Biomphalaria tenagophila/Schistosoma mansoni interaction: premises for a new approach to biological control of schistosomiasis

Abstract

Biomphalaria tenagophila is very important for schistosomiasis transmission in Brazil. However its mechanisms of interaction with Schistosoma mansoni are still scantly studied. Since this snail displays strains highly susceptible or completely resistant to the parasite infection, the knowledge of that would be a useful tool to understand the mechanism of snail resistance. Particularly, the Taim strain consistently shows absolute resistance against the trematode, and this resistance is a dominant character.A multidisciplinary research group was created aiming at studying B. tenagophila/S. mansoni interaction. The possibility for applying the knowledge acquired to obtain a biological model for the control of S. mansoni transmission in endemic areas is discussed.

Differential lectin labelling of circulating hemocytes from Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria tenagophila resistant or susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni infection

“…Therefore, the significant variation on labelling pattern by lectin observed among different species and strains of Biomphalaria used in this study could help to explain hemocyte binding around the parasite observed in some snail strain and, therefore it would be an important factor for determination of differences in the susceptibility level to S. mansoni infection reported in the snail species , Martins-Souza et al 2003, Coelho et al 2004, Pereira 2005, Rosa et al 2005.…”

<![CDATA[<B><I>Biomphalaria tenagophila </I>potencial vector of <I>Schistosoma mansoni</I> in the Paran� River basin (Argentina and Paraguay)</B>]]>

“…tenagophila Taim, from the Ecological Station of Taim, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, proved to be systematically resistant to S. mansoni. This resistance is a dominant character and could be succesful to obtain a model of control in areas where the transmission of schistosomiasis is only due to B. tenagophila (Coelho et al 2004).…”

Assessment of the experimental infection by Echinostoma paraensei (Lie & Basch, 1967) (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in two Biomphalaria tenagophila (D’Orbigny, 1835) (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) isolates resistant and susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni (Sambon, 1907) (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae)

“…Moreover, different isolates of snail species can show a heterogeneous pattern to a parasite species infection (COELHO et al, 2004;ROSA et al, 2006;GARCIA et al, 2010;NACIF-PIMENTA et al, 2012).…”