Summary
Several biological and physical factors which may influence infection of Biomphalaria glabrata snails with the first stage larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis were studied. These factors were: the size of snails, the number of first stage larvae to which snails were exposed, the age of larvae, individual exposure compared with mass exposure of snails, the length of exposure period and the effect of temperature and light.
The results showed that young snails, 2 mm in diameter, became infected with significantly smaller numbers of third stage larvae than larger snails (4, 8, 12 and 16 mm). No significant differences in the intensity of infection were evident between the larger size groups.
The number of third stage larvae recovered from snails was directly related to the number of first stage larvae to which the snails were exposed. The mean percentage recovery per snail was more or less constant regardless of the infective dose.
First stage larvae showed a slight reduction in their survival rate within 7 and 4 days, at 24°C and 26°C respectively, after which a sharp decrease in their survival rate occurred. However, the infectivity of larvae was progressively reduced from the second day at these two temperatures.
The mean intensity of infection in snails was independent of whether the infection was by mass or individual exposure.
The average number of first stage larvae entering a snail was greatest during the first half hour of exposure, this decreased considerably during the second half hour, and thereafter the number of larvae which entered a snail was low.
It was concluded that 26°C was the optimal temperature for infection and that the presence or absence or light had no effect on the infection.
Zusammenfassung
Einige biologische und physikalische Faktoren wurden hinsichtlich ihres Einflusses auf die Infektion von Biomphalaria glabrata mit Angiostrongylus cantonensis überprüft. Hierbei wurden folgende Faktoren berücksichtigt: Die Größe der Schnecken, Zahl und Alter der zur Infektion verwendeten Larven, die Einzel- und Masseninfektion und die Infektionszeit sowie der Einfluß von Temperatur und Licht.
Die Ergebnisse zeigten, daß sich in jungen Schnecken mit 2 mm Durchmesser eine signifikant geringere Anzahl dritter Larven entwickelte als in größeren Schnecken mit 4, 8, 12 und 16 mm Durchmesser, während zwischen den verschiedenen Gruppen der größeren Schnecken keine signifikanten Unterschiede in der Befallrate ermittelt werden konnten. Die Anzahl der nachgewiesenen dritten Larven erwies sich von der Anzahl der zur Infektion verwendeten ersten Larven direkt abhängig. Der durchschnittliche prozentuale Anteil der wiedergewonnenen dritten Larven war jedoch gegenüber der verwendeten Infektionsdosis relativ konstant.
Hinsichtlich der Überlebensrate konnte bei den ersten Larven innerhalb von 7 und 4 Tagen bei 24°C bzw. 26°C nur eine leichte Reduktion, danach ein starker Rückgang beobachtet werden. Die Infektiosität der ersten Larven ging bei diesen Temperaturen jedoch schon vom zweiten Tag an allmählich zurück.
Die durchschnittliche Befallsrate der Schnecken erwies sich unabhängig davon, ob die Infektion der Schnecken in Einzel- oder in Masseninfektion durchgeführt wurde.
Der durchschnittliche Anteil der eindringenden ersten Larven war innerhalb der ersten halben Stunde am größten, fiel in der zweiten halben Stunde deutlich ab und war danach relativ niedrig.
Eine Temperatur von 26°C erwies sich als optimale Bedingung für die Infektion, wobei die Beleuchtung ohne Einfluß blieb.
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Yousif, F., Lämmler, G. The effect of some biological and physical factors on infection of Biomphalaria glabrata with Angiostrongylus cantonensis . Z. F. Parasitenkunde 47, 191–201 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418202
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00418202