Risk of invasion and disease transmission by the Australasian freshwater snail Orientogalba viridis (Lymnaeidae): a field and experimental study.

Background: Biological invasions pose risks to the normal functioning of ecosystems by altering the structure and composition of several communities. Molluscs stand out as an extensively studied group given their long history of introduction by either natural or anthropogenic dispersal events. An alien population of the lymnaeid species Orientogalba viridis was first sighted in 2009 in southern Spain.

Identification and Characterization of Three New Antimicrobial Peptides from the Marine Mollusk (Gmelin, 1791).

Mollusks have been widely investigated for antimicrobial peptides because their humoral defense against pathogens is mainly based on these small biomolecules. In this report, we describe the identification of three novel antimicrobial peptides from the marine mollusk . A pool of peptides was analyzed with nanoLC-ESI-MS-MS technology, and three potential antimicrobial peptides (Nv-p1, Nv-p2 and Nv-p3) were identified with bioinformatical predictions and selected for chemical synthesis and evaluation of their biological activity.

Immunological Resistance of Snails From Cuba to (Trematoda) Infection: What We Know and Where We Go on Comparative Molecular and Mechanistic Immunobiology, Ecology and Evolution.

One of the most interesting biological models is that of snail-trematode interactions, many of which ultimately result in the transmission of several important diseases, particularly in the tropics. Herein, we review the scientific advances on a trematode-snail system in which certain populations of (a common host species for trematodes) have been demonstrated naturally-resistant to , in association with an effective encapsulation of the parasite by innate immune cells of the host, the hemocytes. Emphasis is made on the molecular and immunological features characterizing each phenotype in relation to their anti-parasitic competence, their distinctive ecological patterns and the existence of a significant cost of resistance.

On the arrival of fasciolosis in the Americas.

Fasciola hepatica is a worldwide emerging and re-emerging parasite heavily affecting several regions in South America. Some lymnaeid snail species of American origin are among the major hosts of F. hepatica worldwide.

Antimicrobial Peptides Pom-1 and Pom-2 from Are Active against , and Biofilms.

Recently two peptides isolated from the Cuban freshwater snail (Pilsbry, 1927) were described to have antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens. Here we show considerable activities of Pom-1 and Pom-2 to reduce the viability of , and the less common species measured as the decrease of metabolic activity in the resazurin reduction assay for planktonic cells. Although these activities were low, Pom-1 and Pom-2 turned out to be highly potent inhibitors of biofilm formation for the three species tested.

Towards the comprehension of fasciolosis (re-)emergence: an integrative overview.

The increasing distribution and prevalence of fasciolosis in both human and livestock are concerning. Here, we examine the various types of factors influencing fasciolosis transmission and burden and the interrelations that may exist between them. We present the arsenal of molecules, 'adjusting' capabilities and parasitic strategies of Fasciola to infect.

New Antibacterial Peptides from the Freshwater Mollusk (Pilsbry, 1927).

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are biomolecules with antimicrobial activity against a broad group of pathogens. In the past few decades, AMPs have represented an important alternative for the treatment of infectious diseases. Their isolation from natural sources has been widely investigated.

Genetic diversity and relationships of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda) with native and introduced definitive and intermediate hosts.

Fasciolosis is a worldwide spread parasitosis mainly caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica. This disease is particularly important for public health in tropical regions, but it can also affect the economies of many developed countries due to large infections in domestic animals. Although several studies have tried to understand the transmission by studying the prevalence of different host species, only a few have used population genetic approaches to understand the links between domestic and wildlife infections.

Reviewing Fasciola hepatica transmission in the West Indies and novel perceptions from experimental infections of sympatric vs. allopatric snail/fluke combinations.

Fasciolosis is an important food-borne parasitic disease affecting over two million people worldwide with economic losses related to cattle production of up to US$ 3 billion annually. Despite the long known presence of Fasciola hepatica in the Caribbean islands its transmission is not well known. This study reviews historical and recent data on fasciolosis in the West Indies, revealing for the first time the outcomes of sympatric and allopatric fluke/snail interactions in the area by exploring the susceptibility of four lymnaeid species after exposure to F.

Patterns of distribution, population genetics and ecological requirements of field-occurring resistant and susceptible Pseudosuccinea columella snails to Fasciola hepatica in Cuba.

Pseudosuccinea columella snails transmit the trematode Fasciola hepatica, but in Cuba, six naturally occurring populations successfully resist parasite infection. Here, we present an updated distribution of P. columella in Cuba; 68 positive sites with the earliest records more abundant in west-central Cuba and with east-central populations generally corresponding to the newest samples.

The immunobiological interplay between Pseudosuccinea columella resistant/susceptible snails with Fasciola hepatica: Hemocytes in the spotlight.

The Fasciola hepatica/Pseudosuccinea columella interaction in Cuba involves a unique pattern of phenotypes; while most snails are susceptible, some field populations are naturally resistant to infection and parasites are encapsulated by snail hemocytes. Thus, we investigated the hemocytes of resistant (R) and susceptible (S) P. columella, in particular morphology, abundance, proliferation and in vitro encapsulation activity following exposure to F.

Natural resistance to Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda) in Pseudosuccinea columella snails: A review from literature and insights from comparative "omic" analyses.

The snail Pseudosuccinea columella is one of the main vectors of the medically-important trematode Fasciola hepatica. In Cuba, the existence of natural P. columella populations that are either susceptible or resistant to F.

Detected trematodes inside blue-winged teals (Spatula discors) give insights on north-south flow of parasites through Cuba during migration.

The Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) is known for engaging in long-distance North-South migrations and back in the Americas with Cuba being an important wintering ground. Teals serve as hosts for a wide range of parasite species that can be "discharged" at each end of the migration route. Here, we explore for the first time the diversity of trematodes that the Blue-winged Teal may be introducing to -or exporting from- Cuba.

Fasciola hepatica-Pseudosuccinea columella interaction: effect of increasing parasite doses, successive exposures and geographical origin on the infection outcome of susceptible and naturally-resistant snails from Cuba.

Background: Pseudosuccinea columella is one of the most widespread vectors of Fasciola hepatica, a globally distributed trematode that affects humans, livestock and wildlife. The exclusive occurrence in Cuba of susceptible and naturally-resistant populations to F. hepatica within this snail species, offers a fascinating model for evolutionary biology, health sciences and vector control strategies.

Spatio-temporal distribution of vertically transmitted dengue viruses by Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Arroyo Naranjo, Havana, Cuba.

Objective: To study the distribution of vertical transmission of dengue viruses in field-collected Aedes aegypti larvae in the municipality of Arroyo Naranjo in Havana, Cuba.

Methods: Aedes aegypti larvae and pupae were collected monthly between September 2013 and July 2014 in the seven Municipal Health Areas of Arroyo Naranjo. Pools formed of 30-55 larvae were examined through PCR and sequencing to detect the presence of each serotype.

Updated distribution and experimental life-history traits of the recently invasive snail Lissachatina fulica in Havana, Cuba.

The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica has been reported invading Cuba since 2014 and is now well established in areas of Havana and several nearby regions. This invasive species is of major concern to health authorities given its role as an important vector of parasites such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the causative agent of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. Here, we update the distribution within Cuba.

First record of natural vertical transmission of dengue virus in Aedes aegypti from Cuba.

While horizontal transmission (human-mosquito-human) of dengue viruses largely determines the epidemiology of the disease, vertical transmission (infected female mosquito- infected offspring) has been suggested as a mechanism that ensures maintenance of the virus during adverse conditions for horizontal transmission to occur. The purpose of this study was to analyze the natural infection of larval stages of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) with the dengue virus (DENV) in Cuba. Here, we report vertical transmission of DENV-3 genotype III in natural populations of Ae.

Assessment of the FasciMol-ELISA in the detection of the trematode Fasciola hepatica in field-collected Galba cubensis: a novel tool for the malacological survey of fasciolosis transmission.

Background: Fasciolosis is one of the food-borne neglected trematodioses that has reemerged as a human disease while its effects on domestic animal health remains of significant economic consideration. Being snail-borne disease, the accurate and time-saving epidemiological surveillance of the transmission foci where infected lymnaeid snails occur could be essential to effectively focus or redirect control strategies. For this purpose, the first monoclonal antibody-based immunoenzymatic assay to detect Fasciola hepatica-infected snails (FasciMol-ELISA) was recently developed and showed a high sensitivity and specificity when tested in an experimental F.

Natural prevalence in Cuban populations of the lymnaeid snail Galba cubensis infected with the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica: small values do matter.

Natural infections of lymnaeid snails by Fasciola hepatica are of primary importance to study transmission. Also, infected snails in the field can be used to explore the existing compatibility in host-parasite interactions. This paper aimed to describe the infection rate of Galba cubensis populations in fasciolosis transmission areas.

A multiplex PCR for the detection of Fasciola hepatica in the intermediate snail host Galba cubensis.

Fasciolosis is a snail-borne trematode infection that has re-emerged as a human disease, and is considered a significant problem for veterinary medicine worldwide. The evaluation of the transmission risk of fasciolosis as well as the efficacy of the strategies for its control could be carried out through epidemiological surveillance of the snails that act as intermediate hosts of the parasites. The present study aimed to develop the first multiplex PCR to detect Fasciola hepatica in Galba cubensis, an important intermediate host of the parasite in the Americas and especially in the Caribbean basin.

A novel monoclonal antibody-based immunoenzymatic assay for epidemiological surveillance of the vector snails of Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda: Digenea).

Fasciolosis is a globally distributed snail-borne disease which requires economic consideration due to its enormous impact on veterinary medicine. During recent decades, this parasitosis has also shown increasing prevalence in human populations worldwide. The dissemination and successful transmission of fasciolosis ultimately depends on the existence of susceptible snails that act as intermediate hosts.

Exploring the antigenic features of Fasciola hepatica rediae (Trematoda: Digenea) through the evaluation of different antigenic candidates for further monoclonal antibody generation.

The control of fasciolosis, as that of other vector-borne diseases, must be related to the control of the lymnaeid snails, the intermediate hosts of the parasite. Thus, an accurate epidemiological surveillance of the transmission foci where the infected mollusks occur is essential. For this purpose, immunoassays could be a useful tool.