ABSTRACT
@#The present study aimed to identify larval trematodes shed by snails found in water bodies used by urban communities in a former schistosomiasis endemic area in the state of Piauí, in the Brazilian semiarid region. A malacological survey was performed followed by analysis of the cercariae shed by the snails after light exposure. Biomphalaria straminea specimens (n=1,224) were obtained from all seven collection sites. Cercariae shed by snails were i) single tailed, in which one type of cercariae was identified (Echinostoma cercariae), and ii) with bifurcated tail (brevifurcate apharyngeate distome, brevifurcate pharyngeate distome, and longifurcate pharyngeate distome [strigeocercaria]). Brevifurcate apharyngeate distome were further examined and the presence of spikes in swimming membranes enabled the identification of Spirorchiidae cercariae in all individuals, demonstrating the absence of cercariae compatible with Schistosoma mansoni. Nevertheless, the accurate diagnosis of S. mansoni circulation in former endemic areas is still necessary.
ABSTRACT
Two species of filariids, Litomosoides silvai and Litomosoides chagasfilhoi, were collected from the thoracic and abdominal cavities, respectively, of Akodon cursor, from Catimbau Grande, Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifty-eight rodents were necropsied and 15 (25.9) were parasitized. Four of the 15 infected rodents (26.7) presented concurrent infections, but each species had separate and specific sites of infection. This is the first report of a rodent species parasitized with naturally occurring, concurrent infections with two species of filarial worms.