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Oyarzún-Ruiz P, Thomas R, Santodomingo A, Zamorano-Uribe M, Moroni M, Moreno L, Muñoz-Leal S, Flores V, Brant S. Systematics and life cycles of four avian schistosomatids from Southern Cone of South America. J Helminthol 2024; 98:e47. [PMID: 38828707 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x2400035x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Relative to the numerous studies focused on mammalian schistosomes, fewer include avian schistosomatids particularly in the southern hemisphere. This is changing and current research emerging from the Neotropics shows a remarkable diversity of endemic taxa. To contribute to this effort, nine ducks (Spatula cyanoptera, S.versicolor, Netta peposaca), 12 swans (Cygnus melancoryphus) and 1,400 Physa spp. snails from Chile and Argentina were collected for adults and larval schistosomatids, respectively. Isolated schistosomatids were preserved for morphological and molecular analyses (28S and COI genes). Four different schistosomatid taxa were retrieved from birds: Trichobilharzia sp. in N. peposaca and S. cyanoptera that formed a clade; S.cyanoptera and S. versicolor hosted Trichobilharzia querquedulae; Cygnus melancoryphus hosted the nasal schistosomatid, Nasusbilharzia melancorhypha; and one visceral, Schistosomatidae gen. sp., which formed a clade with furcocercariae from Argentina and Chile from previous work. Of the physid snails, only one from Argentina had schistosomatid furcocercariae that based on molecular analyses grouped with T. querquedulae. This study represents the first description of adult schistosomatids from Chile as well as the elucidation of the life cycles of N.melancorhypha and T. querquedulae in Chile and Neotropics, respectively. Without well-preserved adults, the putative new genus Schistosomatidae gen. sp. could not be described, but its life cycle involves Chilina spp. and C. melancoryphus. Scanning electron microscopy of T. querquedulae revealed additional, undescribed morphological traits, highlighting its diagnostic importance. Authors stress the need for additional surveys of avian schistosomatids from the Neotropics to better understand their evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Oyarzún-Ruiz
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción4030000, Chile
| | - R Thomas
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán3780000, Chile
| | - A Santodomingo
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán3780000, Chile
| | - M Zamorano-Uribe
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán3780000, Chile
| | - M Moroni
- Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia5090000, Chile
| | - L Moreno
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción4030000, Chile
| | - S Muñoz-Leal
- Departamento de Ciencia Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán3780000, Chile
| | - V Flores
- Laboratorio de Parasitología, INIBIOMA (CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue), San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - S Brant
- Museum of Southwestern Biology Parasite Division, University of New Mexico, 167 Castetter MSCO3 2020, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Corner RD, Cribb TH, Cutmore SC. Rich but morphologically problematic: an integrative approach to taxonomic resolution of the genus Neospirorchis (Trematoda: Schistosomatoidea). Int J Parasitol 2023; 53:363-380. [PMID: 37075879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Neospirorchis Price, 1934 is a genus of blood flukes that infect the cardiovascular system, including vessels surrounding the nervous systems of marine turtles. Although the genus comprises just two named species, the available molecular data suggest substantial richness which has not yet been formally described. The lack of description of species of Neospirorchis is probably explained by their small, slender, elongate bodies, which allow them to infect numerous organs and vessels in their hosts, such as the heart and peripheral vessels of nervous system, endocrine organs, thymus, mesenteric vessels, and gastrointestinal submucosa. This morphology and site of infection means that collecting good quality, intact specimens is generally difficult, ultimately hampering the formal description of species. Here we supplement limited morphological samples with multi-locus genetic data to formally describe four new species of Neospirorchis infecting marine turtles from Queensland, Australia and Florida, USA; Neospirorchis goodmanorum n. sp. and Neospirorchis deburonae n. sp. are described from Chelonia mydas, Neospirorchis stacyi n. sp. is described from Caretta caretta, and Neospirorchis chapmanae n. sp. from Ch. mydas and Ca. caretta. The four new species are delineated from each other and the two known species based on the arrangement of the male and female reproductive organs, on the basis of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), and 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) molecular data, site of infection, and host species. Molecular evidence for three further putative, presently undescribable, species is also reported. We propose that this integrated characterisation of species of Neospirorchis, based on careful consideration of host, molecular and key morphological data, offers a valuable solution to the slow rate of descriptions for this important genus. We provide the first known life cycle data for Neospirorchis in Australian waters, from Moreton Bay, Queensland; consistent with reports from the Atlantic, sporocysts were collected from a terebellid polychaete and genetically matched to an unnamed species of Neospirorchis infecting Ch. mydas from Queensland and Florida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Corner
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia.
| | - Thomas H Cribb
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Scott C Cutmore
- Queensland Museum, Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
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Pinto HA, Tenório Mati VL, Melo AL, Brant SV. A putative new genus of avian schistosome transmitted by Biomphalaria straminea (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Brazil, with a discussion on the potential involvement in human cercarial dermatitis. Parasitol Int 2022; 90:102607. [PMID: 35659634 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) caused by avian schistosomes is an emerging health issue in different parts of the world. Nevertheless, parasite diversity, life cycle, and involvement in HCD remain poorly known or neglected in South America. Herein, we reported data obtained during a long-term malacological survey carried out in Pampulha Reservoir, an urban eutrophic waterbody from Brazil between 2009 and 2012. An ocellate brevifurcate cercaria emerged from 55 of 16,235 (0.34%) specimens of Biomphalaria straminea. Samples of the cercariae were subjected to morphological, experimental, and molecular study (analysis of partial sequences of nuclear 28S and mitochondrial cox1 genes). The molecular analysis revealed that the larva corresponds to an avian schistosome; however, it does not correspond to any named genus. A close related isolate was previously reported in Biomphalaria sudanica from Kenya (molecular divergences of 0.54% and 9.62% for 28S and cox1, respectively). The morphology of this cercaria was compared with other avian schistosome larvae from Biomphalaria spp. Attempts to infect experimentally ducks (Cairina moschata) and mice revealed cutaneous manifestations after exposure to cercariae, but adult parasites were not obtained in these hosts. Phylogenetic analysis suggests this parasite is a putative new genus and species of avian schistosome. The potential involvement of the larvae herein described in cases of HCD in Brazil cannot be ruled out. Surprisingly, HCD was not reported in the country so far, which can be related to difficulties in its diagnosis in areas of overlap with human schistosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hudson A Pinto
- Laboratório de Biologia de Trematoda, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Vitor L Tenório Mati
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Alan L Melo
- Laboratório de Biologia de Trematoda, Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Sara V Brant
- Museum of Southwestern Biology Division of Parasites, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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Loker ES, DeJong RJ, Brant SV. Scratching the Itch: Updated Perspectives on the Schistosomes Responsible for Swimmer's Itch around the World. Pathogens 2022; 11:587. [PMID: 35631108 PMCID: PMC9144223 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although most studies of digenetic trematodes of the family Schistosomatidae dwell on representatives causing human schistosomiasis, the majority of the 130 identified species of schistosomes infect birds or non-human mammals. The cercariae of many of these species can cause swimmer's itch when they penetrate human skin. Recent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in our understanding of schistosome diversity, now encompassing 17 genera with eight more lineages awaiting description. Collectively, schistosomes exploit 16 families of caenogastropod or heterobranch gastropod intermediate hosts. Basal lineages today are found in marine gastropods and birds, but subsequent diversification has largely taken place in freshwater, with some reversions to marine habitats. It seems increasingly likely that schistosomes have on two separate occasions colonized mammals. Swimmer's itch is a complex zoonotic disease manifested through several different routes of transmission involving a diversity of different host species. Swimmer's itch also exemplifies the value of adopting the One Health perspective in understanding disease transmission and abundance because the schistosomes involved have complex life cycles that interface with numerous species and abiotic components of their aquatic environments. Given the progress made in revealing their diversity and biology, and the wealth of questions posed by itch-causing schistosomes, they provide excellent models for implementation of long-term interdisciplinary studies focused on issues pertinent to disease ecology, the One Health paradigm, and the impacts of climate change, biological invasions and other environmental perturbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasites Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Randall J. DeJong
- Department of Biology, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA;
| | - Sara V. Brant
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasites Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
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McPhail BA, Froelich K, Reimink RL, Hanington PC. Simplifying Schistosome Surveillance: Using Molecular Cercariometry to Detect and Quantify Cercariae in Water. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11050565. [PMID: 35631086 PMCID: PMC9146278 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11050565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian schistosomes are considered a public health nuisance due to their ability to cause swimmer’s itch when accidentally encountering humans rather than their intended avian hosts. Researchers have been monitoring their presence and abundance through snail collections and cercariometry. Cercariometry methods have evolved over the last several decades to detect individual schistosome species from a single water sample, simplifying the monitoring of these parasites. This methodological evolution coincides with the development of the field of environmental DNA (eDNA) where genetic material is extracted from environmental samples, rather than individual organisms. While there are some limitations with using molecular cercariometry, notably the cost and its inability to differentiate between life cycle stages, it substantially reduces the labor required to study trematode populations. It also can be used in complement with snail collections to understand the composition of avian schistosomes in an environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke A. McPhail
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
| | - Kelsey Froelich
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
- Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA;
- Saint Joseph High School, 2521 Stadium Dr., Saint Joseph, MI 49085, USA
| | - Ronald L. Reimink
- Freshwater Solutions LLC, 137 W 15th St., Holland, MI 49423, USA;
- Office of Campus Ministries, 110 E. 12th St. Hope College, Holland, MI 49423, USA
| | - Patrick C. Hanington
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 357 South Academic Building, 116 St. and 85th Ave., Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada; (B.A.M.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence:
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