Biochemical profile of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) after infection by Echinostoma paraensei (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae)

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) 2011-09, Vol.109 (3), p.885-891
• Main Authors: Tunholi, Victor M., Lustrino, Danilo, Tunholi-Alves, Vinícius M., Mello-Silva, Clélia C. C., Maldonado, Arnaldo, Pinheiro, Jairo, Rodrigues, Maria de Lurdes de A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alanine Transaminase - analysis; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Biomphalaria - metabolism; Biomphalaria - parasitology; Biomphalaria glabrata; Echinostoma paraensei; Echinostomatidae; Echinostomatidae - growth & development; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastropoda; General aspects; General aspects and techniques. Study of several systematic groups. Models; Hemolymph - chemistry; Immunology; Invertebrates; Medical Microbiology; Medically important nuisances and vectors, pests of stored products and materials: population survey and control; Microbiology; Mollusca; Original Paper; Proteins - analysis; Trematoda; Urea - analysis; Uric Acid - analysis; Vectors. Intermediate hosts
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2330-7

The effect of infection by Echinostoma paraensei on the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the concentration of total proteins, uric acid and urea in the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata were investigated after exposure to five or 50 miracidia. The biochemical concentrations were measured weekly until the end of the fourth week after exposure. There was a significant decrease in the concentrations of total proteins in the snails exposed both to five and 50 miracidia, as well as an increase in the nitrogenous products of excretion, ALT and AST activities. The higher ALT activity in the hemolymph of the snails after infection with 50 miracidia suggests highest energetic requirement in these snails in relation to snails exposed to five miracidia. The results also suggest an increase in the use of total proteins, since there was increased formation of nitrogenous catabolites, in conformity with an increase in the aminotransferase activities, frequently associated with tissue damages. This can be explained by damage due to penetration by the miracidia and subsequent development of intramolluscan sporocysts and rediae.