Trematode larvae associated with freshwater mollusks in municipalities of Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

This study found trematode larvae as parasites in freshwater mollusks in municipalities of Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil. Malacological search was made from November, 2008 to October, 2011. The following mollusks were identified and had parasitological examination: Ampullariidae, Ancylidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Planorbidae, and Thiaridae families. Twenty-one trematode larvae were observed parasitizing mollusks, but seven were not found in literature search: cercaria I, echinocercaria I, echinocercaria IV, strigeocercaria I, strigeocercaria II, strigeocercaria III and strigeocercaria IV. Freshwater mollusks as intermediate hosts of trematodes can be a risk of transmission of infectious agents causing diseases of great medical and veterinarian concern in Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. Therefore monitoring such areas is extremely important.