Biomphalaria tenagophila: genetic variability within intermediate snail hosts susceptible and resistant to Schistosoma mansoni infection

DNA analysis by molecular techniques has significantly expanded the perspectives of the study and understanding of genetic variability in molluscs that ere vectors of schistosomiasis. In tire present study, the genetic variability of susceptible and resistant B. tenagophila strains to S. mansoni infection was investigated using amplification of their genomic DNA by RAPD-PCR. The products were analyzed by PAGE and stained with silver. The results showed pdymorphism between tested strains with four different primers. We found two bonds of 1,900 and 3,420 bp that were characteristic of the susceptible strains with primer 2. The primers 9 end 10 identified a single polymorphic bond that was also characteristic of (3,136 and 5,041 bp, respectively) susceptible snails. Two polymorphic bonds were detected by primer 15: one with 1 800 bp was characteristic of the resistant strain and the other with 1,700 do in the susceptible one. These results provide additional evidence showing that the RAPD-PCR technique is adequate for the study of polymorphisms in intermediate hosts snails of S. mansoni. The obtained results are expected to expend the knowledge about the genetic variability of the snails and to permit the future identification of genomic sequences specifically related to the resistance/susceptibility of Biompholario to the larval forms of S. mansoni.

Differences in the number of hemocytes in the snail host Biomphalaria tenagophila, resistant and susceptible to Schistosoma mansoni infection

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Genetic markers between Biomphalaria glabrata snails susceptible and resistant to Schistosoma mansoni infection

The analysis of the genetic variability related to susceptibility to Schistosoma mansoni infection in the vector of the genus Biomphalaria is important in terms of a better understanding of the epidemiology of schistosomiasis itself, the possible pathological implications of this interaction in vertebrate hosts, and the formulation of new strategies and approaches for disease control. In the present study, the genetic variability of B. glabrata strains found to be resistant or susceptible to S. mansoni infection was investigated using DNA amplification by random amplified polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR). The amplification products were analyzed on 8% polyacrylamide gel and stained with silver. We selected 10 primers, since they have previously been useful to detect polymorphism among B. glabrata and/or B. tenagophila. The results showed polymorphisms with 5 primers. Polymorphic bands observed only in the susceptible strain. The RAPD-PCR methodology represents an adequate approach for the analysis of genetic polymorphisms. The understanding of the genetic polymorphisms associated to resistance may contribute to the future identification of genomic sequences related to the resistance/susceptibility of Biomphalaria to the larval forms of S. mansoni and to the development of new strategies for the control of schistosomiasis.

Schistosome/mollusk: genetic compatibility

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic differences between strains of Biomphalaria glabrata (Planorbidae) that are susceptible and unsusceptible to schistosomiasis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação do potencial citotóxico, moluscicida e alelopático dos extratos hidroetanólicos das folhas de Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth

Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth. known as barbatimão de folha miúda, is a typical tree of the Midwest and Southeast “Cerrado” regions of Brazil. Several secondary metabolites have been identified in its barks, including tannins, described on the literature as allelochemicals. Beholding to identify a possible allelopathic activity in S. obovatum leaves, we tested hydroethanolic EtOH:H2 O (70% and 50% v/v) extracts, in different concentrations, on the initial development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Among the results, we highlight the effect of the 50% hydroethanolic extract in inhibiting the formation of the main and the secondary roots and the stimulation of the hypocotyl growth in C. sativus by the 70% hydroethanolic extract, both in all concentrations tested. The cytotoxic activity, evaluated by bioassay toxicity on Artemia salina Leach., was negative for the tested extracts (LC50> 1000 mg.mL-1). Concomitantly, the molluscicidal activity, evaluated against snails of Biomphalaria glabrata Say, presented low acute toxicity of solutions of 70% hydroethanolic extract at concentrations of 128.9 mg.mL-1 and 172.8 mg.mL-1 and values above 250 mg.mL-1 to solutions of 50% hydroalcoholic extract, being therefore considered inactive for these. The results suggest the existence of allelochemicals in the extracts tested and they have low toxicity.