Philophthalmus gralli in domestic waterfowl: An environmental study in an urban area from Brazil.

Philophthalmosis is a zoonotic ocular disease that affects mainly domestic and wild avian species in different parts of the world. However, aspects related to its epizoology in domestic animals are not completely known. In the present study, 47 Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata), 8 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos platyrhynchos) and 6 African geese (Anser cygnoides), free-living in an urban lake in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were evaluated for eye fluke infection. The animals were manually contained, and the conjunctival sac and nictitating membrane were evaluated by direct ophthalmic examination (DOE), in which the fluke burden was estimated by a semiquantitative scale. Moreover, the conjunctival sac lavage (CSL) technique was applied for the search of parasite eggs. When possible, the detected trematodes were carefully removed for fixed for taxonomic identification. In order to characterize the parasite-host-environmental system, malacological collections were performed at the locality, and the collected intermediate host mollusks (Melanoides tuberculata) were evaluated for infection with larval philophthalmids. In addition, wild vertebrates found dead in the locality, including one common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) and two capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), were necropsied for the search of eye flukes. Samples from the developmental stages obtained from the hosts were subjected to morphological and molecular studies (amplification and sequencing of a partial region of the Nad-1 gene). In the DOE, the presence of eye flukes was verified in 67% (4/6), 31% (15/47) and 25% (2/8) in geese, Muscovy ducks and mallards, respectively. In most cases, the birds showed mild parasitism (1-5 trematodes), with no apparent eye damage, characterizing a subclinical infection. In only one goose, which had a high fluke burden (20 trematodes), it was possible to obtain eggs by CSL. Regarding the malacological survey, 73/4545 (1.6%) specimens of M. tuberculata evaluated were found infected with megalurous cercariae, compatible with representatives of the family Philophthalmidae. Additionally, 147 flukes were recovered from a specimen of G. galeata found dead at the lake. The morphological and molecular study of parasites obtained from different hosts evaluated in this study enabled the identification of Philophthalmus gralli, a species native from Asia and introduced in the Americas. Factors such as the wide distribution of the intermediate host and the participation of domestic and wild reservoirs in the parasite transmission chain may favor the occurrence of parasite spillover from wild to domestic birds. Furthermore, the occurrence of the life cycle of P. gralli in an urban waterbody serves as an alert to the possibility of human cases of this zoonotic eye parasite.

First report of Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) harboring a xiphidiocercaria in Brazil: A new parasite introduced in the Americas?

Xiphidiocercariae were found in the invasive snail Melanoides tuberculata collected during a malacological survey in Ceará-Mirim, State of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeastern Brazil in November 2018 and submitted to morphological and molecular analyses. The morphology revealed similarities between the larvae here reported for the first time in M. tuberculata from Brazil and other xiphidiocercariae described in thiarid snails from Asia and Africa. Phylogenetic analyses based on 28S and ITS-2 sequences revealed that the larvae correspond to an unidentified species of the family Lecithodendriidae. Aspects related to the morphology and taxonomy of xiphidiocercariae found in M. tuberculata are briefly discussed. It is possible that the parasite here reported is a newly introduced species transmitted by M. tuberculata in the American continent.

Haplorchis pumilio (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) as a new fish-borne zoonotic agent transmitted by Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) in Brazil: A morphological and molecular study.

The fishborne zoonotic trematode Haplorchis pumilio (Looss, 1896) is here reported for the first time in Brazil based on morphological, experimental and molecular studies. Pleurolophocercous cercariae emerged from the invasive snail Melanoides tuberculata collected in the municipality of Ceará-Mirim, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Northeast region of Brazil, in November 2018, were used for experimental infection of guppies, Poecilia reticulata. Metacercariae were extracted from the caudal musculature of these fishes and were used to infect mice. Adult parasites recovered in the small intestine of the mice were morphologically identified as H. pumilio. Molecular sequences were obtained for the Brazilian and Peruvian isolates of H. pumilio, and were compared with data available in GenBank. Analyses of fragments of the nuclear genes 28S (1219 bp) and ITS-2 (290 bp) revealed 98.48-100% similarity between the South American and Asian isolates of H. pumilio. Moreover, new sequences of the mitochondrial gene cox-1 obtained for the Brazilian (797 bp) and Peruvian (646 pb) isolates were 100% similar to a Mexican isolate of this species and 97.54% similar to an isolate from Thailand. This finding reveals the potential for occurrence of human haplorchiasis in Brazil, especially because of the increasing popularity of raw fish dishes in the country.

Non-marine invasive gastropods on Ilha Grande (Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil): distribution and implications for conservation / Moluscos continentais invasores na Ilha Grande (Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil): distribuição e implicação para a conservação

Abstract Invasive species are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss and the knowledge of their distribution is essential for conservation efforts. The present study inventoried the land and freshwater invasive molluscs of 25 villages of Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), an island with Atlantic Rainforest remnants. Three invasive species are found: Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774), Physa acuta Draparnaud, 1805, both on two localities; and Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822, on 16 localities. Most records were done on the island continental side, in anthropic areas, probably due to ease of access. One record was inside a conservation area, that calls concern about the spread of those species on the island and possible effects.

Resumo As espécies invasoras são uma das maiores causas de perda de biodiversidade e o conhecimento acerca da sua distribuição é essencial para os esforços de conservação. O presente estudo inventariou os moluscos continentais invasores em 25 vilas da Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil), uma ilha com remanescentes de Mata Atlântica. Três espécies invasoras foram encontradas: Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774), Physa acuta Draparnaud, 1805, ambas em duas localidades; e Achatina fulica Bowdich, 1822, em 16 localidades. A maior parte dos registros foi no lado continental da ilha, provavelmente devido a facilidade de acesso. Um dos registros foi dentro de uma área de conservação, o que chama a atenção para a dispersão destas espécies na ilha, e seus possíveis efeitos.

Fishborne Zoonotic Trematodes Transmitted by Melanoides tuberculata Snails, Peru.

We investigated the transmission of the fishborne trematodes Centrocestus formosanus and Haplorchis pumilio by Melanoides tuberculata snails in Peru. We report on results of experimental, morphological, and molecular approaches and discuss the potential risk for future human cases, given the existence of food habits in the country involving the ingestion of raw fish.

Melanoides tuberculata as intermediate host of Philophthalmus gralli in Brazil / Melanoides tuberculata como hospedeiro intermediário de Philophthalmus gralli no Brasil

Melanoides tuberculata that naturally harbored trematode larvae were collected at the Pampulha dam, Belo Horizonte (Minas Gerais, Brazil), during malacological surveys conducted from 2006 to 2010. From 7,164 specimens of M. tuberculata collected, 25 (0.35 percent) were infected by cercariae, which have been morphologically characterized as belonging to the Megalurous group, genus Philophthalmus. Excysted metacercariae were used for successful experimental infection of Gallus gallus domesticus, and adult parasites recovered from the nictitating membranes of chickens were identified as Philophthalmus gralli. This is the first report of P. gralli in M. tuberculata in Brazil.

Melanoides tuberculata naturalmente infectados por larvas de trematódeos foram coletados na represa da Pampulha Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil durante estudos malacológicos realizados entre 2006 e 2010. De 7164 exemplares de M. tuberculata coletados, 25 (0,35 por cento) apresentavam-se infectados por cercárias que foram caracterizadas morfologicamente como pertencentes ao grupo Megalura, gênero Philophthalmus. Metacercárias desencistadas foram utilizadas com sucesso para a infecção experimental de Gallus gallus domesticus e parasitos adultos recuperados da membrana nictitante das aves foram identificados como Philophthalmus gralli. Este é o primeiro relato de P. gralli em M. tuberculata no Brasil.

Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) as an intermediate host of Centrocestus formosanus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) in Brazil / Melanoides tuberculata (Mollusca: Thiaridae) como hospedeiro intermediário de Centrocestus formosanus (Trematoda: Heterophyidae) no Brasil

Pleurolophocercous cercariae emerged from naturally infected Melanoides tuberculata from Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were used to perform experimental infection of laboratory-reared Poecilia reticulata. Mature metacercariae were obtained from the gills of fishes and force-fed to Mus musculus. The adult parasites which recovered from small intestines of mice were identified as Centrocestus formosanus. This is the first report of M. tuberculata as intermediate host of this heterophyid in Brazil.

Cercárias do tipo pleurolofocerca emergidas de Melanoides tuberculata naturalmente infectados coletados na represa da Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, foram utilizadas para a infecção experimental de Poecilia reticulata criados em laboratório. Metacercárias maduras foram obtidas nas brânquias dos peixes e administradas por via oral a Mus musculus. Parasitos adultos recuperados no intestino delgado dos camundongos foram identificados como Centrocestus formosanus. Este é o primeiro relato de M. tuberculata como hospedeiro intermediário deste parasito no Brasil.

LARVAS DE DIGENEA EN Melanoides tuberculata (GASTROPODA: THIARIDAE) EN MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA / Larval stages of digenea from Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) in Medellín, Colombia

Se describen las larvas de digeneos que se obtuvieron en Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae), molusco dulceacuícola del que se colectaron 125 especímenes en el lago del Jardín Botánico Joaquín Antonio Uribe de Medellín. En el laboratorio se individualizaron y se estimuló la emisión cercariana con una fuente luminosa. El 9,6 % de los caracoles emitió cercarias. Los moluscos emisores se sacrificaron para obtener los demás estadios larvarios. Las larvas se montaron al microscopio, se midieron y luego se dibujaron. Los caracteres morfológicos permitieron establecer la presencia de Centrocestus formosanus (Heterophyidae) y de dos Philophthalmidae. Uno de estos es primer registro para Colombia. Se confirma la sensibilidad de M. tuberculata a infecciones por digeneos, así como la especificidad de los filoftálmidos por moluscos hospedadores de la superfamilia Cerithioidea.

The larvae of two trematodes found in the freshwater mollusk Melanoides tuberculata (Gastropoda: Thiaridae) are described. 125 snails from the Medellin’s Botanical Garden Joaquín Antonio Uribe were collected. In the laboratory, each individual was placed alone and stimulated with light in order to have cercaria emission. 9.6% of the snails released cercariae. These were separated in three morphologies. From each one, 15 individuals were measured and drawn. Photographs were taken. Based on their morphological characteritics the presence of Centrocestus formosanus (Heterophyidae) was determined. The other two morphologies were classified in the family Philophthalmidae. One of them constitutes the first register for Colombia. The sensibility of M. tuberculata to infections by digeneans, and the specificity of the family Philophthalmidae to mollusk hosts of the superfamily Cerithioidea are confirmed.