A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?

<h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis is the second-most widespread tropical parasitic disease after malaria. Various research strategies and treatment programs for achieving the objective of eradicating schistosomiasis within a decade have been recommended and supported by the World Health...

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Main Authors: David Duval, Richard Galinier, Gabriel Mouahid, Eve Toulza, Jean François Allienne, Julien Portela, Christophe Calvayrac, Anne Rognon, Nathalie Arancibia, Guillaume Mitta, André Théron, Benjamin Gourbal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2015-02-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0003489&type=printable
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author David Duval
Richard Galinier
Gabriel Mouahid
Eve Toulza
Jean François Allienne
Julien Portela
Christophe Calvayrac
Anne Rognon
Nathalie Arancibia
Guillaume Mitta
André Théron
Benjamin Gourbal
author_facet David Duval
Richard Galinier
Gabriel Mouahid
Eve Toulza
Jean François Allienne
Julien Portela
Christophe Calvayrac
Anne Rognon
Nathalie Arancibia
Guillaume Mitta
André Théron
Benjamin Gourbal
author_sort David Duval
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis is the second-most widespread tropical parasitic disease after malaria. Various research strategies and treatment programs for achieving the objective of eradicating schistosomiasis within a decade have been recommended and supported by the World Health Organization. One of these approaches is based on the control of snail vectors in endemic areas. Previous field studies have shown that competitor or predator introduction can reduce snail numbers, but no systematic investigation has ever been conducted to identify snail microbial pathogens and evaluate their molluscicidal effects.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>In populations of Biomphalaria glabrata snails experiencing high mortalities, white nodules were visible on snail bodies. Infectious agents were isolated from such nodules. Only one type of bacteria, identified as a new species of Paenibacillus named Candidatus Paenibacillus glabratella, was found, and was shown to be closely related to P. alvei through 16S and Rpob DNA analysis. Histopathological examination showed extensive bacterial infiltration leading to overall tissue disorganization. Exposure of healthy snails to Paenibacillus-infected snails caused massive mortality. Moreover, eggs laid by infected snails were also infected, decreasing hatching but without apparent effects on spawning. Embryonic lethality was correlated with the presence of pathogenic bacteria in eggs.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>This is the first account of a novel Paenibacillus strain, Ca. Paenibacillus glabratella, as a snail microbial pathogen. Since this strain affects both adult and embryonic stages and causes significant mortality, it may hold promise as a biocontrol agent to limit schistosomiasis transmission in the field.
format Article
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spelling doaj-art-91e8a2dccb194522b5a4270812653c732025-08-20T03:01:37ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352015-02-0192e000348910.1371/journal.pntd.0003489A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?David DuvalRichard GalinierGabriel MouahidEve ToulzaJean François AllienneJulien PortelaChristophe CalvayracAnne RognonNathalie ArancibiaGuillaume MittaAndré ThéronBenjamin Gourbal<h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis is the second-most widespread tropical parasitic disease after malaria. Various research strategies and treatment programs for achieving the objective of eradicating schistosomiasis within a decade have been recommended and supported by the World Health Organization. One of these approaches is based on the control of snail vectors in endemic areas. Previous field studies have shown that competitor or predator introduction can reduce snail numbers, but no systematic investigation has ever been conducted to identify snail microbial pathogens and evaluate their molluscicidal effects.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>In populations of Biomphalaria glabrata snails experiencing high mortalities, white nodules were visible on snail bodies. Infectious agents were isolated from such nodules. Only one type of bacteria, identified as a new species of Paenibacillus named Candidatus Paenibacillus glabratella, was found, and was shown to be closely related to P. alvei through 16S and Rpob DNA analysis. Histopathological examination showed extensive bacterial infiltration leading to overall tissue disorganization. Exposure of healthy snails to Paenibacillus-infected snails caused massive mortality. Moreover, eggs laid by infected snails were also infected, decreasing hatching but without apparent effects on spawning. Embryonic lethality was correlated with the presence of pathogenic bacteria in eggs.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>This is the first account of a novel Paenibacillus strain, Ca. Paenibacillus glabratella, as a snail microbial pathogen. Since this strain affects both adult and embryonic stages and causes significant mortality, it may hold promise as a biocontrol agent to limit schistosomiasis transmission in the field.https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0003489&type=printable
spellingShingle David Duval
Richard Galinier
Gabriel Mouahid
Eve Toulza
Jean François Allienne
Julien Portela
Christophe Calvayrac
Anne Rognon
Nathalie Arancibia
Guillaume Mitta
André Théron
Benjamin Gourbal
A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
title_full A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
title_fullStr A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
title_full_unstemmed A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
title_short A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
title_sort novel bacterial pathogen of biomphalaria glabrata a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control
url https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0003489&type=printable
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