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Miranda GS, Rodrigues JGM, Silva JKADO, Camelo GMA, Silva-Souza N, Neves RH, Machado-Silva JR, Negrão-Corrêa DA. New challenges for the control of human schistosomiasis: The possible impact of wild rodents in Schistosoma mansoni transmission. Acta Trop 2022; 236:106677. [PMID: 36063905 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106677] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitic disease caused by digenean trematodes from the genus Schistosoma that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite efforts to control its transmission, this disease remains active within several endemic regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In addition to the deficits in sanitation and educational structure, another major obstacle hindering the eradication of schistosomiasis is the ability of Schistosoma spp. to naturally infect multiple vertebrate hosts, particularly wild rodents. Due to climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances, contact between humans and wild animals has increased, and this has contributed to more frequent interactions between Schistosoma species that typically infect different hosts. This new transmission dynamic involving Schistosoma spp., humans, wild rodents, and livestock could potentially increase the frequency of Schistosoma hybridization and the establishment of new genotypes and strains. Although it is not currently possible to precisely measure how this biological phenomenon affects the epidemiology and morbidity of schistosomiasis, we speculate that these Schistosoma variants may negatively impact control strategies, treatment regimens, and disease burden in humans. In the present study, we discuss the natural infections of wild rodents with Schistosoma spp., the role of these animals as Schistosoma spp. reservoirs, and how they may select hybrids and strains of Schistosoma mansoni. We also discuss measures required to shed light on the actual role of the wild rodents Nectomys squamipes and Holochilus sciureus in the transmission and morbidity of schistosomiasis in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Silva Miranda
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP: 31270-010, Brazil; Department of Biology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, Brazil
| | - João Gustavo Mendes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP: 31270-010, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Kelvin Alves de Oliveira Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP: 31270-010, Brazil
| | - Genil Mororó Araújo Camelo
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP: 31270-010, Brazil
| | - Nêuton Silva-Souza
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, State University of Maranhão, São Luis, Brazil
| | - Renata Heisler Neves
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biomedical Center, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Machado-Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Biomedical Center, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Deborah Aparecida Negrão-Corrêa
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Campus Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG CEP: 31270-010, Brazil.
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Miranda GS, Rodrigues JGM, de Rezende MC, Resende SD, Camelo GMA, de Oliveira Silva JKA, Maggi L, Rodrigues VF, de Oliveira VG, Negrão-Corrêa DA. Experimental infection with Schistosoma mansoni isolated from the wild rodent Holochilus sciureus shows a low parasite burden but induces high schistosomiasis severity in BALB/c mice. Parasitology 2022; 149:1381-1396. [PMID: 35641335 PMCID: PMC11010505 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Wild mammals, especially rodents, can participate in the life cycle of Schistosoma mansoni; however, the impact of these parasite strains on the severity of schistosomiasis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the parasitological and immunopathological alterations induced by an S. mansoni strain isolated from the wild rodent Holochilus sciureus (HS strain) and a parasite strain isolated from a human (LE strain) in experimentally infected mice. Male BALB/c mice were subcutaneously infected with 50 cercariae/mouse of either the HS or the LE strain and were evaluated for 12 weeks. In the experimental groups, the parasite burden was estimated by worm and egg (feces and tissues) count, and immunopathological alterations were evaluated in the liver and intestines. Compared to experimental infection with the LE parasite strain, HS-infected mice showed reduced number of parasite worms but higher fecundity rate, significant reduction in IL-5, IL-10 and IL-13 concentrations, lower EPO-activity in liver homogenate and higher concentrations of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-17 in the small intestine homogenate. Moreover, HS infection resulted in higher concentrations of NO end-products in both the liver and intestine, suggesting a predominance of the Th1/Th17 immune response. HS-infected mice also showed higher plasma transaminase levels, formed larger granulomas, and had a higher mortality rate in comparison with LE-infected mice. Data indicate that BALB/c mice infected with the HS strain of S. mansoni showed reduced susceptibility to the parasite but stronger tissue inflammation and high disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Silva Miranda
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Department of Biology, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão, São Raimundo das Mangabeiras, Brazil
| | - João Gustavo Mendes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Michelle Carvalho de Rezende
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Samira Diniz Resende
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Genil Mororó Araújo Camelo
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Maggi
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Fernandes Rodrigues
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Gustavo de Oliveira
- Department of Parasitology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Institute of Biological Sciences, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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