Confirmation of Galba truncatula as an intermediate host snail for Calicophoron daubneyi in Great Britain, with evidence of alternative snail species hosting Fasciola hepatica. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Rhys; Williams, Hefin; Dalesman, Sarah; Brophy, Peter
• Is Part Of: Parasites & vectors. Volume 8:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Calicophoron daubneyi -- Fasciola hepatica -- Galba truncatula -- Radix balthica -- Potamopyrgus antipodarum -- Paramphistomosis -- Fasciolosis -- Great Britain; Parasitism -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Vector-pathogen relationships -- Periodicals; Animals as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; Insects as carriers of disease -- Periodicals; 616.96
• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1271-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-3305

Abstract

Abstract Background Fasciola hepatica is a highly prevalent parasite infecting livestock in Great Britain, whileCalicophoron daubneyi is an emerging parasite within the GB livestock industry. BothF. hepatica andC. daubneyi require an intermediate host snail to complete their life-cycles and infect ruminants; however, there has been no confirmation of the intermediate host ofC. daubneyi in GB, while there are questions regarding alternative host snails toGalba truncatula forF. hepatica . In this study, PCR was used to identifyC. daubneyi hosting snail species on Welsh pastures and to identify any alternative snail species hostingF. hepatica. Findings Two hundred and sixty four snails were collected between May-September 2015 from six farms in mid-Wales known to have livestock infected withC. daubneyi andF. hepatica . Fifteen out of 134 G. truncatula were found positive forC. daubneyi, one of which was also positive forF. hepatica . Three snail species were found positive forF. hepatica [18/134 G. truncatula, 13/52Radix balthica, and 3/78Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand mud snail)], but no evidence ofC. daubneyi infection in the latter two species was found. Conclusion This study indicates thatG. truncatula is a host forC. daubneyi in GB.Galba truncatula is also an established host ofF. hepatica, and interactions between both species at intermediate host level could potentially occur.Radix balthica andP. antipodarum were found positive forF. hepatica but notC. daubneyi . This could indicate a role for alternative snail species other thanG. truncatula in infecting pastures withF. hepatica in GB.