Protozoa interaction with aquatic invertebrate: interest for watercourses biomonitoring

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia duodenalis are human waterborne protozoa. These worldwide parasites had been detected in various watercourses as recreational, surface, drinking, river, and seawater. As of today, water protozoa detection was based on large water filtration and on sample concentration. Another tool like aquatic invertebrate parasitism could be used for sanitary and environmental biomonitoring. In fact, organisms like filter feeders could already filtrate and concentrate protozoa directly in their tissues in proportion to ambient concentration. So molluscan shellfish can be used as a bioindicator of protozoa contamination level in a site since they were sedentary. Nevertheless, only a few researches had focused on nonspecific parasitism like protozoa infection on aquatic invertebrates. Objectives of this review are twofold: Firstly, an overview of protozoa in worldwide water was presented. Secondly, current knowledge of protozoa parasitism on aquatic invertebrates was detailed and the lack of data of their biological impact was pointed out.

First evidence of cytotoxic effects of human protozoan parasites on zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) haemocytes

“…Nonetheless, exposure to C. parvum did not influence haemocyte mortality whatever the concentration tested (Table 1). These results are in accordance with previous experiments (Palos Ladeiro et al, 2018).…”

“…(Oo)cysts can survive for a long period even in detrimental conditions while keeping their infectivity (Cole et al, 1989;Johnson et al, 1997;Tamburrini and Pozio, 1999;Lindsay et al, 2003). In recent years, several studies have reported the use of molluscs (such as bivalves) as indicators of water contamination by protozoa (Palos- Ladeiro et al, 2012;Shapiro et al, 2014). Assessing the protozoan load in water is not only a human health issue but also may be useful from an ecotoxicological point of view.…”

Zebra mussel as a new tool to show evidence of freshwater contamination by waterborneToxoplasma gondii

“…; Palos Ladeiro et al . ). Studying bivalves can highlight pathogen contamination even when water analysis results appear to be negative (Ayres et al .…”

Assessment of Toxoplasma gondii levels in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) by real-time PCR: an organotropism study

“…Aquatic organisms can act as paratenic hosts by filtering, concentrating, and accumulating pathogens in their tissues. Many studies underline the accumulation of human waterborne pathogens by aquatic invertebrates under laboratory conditions or in field studies (Palos Ladeiro et al 2013). In freshwater systems, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) has previously been used successfully as a sentinel species for C. parvum and G. duodenalis (Lucy et al 2008).…”