Is the tapeworm able to affect tissue Pb-concentrations in white rat?

Abstract

The effect of gastrointestinal helminths on Pb accumulation in the host body is ambiguous. A laboratory experiment with Rattus norvegicus/Hymenolepis diminuta model was conducted to determine Pb toxicokinetics in a terrestrial host-parasite system. The ET-AAS or ICP-OES techniques were used to determine Pb concentrations (CPb) in both tapeworms and host tissues (kidney, liver, bone, testes, muscle and intestinal wall). Concerning the entire host-parasite system, the highest CPb were detected in H. diminuta. Rat kidneys and bone were the only two tissues whose mean Pb levels were lower in parasitized animals than they were in non-infected subjects after both levels of exposure. At low Pb exposure, parasitization slightly changed the Pb toxicokinetics in the host body. However, with respect to tissue at the same exposure level, no significant differences were detected between the parasitized and non-parasitized animals and no significant correlations were found between CPb in tapeworms and those of host tissues. The results of this study indicate that H. diminuta does not protect rat from elevated Pb exposure even if tapeworm accumulates a higher portion of ingested Pb dose compared with that of the most Pb-loaded host soft tissue. The portion of Pb dose accumulated in H. diminuta correlates positively with parasite biomass.

The identification of risk and essential elements along the strobila of the rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta

“…Some field studies followed and confirmed the higher uptake and bioconcentration of lead inside the parasite tissues in this host–parasite system (Sures et al , 2003; Al-Quraishy et al , 2014). Čadková et al (2014) also studied H. diminuta under laboratory conditions and confirmed a higher uptake of lead by this parasite. Although this parasite is well known to bioaccumulate lead in its tissues, information about the exact Pb localization along the tapeworm's strobila is lacking.…”

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Hymenolepis diminuta Cysticercoid and Adult Stages

“…This analysis provided useful information regarding the molecular mechanisms behind host- Echinococcus interactions and Echinococcus biology. Comparative analyses of non-taeniid cestodes have been strikingly neglected, even though non-taeniid tapeworms (predominantly H. diminuta ) are widely used in experimental cestodology (Arai, 1980 ; Evans, 1980 ; McKay, 2006 , 2010 ; Johnston et al, 2009 , 2010 ; Melon et al, 2010 ; Shi et al, 2011 ; Bártíková et al, 2012 ; Graepel et al, 2013 ; Hernandez et al, 2013 ; Cadková et al, 2014 ; Harnett, 2014 ; Kosik-Bogacka et al, 2014 ; Shostak, 2014 ; Mansur et al, 2015 ; Reyes et al, 2015 ; Woolsey et al, 2015 ; Zawistowska-Deniziak et al, 2017 ). In the present study, we identified both stage-specific and common proteins of H. diminuta adults and cysticercoids, which helps not only to understand specific adaptations to parasitism and invasion, but may also provide the data necessary for planning experiments related to new drug targets, vaccines, or diagnostics.…”

Analysis of lead pollution levels within an urban ecosystem using the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta and its rat hosts as bioindicators

“…It has been noted that parasites accumulate heavy metals much faster than their host, but a maximum is reached approximately after 4 weeks. Therefore, the bioaccumulation factor would tend to be smaller in chronic exposure situations (Oyoo-Okoth et al , 2012; Čadková et al , 2014). Additionally, methodological differences in tissue digestion could explain the results between different studies.…”

“…Jankovská et al (2010b) found significant differences between parasitized and non-parasitized animals in an experimental study of lead accumulation in a sheep–cestode system ( Moniezia expansa/Ovis aries ). According to Čadková et al (2014), the toxicokinetics in a host body depends on the lead concentration to which it is exposed. However, and consistent with our results, for similar lead exposure levels no significant differences were found in lead concentration between parasitized and non-parasitized animals.…”

“…In urban environments, the Rattus spp./ Hymenolepis diminuta system was the first model to be used for detection of lead pollution involving a cestode (Sures et al , 2002, 2003; Al-Quraishy et al , 2014; Čadková et al , 2014). This system is widely distributed, easy to collect and identify, especially in urban ecosystems (Feng & Himsworth, 2014; Hancke & Suárez, 2016), meeting some of the criteria set for a good bioindicator (Beeby, 2001).…”