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Fuentes MV, Gomez-Samblas M, Richter O, Sáez-Durán S, Bueno-Marí R, Osuna A, Galán-Puchades MT. Local terrestrial snails as natural intermediate hosts of the zoonotic parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the new European endemic area of Valencia, Spain. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:451-456. [PMID: 38553828 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
AIM The rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, has recently been found in the city of Valencia, parasitizing rats, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus, its natural definitive hosts. This is the first finding of this zoonotic nematode in continental Europe. After informing local and national health authorities, the collection of local terrestrial snails took place with the aim of elucidating their potential role as intermediate hosts of A. cantonensis. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 145 terrestrial snails, belonging to the species Cernuella virgata, Cornu aspersum, Eobania vermiculata, Otala punctata, Pseudotachea splendida, Rumina decollata and Theba pisana, were randomly collected between May and December 2022 in public gardens, parks and orchards in six districts of Valencia, in five of which A. cantonensis had been reported previously in rats. Once collected and identified, the snails were frozen at -20°C. Subsequently, the DNA was isolated and screened by PCR using specific primers targeting the A. cantonensis COI gene. Seven individual snails, belonging to the species C. virgata, C. aspersum and T. pisana, were positive, for an overall prevalence of 4.8%. The PCR product from one of them was sequenced by Sanger sequencing. CONCLUSIONS The three positive terrestrial snail species are among the edible species that are frequently included in various dishes in Spain. C. virgata is reported as a previously unrecorded intermediate host and should be added to the list of more than 200 species of terrestrial snails that have been reported worldwide as intermediate hosts of the rat lungworm. Considering that these terrestrial snails may release infective larvae of A. cantonensis on leafy green vegetables on which they feed and during their handling and preparation for consumption, prophylactic measures to prevent human neuroangiostrongyliasis in Valencia and other regions to which this zoonotic parasite may spread are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Màrius V Fuentes
- Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mercedes Gomez-Samblas
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Orly Richter
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Sandra Sáez-Durán
- Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rubén Bueno-Marí
- Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
- Laboratorios Lokímica, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - María Teresa Galán-Puchades
- Parasites and Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
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Gojšina V, Vesović N, Ćurčić S, Karan-Žnidaršič T, Mitrović B, Dedov I. A review of the genus Vitrea Fitzinger, 1833 (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata, Pristilomatidae) in Serbia: diversity, distribution and the description of a new species. Zookeys 2024; 1200:245-273. [PMID: 38766410 PMCID: PMC11099470 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1200.120633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
In this paper, the genus Vitrea Fitzinger, 1833 in Serbia is reviewed. All previous literature data on this genus from Serbia are summarised and used to discuss its distribution in the country and create distribution maps, supplemented by new material collected by the authors. All Serbian species are figured. For each species, a brief description of the examined specimens, data on previous findings in Serbia, the material (including types) that were analysed, the distribution and habitats in Serbia they inhabit, as well as remarks on specific species are given. A new species, Vitreavirgo Gojšina & Dedov, sp. nov., is described from a pit on Mt. Devica in eastern Serbia. Vitreapygmaea (O. Boettger, 1880) is reported for the first time for the territory of Serbia. As some Vitrea species have a narrow geographical range and prefer certain habitats, they are particularly vulnerable to habitat changes, which is also discussed in the paper. An identification key for all hitherto known Serbian species is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vukašin Gojšina
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of BiologyBelgradeSerbia
| | - Nikola Vesović
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of BiologyBelgradeSerbia
| | - Srećko Ćurčić
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of BiologyBelgradeSerbia
| | - Tamara Karan-Žnidaršič
- University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of BiologyBelgradeSerbia
| | - Biljana Mitrović
- The Museum of Natural History, Njegoševa 51, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaThe Museum of Natural HistoryBelgradeSerbia
| | - Ivaylo Dedov
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, 1113 Sofia, BulgariaInstitute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of SciencesSofiaBulgaria
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Gretgrix LJ, Decker O, Green PT, Köhler F, Moussalli A, Murphy NP. Genetic diversity of a short-ranged endemic terrestrial snail. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10785. [PMID: 38034337 PMCID: PMC10684984 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The factors that influence population structure and connectivity are unknown for most terrestrial invertebrates but are of particular interest both for understanding the impacts of disturbance and for determining accurate levels of biodiversity and local endemism. The main objective of this study was to determine the historical patterns of genetic differentiation and contemporary gene flow in the terrestrial snail, Austrochloritis kosciuszkoensis (Shea & O. L. Griffiths, 2010). Snails were collected in the Mt Buffalo and Alpine National Parks in Victoria, in a bid to understand how populations of this species are connected both within continuous habitat and between adjacent, yet separate environments. Utilising both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, the degree of population structure was determined within and between sites. Very high levels of genetic divergence were found between the Mt Buffalo and Alpine snails, with no evidence for genetic exchange detected between the two regions, indicating speciation has possibly occurred between the two regions. Our analyses of the combined mtDNA and nDNA (generated from SNPs) data have revealed patterns of genetic diversity that are consistent with a history of long-term isolation and limited connectivity. This history may be related to past cycles of changes to the climate over hundreds of thousands of years, which have, in part, caused the fragmentation of Australian forests. Within both regions, extremely limited gene flow between separate populations suggests that these land snails have very limited dispersal capabilities across existing landscape barriers, especially at Mt Buffalo: here, populations only 5 km apart from each other are genetically differentiated. The distinct genetic divergences and clearly reduced dispersal ability detected in this data explain the likely existence of at least two previously unnamed cryptic Austrochloritis species within a 30-50 km radius, and highlight the need for more concentrated efforts to understand population structure and gene flow in terrestrial invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan J. Gretgrix
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and EnvironmentLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Orsi Decker
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and EnvironmentLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Bavarian National ParkNationalparkverwaltung Bayerischer WaldGrafenauGermany
| | - Peter T. Green
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and EnvironmentLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | | | - Nicholas P. Murphy
- Department of Environment and Genetics, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and EnvironmentLa Trobe UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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Abobakr Y, Gad AF, Abou-Elnasr HS, Abdelgalil GM, Hussein HI, Selim S. Contact toxicity and biochemical impact of metaldehyde against the white garden snail Theba pisana (Müller, 1774). Pest Manag Sci 2021; 77:3208-3215. [PMID: 33683007 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Terrestrial snails are one of the most damaging threats to sustainable agriculture. Chemical control using molluscicides is the main approach used to combat these agricultural pests. Metaldehyde is the active ingredient in most snail control products in use. However, its toxicity indices and mode of action have scarcely been investigated. For the first time, we characterized the metaldehyde contact toxicity indices against the white garden snail Theba pisana. The biochemical impact of metaldehyde on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and the lipid peroxidation (LPO) level was investigated. RESULTS The median lethal dose (LD50 ) values at 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment were 11.33, 8.53, and 6.87 μg g-1 body weight (BW), respectively; while, the median lethal time (LT50 ) values were 88.16, 55.85, and 25.67 h when doses of 6, 8, and 12 μg g-1 BW were applied, respectively. In the snails treated with 2.83 and 5.67 μg g-1 BW (¼ and ½ LD50 at 24 h of treatment) and 2.13 and 4.27 μg g-1 BW (¼ and ½ LD50 at 48 h of treatment), higher AChE, GST, AST, ALT, and ALP activities as well as higher levels of LPO were observed compared with that of untreated snails. CONCLUSION Metaldehyde displayed dose- and time-dependent contact toxicity. The biochemical results suggest that metaldehyde may have neurotoxic and cytotoxic actions in terrestrial snails. Application of metaldehyde in ways that could control pest snails and slugs and reduce its negative impact on the environment are discussed. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasser Abobakr
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Department of Animal Pests, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amira F Gad
- Department of Animal Pests, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hamza S Abou-Elnasr
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Central Laboratories Unit (CLU), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Gaber M Abdelgalil
- Department of Animal Pests, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hamdy I Hussein
- Department of Animal Pests, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shady Selim
- Department of Pesticide Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Desert and Environmental Agriculture, Matrouh University, Matrouh, Egypt
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Cilia G, Fratini F. Antimicrobial properties of terrestrial snail and slug mucus. J Complement Integr Med 2018; 15:/j/jcim.ahead-of-print/jcim-2017-0168/jcim-2017-0168.xml. [PMID: 29596054 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2017-0168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Snail and slug mucus is a viscous-elastic substance secreted by specific glands with adhesive and lubricants properties that allows them to adhere tenaciously to many different surfaces. It has been used since ancient times for care and human health and it is still very important in traditional and folkloristic medicine. Recently, mucus from snail and slugs and its protein and components have been subjected to some investigations on their antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity due to extensive traditional uses and for a future application in medicine. Antimicrobial activities of crude mucus, and its components, against different microorganism have been reported, showing antimicrobial activities that lead their potential employment in several fields as natural additives. The purpose of this Review is to summarize the results of antimicrobial studies of snail and slug mucus and its compounds from the first scientific applications to the isolation of the single components in order to better understand its application and propose an employment in future studies as a natural antimicrobial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cilia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Fratini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
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