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9 pages, 1098 KiB

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Physella acuta Confirmed as Intermediate Host of Posthodiplostomum sp. from Lake Alqueva, Portugal

by Maria Teresa Bispo, Isabel Larguinho Maurício, Pedro Manuel Ferreira, Silvana Belo and Manuela Calado

Pathogens 2025, 14(4), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14040304 - 23 Mar 2025

Viewed by 1020

Abstract

Physella acuta is an invasive freshwater snail with a global distribution and a recognized role as an intermediate host for various trematodes, including Echinostoma spp. and Trichobilharzia physellae. In Portugal, P. acuta is commonly found in freshwater bodies such as Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial reservoir in Europe. The lake’s creation has altered local ecosystems, influencing freshwater snail populations and migratory bird activity, which may contribute to the dispersal of trematode parasites. While P. acuta is present in the region, its role in trematode transmission remains unclear. This study investigated P. acuta as a potential intermediate host for trematodes in Lake Alqueva. Freshwater snails were collected from 18 sites, with cercarial shedding induced under artificial light. Infected snails were found in 2 of the 18 snail populations surveyed. A sequence analysis of the amplified ITS2 rDNA region confirmed the presence of Posthodiplostomum sp., implicating, for the first time, P. acuta as an intermediate host for this parasite in Portugal. This study highlights the need for further research on P. acuta’s role in trematode transmission and potential impact on local ecosystems to assess parasitic risks to veterinary and public health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emergence and Transmission of Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases in Europe)

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18 pages, 654 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA Barcoding of Trichobilharzia (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae) Species and Their Detection in eDNA Water Samples

by Nikolaus Helmer, Christoph Hörweg, Helmut Sattmann, Susanne Reier, Nikolaus U. Szucsich, Jana Bulantová and Elisabeth Haring

Diversity 2023, 15(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15010104 - 12 Jan 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3320

Abstract

We designed and tested species-specific PCR primers to detect Trichobilharzia species via environmental DNA (eDNA) barcoding in selected Austrian water bodies. Tests were performed with eDNA samples from the field as well as with artificial samples from the lab, where snails releasing cercariae were kept in aquariums. From two localities, Trichobilharzia was documented based on the release of cercariae from snails, enabling morphological species identification. In both cases, the corresponding species were detected via eDNA: Trichobilharzia szidati and Trichobilharzia physellae. Nonetheless, the stochasticity was high in the replicates. PCR tests with aquarium water into which the cercariae had been released allowed eDNA detection even after 44 days. As in the PCRs with eDNA samples from the field, positive results of these experiments were not obtained for all samples and replicates. PCR sensitivity tests with dilution series of T. szidati genomic DNA as well as of PCR amplification products yielded successful amplification down to concentrations of 0.83 pg/µL and 0.008 pg/µL, respectively. Our results indicate that the presumed species specificity of PCR primers may not be guaranteed, even if primers were designed for specific species. This entails misidentification risks, particularly in areas with incomplete species inventories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA Barcodes for Evolution and Biodiversity)

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16 pages, 1576 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

First Record of Trichobilharzia physellae (Talbot, 1936) in Europe, a Possible Causative Agent of Cercarial Dermatitis

by Nikolaus Helmer, Hubert Blatterer, Christoph Hörweg, Susanne Reier, Helmut Sattmann, Julia Schindelar, Nikolaus U. Szucsich and Elisabeth Haring

Pathogens 2021, 10(11), 1473; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111473 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 4517

Abstract

Several species of avian schistosomes are known to cause dermatitis in humans worldwide. In Europe, this applies above all to species of the genus Trichobilharzia. For Austria, a lot of data are available on cercarial dermatitis and on the occurrence of Trichobilharzia, yet species identification of trematodes in most cases is doubtful due to the challenging morphological determination of cercariae. During a survey of trematodes in freshwater snails, we were able to detect a species in the snail Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) hitherto unknown for Austria, Trichobilharzia physellae; this is also the first time this species has been reported in Europe. Species identification was performed by integrative taxonomy combining morphological investigations with molecular genetic analyses. The results show a very close relationship between the parasite found in Austria and North American specimens (similarity found in CO1 ≥99.57%). Therefore, a recent introduction of T. physellae into Europe can be assumed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Avian Schistosomes and Cercarial Dermatitis)

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