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Trends in Parasitology Feb 2021is the causative agent of intestinal schistosomiasis and infects ~54 million people annually, causing significant mortality and morbidity. This parasitic trematode is...
is the causative agent of intestinal schistosomiasis and infects ~54 million people annually, causing significant mortality and morbidity. This parasitic trematode is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, and colonized South America during the transatlantic slave trade. Parasites transition between five distinctive body plans, with asexual proliferation in the snail host and sexual proliferation in the vertebrate host, and motile free-living stages. Transmission results from contact with water containing infected . snails. Infection prevalence and intensity peaks in school age children: both reduced water contact and acquired immunity reduces infection in adults. Pathology to the human host results from granulomas that form around eggs trapped in the liver and gut. These is no effective vaccine available: treatment of infected patients with praziquantel is the mainstay of control efforts.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Humans; Life Cycle Stages; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Snails
PubMed: 32713763
DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.06.003 -
Infectious Diseases of Poverty May 2024The three most important genera of snails for the transmission of schistosomes are Bulinus, Biomphalaria and Oncomelania. Each of these genera, found in two distantly... (Review)
Review
The three most important genera of snails for the transmission of schistosomes are Bulinus, Biomphalaria and Oncomelania. Each of these genera, found in two distantly related families, includes species that act as the intermediate host for one of the three most widespread schistosome species infecting humans, Schistosoma haematobium, S. mansoni and S. japonicum, respectively. An important step in the fight against schistosomiasis in Asia has been taken with the publication of the article "Chromosome-level genome assembly of Oncomelania hupensis: the intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum", which means that genomes for all three major genera, including species across three continents, are now available in the public domain. This includes the first genomes of African snail vectors, namely Biomphalaria sudanica, Bi. pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus, as well as high-quality chromosome level assemblies for South American Bi. glabrata. Most importantly, the wealth of new genomic and transcriptomic data is helping to establish the specific molecular mechanisms that underly compatibility between snails and their schistosomes, which although diverse and complex, may help to identify potential targets dictating host parasite interactions that can be utilised in future transmission control strategies. This new work on Oncomelania hupensis and indeed studies on other snail vectors, which provide deep insights into the genome, will stimulate research that may well lead to new and much needed control interventions.
Topics: Animals; Genomics; Snails; Disease Vectors; Humans; Schistosomiasis; Host-Parasite Interactions
PubMed: 38711151
DOI: 10.1186/s40249-024-01199-z -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022We stand as dissenters against the acceptance of scientific knowledge that has not been built on empirical data. With this in mind, this review synthesizes selected... (Review)
Review
We stand as dissenters against the acceptance of scientific knowledge that has not been built on empirical data. With this in mind, this review synthesizes selected aspects of the immunobiology of gastropods and of apple snails (Ampullariidae) in particular, from morphological to molecular and "omics" studies. Our trip went through more than two centuries of history and was guided by an evo-devo hypothesis: that the gastropod immune system originally developed in the mesenchymal connective tissue of the reno-pericardial complex, and that in that tissue some cells differentiated into hematopoietically committed progenitor cells that integrate constitutive hemocyte aggregations in the reno-pericardial territory, whether concentrated in the pericardium or the kidney in a species-specific manner. However, some of them may be freed from those aggregations, circulate in the blood, and form distant contingent aggregations anywhere in the body, but always in response to intruders (i.e., pathogens or any other immune challenge). After that, we reviewed the incipient immunology of the Ampullariidae by critically revising the findings in and , the only ampullariid species that have been studied in this respect, and we attempted to identify the effectors and the processes in which they are involved. Particularly for , which is by far the most studied species, we ask which hemocytes are involved, in which tissues or organs are integrated, and what cellular reactions to intruders this species has in common with other animals. Furthermore, we wondered what humoral factors could also integrate its internal defense system. Among the cellular defenses, we give an outstanding position to the generation of hemocyte nodules, which seems to be an important process for these snails, serving the isolation and elimination of intruders. Finally, we discuss hematopoiesis in apple snails. There have been contrasting views about some of these aspects, but we envision a hematopoietic system centered in the constitutive hemocyte islets in the ampullariid kidney.
Topics: Animals; Gastropoda; Hematopoiesis; Hemocytes; Species Specificity
PubMed: 35693764
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.879122 -
Developmental and Comparative Immunology Mar 2020The freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, is an important intermediate host in the life cycle for the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of... (Review)
Review
The freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata, is an important intermediate host in the life cycle for the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of schistosomiasis. Current treatment and prevention strategies have not led to a significant decrease in disease transmission. However, the genome of B. glabrata was recently sequenced to provide additional resources to further our understanding of snail biology. This review presents an overview of recently published, post-genome studies related to the topic of snail immunity. Many of these reports expand on findings originated from the genome characterization. These novel studies include a complementary gene linkage map, analysis of the genome of the B. glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line, as well as transcriptomic and proteomic studies looking at snail-parasite interactions and innate immune memory responses towards schistosomes. Also included are biochemical investigations on snail pheromones, neuropeptides, and attractants, as well as studies investigating the frontiers of molluscan epigenetics and cell signaling were also included. Findings support the current hypotheses on snail-parasite strain compatibility, and that snail host resistance to schistosome infection is dependent not only on genetics and expression, but on the ability to form multimeric molecular complexes in a timely and tissue-specific manner. The relevance of cell immunity is reinforced, while the importance of humoral factors, especially for secondary infections, is supported. Overall, these studies reflect an improved understanding on the diversity, specificity, and complexity of molluscan immune systems.
Topics: Animals; Biomphalaria; Disease Vectors; Epigenomics; Genome; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Proteomics; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis; Signal Transduction; Transcriptome
PubMed: 31759924
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.103557 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Human schistosomes combat the unique immune systems of two vastly different hosts during their indirect life cycles. In gastropod molluscs, they face a potent innate... (Review)
Review
Human schistosomes combat the unique immune systems of two vastly different hosts during their indirect life cycles. In gastropod molluscs, they face a potent innate immune response composed of variable immune recognition molecules and highly phagocytic hemocytes. In humans, a wide variety of innate and adaptive immune processes exist in proximity to these parasites throughout their lifespan. To survive and thrive as the second most common parasitic disease in humans, schistosomes have evolved many techniques to avoid and combat these targeted host responses. Among these techniques are molecular mimicry of host antigens, the utilization of an immune resistant outer tegument, the secretion of several potent proteases, and targeted release of specific immunomodulatory factors affecting immune cell functions. This review seeks to describe these key immune evasion mechanisms, among others, which schistosomes use to survive in both of their hosts. After diving into foundational observational studies of the processes mediating the establishment of schistosome infections, more recent transcriptomic and proteomic studies revealing crucial components of the host/parasite molecular interface are discussed. In order to combat this debilitating and lethal disease, a comprehensive understanding of schistosome immune evasion strategies is necessary for the development of novel therapeutics and treatment plans, necessitating the discussion of the numerous ways in which these parasitic flatworms overcome the immune responses of both hosts.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Animals; Gastropoda; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunomodulation; Life Cycle Stages; Lung; Molecular Mimicry; Mucins; Oocysts; Proteome; Schistosoma; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Transcriptome
PubMed: 33613562
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.624178 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024
Topics: Animals; Gastropoda; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Genome, Mitochondrial
PubMed: 38585274
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385106 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Congresses as Topic; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Infectious Disease Medicine; Prognosis; Schistosoma; Schistosomiasis; Tropical Medicine
PubMed: 34899729
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.774311 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2021Biological invasion is a matter of great concern from both public health and biodiversity perspectives. Some invasive snail species may trigger disease emergence by... (Review)
Review
Biological invasion is a matter of great concern from both public health and biodiversity perspectives. Some invasive snail species may trigger disease emergence by acting as intermediate hosts. The geographic distribution of depends on the presence of susceptible species of freshwater snails that support the parasite's transformation into infective stages. spp. have shown strong local and global dispersal capacities that may increase due to the global warming phenomenon and increases in the development of agricultural and water projects. Should intermediate hosts become established in new areas then this will create potential transmission foci. Examples of snail invasions that have had an impact on schistosomiasis transmission include the introduction of to Congo and to Egypt. The current spread of in China is causing concern and needs to be monitored closely. An understanding of the mode of invasion and distribution of these snails as well as their experimental susceptibility to will predict the potential spread of schistosomiasis. Here we review the invasion patterns of snails and factors that control their distribution and the impact that invasion may have on intestinal schistosomiasis transmission. In addition, we propose some possible surveillance responses for optimum control strategies and interventions. Whenever possible, swift action should be taken to contain any new occurrence of these intermediate snail hosts.
PubMed: 33644096
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.614797 -
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental... 2022Snail-borne parasitic diseases represent an important challenge to human and animal health. Control strategies that target the intermediate snail host has proved very... (Review)
Review
Snail-borne parasitic diseases represent an important challenge to human and animal health. Control strategies that target the intermediate snail host has proved very effective. Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in developmental processes and therefore play a fundamental role in developmental variation. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic information carrier in eukaryotes that plays a major role in the control of chromatin structure. Epigenome editing tools have been instrumental to demonstrate functional importance of this mark for gene expression in vertebrates. In invertebrates, such tools are missing, and the role of DNA methylation remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that methylome engineering can be used to modify the CpG methylation level of a target gene in the freshwater snail intermediate host of the human parasite . We used a dCas9-SunTag-DNMT3A complex and synthetic sgRNA to transfect embryos and observed an increase of CpG methylation at the target site in 50% of the hatching snails.
PubMed: 35295851
DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.794650 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2022Biomphalaria snails, namely B. pfeifferi and B. sudanica, are the principal intermediate hosts for Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ethiopia. Epidemiological studies of...
Biomphalaria snails, namely B. pfeifferi and B. sudanica, are the principal intermediate hosts for Schistosoma mansoni infection in Ethiopia. Epidemiological studies of Biomphalaria snails and their infection status with S. mansoni is vital for public health planning. This study aimed to assess the spatial and seasonal abundance of Biomphalaria snails as well as their infection status with S. mansoni around Lake Tana, northwest Ethiopia. Malacological survey was conducted from January 2021 to December 2021 in ten different collection sites in and around Lake Tana. Snail collection was performed for 20 min from each collection site seasonally (four times in a year) using a standard scoop and handpicking from aquatic vegetation. All collected snails were carefully examined based on their morphological features and all live Biomphalaria snails were subjected to cercariae shedding experiment. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and its relationship with snail collection sites and seasons. A total of 3886 freshwater snails were collected from ten collection sites around Lake Tana. Out of the total snails collected, 1606 (41.3%; 95% CI 39.77-42.89%) were Biomphalaria spp. The highest (374) and the lowest numbers (98) of Biomphalaria snails were collected from Shinne River and Qunzela Lakeshore, respectively. Out of the 1375 live Biomphalaria snails, 14.4% (95% CI 12.59-16.37%) snails shed cercariae, but only 4.87% (95% CI 3.79-6.15%) were cercariae of S. mansoni. The infection prevalence of S. mansoni ranged from 10.59% at the Cherechera site to 1.49% at Gumara River. Biomphalaria snail infections with S. mansoni cercariae were observed throughout the season, the highest and the lowest infection rates being in the spring and summer seasons. Significant differences in the prevalence of S. mansoni infection in Biomphalaria snails were observed across study sites and seasons (p < 0.05). Biomphalaria snails were the most abundant freshwater snails found in nearly all of snail collection sites throughout the year. It was revealed that nearly five percent of Biomphalaria snails were infected with S. mansoni cercariae. This study highlights the importance of appropriate snail control strategies to support the ongoing prevention and control of schistosomiasis around Lake Tana.
Topics: Animals; Biomphalaria; Cercaria; Ethiopia; Lakes; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Seasons
PubMed: 36224227
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-21306-0