Breeding of Biomphalaria tenagophila in mass scale

Abstract

SUMMARYAn efficient method for breeding Biomphalaria tenagophila (Taim lineage/RS) was developed over a 5-year-period (2005-2010). Special facilities were provided which consisted of four cement tanks (9.4 x 0.6 x 0.22 m), with their bottom covered with a layer of sterilized red earth and calcium carbonate. Standard measures were adopted, as follows: each tank should contain an average of 3000 specimens, and would be provided with a daily ration of 35,000 mg complemented with lettuce. A green-house effect heating system was developed which constituted of movable dark canvas covers, which allowed the temperature to be controlled between 20 -24 o C. This system was essential, especially during the coldest months of the year. Approximately 27,000 specimens with a diameter of 12 mm or more were produced during a 14-month-period. The mortality rates of the newly-hatched and adult snails were 77% and 37%, respectively. The follow-up of the development system related to 310 specimens of B. tenagophila demonstrated that 70-day-old snails reached an average of 17.0 ± 0.9 mm diameter. The mortality rates and the development performance of B. tenagophila snails can be considered as highly satisfactory, when compared with other results in literature related to works carried out with different species of the genus Biomphalaria, under controlled laboratory conditions.

Reduced Susceptibility of a Biomphalaria tenagophila Population to Schistosoma mansoni after Introducing the Resistant Taim/RS Strain of B. tenagophila into Herivelton Martins Stream

“…Large-scale breeding of B. tenagophila Taim was performed in a mollusk facility at the Chácara Santa Inês–Vila Bom Jardim, which is located near the experimental field in Bananal/SP, according to procedures described by Rosa et al [30].…”

From field to laboratory: isolation, genetic assessment, and parasitological behavior of Schistosoma mansoni obtained from naturally infected wild rodent Holochilus sciureus (Rodentia, Cricetidae), collected in Northeastern Brazil

“…Biomphalaria glabrata snails descending from specimens collected in the municipality of São Bento (SB strain; sympatric strain) and from specimens collected in Belo Horizonte (BH strain; allopatric strain) were used for the experiments. The snail strains were bred and maintained separately at the molluscarium of the Laboratory of Schistosomiasis and Immunohelminthology (Instituto de Ciências Biológicas/Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, acronym ICB/UFMG), in aquariums containing chlorine-free water, fed with lettuce (Lectuca sativa) previously cleaned in acetic acid solution (0.01%), and supplied with standardized powdered chow for snails (Rosa et al 2013). Snails, 5-6 mm in diameter, were used for experimental infection with the S. mansoni HS strain.…”

Personal experiences during discoveries in Schistosomiasis

“…Therefore, we obtained all environmental licenses for ield intervention. The breeding of Taim lineage in a mass scale is well stablished and has been used to produce many thousands of snails in the city of Bananal, State of Sao Paulo, in collaboration with Dr. Engels Maciel and support of SUCEN (Superintendência de Controle de Endemias de São Paulo) [21]. B. tenagophila Lineage Taim snails were introduced into the locality of Herivelton Martins stream that contained local snails with an average susceptibility of 30% before introduction of those of Taim lineage.…”