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Silvana C Thiengo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in both humans and the snail Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica in the city of Macapá, in the Amazon Region of Brazil
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2020Co-Authors: Tatiane Alves Barbosa, Silvana C Thiengo, Monica Ammon Fernandez, Carlos Graeff-teixeira, Alessandra Loureiro Morassutti, Fábio Rodrigo Paixão Mourão, Clóvis Omar Sá Miranda, Michel De Moraes Jorge, Liliane Freitas Costa, Suzete Rodrigues GomesAbstract:In January and February 2019, a malacological survey was conducted in the area surrounding the residence of a 12-year-old child that had contracted cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the municipality of Macapa, capital of the Amapa State, northern Brazil. The serological examination was positive for Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, the principal etiological agent of this parasitosis. A sample of 54 molluscs was artificially and individually digested for parasitological analysis, containing 38 specimens of Achatina Fulica, nine specimens of Bulimulus tenuissimus and seven specimens of Sarasinula linguaeformis. A. Fulica was the most abundant mollusc, and the only species infected with A. cantonensis, as well as presenting co-infections with other nematodes. This is the first report of cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the Amazon Region, and the first record of A. Fulica infected with A. cantonensis in Amapa. These findings highlight the potential risks of human angiostrongyliasis, and the need to implement public health measures to control the spread of the disease.
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Physiology and immunity of the invasive giant African snail, Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica, intermediate host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis
Developmental and comparative immunology, 2019Co-Authors: Mariana Gomes Lima, Ronaldo De Carvalho Augusto, Jairo Pinheiro, Silvana C ThiengoAbstract:As one of the most successful invasive land snail species, Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica Bowdich, 1822 has achieved wide global distribution, particularly in (sub)tropical regions, with further dispersal likely due to climate change. This species of giant African snails (up to 17 cm shell length) is a pest that has extensive negative impact on agriculture and can serve as vector for several parasites, including Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a nematode parasite that causes (human) eosinophilic meningitis, an emergent disease. Investigation showed that A. cantonensis infection negatively impacts the metabolism of A. Fulica by depleting polysaccharide stores of the intermediate host, compromising the energy balance of the snail. A review of the literature indicates that A. Fulica possesses potent innate type immune defenses to counter infection, including phagocytic hemocytes capable of deploying reactive oxygen species and lectins for non-self recognition, a serine protease-dependent coagulation response (not observed in other taxa of gastropods), as well as antimicrobial proteins including achacin, an antimicrobial protein. A recent chromosome level genome assembly will facilitate progressively detailed characterization of these immune features of A. Fulica. We strongly encourage further immunological studies of A. Fulica, ranging from organismal level to molecular biology to gain better understanding of the A. Fulica internal defense response to nematode pathogens like A. cantonensis and the contribution of immune function to the invasiveness of (snail) species. Characterization of immunity of A. Fulica, representing the understudied Stylommatophora (panpulmonate landsnails) will also broaden the comparative immunology of Gastropoda.
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angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in molluscs in the municipality of sao goncalo a metropolitan area of rio de janeiro brazil role of the invasive species achatina Fulica in parasite transmission dynamics
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2015Co-Authors: Ana Pm Oliveira, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Arnaldo Maldonado, Rosana Gentile, Silvana C ThiengoAbstract:The aim of this study was to analyse the infection dynamics of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in its possible intermediate hosts over two years in an urban area in the state of Rio de Janeiro where the presence of A. cantonensis had been previously recorded in molluscs. Four of the seven mollusc species found in the study were exotic. Bradybaena similaris was the most abundant, followed by Achatina Fulica, Streptaxis sp., Subulina octona, Bulimulus tenuissimus, Sarasinula linguaeformis and Leptinaria unilamellata. Only A. Fulica and B. similaris were parasitised by A. cantonensis and both presented co-infection with other helminths. The prevalence of A. cantonensis in A. Fulica was more than 50% throughout the study. There was an inverse correlation between the population size of A. Fulica and the prevalence of A. cantonensis and abundance of the latter was negatively related to rainfall. The overall prevalence of A. cantonensis in B. similaris was 24.6%. A. Fulica was the most important intermediary host of A. cantonensis in the studied area and B. similaris was secondary in importance for A. cantonensis transmission dynamics.
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endemic angiostrongyliasis in the brazilian amazon natural parasitism of angiostrongylus cantonensis in rattus rattus and r norvegicus and sympatric giant african land snails achatina Fulica
Acta Tropica, 2013Co-Authors: V L C Moreira, Silvana C Thiengo, Arnaldo Maldonado, Raquel De Oliveira Simoes, Elane Guerreiro Giese, Francisco Tiago De Vasconcelos Melo, Jeannie Nascimento Dos SantosAbstract:Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, is one etiological agent of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. This zoonosis is frequently found in Asia and, more recently, in North America, Caribbean Island and northeastern of South America. Until now, research of A. cantonensis in southern, southeastern and northeastern regions of Brazil has been found natural infections only terrestrial and freshwater intermediate snail hosts (Achatina Fulica, Sarasinula marginata, Subulina octona, Bradybaena similaris and Pomacea lineate). In this study, we examined the occurrence of helminthes in the synantropic rodents Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus in northern Brazil, focusing on the role of these species as vertebrate hosts of A. cantonensis and A. Fulica as intermediate host have found natural. Thirty specimens of R. rattus and twelve of R. norvegicus were collected in the Guama and Jurunas neighborhoods of the city of Belem, in the Brazilian state of Para, of which almost 10% harbored adult worms in their pulmonary arteries. Sympatric A. Fulica were found to be infected by L3 larvae, which experimental infection confirmed to be A. cantonensis. Natural infection of snails and rodents with A. cantonensis was confirmed through morphological and morphometrical analyses of adults and larvae using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and molecular sequences of partial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I. Phylogenetic analyses showed that A. cantonensis isolated from Para, Brazil is similar to Japan isolate; once these specimens produced a single haplotype with high bootstrap support with Rio de Janeiro isolate. This study confirms that A. cantonensis is now endemic in northern Brazil, and that R. rattus and R. norvegicus act as natural definitive hosts, and A. Fulica as the intermediate host of the parasite in this region.
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ACHATINA Fulica COMO HOSPEDEIRO INT ERMEDIÁRIO DE NEMATÓDEOS DE INTERESSE MÉDICO-VETERINÁRIO EM GOIÁS, BRASIL
Revista de Patologia Tropical, 2010Co-Authors: Ana Paula Martins De Oliveira, Arnaldo Maldonado, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Monica Ammon Fernandez, José Luiz De Barros Araújo, Silvana C ThiengoAbstract:Achatina Fulica also known as African snail is a terrestrial mollusc that may act as an intermediate host for helminthes, some of them with medical and veterinary importance such as: Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis, which may cause eosinophilic meningitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of A. Fulica in the state of Goias, Central Brazil, and to search for nematode larvae with parasitological importance. A. Fulica was first reported in the municipality of Morrinhos in 2003 and it is currently present in 39.5% of the municipalities of Goias. The search for larval nematodes, on the samples from the municipalities of Caldas Novas, Morrinhos, and Bela Vista de Goias, performed using the artificial digestion technique revealed the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (prevalence of 35%), Rhabditis sp. (47.5%), Strongyluris sp. (15%), and other metastrongyloid larvae (2.5%). This paper expanded the knowledge on the geographical distribution of A. Fulica in Goias and illustrated the role of this mollusc as intermediate host of nematodes of veterinary and medical importance. In addition, these results showed the high densities of this mollusc in the investigated municipalities pointing to the urgency of measures of control and epidemiological surveillance of this mollusc in urban areas where the contact between humans and domestic animals with infected A. Fulica is easier.
Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Philippine Survey of Nematode Parasite Infection and Load in the Giant African Snail Achatina Fulica indicate Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in Mindanao
Science Diliman, 2014Co-Authors: Daisy May A. Constantino-santos, Brian S. Santos, Johanne Myrrh E. Soriano, Ian Kendrich C. FontanillaAbstract:Achatina Fulica is a ubiquitous land snail commonly found throughout the Philippines. As a generalist feeder and being able to survive in a wide range of habitat types and conditions, the snail can easily establish itself in a new area after introduction. It also acts as host to a variety of parasites, including nematodes, which may accidentally infect humans. In this study, A. Fulica individuals from 13 areas in the Philippines were sampled and analyzed for nematode infection rate and load. Of the 393 individuals sampled, 80 (20%) were found to be infected, with 5049 nematodes isolated. The infection rates and parasite load were highly variable. Overall, the parasite load ranges from 1 to 867 per snail. Representative nematodes from A. Fulica from Plaridel (n=8) and Davao City (n=26) in Mindanao were subjected to DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene, which is the universal barcode for nematodes. Sequences successfully matched with the dog lungworm Oslerus osleri for the Plaridel nematodes and the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis for the Davao City nematodes, respectively. The latter is known to infect humans and can cause eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. This study presents the first report of A. cantonensis in A. Fulica from Mindanao and raises a public health concern. Keywords: Achatina Fulica, nematode, Philippines, SSU rRNA, Oslerus osleri, Angiostrongylus cantonensis
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restricted genetic variation in populations of achatina lissachatina Fulica outside of east africa and the indian ocean islands points to the indian ocean islands as the earliest known common source
PLOS ONE, 2014Co-Authors: Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Inna Mikaella Sta P Maria, James Rainier M Garcia, Hemant Ghate, Fred Naggs, Christopher M. WadeAbstract:The Giant African Land Snail, Achatina ( = Lissachatina) Fulica Bowdich, 1822, is a tropical crop pest species with a widespread distribution across East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean, and North and South America. Its current distribution is attributed primarily to the introduction of the snail to new areas by Man within the last 200 years. This study determined the extent of genetic diversity in global A. Fulica populations using the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. A total of 560 individuals were evaluated from 39 global populations obtained from 26 territories. Results reveal 18 distinct A. Fulica haplotypes; 14 are found in East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, but only two haplotypes from the Indian Ocean islands emerged from this region, the C haplotype, now distributed across the tropics, and the D haplotype in Ecuador and Bolivia. Haplotype E from the Philippines, F from New Caledonia and Barbados, O from India and Q from Ecuador are variants of the emergent C haplotype. For the non-native populations, the lack of genetic variation points to founder effects due to the lack of multiple introductions from the native range. Our current data could only point with certainty to the Indian Ocean islands as the earliest known common source of A. Fulica across the globe, which necessitates further sampling in East Africa to determine the source populations of the emergent haplotypes.
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Identification of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and other nematodes using the SSU rDNA in Achatina Fulica populations of Metro Manila.
Tropical biomedicine, 2014Co-Authors: Daisy May A. Constantino-santos, Brian S. Santos, Zubaida U. Basiao, Christopher M. Wade, Ian Kendrich C. FontanillaAbstract:Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a parasitic nematode that causes eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Accidental infection occurs by consumption of contaminated intermediates, such as the giant African land snail, Achatina Fulica. This study surveyed the presence of A. cantonensis juveniles in A. Fulica populations from 12 sites in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines using the SSU rDNA. Fourteen distinct sequences from 226 nematodes were obtained; of these, two matched A. cantonensis and Ancylostoma caninum, respectively, with 100% identity. Exact identities of the remaining twelve sequences could not be determined due to low percent similarities. Of the sequenced nematodes, A. cantonensis occurred with the highest frequency (139 out of 226). Most of these (131 out of 139) were collected in just one area in Quezon City. Nematode infection of A. Fulica in this area and two others from Makati and another area in Quezon City, respectively, were highest, combining for 95% of the total infection. Ancylostoma caninum, on the other hand, was detected in four different sites. A. caninum is a canine parasite, and this is the first report of the nematode in A. Fulica. These results cause public health concerns as both A. cantonensis and A. caninum are zoonotic to humans.
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Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica Bowdich : its molecular phylogeny, genetic variation in global populations, and its possible role in the spread of the rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis (CHEN)
2010Co-Authors: Ian Kendrich C. FontanillaAbstract:The Giant African Snail, Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica Bowdich, is a tropical crop pest species with a widespread distribution across East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean. It is also a known intermediate host of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which can infect humans and cause eosinophilic meningitis. The phylogenetic position of A. Fulica within the Achatinoidea and the Achatinidae was investigated using segments of the nuclear ribosomal (r) RNA cluster, actin and histone 3 genes and the mitochondrial CO1 and 16S rRNA genes. Results from molecular data support the monophyly of the Achatinidae based on the taxa surveyed as well as the morphological distinction of the Eastern Achatina (Lissachatina) from the Western and Central Achatina (Achatina); Lissachatina should therefore be elevated to genus status. The results also show non-monophyly of the Coeliaxidae, Ferussaciidae and Subulinidae; the taxonomy of these families must therefore be reassessed. The extent of genetic diversity in global A. Fulica populations was also determined using an SSCP molecular marker developed from the 16S rRNA gene. Results reveal only one haplotype (C) emerged from East Africa and spread globally. The rat lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis) has a parallel distribution with A. Fulica, and the possible role of the snail in the spread of the parasite is investigated using a molecular marker derived from the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. A survey of the parasite within the route of dispersal of A. Fulica detected A. cantonensis only in the Philippines and the French Polynesian territory of Tahiti, the latter of which being the first reported case of A. cantonensis infection for Achatina Fulica in that territory. Due to the limited sampling of the snail and the patchy distribution of the parasite, there are insufficient data at this time to assess the role of Achatina Fulica in the spread of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
D. K. Singh - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Toxic effect of single and binary treatments of synthetic and plant-derived molluscicides against Achatina Fulica.
Journal of applied toxicology : JAT, 2002Co-Authors: I. G. Rao, D. K. SinghAbstract:The toxic effect of single and binary treatments of synthetic and plant-derived molluscicides was studied against the harmful terrestrial snail Achatina Fulica. In single treatments, among the synthetic molluscicides Snail Kill and cypermethrin were potent, whereas Cedrus deodara oil was more toxic among molluscicides of plant origin against A. Fulica. In binary treatments, a combination of Cedrusdeodara + Alliumsativum was more toxic. The toxicities of these single and binary treatments of synthetic and plant-derived molluscicides were dose and time dependent.
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Effect of Single and Binary Combinations of Plant-Derived Molluscicides on Reproduction and Survival of the Snail Achatina Fulica
Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 2000Co-Authors: I. G. Rao, D. K. SinghAbstract:The effects of sublethal treatments (20% and 60% of LC50/24 h) with plant-derived molluscicides on the reproduction of the giant African snail Achatina Fulica were studied. Azadirachta indica oil, Cedrus deodara oil, Allium sativum bulb powder, and Nerium indicum bark powder singly and binary combinations on reproduction and survival of A. Fulica were investigated. Repeated treatment occurred on day 0, day 15, and day 30. These plant-derived molluscicides significantly reduced fecundity, egg viability, and survival of A. Fulica within 15 days. Discontinuation of the treatments after day 30 did not lead to a recovery trend in the next 30 days. Day 0 sublethal treatment of all the molluscicides caused a maximum reduction in protein, amino acid, DNA, RNA, and phospholipid levels and simultaneous increase in lipid peroxidation in the ovotestis of treated A. Fulica. It is believed that sublethal exposure of these molluscicides on snail reproduction is a complex process, involving more than one factor in reducing the reproductive capacity of A. Fulica.
Monica Ammon Fernandez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in both humans and the snail Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica in the city of Macapá, in the Amazon Region of Brazil
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2020Co-Authors: Tatiane Alves Barbosa, Silvana C Thiengo, Monica Ammon Fernandez, Carlos Graeff-teixeira, Alessandra Loureiro Morassutti, Fábio Rodrigo Paixão Mourão, Clóvis Omar Sá Miranda, Michel De Moraes Jorge, Liliane Freitas Costa, Suzete Rodrigues GomesAbstract:In January and February 2019, a malacological survey was conducted in the area surrounding the residence of a 12-year-old child that had contracted cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the municipality of Macapa, capital of the Amapa State, northern Brazil. The serological examination was positive for Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, the principal etiological agent of this parasitosis. A sample of 54 molluscs was artificially and individually digested for parasitological analysis, containing 38 specimens of Achatina Fulica, nine specimens of Bulimulus tenuissimus and seven specimens of Sarasinula linguaeformis. A. Fulica was the most abundant mollusc, and the only species infected with A. cantonensis, as well as presenting co-infections with other nematodes. This is the first report of cerebral angiostrongyliasis in the Amazon Region, and the first record of A. Fulica infected with A. cantonensis in Amapa. These findings highlight the potential risks of human angiostrongyliasis, and the need to implement public health measures to control the spread of the disease.
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ACHATINA Fulica COMO HOSPEDEIRO INT ERMEDIÁRIO DE NEMATÓDEOS DE INTERESSE MÉDICO-VETERINÁRIO EM GOIÁS, BRASIL
Revista de Patologia Tropical, 2010Co-Authors: Ana Paula Martins De Oliveira, Arnaldo Maldonado, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Monica Ammon Fernandez, José Luiz De Barros Araújo, Silvana C ThiengoAbstract:Achatina Fulica also known as African snail is a terrestrial mollusc that may act as an intermediate host for helminthes, some of them with medical and veterinary importance such as: Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis, which may cause eosinophilic meningitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of A. Fulica in the state of Goias, Central Brazil, and to search for nematode larvae with parasitological importance. A. Fulica was first reported in the municipality of Morrinhos in 2003 and it is currently present in 39.5% of the municipalities of Goias. The search for larval nematodes, on the samples from the municipalities of Caldas Novas, Morrinhos, and Bela Vista de Goias, performed using the artificial digestion technique revealed the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (prevalence of 35%), Rhabditis sp. (47.5%), Strongyluris sp. (15%), and other metastrongyloid larvae (2.5%). This paper expanded the knowledge on the geographical distribution of A. Fulica in Goias and illustrated the role of this mollusc as intermediate host of nematodes of veterinary and medical importance. In addition, these results showed the high densities of this mollusc in the investigated municipalities pointing to the urgency of measures of control and epidemiological surveillance of this mollusc in urban areas where the contact between humans and domestic animals with infected A. Fulica is easier.
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the giant african snail achatina Fulica as natural intermediate host of angiostrongylus cantonensis in pernambuco northeast brazil
Acta Tropica, 2010Co-Authors: Silvana C Thiengo, Omar Dos Santos Carvalho, Arnaldo Maldonado, Esther Maria Mota, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Roberta Lima Caldeira, Ana Paula Martins De Oliveira, Raquel De Oliveira Simoes, Monica Ammon Fernandez, R M LanfrediAbstract:Abstract The human cases of eosinophilic meningitis recently reported from Brazil have focused the attention of the public health agencies on the role the introduced snail Achatina Fulica plays as hosts of the metastrongylid nematodes. Determining the potential of this snail to host and develop infective larval stages of metastrongylids in the wild and identify the species harbored by them is crucial for designing effective control measures. Here we assess if A. Fulica may act as intermediate host of A. cantonensis at the peridomiciliary areas of a patient's house from state of Pernambuco (PE), who was diagnosed with eosinophilic meningitis and a history of ingesting raw molluscs. Larvae obtained from naturally infected A. Fulica were orally administered to Rattus norvegicus. The worms were collected from the pulmonary artery and brain, and were morphologically characterized and compared to the Japan isolate of A. cantonensis. Adult worms and infective L3 larvae (PE isolate) recovered from A. Fulica specimens were also analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism of ITS2 region from rDNA and compared to A. cantonensis (ES isolate), A. vasorum (MG isolate) and A. costaricensis (RS isolate). The large size of the spicules (greater than those observed in other species of Angiostrongylus) and the pattern of the bursal rays agree with the original species description by Chen (1935) . Furthermore, the morphology of the PE isolate was similar to that of Japan isolate. The PCR-RFLP profiles obtained were distinctive among species and no variation in patterns was detected among adult individuals from A. cantonensis isolates from PE and ES. The importance of A. Fulica as an intermediate host of eosinophilic menigoencepahlitis in Brazil is emphasized.
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First record of a nematode Metastrongyloidea (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae) in Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica (Mollusca, Achatinidae) in Brazil.
Journal of invertebrate pathology, 2007Co-Authors: Silvana C Thiengo, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Monica Ammon Fernandez, Pablo M. Coelho, Reinalda Marisa LanfrediAbstract:Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica was introduced in Brazil in the 1980s for commercial purposes ("escargot" farming) and nowadays, mainly by human activity, it is widespread in at least 23 out of 26 Brazilian states and Brasilia, including the Amazonian region and natural reserves, where besides a general nuisance for people it is a pest and also a public health concern, since it is one of the natural intermediate host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, ethiological agent of the meningoencephalitis in Asia. As Brazil is experiencing the explosive phase of the invasion, the Laboratorio de Malacologia do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz has been receiving samples of these molluscs for identification and search for Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis larvae. While examining samples of A. Fulica different nematode larvae were obtained, including Aelurostrongylus, whose different species are parasites of felids, dogs, primates, and badger. Morphological and morphometric analyses presented herein indicated the species Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the occurrence of other nematode larvae (Strongyluris-like) found in the interior of the pallial cavity of A. Fulica. This is the first report in Brazil of the development of A. abstrusus infective larvae in A. Fulica evidencing the veterinary importance of this mollusc in the transmission of A. abstrusus to domestic cats. Since the spread of A. Fulica is pointed out in the literature as one of the main causative spread of the meningoencephalitis caused by A. cantonensis the authors emphasize the need of sanitary vigilance of snails and rats from vulnerable areas for A. cantonensis introduction as the port side areas.
Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in molluscs in the municipality of sao goncalo a metropolitan area of rio de janeiro brazil role of the invasive species achatina Fulica in parasite transmission dynamics
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 2015Co-Authors: Ana Pm Oliveira, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Arnaldo Maldonado, Rosana Gentile, Silvana C ThiengoAbstract:The aim of this study was to analyse the infection dynamics of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in its possible intermediate hosts over two years in an urban area in the state of Rio de Janeiro where the presence of A. cantonensis had been previously recorded in molluscs. Four of the seven mollusc species found in the study were exotic. Bradybaena similaris was the most abundant, followed by Achatina Fulica, Streptaxis sp., Subulina octona, Bulimulus tenuissimus, Sarasinula linguaeformis and Leptinaria unilamellata. Only A. Fulica and B. similaris were parasitised by A. cantonensis and both presented co-infection with other helminths. The prevalence of A. cantonensis in A. Fulica was more than 50% throughout the study. There was an inverse correlation between the population size of A. Fulica and the prevalence of A. cantonensis and abundance of the latter was negatively related to rainfall. The overall prevalence of A. cantonensis in B. similaris was 24.6%. A. Fulica was the most important intermediary host of A. cantonensis in the studied area and B. similaris was secondary in importance for A. cantonensis transmission dynamics.
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ACHATINA Fulica COMO HOSPEDEIRO INT ERMEDIÁRIO DE NEMATÓDEOS DE INTERESSE MÉDICO-VETERINÁRIO EM GOIÁS, BRASIL
Revista de Patologia Tropical, 2010Co-Authors: Ana Paula Martins De Oliveira, Arnaldo Maldonado, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Monica Ammon Fernandez, José Luiz De Barros Araújo, Silvana C ThiengoAbstract:Achatina Fulica also known as African snail is a terrestrial mollusc that may act as an intermediate host for helminthes, some of them with medical and veterinary importance such as: Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis, which may cause eosinophilic meningitis and abdominal angiostrongyliasis, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of A. Fulica in the state of Goias, Central Brazil, and to search for nematode larvae with parasitological importance. A. Fulica was first reported in the municipality of Morrinhos in 2003 and it is currently present in 39.5% of the municipalities of Goias. The search for larval nematodes, on the samples from the municipalities of Caldas Novas, Morrinhos, and Bela Vista de Goias, performed using the artificial digestion technique revealed the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (prevalence of 35%), Rhabditis sp. (47.5%), Strongyluris sp. (15%), and other metastrongyloid larvae (2.5%). This paper expanded the knowledge on the geographical distribution of A. Fulica in Goias and illustrated the role of this mollusc as intermediate host of nematodes of veterinary and medical importance. In addition, these results showed the high densities of this mollusc in the investigated municipalities pointing to the urgency of measures of control and epidemiological surveillance of this mollusc in urban areas where the contact between humans and domestic animals with infected A. Fulica is easier.
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the giant african snail achatina Fulica as natural intermediate host of angiostrongylus cantonensis in pernambuco northeast brazil
Acta Tropica, 2010Co-Authors: Silvana C Thiengo, Omar Dos Santos Carvalho, Arnaldo Maldonado, Esther Maria Mota, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Roberta Lima Caldeira, Ana Paula Martins De Oliveira, Raquel De Oliveira Simoes, Monica Ammon Fernandez, R M LanfrediAbstract:Abstract The human cases of eosinophilic meningitis recently reported from Brazil have focused the attention of the public health agencies on the role the introduced snail Achatina Fulica plays as hosts of the metastrongylid nematodes. Determining the potential of this snail to host and develop infective larval stages of metastrongylids in the wild and identify the species harbored by them is crucial for designing effective control measures. Here we assess if A. Fulica may act as intermediate host of A. cantonensis at the peridomiciliary areas of a patient's house from state of Pernambuco (PE), who was diagnosed with eosinophilic meningitis and a history of ingesting raw molluscs. Larvae obtained from naturally infected A. Fulica were orally administered to Rattus norvegicus. The worms were collected from the pulmonary artery and brain, and were morphologically characterized and compared to the Japan isolate of A. cantonensis. Adult worms and infective L3 larvae (PE isolate) recovered from A. Fulica specimens were also analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism of ITS2 region from rDNA and compared to A. cantonensis (ES isolate), A. vasorum (MG isolate) and A. costaricensis (RS isolate). The large size of the spicules (greater than those observed in other species of Angiostrongylus) and the pattern of the bursal rays agree with the original species description by Chen (1935) . Furthermore, the morphology of the PE isolate was similar to that of Japan isolate. The PCR-RFLP profiles obtained were distinctive among species and no variation in patterns was detected among adult individuals from A. cantonensis isolates from PE and ES. The importance of A. Fulica as an intermediate host of eosinophilic menigoencepahlitis in Brazil is emphasized.
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First record of a nematode Metastrongyloidea (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae) in Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica (Mollusca, Achatinidae) in Brazil.
Journal of invertebrate pathology, 2007Co-Authors: Silvana C Thiengo, Eduardo Jose Lopes Torres, Monica Ammon Fernandez, Pablo M. Coelho, Reinalda Marisa LanfrediAbstract:Achatina (Lissachatina) Fulica was introduced in Brazil in the 1980s for commercial purposes ("escargot" farming) and nowadays, mainly by human activity, it is widespread in at least 23 out of 26 Brazilian states and Brasilia, including the Amazonian region and natural reserves, where besides a general nuisance for people it is a pest and also a public health concern, since it is one of the natural intermediate host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, ethiological agent of the meningoencephalitis in Asia. As Brazil is experiencing the explosive phase of the invasion, the Laboratorio de Malacologia do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz has been receiving samples of these molluscs for identification and search for Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus costaricensis larvae. While examining samples of A. Fulica different nematode larvae were obtained, including Aelurostrongylus, whose different species are parasites of felids, dogs, primates, and badger. Morphological and morphometric analyses presented herein indicated the species Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the occurrence of other nematode larvae (Strongyluris-like) found in the interior of the pallial cavity of A. Fulica. This is the first report in Brazil of the development of A. abstrusus infective larvae in A. Fulica evidencing the veterinary importance of this mollusc in the transmission of A. abstrusus to domestic cats. Since the spread of A. Fulica is pointed out in the literature as one of the main causative spread of the meningoencephalitis caused by A. cantonensis the authors emphasize the need of sanitary vigilance of snails and rats from vulnerable areas for A. cantonensis introduction as the port side areas.
