Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
Type
ArticleCopyright
Open access
Collections
- IOC - Artigos de Periódicos [12975]
Metadata
Show full item record
BIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN THE SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI-NECTOMYS SQUAMIPES MODEL
Alternative title
Implicações biológicas da plasticidade fenotípica no modelo Schistosoma mansoni - Nectomys squamipesAuthor
Affilliation
Abstract
The water-rat Nectomys squamipes is mostly important non-human host in schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in Brazil, due to its susceptibility, high abundance and water-contact pattern. During experimental infection of N. squamipes with Schistosoma mansoni, adult worms show phenotypic plasticity. This finding led us to investigate whether biological behavior is also affected. This was assessed comparing the biological characteristics of four S. mansoni strains: BE (State of Belém do Pará), CE (State of Pernambuco), CMO (State of Rio Grande do Norte) and SJ (State of São Paulo) using laboratory-bred N. squamipes. The infection was monitored by determination of the pre-patent period, fecal egg output, egg viability, intestinal egg count and, infectivity rate. No biological modification was observed in these parameters. Overall results highlight that N. squamipes was susceptible to several S. mansoni strains, suggesting that it might contribute to the maintenance of schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil.
Share