<i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> Infection in <i>Holochilus sciureus</i> Shows Sex-Related Differences in Parasitological Patterns

Abstract

Due to the different parasitological patterns found between sexes in human populations and in different biological models during Schistosoma mansoni infection, we proposed to investigate such differences using Holochilus sciureus rodent, besides confirming whether this rodent is suitable for experimental infections. In this sense, males and females of H. sciureus were infected with 200 cercariae from a human strain of S. mansoni. The number of eggs per gram of feces (epg) and the worms were quantified, besides histopathological analysis. Thus, it was shown that females have fewer epg, as well as a longer prepatent period. On the other hand, males had a lower recovery rate of adult worms. The histopathological analysis did not show differences between the sexes. Thus, we suggest that infection in H. sciureus females provides a favorable environment for the development of adult worms, despite impairing the parasite fecundity. In addition, H. sciureus may be an excellent biological model for S. mansoni experimental infections.

Alterations in blood glucose concentration in wild rodents, Holochilus sciureus, naturally infected with Schistosoma mansoni

“…In our study, we confirmed these findings, demonstrating that the natural infection rate in H. sciureus was 26%, reinforcing the need to understand the role of these animals in schistosomiasis transmission. In experimental infections with H. sciureus, high susceptibility and good tolerance to the infection have been demonstrated (Picot, 1992;Silva-Souza & Vasconcelos, 2005;Miranda et al, 2019). Moreover, it has been previously demonstrated that the blood glucose concentration of H. sciureus decreases progressively with the evolution of S. mansoni experimental infection, particularly in younger animals infected at 30 days old.…”

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

“…In Brazil, species of wild rodents in semi-aquatic habitats, mainly Nectomys squamipes and Holochilus sciureus (Rodentia, Cricetidae), are infected by S. mansoni and are potential sources of transmission (Rey 1993;Gentile et al 2010; Miranda et al 2017). These rodents are highly susceptible to S. mansoni infection (Souza et al 1992; Maldonado et al 1994;Miranda et al 2019), showing a high number of viable eggs in feces (Piva 1966;Dias et al 1978;Picot 1992;Souza et al 1992), persistent infections (Souza et al 1992) and good pathological tolerance (Silva and Andrade 1989;Amaral et al 2016;Miranda et al 2019). Furthermore, previous experimental studies using S. mansoni from naturally infected N squamipes and H. sciureus demonstrated distinct morphological and biological characteristics between parasite strains isolated from wild rodents and humans, including differences in morphological aspects of adult worms (Machado- , pathogenicity in mice (Bastos et al 1984, Silva andAndrade 1989), compatibility/virulence in Biomphalaria snails (Bastos et al 1982) and sensitivity to praziquantel (PZQ) (Costa- Silva et al 2012).…”