Molluscan response to parasite: Biomphalaria and Schistosoma mansoni interaction

Digenetic trematodes use molluscs, almost always a Gastropoda, in their evolutive cycle, as intermediary hosts. The genus Schistosoma, with three main species that infect humans S. mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium – shows a prevalence of 200 million patients in various countries worldwide, and 600 million people are still at risk of infection. S. mansoni is the most prevalent species, and Biomphalaria snails are its intermediary hosts. Although the campaigns of schistosomiasis control based on chemotherapy have reduced the morbidity and prevalence of this disease, transmission continues in almost all the areas submitted to intervention. One of the factors that has influence on the susceptibility of Biomphalaria to S. mansoni infection is ability of the host internal defense system (IDS) to recognize and destroy the parasite. In Biomphalaria, the IDS is composed of cellular elements named hemocytes that act jointly with soluble components present in hemolymph, which could affect directly the larvae, or act in the recognition of the parasite, and activation of hemocytes. The susceptibility level of the mollusc has been attributed to the hemocyte capacity of involving and destroying the parasite, and this will be the centre of interest of this review. The study of S. mansoni and Biomphalaria interaction in resistant snail strains is important not only due to the academic-scientific value of this fascinating research area, but also to the potentially possible alternatives for the control of this endemia.