Protective Effect of Helix aspersa Extract against Spleen and Liver Injuries Induced by N-Nitroso Methyl Urea in Mice.

Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of an aqueous extract, from the garden snail Helix aspersa (Mollusca, pulmonate), against N-nitrosomethylurea (NMU) induced damage in mice. Methods: Haematoxylin/ Eosin based histology was performed to evaluate the morphological changes in liver and spleen. Results: our results show that NMU causes different damages in liver and spleen. It induces alterations of blood system of the two organs with the apparition of hemangioma. The histological assessment shows that H. aspersa extract markedly reduces the damage induced by the carcinogen and preserved the histo-architecture of these tissues. Furthermore, histopathological finding demonstrates that H. aspersa extract increase immune system activity through the stimulation of immune cell penetration in liver and differentiation of macrophages into foreign body giant cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that H. aspersa extract acts as a potent hepatic and spleen protective agent against NMU carcinogenesis.

Infections of Larval Stages of Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Brachylaima sp. in Brown Garden Snail, Helix aspersa, in Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the presence and prevalence of larval stages of Dicrocoelium dendriticum and Brachylaima sp. in the first intermediate host, a species of land snail, Helix aspersa, in Turkey. A total of 211 snails were collected in April-May 2014 from pastures in Mersin District. Larval stages of D. dendriticum were identified under a light microscope. Hepatopancreas from naturally infected H. aspersa snails were examined histologically. The prevalence of larval stages of D. dendriticum and Brachylaima sp. in H. aspersa snails was found to be 2.4% and 1.9%, respectively, in Mersin, Turkey. Cercariae were not matured in sporocysts at the beginning of April; however, it was observed that cercariae matured and started to leave sporocysts by early-May. Thus, it was concluded that H. aspersa acts as an intermediate host to D. dendriticumin and Brachylaima sp. in Mersin, Turkey. A digenean trematode Brachylaima sp. was seen for the first time in Turkey.

Cryptosporidium parvum en gastrópodos silvestres como bioindicadores de contaminación fecal en ecosistemas terrestres / Cryptosporidium parvum in wild gastropods as bioindicators of fecal contamination in terrestrial ecosystems

Cryptosporidium sp oocysts were detected in snails (Helix aspersa Milller) and slug (Deroceras reticulatum Milller) from the Valparaiso Region, Chile. Snails and slug were collected from public squares and private domestic gardens. Cryptosporidium sp oocysts were recovered from faeces of both species. Ziehl Neelsen stain, nested PCR, and sequencing analysis demonstrated a profile similar to that described for genotype C or 2 of the parasite. These results demonstrate that snails and slug could act as a reservoir and mechanic vector of C. parvum infection for humans and animals. Moreover, gastropods could serve as bioindicators of fecal soil contamination.

Se detectó ooquistes de Cryptosporidium sp en caracoles (Helix aspersa Müller) y babosas (Deroce-ras reticulatum Müller) de la Región de Valparaíso, Chile. La recolección de caracoles y babosas se efectuó en parques públicos y jardines de diferentes hogares. Los ooquistes de Cryptosporidium sp fueron recuperados de las deposiciones de ambas especies. Después de la tinción de Ziehl Neelsen y la RPC anidada, el análisis de secuenciación demostró un patrón similar a lo descrito para el genotipo C o 2 del parásito. Estos resultados demuestran que los caracoles y babosas podrían actuar como reservorio y vectores mecánicos de la infección por Cryptosporidium. parvum para humanos y animales. Además, estos gastrópodos podrían ser usados como bio-indicadores de contaminación fecal del suelo.

Efeito da endogamia sobre a sobrevivência e a longevidade no escargot da espécie helix aspersa / Effect of inbreeding on viability and longevity of edible snail helix aspersa

Estudou-se o efeito da endogamia sobre as características sobrevivência (intervalos de 0-30; 30-60; 60-90 e 90-120 dias) e longevidade do escargot da espécie Helix aspersa em três gerações consecutivas de acasalamentos entre irmãos perfeitos. Os animais foram criados em laboratório com temperatura entre 20 e 25ºC e umidade relativa entre 70 a 90 por cento. O menor percentual de sobrevivência ocorreu no primeiro intervalo, mas, com o aumento da endogamia, observou-se diminuição na sobrevivência nos quatro intervalos testados. A longevidade média foi de 314 e 306 dias para as gerações um e três, respectivamente, não tendo sido observados animais em hibernação. O estudo de simulação para o caráter sobrevivência, em função do coeficiente de endogamia, indicou que se deve iniciar uma criação com, pelo menos, 100 reprodutores não aparentados.

The effect of inbreeding on longevity and viability (intervals of 0-30, 30-60, 60-90, and 90-120 days of birth) in three consecutive generations of full sibs of escargot Helix aspersa raised under laboratory conditions (20-25ºC temperature; 70-90 percent relative humidity) was studied. Inbreeding effects decreased the viability for all the studied intervals. The longevity means were 314 and 306 days, respectively to the first and third generations. Hibernating animals were not observed. Population size of at least 100 non-related mating escargots replaced after 10 generations to avoid inbreeding effect is recommended.