Trematodes emerging from freshwater mollusks collected in ditches, in the Municipality of Peruíbe, São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

Identify freshwater mollusks and trematode larvae from drainage ditches in the Municipality of Peruíbe, São Paulo State, Brazil, and describe the morphology of emerged larvae.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Mollusks were collected from 53 ditches. In the laboratory, the specimens were morphologically identified, and parasitological analysis was carried out to determine and describe the larvae.

RESULTS:

5,969 mollusks belonging to the families Planorbidae, Lymnaeidae, Physidae, Thiaridae, and Ampullariidae were collected. The parasitological analysis of the mollusks revealed nine different larvae corresponding to the following seven types of cercariae: xiphidio cercariae, echinostome cercariae, strigea cercariae, brevifurcate pharyngeate distome cercariae, brevifurcate apharyngeate distome cercariae, pleurolophocercous cercariae, and amphistome cercariae. Biomphalaria tenagophila (d'Orbigny, 1835) was susceptible to eight of the nine cercariae found, and six specimens of mollusks were parasitized by Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907.

CONCLUSION:

It is fundamental to establish malacological control and surveillance programs in vulnerable areas when mollusks, intermediate host of parasites of medical and veterinary importance, colonize these environments, especially when infected with S. mansoni larvae.