DOCSLIB.ORG

Reproductive and Developmental Alterations in Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails Exposed to Three Phenolic Compounds

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Reproductive and Developmental Alterations in Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails Exposed to Three Phenolic Compounds International Journal of Environmental Studies ISSN: 0020-7233 (Print) 1029-0400 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/genv20 Reproductive and developmental alterations in Biomphalaria alexandrina snails exposed to three phenolic compounds Wafaa S.F. Hasheesh, Haggag A. Mohamed, Sara S.M. Sayed & Rasha M.F. Abu El-Khair To cite this article: Wafaa S.F. Hasheesh, Haggag A. Mohamed, Sara S.M. Sayed & Rasha M.F. Abu El-Khair (2019): Reproductive and developmental alterations in Biomphalariaalexandrina snails exposed to three phenolic compounds, International Journal of Environmental Studies To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2019.1686908 Published online: 06 Nov 2019. Submit your article to this journal View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=genv20 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2019.1686908 ARTICLE Reproductive and developmental alterations in Biomphalaria alexandrina snails exposed to three phenolic compounds Wafaa S.F. Hasheesha, Haggag A. Mohameda, Sara S.M. Sayed b and Rasha M.F. Abu El-Khaira aZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; bEnvironmental Research and Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt ABSTRACT KEYWORDS The present work aims to assess the reprotoxicity in Biomphalaria Salicylic acid; benzoic acid; alexandrina snails and developmental and hatchability alterations of pyrogallol; reproduction their eggs after exposure to three phenolic compounds, viz., salicylic acid, benzoic acid and pyrogallol. The half lethal concentrations (LC50) of the three tested compounds were 574, 674 and 350 mg L−1, respectively after 24 h. The tested concentrations of all compounds showed a harmful effect on development and hatchability of eggs regardless of the age of embryos. Exposure of snails to sub-lethal concentrations of salicylic acid resulted in a significant reduction in their survival rate, and ½ LC50 of both benzoic acid and pyrogallol led to a sudden death of snails after the 1st week of the experiment. Therefore, the egg laying capacity showed a noticeable impairment throughout the whole experimental period. Moreover, the hermaph- rodite glands of treated snails have mirrored the deleterious effects that occurred in the total reproductive rate. Introduction Phenolic compounds have been listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the European Union (EU) as pollutants of priority concern because of their acute toxicity and severe long-term effects on human beings and animals [1]. The biggest contribution to environmental pollution with respect to pharmaceuticals comes from the active substances of these drugs or their metabolites excreted from the body of both human and animal patients via urine or faeces [2]. Apart from daily common uses, salicylic acid, benzoic acid and pyrogallol are used by several industries and are discharged into the aquatic environment. Little information has been recorded about the chronic toxicity of these phenolic compounds to some aquatic organisms. Salicylic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which represents the most commonly found contaminant in the water environment [3]. Some of these drugs (mainly diclofenac and ibuprofen) exhibit an increasing hazardous effect on aquatic ecosystem [4]. On the other hand, salicylic acid acts as a plant growth regulator, a signalling molecule for CONTACT Sara S.M. Sayed [email protected] Department of Environmental Research and Medical Malacology,Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza 12411, Egypt © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group Published online 06 Nov 2019 2 W. S. F. HASHEESH ET AL. defence response in plants against pathogen attack [5]. It is commonly used in chemical peeling treatments of several skin disorders [6]. Benzoic acid is commonly used for preserving foods, fats and fruit juices, also for alkaloid solutions and curing tobacco, besides being applied as a herbicide [7], and as an antifungal agent in pharmaceutical industries [8,9]. It is frequently found in the effluents of coal refining, paper and pulp mill, and in agricultural runoff [10]. Pyrogallol was the first synthetic organic dye used on human hair and then used as a modifier in the oxidation of dyes [11]. Afterwards, it was used as an active reducer of gold, silver, and mercury salts [12], and in the manufacture of pharma- ceuticals and pesticides [13]. Medically, pyrogallol has been used as a topical antipsoriatic [14]. Furthermore, it is used as an anti-algal compound and has been confirmed to exhibit one of the most intensive inhibitory effects on Microcystis aeruginosa [15]andChlorella Pyrenoidosa [16]. Few studies have examined the effects of different pharmaceuticals on aquatic inverte- brates. Disturbances in the early development frequently lead to arrested development and inviability. Accordingly, procedures and protocols implemented for toxicity and developmental bioassays should be applied in ecotoxicological studies [17]. Biomphalaria alexandrina snails are important aquatic organisms dwelling in rivers, ponds and lakes in Egypt. Toxicological assays employing Biomphalaria species have shown their value as biomarkers of aquatic toxicity, and they are considered as good indicators for biomoni- toring studies [18]. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the effect of salicylic acid, benzoic acid and pyrogallol on survival rate and reproduction of B. alexandrina snails, besides development and hatchability of their eggs. Materials and methods Experimental materials Salicylic acid (C7H6O3) is a colourless crystalline powder (CAS Number: 69-72-7), benzoic acid (C7H6O2) is a colourless crystalline powder (CAS Number: 65-85-0) and pyrogallol (C6H6O3) is a white water-soluble powder (CAS Number: 87-66-1).They were purchased from Cornell LAB Company, Cairo, Egypt. Bioassay tests Serial concentrations of pyrogallol were directly prepared in 1000 ml of dechlorinated tap water. Both salicylic acid and benzoic acid powders (insoluble in water), were firstly dissolved in 500 µl of 0.5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), then 1000 ml of dechlorinated tap water was added. The final concentrations of DMSO in the solutions were less than 0.001%. Therefore, its effect was excluded as it has no effect on snails in its minor concentration [19]. Three replicates, each of 10 snails/L (8–10 mm shell diameter) were exposed to each concentration of the three tested compounds for 24 h. Another group of snails was maintained in dechlorinated tap water as a control group. At the end of the exposure period, snails were removed from each tested concentration, washed thoroughly with dechlorinated tap water and transferred to another container for a recovery period of 24 h. Then, dead snails were counted, and LC50 and LC90 concentrations were computed using SPSS version 17.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL) for windows. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 3 Survival rate and egg laying capacity of snails 1 Adult B. alexandrina snails were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations ( /10 LC50,¼LC50 and ½ LC50) of each tested phenolic compound, separately. Three replicates were prepared from each concentration, each of 10 snails/L. Another group of snails was maintained in clean water as a control group. Snails were fed daily with dried lettuce leaves. The survival rate was recorded, and egg masses laid by the exposed and control snails were weekly collected and counted using a dissecting microscope [20]. Histopathological examination – Healthy adult snails (8 10 mm shell diameter) were exposed to ¼ LC50 (143.5, 168.5 and 87.5 ppm) of salicylic acid, benzoic acid and pyrogallol, respectively for four successive weeks. A group of snails was maintained in dechlorinated tap water as a control group. Thereafter, snails of treated and control groups were washed with water then dried. The shells were gently crushed and the hermaphrodite gland of each snail was gently separated then fixed in Bouin’s solution, dehydrated using ascending grades of ethanol, embedded in paraffinwaxandfinally sectioned at 6µ. Sections were stained with HaematoxylinandEosinstain,thenmicroscopi- cally examined and photographed by a Zeiss Video camera™,Germany. Development and hatchability of eggs About 100 embryos of each egg mass one-day and three-day old were collected separately. Three replicates of each group of egg masses were exposed to different concentrations of the three tested phenolic compounds. Unexposed one and three days-old egg masses were maintained in dechlorinated water as control groups. After 24 h, treated and control egg masses were transferred to clean water till hatching and the percentage of hatchability was calculated. During the experiment, egg masses were microscopically examined and photo- graphed to record the egg development [17]. Statistical analysis The hatchability percentage of eggs and the survival rate of snails were analysed by Chi- square values of contingency tables using the statistical programme SPSS version 17 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL) for windows. Results Toxicity of tested compounds Pyrogallol was more toxic to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails than salicylic acid and −1 benzoic acid, as LC50 values were 350, 574 and 674 mg L respectively (Table 1). Survival rate and egg laying capacity of snails Generally, the survival rates of all treated groups were less than those of the control group – 1 (Figure 1(a c)). The survival rate of snails exposed to /10 LC50 of salicylic acid showed 4 W. S. F. HASHEESH ET AL. Table 1. Probit analysis for toxic effect of the three phenolic compounds on adult B. alexandrina snails after 24 h of exposure. Concentration (mg L−1) Confidence limit 1 Phenolic compound LC50 slope of LC50 LC90 /10 LC50 ¼LC50 ½LC50 Salicylic acid 574 1.24 511.7–643.6 730 57.4 143.5 287 Benzoic acid 674 1.13 614.6–769.3 780 67.4 168.5 337 Pyrogallol 350 1.27 301.5–398.5 454 35.0 87.5 175 a gradual reduction reaching 60% at the 4th week of exposure, followed by a long steady period started from the 5th week till the end of the exposure period.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Redalyc.Total Protein Composition of Young and Adult Biomphalaria
    Revista de Biología Tropical ISSN: 0034-7744 [email protected] Universidad de Costa Rica Costa Rica Sadaka, Hayam A.; Abou-El-Naga, Iman F.; Amer, Eglal I.; Diab, Iman H.; Khedr, Safaa I. A. Total protein composition of young and adult Biomphalaria alexandrina snails with different compatibilities to Schistosoma mansoni infection Revista de Biología Tropical, vol. 64, núm. 4, 2016, pp. 1747-1757 Universidad de Costa Rica San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=44947539030 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Total protein composition of young and adult Biomphalaria alexandrina snails with different compatibilities to Schistosoma mansoni infection Hayam A. Sadaka1, Iman F. Abou-El-Naga1*, Eglal I. Amer1, Iman H. Diab2 & Safaa I. A. Khedr1 1. Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] 2. Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; [email protected], [email protected] * Correspondence Received 04-XI-2015. Corrected 05-IV-2016. Accepted 06-V-2016. Abstract: Schistosomiasis remains a disease of major global public health concern since it is a chronic and debilitating illness. The widely distributed Schistosoma mansoni that causes intestinal schistosomiasis represents a great threat. Its world-wide distribution is permitted by the broad geographic range of the susceptible species of its intermediate host, Biomphalaria, which serves as an obligatory host for the larval stage, at which humans get infected.
    [Show full text]
  • Bilharziasis Survey in British West and East Africa, Nyasaland and Tie Rhodesias *
    Bull. Org. mond. Santu 1956, 15, 203-273 Bull. Wld Hlth Org. BILHARZIASIS SURVEY IN BRITISH WEST AND EAST AFRICA, NYASALAND AND TIE RHODESIAS * DYSON M. BLAIR Director of Medical Services, Health Department of Southern Rhodesia, Salisbury WHO Consultant on Bilharziasis SYNOPSIS The author, in his capacity as a WHO consultant, undertook a survey of bilharziasis in British West and East Africa and Nyasaland during 1950-51. The information thus obtained has been revised and brought up to date and is recorded in the present article together with similar observations on Northern Rhodesia, which was not visited, and on Southern Rhodesia, the author's own country. In Part I, each country is dealt with in turn. The history of the disease and the findings of field surveys are reviewed, and, wherever possible, personal observations have been included. The fact that the informa- tion is of a scanty and incomplete nature is an indication that further local studies in all areas are badly needed. In Part II an attempt is made to survey the situation from the point of view of the various aspects of the subjects-methods of obtaining morbidity data, intensity of infection, effects of the disease on human health, treat- ment, and the molluscan vectors. PART I. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL DATA The Joint OIHP/WHO Study Group on Bilharziasis in Africa, meeting in Cairo in October 1949, recommended that the " surveys on the geographical distribution of human bilharziasis and its vector snails should be carried out by individual experts to be selected and sent by WHO to the countries and territories in which the presence of bilharziasis is known or suspected, but for which adequate information is not available." As part of this plan, British territories in West, East and Central Africa were visited in 1950 and 1951 and the account given here is based on the * This is the sixth of a series of articles, published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, describing the epidemiology of bilharziasis in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions.
    [Show full text]
  • Biological Studies on Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails Treated With
    Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 01 (10); 2011: 47-55 ISSN: 2231-3354 Biological studies on Biomphalaria alexandrina Received on: 06-12-2011 Accepted on: 11-12-2011 snails treated with Furcraea selloa marginata plant (family: Agavaceae) and Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel-2x) Gamalat Y. Osman, Ahmed M. Mohamed, Ahmed Abdel Kader and Asmaa A. Mohamed Gamalat Y. Osman, ABSTRACT Ahmed M. Mohamed Zoology Department Effect of the dry leaves powder water suspension of the plant Furcraea selloa Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Egypt marginata, belonging to family Agavaceae and Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Dipel-2x) was evaluated against non-infected and Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria alexandrina snails as well as their efficacy against the free larval stages of S. mansoni. The obtained results indicated that the LC50 and LC90 values after 24 hrs exposure were 53.66 & 84.35 ppm for F. selloa marginata and 392.3 & 483.64 ppm for B. thuringiensis kurstaki against adult B. alexandrina snails, respectively. The plant F. selloa marginata and B. thuringiensis kurstaki Ahmed Abdel Kader, have a larvicidal activity against S. mansoni larvae (miracidia and cercariae), the plant F. Asmaa A. Mohamed selloa marginata was more toxic against larvae than B. thuringiensis kurstaki, the miracidia Environmental Research and Medical were more sensitive towards the toxic action of the tested agents than cercariae and the Malacology Department, Theodor mortality percent of miracidia and cercariae is directly proportional to the time and the tested Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt. concentrations. The results revealed that the tested sub-lethal concentrations (LCo, LC10 and LC ) reduced the survival, growth rates and egg laying capacity of both non-infected and S.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Water Temperature and Population Density on The
    McCreesh et al. Parasites & Vectors 2014, 7:503 http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/7/1/503 RESEARCH Open Access Effect of water temperature and population density on the population dynamics of Schistosoma mansoni intermediate host snails Nicky McCreesh1*, Moses Arinaitwe2, Wilber Arineitwe2, Edridah M Tukahebwa2 and Mark Booth1 Abstract Background: Mathematical models can be used to identify areas at risk of increased or new schistosomiasis transmission as a result of climate change. The results of these models can be very different when parameterised to different species of host snail, which have varying temperature preferences. Currently, the experimental data needed by these models are available for only a few species of snail. The choice of density-dependent functions can also affect model results, but the effects of increasing densities on Biomphalaria populations have only previously been investigated in artificial aquariums. Methods: Laboratory experiments were conducted to estimate Biomphalaria sudanica mortality, fecundity and growth rates at ten different constant water temperatures, ranging from 13-32°C. Snail cages were used to determine the effects of snail densities on B. sudanica and B. stanleyi mortality and fecundity rates in semi-natural conditions in Lake Albert. Results: B. sudanica survival and fecundity were highest at 20°C and 22°C respectively. Growth in shell diameter was estimated to be highest at 23°C in small and medium sized snails, but the relationship between temperature and growth was not clear. The fecundity of both B. sudanica and B. stanleyi decreased by 72-75% with a four-fold increase in population density. Increasing densities four-fold also doubled B.
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of the Age of Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails on Schistosoma
    Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro: 1-11, 2015 1 Impact of the age of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails on Schistosoma mansoni transmission: modulation of the genetic outcome and the internal defence system of the snail Iman Fathy Abou-El-Naga1, Hayam Abd El-Monem Sadaka1, Eglal Ibrahim Amer1, Iman Hassan Diab2, Safaa Ibrahim Abd El-Halim Khedr1/+ 1Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Parasitology Department, Alexandria, Egypt 2Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Alexandria, Egypt Of the approximately 34 identified Biomphalaria species, Biomphalaria alexandrina represents the intermedi- ate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. Using parasitological and SOD1 enzyme assay, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of the age of B. alexandrina snails on their genetic variability and internal defence against S. mansoni infection. Susceptible and resistant snails were reared individually for self-reproduction; four subgroups of their progeny were used in experiment. The young susceptible subgroup showed the highest infection rate, the shortest pre-patent period, the highest total cercarial production, the highest mortality rate and the lowest SOD1 activity. Among the young and adult susceptible subgroups, 8% and 26% were found to be resistant, indicating the inheritance of resistance alleles from parents. The adult resistant subgroup, however, contained only resistant snails and showed the highest enzyme activity. The complex interaction between snail age, genetic background and internal defence resulted in great variability in compatibility patterns, with the highest significant difference between young susceptible and adult resistant snails. The results demonstrate that resistance alleles function to a greater degree in adults, with higher SOD1 activity and provide potential implications for Biomphalaria control.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf 439.15 K
    Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. ISSN 1110 – 6131 Vol. 25(3): 23 – 38 (2021) www.ejabf.journals.ekb.eg Marine, freshwater, and terrestrial snails as models in the biomedical applications Amina M. Ibrahim 1, Ahmed A. Hamed 2 , Mosad A. Ghareeb 3* 1Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt 2Microbial Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt 3Medicinal Chemistry Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, 12411, Egypt *Corresponding Author: [email protected] ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: A snail is a member of the molluscan gastropods that has a cosmopolitan Received: March 15, 2021 distribution, inhabiting marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. The present Accepted: April 27, 2021 review highlights the importance of the snails as they have medical and Online: May 25, 2021 veterinary applications, besides being considered as excellent indicators of _______________ ecosystem health like Biomphalaria sp., and Lymnaea stagnalis freshwater snails. Also, snails have been proved to be excellent models in neurophysiology, Keywords: especially on learning and memory formation like Aplysia californica marine Snails, snail and Lymnaea stagnalis freshwater snails. Marine snails produce Molluscan gastropods, antimicrobial secondary metabolites that exhibit anticancer, antibiotic, antiviral, Marine snails, neurotoxic, or anti-inflammatory properties. These materials can be obtained Freshwater snails, from the extracts of Babylonia spirata, Buccinulum corneum, Buccinum Terrestrial snails, undatum, Littorina littorea “called littorerin”, Haliotis laevigata or H. rubra, Secondary metabolites Murex pectin, Tegula gallina, conotoxins released from Conus magus, and hemocyanins of Rapana venosa snails. Freshwater snails have many bioactive compounds that have antimicrobial activity.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Article Toxicological Effect Of
    Egypt. J. Exp. Biol. (Zool.), 3: 135 – 143 (2007) © The Egyptian Society of Experimental Biology RESEARCH ARTICLE Erian G. Kamel Sanaa M. Wahba *Shadia M. El - D a f r a w y *Hanan, S. Mossalem TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECT OF CERTAIN PLANTS AND SYNTHETIC MOLLUSCICIDES ON ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES IN HAEMOCYTES OF BIOMPHALARIA ALEXANDRINA SNAILS ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the INTRODUCTION: effect of the water suspension of Anagallis The fresh water snail, B. alexandrina is arvensis or Calendula micrantha plants, as known to be the intermediate host for well as Bayluscide and copper sulphate on transmitting S. mansoni in Egypt. Application the haemocytes of Biomphalaria of molluscicides of either synthetic or of alexandrina snails at ultrastructural level at plant origin can confer a rapid and efficient three sublethal concentrations of LC 0, LC10, mean in reducing snail populations and and LC25. Examinations were performed consequently the transmission of this after 2 and 4 weeks of exposure. parasite. There is great interest in the use of The total number of the haemocytes molluscicidal plants by local communities in granulocytes, hyalinocytes and self-supporting system of schistosomiasis amoebocytes was found to be significantly control program (Taylor, 1986). In fact, plant reduced (P<0.01) after 2 weeks of snails molluscicides are gaining increased attention as they seem to be less expensive, exposure to LC 10 of the tested plants and synthetic molluscicides in comparison with more available, have low toxicity to non- the control. The reduction was more target organisms and may be applied significant after exposure to sublethal effectively by simple techniques that are more suitable for developing countries concentration of LC 25 and after 4 weeks than 2 weeks of exposure to the sublethal (Adewunmi et al., 1990; Wang and Song, concentrations LC and LC .
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf (655.93 K)
    Morphology and kinetics of susceptible and resistant Biomphalaria alexandrina hemocytes during the first week Original of exposure to Schistosoma mansoni miracidia Article Safaa I Khedr Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt ABSTRACT Background: Few studies concerning Biomphalaria alexandrina (B. alexandrina) snail hemocytes’ subpopulations, and their relation to the compatibility with Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni)’ miracidia were performed. Manipulation of parasite development inside these snails could be applied as a control measure against schistosomiasis. Objectives: Knowing that the snail hemocytes temporarily bind to the parasites, allowing the development kinetics of diverse hemocytes of susceptible and resistant B. alexandrina and their participation in the ofsnail cercariae early immune that are response infective after to the challenge definitive by S.host. mansoni This .study aimed at studying the morphology and Material and Methods: Giemsa stained hemocytes were characterized using light microscopy. Total and differential hemocyte counts (THC and DHC) were calculated in the hemolymph of two groups composed of 60 susceptible and 60 resistant snails. Each group was further subdivided as 12 control pre-exposure S. mansoni at different time points (6 h, 1, 3 and 7 days). THC and DHC counts were recorded by a snail hemogram. Results:snails (PE) Results and 48 revealed post-exposure that granulocytes snails (PO) toconstituted the most common population all through the experiment with the large dense-granulated granulocytes subpopulation being the largest-sized cells detected. The highly reactive subpopulations that increased in number upon exposure to S. mansoni were the few-granulated and the large-granulated granulocytes, suggesting their possible participation in early parasite destruction.
    [Show full text]
  • Invasive Species
    This document contains chapters extracted from the Egyptian State of Environment Reports for 2007 and 2008 that deal specifically with biodiversity. The complete reports are available at: http://www.eeaa.gov.eg/English/info/report_search.asp Biodiversity Introduction: Biodiversity is the sphere of life on earth that encompasses ecosystems, natural habitats, fauna and flora, microbial species, and genetic resource. Biodiversity provides food, fuel, construction materials, waste purification and decomposition, climate regulation, alleviation of disasters, renewal of soil fertility, disease combating, keeping genetic resources (crops, breeds, animal wealth, medicine and other products). For that reason, biodiversity is the basis of life prosperity, the means of human lives and cultures, and by its conservation, we keep humanity, providing its treasures for the existing and future generations. The Arab Republic of Egypt has paid special attention in the last 2 decades for natural resources conservation issues, and has enacted legislation to conserve natural heritage with support of political leadership to assure integration of development sectors with environment protection, and conserving natural resources for the existing and future generations. The promulgation of law no 102 of 1983 on protected areas was in tandem with the declaration of Ras Mohamed, the first national park in Egypt, in south Sinai, followed by establishment of 27 protectorates all over Egypt covering 15% of Egypt's total area. Since 1980 until now, many skills and experiences have been gained to improve protected areas management and biodiversity conservation. The first phase, during eighties, was distinguished by comprehensive protection, while the second phase during nineties, was distinguished by conservation and sustainable development, and currently the main target is comprehensive ecosystem management which depends on applying integrated ecosystem for human being welfare, as well as achieving 2010 target (reducing the rate of biodiversity loss).
    [Show full text]
  • Tissue Responses Exhibited by Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails from Different Egyptian Localities Following Exposure to Schistosoma Mansoni Miracidia A.H
    iolog ter y & c P a a B r f a o s i l Journal of Bacteriology and t o Mohamed et al. J Bacteriol Parasitol 2011, 2:1 a l n o r g u DOI: 10.4172/2155-9597.1000104 y o J Parasitology ISSN: 2155-9597 Research Article Open Access Tissue Responses Exhibited by Biomphalaria Alexandrina Snails from Different Egyptian Localities Following Exposure to Schistosoma Mansoni Miracidia A.H. Mohamed1, A.T. Sharaf El-Din2*, A.M. Mohamed2 and M.R. Habib2* 1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufiya University. 2Medical Malacology Lab., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute. P.O. Box 30, Imbaba Egypt Abstract Snails’ susceptibilities to infection with Schistosoma mansoni were determined through observation of infection rates, total cercarial production and tissue responses of the first generation (F1) of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails originally collected from different Egyptian governorates (Giza, Fayoum, Kafr El-Sheikh, Ismailia and Damietta). B. alexandrina snails from Schistosome Biological Supply Center (SBSC, TBRI), Giza, Egypt were used as a reference control group. S. mansoni miracidia from SBSC were used for snail infection. Snails’ responses towards penetrating S. mansoni miracidia were compared between groups. The emergence of cercariae for a three-month period and the calculation of survival and infection rates, in control (Schistosome Biological Supply Center-SBSC) and infected snails were evaluated. The results indicated SBSC and Giza snails showed a greater susceptibility to infection and lower mortality rates. In addition, at 6 and 72 hrs post-exposure to miracidia all the snail groups showed no difference in the anatomical locations of sporocysts.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter One Introduction and Literature Review
    Chapter one Introduction and Literature Review 1.1 Introduction: Schistosomiasis is known as bilharzia is after Theodor bilharz, who first identified the parasite in Cairo in 1851. Infection is widespread with A relatively low mortality rate, but a high morbidity rate, causing severe Debilitating illness in millions of people. The disease is often associated with water resource developmental projects, such as dams and irrigation schemes, where the snail intermediate hosts of the parasite breed (WHO, 2010). Schistosomiasis is a chronic, parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (Trematode worms) of genus Schistosoma. An estimated 700 million people at risk in 74 endemic countries; as their agricultural, domestic and recreational activities expose them to infested water, more than 207 million people are infected worldwide, most of them live in poor communities without access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, and hygiene; play habits make children vulnerable to infection, and in many areas a large proportion of school-age children are infected. The WHO strategy for Schistosomiasis control focuses on reducing disease through periodic, targeted treatment with praziquantel (WHO, 2010). Many plants are known to have molluscicidal activity; such plants may provide cheap, safely produced, biodegradable and effective control agents in rural areas of developing countries (Marston, 1993). Schistosomiasis is second to malaria in terms of socio-economic and public health importance (Doumenge et al., 1987). Two clinical forms of the disease are known: urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schist soma haematobium, and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mekonge. Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni affects millions of people in many tropical and subtropical countries (Eddleston and Pierini, 1999).
    [Show full text]
  • Central Nervous System Transcriptome of Biomphalaria Alexandrina, an Intermediate Host for Schistosomiasis Tamer A
    Mansour et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:729 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-3018-6 BMC Research Notes RESEARCH NOTE Open Access Central nervous system transcriptome of Biomphalaria alexandrina, an intermediate host for schistosomiasis Tamer A. Mansour1,2, Mohamed R. Habib3, Laura C. Vicente Rodríguez4, Anthony Hernández Vázquez4, Julián Maldonado Alers4, Alfredo Ghezzi5, Roger P. Croll6, C. Titus Brown1 and Mark W. Miller4* Abstract Objective: Globally, more than 200 million people live at risk of the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis (or snail fever). Larval schistosomes require the presence of specifc snail species that act as intermediate hosts, support- ing their multiplication and transformation into forms that can infect humans. This project was designed to generate a transcriptome from the central nervous system (CNS) of Biomphalaria alexandrina, the major intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. Results: A transcriptome was generated from fve pooled central nervous systems dissected from uninfected specimens of B. alexandrina. Raw Illumina RNA-seq data (~ 20.3 million paired end reads of 150 base pairs length each) generated a transcriptome consisting of 144,213 transcript elements with an N50 contig size of 716 base pairs. Orthologs of 15,246 transcripts and homologs for an additional 16,810 transcripts were identifed in the UniProtKB/ Swiss-Prot database. The B. alexandrina CNS transcriptome provides a resource for future research exploring parasite- host interactions in a simpler nervous system. Moreover, increased understanding of the neural signaling mechanisms involved in the response of B. alexandrina to infection by S. mansoni larvae could lead to novel and highly specifc strategies for the control of snail populations.
    [Show full text]