Efficacy of silver nanoparticles against the adults and eggs of monogenean parasites of fish

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) 2019-06, Vol.118 (6), p.1741-1749
• Main Authors: Pimentel-Acosta, Citlalic Altagracia, Morales-Serna, Francisco Neptalí, Chávez-Sánchez, María Cristina, Lara, Humberto Herman, Pestryakov, Alexey, Bogdanchikova, Nina, Fajer-Ávila, Emma Josefina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Animals; Anthelmintic agents; Anthelmintics; Antiplatyhelmintic Agents - chemistry; Antiplatyhelmintic Agents - pharmacology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Eggs; Eggs - parasitology; Female; Fish Diseases - drug therapy; Fish Diseases - parasitology; Fish Parasitology - Original Paper; Fishes; Immunology; Male; Medical Microbiology; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Microbiology; Nanoparticles; Parasites; Parasitic diseases; Povidone; Praziquantel; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Silver - pharmacology; Tegument; Trematoda - drug effects; Trematoda - physiology; Trematode Infections - drug therapy; Trematode Infections - parasitology; Trematode Infections - veterinary
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06315-9

Monogeneans are a diverse group of parasites that are commonly found on fish. Some monogenean species are highly pathogenic to cultured fish. The present study aimed to determine the in vitro anthelmintic effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against adults and eggs of monogeneans in freshwater using Cichlidogyrus spp. as a model organism. We tested two types of AgNPs with different synthesis methodologies and size diameters: ARGOVIT (35 nm) and UTSA (1–3 nm) nanoparticles. Damage to the parasite tegument was observed by scanning electron microscopy. UTSA AgNPs were more effective than ARGOVIT; in both cases, there was a concentration-dependent effect. A concentration of 36 μg/L UTSA AgNPs for 1 h was 100% effective against eggs and adult parasites, causing swelling, loss of corrugations, and disruption of the parasite’s tegument. This is an interesting result considering that monogenean eggs are typically tolerant to antiparasite drugs and chemical agents. To the best of our knowledge, no previous reports have assessed the effect of AgNPs on any metazoan parasites of fish. Therefore, the present work provides a basis for future research on the control of fish parasite diseases.