Occurrence and molecular characterization of Clinostomum complanatum (Trematoda: Clinostomidae) in freshwater fishes caught from Turkey

Population structure of Clinostomum complanatum (Trematoda: Digenea) with new data on haplotype diversity of flukes from Slovakia and Italy

The fluke Clinostomum complanatum, a parasite of piscivorous birds, but also reptiles and rarely mammals, has established several foci in the western Palaearctic regions. Previous studies pointed out the complicated taxonomy of the genus, but broader population genetic analysis of C. complanatum has not yet been carried out. The aim of this study was to determine the structure, intraspecific variability, and diversity of mitochondrial cox1 haplotypes of C. complanatum from different localities in Slovakia (Danube floodplain forests) and Italy (Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany), as well as to evaluate the interrelationships among populations from Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The genetic structure of C. complanatum from Slovakia and Italy was represented by a great number of haplotypes, showing stable populations with high intraspecific diversity. The haplotypes of samples from other localities (Romania, Turkey, Egypt, and Iran) showed possible gene flow among the populations from Central Europe down to the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and the Middle East. The genetic homogeneity of these samples can be linked to the distribution and migratory routes of the definitive hosts, aquatic piscivorous birds, mainly herons and cormorants, that spread parasite eggs among the continents.

Molecular and Morphological Characterization of Two Clinostomum (Digenea: Clinostomidae) Species with the First Case of Clinostomum tilapiae from Turkey

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Clinostomum species in wild birds in Turkey using morphological and molecular methods.

METHODS

51 birds of 18 species from seven orders previously reported as definitive hosts of the Clinostomum spp. were collected. Identification of the species was made by morphological characteristics and partial sequence of the cox1 gene.

RESULTS

This study concludes that Ardea alba and Ardea cinerea were infected with Clinostomum complanatum, while Ardea purpurea was infected with Clinostomum tilapiae.

CONCLUSION

Clinostomum complanatum has been reported for the first time in the definitive hosts in Turkey. This study is the first molecular report of C. tilapiae in definitive hosts and the first report in Turkey. The present work indicates that Clinostomum species in the Afrotropic and Palearctic regions can also be found in Turkey.

Prevalence and identification of cyathocotylid trematodes infecting African catfish in Egypt

The trematode family Cyathocotylidae infects various hosts worldwide, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish. However, the lack of molecular data from adult worms hinders phylogenetic, epidemiological, and host association studies. This study aims to identify the common cyathocotylid trematodes infecting African catfish in Egypt using morphological and molecular evidence. Out of 142 Clarias gariepinus, 123 fish (86.6%) harbored cyathocotylid metacercariae, with a mean metacercarial intensity of 201 ± 38.5/g. Cyathocotylid metacercariae prevalence gradually rose as host size increased. Although there was no significant difference between groups, larger fish had a higher mean metacercarial intensity. The prevalence and intensity were unrelated to the fish gender. Histopathological examination of metacercariae-infected catfish revealed varying degrees of degenerative changes, including intermuscular edema leading to muscle fiber dispersion and atrophy, involving 11% to over 81% of muscle sections. We identified three cyathocotylid metacercariae and eight cyathocotylid adult species from experimental infection using morphometric and molecular data, including internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and/or mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequences. We determined the phylogenetic position of these cyathocotylid samples. The ITS sequence analysis linked the isolated Cyathocotylidae sp. 1 and 2 metacercariae to Prohemistomum vivax adults. Mesostephanus appendiculatoides and Paracoenogonimus ovatus were reported for the first time in Egypt. These findings may provide valuable genetic data for future molecular epidemiological and phylogenetic studies of cyathocotylid trematodes.

A multidisciplinary study on Clinostomum infections in Nile tilapia: micro-morphology, oxidative stress, immunology, and histopathology

Yellow grub disease, caused by Clinostomum metacercaria, is an endemic zoonotic infection in freshwater fish, responsible for Halzoun syndrome transmitted through the consumption of raw infected fish. This study aimed to conduct a multidisciplinary investigation integrating detailed morphology, oxidative stress, immunology, and histopathology alteration to advance our understanding of Clinostomum infection. In this annual study, 400 Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were collected from the Nile River at Al Bahr Al Aazam, Giza Governorate to assess Clinostomum infection prevalence. Of the examined fish, 160 individuals (40.0%) harboured larval Clinostomum infections. Clinostomum metacercariae were observed in various anatomical locations, with 135 fish (33.8%) in buccal cavities, 21 fish (5.25%) in gill chambers, and 4 fish (1.0%) on the skin. Infection intensity ranged from 2 to 12 cysts per fish, averaging 5 cysts, notably with skin infections characterized by a single cyst in each fish. Macroscopic encysted metacercariae were collected from buccal cavities, gills, and skin. Micro-morphology revealed distinct features in C. complanatum, including an elliptical oral sucker with collar-like rings and large sensory papilla-like structures, contrasting with the absence of these features in C. phalacrocoracis. Oxidative stress, assessed through malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide levels, revealed an elevation in MDA to 35.13 ± 6 nmol/g and nitric oxide to 25.80 ± 3.12 µmol/g in infected fish. In infected fish, MHC-I gene expression increased approximately 13-fold, MHC-II peaked at 19-fold, and IL-1β significantly upregulated by 17-fold, compared to control levels. Histopathology detailed associated lesions, such as cyst encapsulation and eosinophilic infiltration. Clinstomiasis and its impacts on fish hosts offer crucial insights to control this emerging fish-borne zoonotic disease, threatening wildlife, aquaculture, and human health.

Systematics of Crepidostomum species from the Russian Far East and northern Japan, with description of a new species and validation of the genus Stephanophiala

Current article touched upon the issue of the complicated taxonomic status of some species from the genus Crepidostomum collected from the freshwater fish in the rivers of Primorsky region, Sakhalin, and Hokkaido Islands. Primary morphological analyses showed affiliation of the worms to the species C. farionis (Müller, 1784) Lühe, 1909; C. metoecus Braun, 1900b; C. chaenogobii Yamaguti and Matsumura, 1942; C. nemachilus Krotov, 1959. We described the new species Crepidostomum achmerovi sp. nov. that is a sibling species of C. nemachilus. Molecular-genetic investigation have shown that C. nemachilus and C. achmerovi sp. nov. are closely related to C. metoecus in both 28S rDNA and cox1 mtDNA markers. Crepidostomum nemachilus forms a separate branch within the C. metoecus clade on the 28S BI tree with strong statistical support and separate clade in relation to C. metoecus clade on the cox1 BI tree. Values of p-distances between Crepidostomum species were at intergeneric level. Crepidostomum metoecus species complex including five species (C. metoecus, C. nemachilus, C. oschmarini, C. brinkmanni, and C. achmerovi sp. nov.) was reconsidered as independent genus Crepidostomum sensu stricto. Minimum Spanning Network showed that C. nemachilus, C. metoecus and C. achmerovi sp. nov. were separated by large number of mutational events and represent independent phyletic lines. An amended diagnosis is provided for the subfamily Crepidostomatinae, the genera Crepidostomum s. str. and Stephanophiala Nicoll, 1909, along with keys to species of both genera.

First Record of Clinostomum sp. (Digenea: Clinostomidae) in Danio rerio (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) and the Implication of Using Zebrafish from Pet Stores on Research

Many scientific studies still use zebrafish from pet stores as animal models, even cutting-edge researches. However, these animals differ genotypically and phenotypically between them. The importance of the use of standardized models is widely recognized. Besides that, another consequence of using zebrafish from unknown origins is the acquisition of parasitized animals. This study aimed to relate the infection by Clinostomum sp. in zebrafish. Animals sold as "high standard" were acquired from a commercial company. Swimming alterations and superficial yellow dots were observed in five zebrafish with clinical signs, which were isolated, euthanized, and necropsied. Muscular yellow cysts with metacercaria associated with lesions were observed. The muscular cysts were responsible for the superficial yellow dots as well as the swimming alterations. The prevalence was 2.5%, and the mean infection intensity was 7 digeneans/host. The cysts measured a mean of 1251.43 μm long × 784.28 μm wide. Metacercariae measured a mean of 4847 μm long × 1353 μm wide. This first report about infection by Clinostomum sp. in zebrafish is globally relevant since the host and the parasite genus currently overlap worldwide. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the importance of the specific pathogen-free commercial creations or laboratory-reared zebrafish for research.

Morphological and Molecular Characteristics of Clinostomid Metacercariae from Korea and Myanmar

Morphological and molecular characterization of clinostomid metacercariae (CMc) was performed with the specimens collected in fish from Korea and Myanmar. Total 6 batches of clinostomid specimens by the fish species and geographical localities, 5 Korean and 1 Myanmar isolates, were analyzed with morphological (light microscopy and SEM) and molecular methods (the cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene and internal transcribed spacer 1/5.8S rRNA sequence). There were some morphological variations among CMc specimens from Korea. However, some morphometrics, i.e., the size of worm body and each organ, ratio of body length to body width, and morphology of cecal lumens, were considerably different between the specimens from Korea and Myanmar. The surface ultrastructures were somewhat different between the specimens from Korea and Myanmar. The CO1 sequences of 5 Korean specimens ranging 728–736 bp showed 99.6–100% identity with Clinostomum complanatum (GenBank no. KM923964). They also showed 99.9–100% identity with C. complanatum (FJ609420) in the ITS1 sequences ranging 692–698 bp. Meanwhile, the ITS1 sequences of Myanmar specimen showed 99.9% identity with Euclinostomum heterostomum (KY312847). Five sequences from Korean specimens clustered with the C. complanatum genes, but not clustered with Myanmar specimens. Conclusively, it was confirmed that CMc from Korea were morphologically and molecularly identical with C. complanatum and those from Myanmar were E. heterostomum.

Toxicity of engineered nanomaterials to aquatic and land snails: A scientometric and systematic review

The emerging growth of nanotechnology has attracted great attention due to its application in the parasite and intermediate host control. However, the knowledge concerning the mechanism of action (MoA) and toxicity of nanomaterials (NMs) to snails remain unclear. In this context, the present study revised the historical use of snails as experimental models in nanotoxicological studies and summarized the MoA and toxicity of NMs in aquatic and land snails. The data concerning the bioaccumulation, reproductive and transgenerational toxicity, embryotoxicity, genotoxicity and potential molluscicidal activity of NMs were revised. Furthermore, the data about the experimental conditions, such as exposure time, concentrations, cell and tissue-specific responses, snail species and nanoparticle types are discussed. Revised data showed that the toxic effects of NMs were reported for 21 snail species with medical, veterinary and ecological importance. The NM toxicity to snails is dependent on the physical and chemical properties of NMs, as well as their environmental transformation and experimental design. The NM bioaccumulation on snails was related to several toxic effects, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, oxidative stress, following by oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins. The NM metabolism in snails remains unknown. Results showed the potential use of NMs in the snail control program. Also, significant research gaps and recommendations for future researches are indicated. The present study confirms that snails are suitable invertebrate model system to assess the nanotoxicity.

A new species of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 in East Asia based on genomic and morphological data

Metacercariae of Clinostomum Leidy, 1856 are frequently encountered in freshwater fish. In 2015, a provisional species of Clinostomum in People's Republic of China (PRC) was distinguished from C. complanatum (Rudolphi, 1819) in Europe based on divergent cytochrome c oxidase I (CO1). However, in subsequent studies in East Asia, the same divergent CO1 genotype was identified as C. complanatum. These matching sequences suggest that either the provisional East Asian species was incorrectly distinguished from C. complanatum in 2015 or that C. complanatum in East Asia was misidentified in later studies. We tested these alternatives by sequencing the mitochondrial genome of C. complanatum in Italy, which was 5.7% divergent from a previously published sequence from Clinostomum in PRC, including differences in 80 of 3390 (2.4%) translated amino acids. Partial CO1 sequences of specimens from PRC and those from Italy, Romania, and Turkey also each formed reciprocally monophyletic clades. Partial CO1 from the East Asian clade varied by mean 3.6% (range 2.4-4.8%) from C. complanatum from Italy, Romania, and Turkey; mean intra-clade CO1 variation was 0.3% (range 0-1.9%). Metacercariae from Europe and East Asia display significant morphometric variation, and data from the literature suggest morphological differences in the genital complex of adults. Although sequences of nuclear rDNA did not differ between isolates from the west and East Asia, taken together, these results lead us to describe a new species of Clinostomum.