Bispo Maria Teresa, Maurício Isabel Larguinho, Ferreira Pedro Manuel, Belo Silvana, Calado Manuela
Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal.
Pathogens. 2025 Mar 23;14(4):304. doi: 10.3390/pathogens14040304.
is an invasive freshwater snail with a global distribution and a recognized role as an intermediate host for various trematodes, including spp. and . In Portugal, is commonly found in freshwater bodies such as Lake Alqueva, the largest artificial reservoir in Europe. The lake's creation has altered local ecosystems, influencing freshwater snail populations and migratory bird activity, which may contribute to the dispersal of trematode parasites. While is present in the region, its role in trematode transmission remains unclear. This study investigated as a potential intermediate host for trematodes in Lake Alqueva. Freshwater snails were collected from 18 sites, with cercarial shedding induced under artificial light. Infected snails were found in 2 of the 18 snail populations surveyed. A sequence analysis of the amplified ITS2 rDNA region confirmed the presence of sp., implicating, for the first time, as an intermediate host for this parasite in Portugal. This study highlights the need for further research on 's role in trematode transmission and potential impact on local ecosystems to assess parasitic risks to veterinary and public health.
是一种入侵性淡水蜗牛，分布于全球，是包括 属和 属等多种吸虫的公认中间宿主。在葡萄牙，在诸如欧洲最大的人工水库阿尔克瓦湖等淡水水体中普遍存在。该湖的形成改变了当地生态系统，影响了淡水蜗牛种群和候鸟活动，这可能有助于吸虫寄生虫的传播。虽然该物种在该地区存在，但其在吸虫传播中的作用仍不清楚。本研究调查了其作为阿尔克瓦湖吸虫潜在中间宿主的情况。从18个地点收集淡水蜗牛，在人工光照下诱导尾蚴逸出。在所调查的18个蜗牛种群中的2个中发现了受感染的蜗牛。对扩增的ITS2 rDNA区域进行的序列分析证实了 属物种的存在，首次表明其在葡萄牙是这种寄生虫的中间宿主。本研究强调需要进一步研究其在吸虫传播中的作用以及对当地生态系统的潜在影响，以评估对兽医和公共卫生的寄生风险。
