Molecular detection of Schistosoma species in unusual snail hosts: a note of caution

The interaction between snails and species of Schistosoma results from an evolutionary process with an intrinsic host-parasite specificity to the snail genus. Faced with this fact, the recent molecular-based report on the potential infection of the thiarid Melanoides tuberculata with human schistoso...

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Published inTransactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 117; no. 5; pp. 401 - 402
Main Author Pinto, Hudson Alves
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 02.05.2023
Subjects
Animals
Biomphalaria - genetics
Biomphalaria - parasitology
Humans
Schistosoma - genetics
Schistosoma mansoni
Schistosomiasis - epidemiology
Snails
Melanoides
Schistosoma
molecular detection
Biomphalaria
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Summary:The interaction between snails and species of Schistosoma results from an evolutionary process with an intrinsic host-parasite specificity to the snail genus. Faced with this fact, the recent molecular-based report on the potential infection of the thiarid Melanoides tuberculata with human schistosome should be cautiously interpreted. The high sensibility of molecular tools can result in false positives, perhaps by amplifying DNA from an external (contaminant) or invasive stage of schistosome found in this non-permissive snail host. Thus, parasitological data are mandatory to extrapolate the importance of the finding for the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis.
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ISSN:0035-9203
1878-3503
DOI:10.1093/trstmh/trac129