ananassa em propriedades rurais localizadas em municípios do estado do Paraná; ii) descrever e ilustrar as características morfológicas e conquiliológicas diagnósticas das espécies de moluscos encontradas; iii) construir uma chave pictórica com base em características morfológicas e conquiliológicas; iv) analisar parasitologicamente amostras de duas espécies coletadas em março de 2017, visando a identificação de possíveis nematódeos de interesse médico. A determinação taxonômica foi realizada através da análise morfológica das amostras e a parasitológica através da técnica de digestão artificial. Foram identificados os caracóis Bradybaena similaris (Bradybaenidae), Rumina decollata (Subulinidae), Deroceras leave (Agriolimacidae), Limacus flavus (Limacidae) e Meghimatium pictum (Philomycidae). Rumina decollata, L. flavus e M. pictum foram pela primeira vez registradas causando danos ao morangueiro no Brasil. Larvas de interesse médico e/ou veterinário não foram encontradas associadas às amostras analisadas. Os principais caracteres diagnósticos para cada espécie são descritos e ilustrados, assim como discutida a potencialidade das mesmas como pragas agrícolas e hospedeiras de nematódeos de importância médico-veterinária. Os resultados auxiliam a identificação destas espécies na cultura do morangueiro, servindo de base para estudos de bioecologia e controle nestas áreas.
Human neural angiostrongyliasis is an emerging infectious disease caused by nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The present study investigated the presence of Angiostrongylus spp. in terrestrial molluscs collected from the following areas in the Metropolitan Region of Aracaju, Sergipe State, Brazil: Barra dos Coqueiros, Nossa Senhora do Socorro, Sao Cristovao and Aracaju. In total, 703 specimens representing 13 mollusc species were screened for Angiostrongylus spp. Larvae of Angiostrongylus spp. were found in three species. Larvae recovered from Achatina fulica were used for experimental infection in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). For specific identification of nematodes, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced from both larvae and adults recovered from molluscs and rats, respectively. Infection with A. cantonensis was detected in all municipalities and in the following three host species: Bulimulus tenuissimus, Cyclodontina fasciata (Barra dos Coqueiros), and A. fulica (Aracaju, Nossa Senhora do Socorro and Sao Cristovao). Co-infections were also found with Caenorhabditis sp. and Strongyluris sp. larvae. This is the first study of the helminth fauna associated with the terrestrial malacofauna in Sergipe State, and confirms that these three snail species are involved in the transmission of A. cantonensis in the state. In addition, B. tenuissimus and C. fasciata are newly reported natural hosts of the parasite.
Angiostrongylus cantonensis/isolation & purification , Mollusca/parasitology , Animals , Electron Transport Complex IV , Female , Host-Parasite Interactions , Male , Mollusca/classification , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Rats, Wistar , Urban Population
This research reports the terrestrial slug Meghimatium pictum (Stoliczka, 1873) (Stylommathophora: Philomycidae) as an agricultural pest for the first time in Southern Brazil vineyards. The species was found in densities exceeding 20 slugs.m-2 in Vitis labrusca L. vineyards at six municipalities of the Southern Brazil's viticulture region. It causes damage a loss by leaving residual mucus on grapes and by consuming grapes already perforated by other organisms, such as insects or birds, or mechanically damaged by in situ compression. The effectiveness of iron phosphate and metaldehyde baits on M. pictum was evaluated in laboratory experiments. Iron phosphate bait was more effective in controlling M. pictum (70%) than metaldehyde bait (15%).
O presente trabalho relata pela primeira vez a lesma terrestre Meghimatium pictum (Stoliczka, 1873) (Stylommathophora: Philomycidae) como uma praga agrícola causando danos em vinhedos no Sul do Brasil. Esta espécie foi encontrada em densidades superiores a 20 lesmas.m-2 danificando uvas da espécie Vitis labrusca L. em seis municípios da região vitícola do Sul do Brasil. O impacto econômico causado por M. pictum está associado ao movimento dos espécimes no dossel da videira e nas uvas, provocando a contaminação residual por muco e o consumo de uvas já perfuradas por outros organismos, tais como insetos ou aves, ou mecanicamente danificadas pela compressão in situ. A eficácia das iscas a base de fosfato de ferro e metaldeído sobre M. pictum também foi avaliada em condições de laboratório. A isca a base de fosfato de ferro foi mais eficiente no controle de M. pictum (70%) do que a isca a base de metaldeído (15%).
