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On the finding of biomphalaria tenagophila naturally infected with Schistosoma mansoni in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

1985; UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO; Volume: 27; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1590/s0036-46651985000200008

1678-9946

Alan Lane de Melo, Leógenes Horácio Pereira,

Parasite Biology and Host Interactions

Natural infection in Biomphalaria tenagophila with Schistosoma mansoni was observed for the first time in a small area, in Jaboticatubas, in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In view of this finding, the Authors decided to carry out some detailed investigations, since B. glabrata has been known as the vector snail of schistosomiasis in that State. B. tenagophila was found naturally infected throughout the investigation period (15 months). Strains of the snail and of the parasite were isolated four times, and then maintained at the laboratory through B. tenagophila — hamster passages. The possibilities of B. tenagophila to play a role in the epidemiology of the human disease in the State of Minas Gerais, in the future, are discussed.