agar and Fascioliasis

Snail control could play an important role in programmes against fascioliasis, especially if the methods used for molluscicide delivery could be improved, such as by the development of bait formulations containing both an effective attractant and a molluscicide, to ensure good levels of contact between the molluscicide and the target snail populations. In a recent study, the attractiveness to Lymnaea acuminata (an intermediate host of the digenean trematode Fasciola gigantica) of potential components of snail-attractant pellets was investigated. Carbohydrates (glucose, maltose, sucrose or starch, each at 10 mM) and amino acids (citrulline, tryptophan, proline or serine, each at 20 mM), were tested in aquaria, with the snails initially placed 22.5, 30 or 45 cm from an agar pellet containing the component under test. Under these conditions, starch and proline emerged as the strongest attractants for L. acuminata, followed by maltose and serine.

Topics: Agar; Amino Acids; Animals; Carbohydrates; Fasciola; Fascioliasis; Feeding Behavior; Glucose; India; Lymnaea; Maltose; Molluscacides; Pest Control; Starch; Sucrose

Snail control is one of the most important tools in the campaign to reduce the incidence of fascioliasis. In order to attain this objective, the method of bait formulation in order to contain an attractant and a molluscicide is an expedient approach to lure the target snail population to the molluscicide. This study identifies certain carbohydrates, namely sucrose, maltose, glucose, fructose and starch, for preparing such baits. These were tested on Lymnaea acuminata, an intermediate host of the digenean trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The behavioural responses of snails to these carbohydrates were examined. Significant variations in behavioural responses were observed in the snail even when the five carbohydrates were used in low concentrations in snail-attractant pellets. Starch emerged as the strongest attractant for Lymnaea acuminata, followed by maltose.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Fascioliasis; Feeding Behavior; Fructose; Glucose; Humans; Lymnaea; Maltose; Pest Control; Starch; Sucrose

A gelatin-agar bolus, designed and developed for the administration of metacercariae of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica, was evaluated in adult Holstein Friesian cattle. The metacercariae, enclosed within a gelatin capsule, were placed inside the bolus and delivered to each animal using an oesophageal balling gun. At slaughter, 13 weeks after challenge, an average of 25% of the challenge dose was recovered from each liver. This percentage recovery is similar to that obtained with other known methods. The new bolus, however, offers improved handling qualities. In addition, the bolus also has potential for improving a number of other techniques including those for the administration of other parasites, compounds or chemotherapeutic agents.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Capsules; Cattle; Fasciola hepatica; Fascioliasis; Gelatin; Parasitology