Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Biomphalaria”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 811 records · Page 45Linked to original sources

Laboratory comparison of the relative success of Biomphalaria glabrata stocks which are susceptible and insusceptible to infection with Schistosoma mansoni.

A method of interrupting the life-cycle of the human blood fluke Schistosoma by increasing the proportion of genetically insusceptible intermediate host snails in natural populations was first proposed nearly 25 years ago. The method assumes that insusceptible snails will be at a selective advantage over susceptible snails when the schistosome parasite is present, and therefore natural selection will act to increase the proportion of alleles for insusceptibility. A major objection to the proposed technique is 'If insusceptible snails are at a selective advantage, then why are they not predominant in natural populations that transmit disease?' One explanation of this paradox is that insusceptibility may be associated with a disadvantageous character or a physiological defect. This study tests this hypothesis by measuring the relative reproductive success of susceptible and insusceptible snails under controlled conditions. Results indicate that insusceptible (unsuitable) snails are negatively affected in the presence of either susceptible snails or schistosome parasites. Furthermore, in the presence of both susceptible snails and schistosome parasites, insusceptible snails are selectively disadvantaged compared to susceptible snails. These results obtained under laboratory-controlled conditions suggest a plausible answer as to why insusceptible snails are not predominant in natural populations that transmit disease.

Animals↗

Biomphalaria glabrata embryonic (Bge) cell line supports in vitro miracidial transformation and early larval development of the deer liver fluke, Fascioloides magna.

A Bge cell co-culture system, previously shown to support the in vitro production of daughter sporocysts from mother sporocysts of Schistosoma mansoni and S. japonicum, has proven capable of supporting the in vitro development of intramolluscan stages of the deer liver fluke, Fascioloides magna. Miracidia commenced transforming within 4 h of incubation with Bge cells, and had completely shed their epidermal plates within 18-24 h. Redial stages were visible inside in vitro-transformed mother sporocysts after 12-16 days of co-culture with Bge cells, and emerged as fully-developed larvae starting at 14-20 days post-cultivation. Rediae survived over 60 days of in vitro culture, and reached a maximum size of 150-170 microns. Although particulate material was visible in their cecae, rediae were not observed to actively feed on Bge cells. Bge cells did not attach to or encapsulate larval stages at any time throughout the incubation period. Unlike Schistosoma spp., in which a high percentage of miracidia spontaneously shed their ciliated epidermal plates and transformed into mother sporocysts in Chernin's balanced saline solution (CBSS), transformation of F. magna was dependent on Bge cell products. Less than 5% of F. magna miracidia transformed spontaneously in either CBSS or Bge medium with 10% fetal bovine serum (complete or C-Bge). However, incubation of miracidia in either Bge cell-conditioned C-Bge medium or a greater than 30 kDa fraction concentrated from conditioned CBSS increased transformation rates to 67 and 83%, respectively. This secretory Bge cell factor(s) appeared to be protein in nature since its activity was completely abrogated by heat or proteinase K treatments. Overall, these results demonstrate that Bge cells are required for stimulating in vitro miracidial transformation and supporting early larval development of a fasciolid trematode under culture conditions. This is the first report of in vitro development of rediae from miracidia for a digenetic trematode.

Animals↗

[Protein composition of the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Influence of the method of sampling and relation to the protein composition of different organs].

The blood composition of B. glabrata is analyzed by electrophoresis. Its proteic composition differs in relation with the blood sampling method. Most of the supplementary fractions also have been found in the gut, some proteins possibly come from the hepatopancreas, whereas others could have their origin in the albumen gland. The sampling method must be selected according to these observations.

Animals↗