Are Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera (Gastropoda, Thiaridae), suitable first intermediate hosts of Clonorchis sinensis in Vietnam?

Abstract

Background Two thiarid snail species, Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera have been reported as first intermediate hosts of the liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis; however, their role as true first intermediate hosts has not been verified. Thus, the present study aimed to clarify the suitability of these two snail species as first intermediate hosts of C. sinensis. This was accomplished by collecting snails from a highly endemic area for C. sinensis in Vietnam, the Thac Ba reservoir, and identifying shed cercariae using molecular techniques. We also conducted experimental infections of five snail species including M. tuberculata and T. granifera with eggs of C. sinensis. Methodology/Principal findings A total of 11,985 snails, representing 10 species were sampled. Five snail species, M. tuberculata, T. granifera, Lymnaea swinhoei, Parafossarulus manchouricus, and Bithynia fuchsiana were found shedding cercariae with an overall prevalence of infection ranging from 0.7% to 11.5%. Seven cercarial types were recorded. Cercariae of C. sinensis were only found in Parafossarulus manchouricus. Using a multiplex PCR approach for detecting C. sinensis infection, the prevalence in P. manchouricus was 4.2%. Additionally, all five snail species were experimentally exposed to C. sinensis eggs, however only P. manchouricus was successfully infected with an infection rate of 7.87%. Conclusions/Significance We confirmed that in the Thac Ba reservoir, Vietnam, the two thiarids, M. tuberculata and T. granifera are not suitable first intermediate hosts of C. sinensis. Only P. manchouricus was found infected by C. sinensis in nature, and was the only species that became infected experimentally.

Freshwater gastropod community in South Konawe District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

“…Furthermore, Sirza et al (2020) and Purnama et al (2021) stated that T. granifera can eliminate the native species in the ecosystem due to their adaptive behavior to environmental changes and the ability to reproduce by parthenogenesis. These two things have made the population of T. granifera uncontrollable, especially in Southeast Sulawesi (Chuboon et al 2013;Veeravechsukij et al 2018;Oliveira et al 2020;Purnama et al 2020;Sirza et al 2020;Malatji et al 2021;Nguyen et al 2021;Makherana et al 2022;Yin et al 2022). A potential threat might also come from M. tuberculata (Facon et al 2005;Daniel et al 2019;Barros et al 2020;Khanam et al 2020;Lopes et al 2020;Okumura and Rocha 2020;Oliveira et al 2020;Alfaro et al 2021;McClure 2021;Bose et al 2022;Tolley-Jordan et al 2022), although its invasion rate was not as high as T. granifera.…”

Molecular and morphological characterization ofDollfustrema bagarii(Digenea: Bucephalidae) metacercariae from aquaculture channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in northern Vietnam

“…The identity of the species functioning as the first intermediate host of the digenean is unknown. Nguyen, Van, Ho, Tatonova, and Madsen (2021) mentioned that the presence of first intermediate hosts is the major limiting factor for the distribution of digeneans. Therefore, the determination of the first intermediate host of D. bagarii is necessary to determine its distribution and potential impacts on both farmed and wild fish.…”

Zoonotic Trematode Infections; Their Biology, Intermediate Hosts and Control

“…For C. sinensis, the snail hosts are species of caenogastropods of the family Bithyniidae (Parafossarulus, Bithynia) or Semisulcospiridae (Semisulcospira). In addition, species of the Thiaridae, especially Melanoides tuberculata have been reported as hosts for C. sinensis [37] but experimental infection of this species failed [38]. The miracidia hatch in the esophagus, intestine, or rectum of the snail, and then penetrate the wall of these organs to become sporocysts developing in the hemolymph spaces of the snail (Figure 10).…”