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CHANGES IN THE CALCIUM METABOLISM OF BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH ANGIOSTRONGYLUS CANTONENSIS
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Abstract
Levels of calcium in the haemolymph and reserves in the shell of Biomphalaria
glabrata experimentally infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis were determined
for the first time. At the same time, histochemical analyses of the digestive
gland of infected and uninfected snails were performed to better understand
the possible changes in metabolism of calcium in these organisms. After 1, 2 and
3 weeks of infection, the snails were dissected for collection of haemolymph and
separation of tissues. The highest calcium concentrations in the haemolymph
were found 2 weeks after infection, with a 39.61% increase in relation to the
respective control group. However, there was a significant reduction in the
concentration of this ion in the haemolymph of infected snails after 1 week of
infection in relation to the uninfected specimens. In parallel, intense
hypocalcification was shown in the shell of infected snails 1 and 2 weeks after
infection, differing significantly in relation to the respective control groups.
Morphological changes in the digestive gland of infected snails were also
observed, confirming the role of this ion as an important element in the parasite
encapsulation process.
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