Biomphalaria tenagophila / Schistosoma mansoni Interaction: Premises for a New Approach to Biological Control of Schistosomiasis

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 99; no. 5 Suppl 1; pp. 109 - 111
• Main Authors: Coelho, P M Z, Carvalho, O S, Andrade, Z A, Martins-Sousa, R L, Rosa, F M, Barbosa, L, Pereira, C A J, Caldeira, R L, Jannotti-Passos, L K, Godard, A L B, Moreira, L A, Oliveira, G C, Franco, G R, Teles, H M S, Negrão-Corrêa, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 01.01.2004; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Animals; biological control; Biomphalaria - parasitology; Biomphalaria - physiology; Biomphalaria tenagophila; Biomphalaria tenagophila/Schistosoma mansoni interaction - innate defense - schistosomiasis mansoni - biological control - mechanism - dominant resistance heritage; Brazil; Disease Vectors; dominant resistance heritage; Host-Parasite Interactions - physiology; Humans; innate defense; mechanism; PARASITOLOGY; Schistosoma mansoni - physiology; schistosomiasis mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni - transmission; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Brazil; innate defense; biological control; Biomphalaria tenagophila; dominant resistance heritage; mechanism; schistosomiasis mansoni
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 0074-0276; 1678-8060
• DOI: 10.1590/S0074-02762004000900020

Biomphalaria tenagophila is very important for schistosomiasis transmission in Brazil. However its mechanisms of interaction with Schistosoma mansoni are still scantly studied. Since this snail displays strains highly susceptible or completely resistant to the parasite infection, the knowledge of that would be a useful tool to understand the mechanism of snail resistance. Particularly, the Taim strain consistently shows absolute resistance against the trematode, and this resistance is a dominant character. A multidisciplinary research group was created aiming at studying B. tenagophila/S. mansoni interaction. The possibility for applying the knowledge acquired to obtain a biological model for the control of S. mansoni transmission in endemic areas is discussed.