Geography and ecology of invasive Pseudosuccinea columella (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae) and implications in the transmission of Fasciola species (Digenea: Fasciolidae) – a review

Abstract

Pseudosuccinea columella is considered invasive and has become an important intermediate host of both Fasciola species in many regions of the world. This systematic review assessed the geographical distribution of P. columella, and its implications in the transmission of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, globally. A literature search was conducted on Google Scholar, JSTOR and PubMed databases using Boolean operators in combination with predetermined search terms for thematic analysis. Results show that P. columella has been documented in 22 countries from Europe (3), Africa (8), Oceania (2), North America (3) and South America (6). Furthermore, this snail species has shown to adapt to and inhabit a vast array of freshwater bodies including thermal lakes and ditches with acidic soils. Studies showed that P. columella transmits F. hepatica, with natural and experimental infections documented in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, South America and North America. Experimental infection studies in Cuba showed the presence of P. columella populations resistant to F. hepatica infection. Furthermore, some populations of this invasive snail collected from F. hepatica endemic locations in Brazil, Venezuela, Australia, South Africa, Colombia and Argentina were found without Fasciola infection. As a result, the role played by this snail in the transmission of Fasciola spp. in these endemic areas is still uncertain. Therefore, further studies to detect natural infections are needed in regions/countries where the snail is deemed invasive to better understand the veterinary and public health importance of this snail species in Fasciola-endemic areas and determine the global dispersion of resistant populations of P. columella.

Occurrence of Fasciola (Digenea: Fasciolidae) Species in Livestock, Wildlife and Humans, and the Geographical Distribution of Their Intermediate Hosts in South Africa—A Scoping Review

“…The epidemiology of fasciolosis is associated with the ecological characteristics of the snail intermediate hosts implicated in the transmission of Fasciola species (14,15). Lymnaeidae snail species act as intermediate hosts of F. hepatica and F. gigantica, and play an important role in the geographical distribution of these two species (1,(16)(17)(18)(19). However, the susceptibility of these snail vectors to Fasciola species infections may vary depending on the immunological responses inherent to these snail species (3,18) such as those related to the role played by IL-1 of Biomphalaria glabrata in resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infections (20).…”

“…Lymnaeidae snail species act as intermediate hosts of F. hepatica and F. gigantica, and play an important role in the geographical distribution of these two species (1,(16)(17)(18)(19). However, the susceptibility of these snail vectors to Fasciola species infections may vary depending on the immunological responses inherent to these snail species (3,18) such as those related to the role played by IL-1 of Biomphalaria glabrata in resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infections (20). Over 20 Lymnaeidae species have been linked with the transmission of Fasciola species globally (8,19), however, their capacity to sustain the developmental stages of the trematodes varies and their dispersion is determined by the climatic and ecological factors such as temperature, rainfall, habitat and soil stratum type (8).…”

“…Over 20 Lymnaeidae species have been linked with the transmission of Fasciola species globally ( 8 , 19 ), however, their capacity to sustain the developmental stages of the trematodes varies and their dispersion is determined by the climatic and ecological factors such as temperature, rainfall, habitat and soil stratum type ( 8 ). Owing to the wide range and distribution of F. hepatica's intermediate hosts, the parasite is widely distributed and commonly found in temperate areas ( 18 ). In African countries, this species has been found predominantly in cold (temperate) regions with high altitudes in Ethiopia (1,800 m above the sea level) ( 21 , 22 ), Tanzania (3,000 m above the sea level) ( 23 ), and Uganda (3,500 m above the sea level) ( 24 ).…”