Biological control of snail hosts transmitting schistosomiasis by the water bug, Sphaerodema urinator

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Younes A.; El-Sherief H.; Gawish F.; Mahmoud M.

Journal: Parasitology Research

Publisher: Springer Verlag

Publication Date: 15 February 2017

Volume / Issue: Volume 116 / Issue 4

Pages: 1257–1264

ISSN: 9320113

DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5402-5

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 28204958

Document Type: Article

Authors and Affiliations

Younes A., Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; El-Sherief H., Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Gawish F., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Mahmoud M., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

The water bug, Sphaerodema urinator (Hemiptera : Belostomatidae), shares the same habitat of the freshwater snails in ponds, lakes, and streams. Studies conducted in lakes show that fish and crayfish predators play an important role in determining the abundance of freshwater snails. In contrast, shallow ponds and marches often lack fish and crayfish but have abundant insect predators. This study has been carried out to evaluate the predatory potential of S. urinator adult on two freshwater snails that serves as intermediate hosts of Schistosoma. Laboratory evaluation of predation by S. urinator on these intermediate hosts revealed that the adult bug could kill and consume the two intermediate hosts: Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina. The number of snails consumed differed according to the snail type, size, and density. The times taken for searching and handling times were depending on the snail size, type, and vulnerability of the predator. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail type and density. Prey size is a major factor influencing predator preferences. This study indicated that the predator, S. urinator, may be a suitable bio-control agent in connection with Schistosoma intermediate hosts in the aquatic area. © 2017, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Keywords

Freshwater snails; Predator; Schistosomiasis; Water bug; Animals; Biomphalaria; Bulinus; Helix (Snails); Insects; Pest Control, Biological; Predatory Behavior; Article; biological pest control; Biomphalaria alexandrina; Bulinus truncatus; controlled study; density; foraging behavior; Hemiptera; host parasite interaction; intermediate host; laboratory test; nonhuman; predation; prey; priority journal; Schistosoma; snail; Sphaerodema urinator; animal; Helix (snail); insect; parasitology; physiology; procedures

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 22

For comprehensive information about the Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI), its institutional activities, scientific and research achievements, clinical and hospital services, and the diverse expertise offered through its 22 specialized research and clinical departments, as well as opportunities for professional training, specialized workshops, and scientific conferences, readers are invited to visit the Institute’s official website.

The website provides regularly updated information on the Institute’s latest news, research activities, scientific initiatives, clinical services, institutional programs, and academic and professional opportunities.

English Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/en/

Arabic Website: https://www.tbri.sci.eg/ar/

Prepared and Uploaded by:

Abdalla F. Abdalla

Electronic Portal Unit

Electronic Portal Unit

Popular Posts

A cost-performance index for nano-optical biosensor evaluation: Systematic evaluation of europium–salicylate luminescent platforms for GPC3-targeted early HCC diagnosis

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Hassan Y.M.; El-Tantawi H.; Ali I.R.; Attia M.S. Journal: Talanta Publisher: Elsevier B.V. Publication Date: January 2027 Volume / Issue: Volume 311 Article No.: 130103 ISSN: 399140 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2026.130103 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42391698 Document Type: Review Authors and Affiliations Hassan Y.M., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; El-Tantawi H., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Ali I.R., Department of Immunology and Treatment Evaluation, Theodore Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Attia M.S., Chemistry Department, College of Science, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, 11623, Saudi Arabia Abstract Comparative evaluation of nano-optical biosensor platforms lacks a standardised, multi-parameter quantitative framework that integrates analytical performance...
Read more

Interpretation of liver stiffness measurement in patients with mixed liver disease etiologies

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: El Ray A.; El Ghannam M.; Rautou P.E. Journal: Arab Journal of Gastroenterology Publisher: Elsevier Ltd Publication Date: August 2026 ISSN: 16871979 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2026.05.002 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42362465 Document Type: Letter Authors and Affiliations El Ray A., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Giza, Egypt, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Egypt; El Ghannam M., Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Hepatogastroenterology Department, Giza, Egypt; Rautou P.E., Université Paris-Cité, Inserm, Centre de recherche sur l’inflammation, UMR 1149, Paris, France, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d’Hépatologie, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Clichy, France Abstract Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE)–based liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is widely used for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis and p...
Read more

Holothuria arenicola Extract-Loaded Polycaprolactone Nanocapsules Attenuate Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Acute Liver Injury

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Mansour E.M.; Shemis M.; Fahmy S.R.; Amer M.A.; Mohamed A.S. Journal: Current Nanomedicine Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers Publication Date: September 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 5 Pages: 771–786 ISSN: 24681873 DOI: 10.2174/0124681873401484250924125945 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Authors and Affiliations Mansour E.M., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Shemis M., Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Fahmy S.R., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Amer M.A., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Mohamed A.S., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Abstract Introduction: Cholestatic liver diseases are characterized by jaundice and cholestasis with various conseq...
Read more

Variable clinical presentations of pulmonary hydatid cysts: a four-case series from a single center in United Arab Emirates, non-endemic region

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Yehya M.; Abdallah M.F.H.; Ajeka S.; Al-Masalmeh F.H.; Albaghdadi M.O.J. Journal: Journal of Surgical Case Reports Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication Date: 29 July 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 2026 / Issue 7 Article No.: rjag658 ISSN: 20428812 DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjag658 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access Authors and Affiliations Yehya M., Department of Thoracic Surgery, SAQR Hospital, Al Juwais Al Kadi St, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates; Abdallah M.F.H., Department of Radiology, SAQR Hospital, Al Juwais Al Kadi St, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Mahad Al Abhas Al bahari St, Kornish Al Nile, Warraq Al Arab, Al Warak, Governorate, Giza, 3863341, Egypt; Ajeka S., Department of General Surgery, SAQR Hospital, Al Juwais Al Kadi St, Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates; Al-Masalmeh F.H., Department of ...
Read more

Mytilus edulis-mediated green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles with antimicrobial and molluscicidal applications

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Dokmak H.-A.A.; AlSedawy M.; Ramadan M.A.; Amin B.H.; Faid A.H.; Abdelmaksoud H.F.; El-Sayed S.M. Journal: Scientific Reports Publisher: Nature Research Publication Date: 7 September 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 16 / Issue 1 Article No.: 27918 ISSN: 20452322 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-65860-3 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42706305 Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access Authors and Affiliations Dokmak H.-A.A., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; AlSedawy M., Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (For Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Ramadan M.A., Department of Laser Application in Metrology, Photochemistry and Agriculture, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science (NILES) Cairo University (CU), Giza, Egypt; Amin B.H., The Regional Center for Mycology and Biotechnology, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11787,...
Read more

Corrigendum to ‘Eco-friendly approach for the removal and simultaneous detection of cyanide toxins from drinking and wastewater sources’ [Environ. Pollut. 385 (2025) 127094]

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: El-Sewify I.M.; Shenashen M.A.; Gomaa H.; Selim M.S.; Akhtar N.; Azzam A.; Mekawy M.; Emran M.Y.; Khairy M.; Shahat A.; Hasan M.; Elmarakbi A.; El-Safty S.A. Journal: Environmental Pollution Publisher: Elsevier Ltd Publication Date: September 2026 Volume / Issue: Volume 405 Article No.: 128412 ISSN: 2697491 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2026.128412 Scopus: View on Scopus PubMed: 42259729 Document Type: Erratum Authors and Affiliations El-Sewify I.M., Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1–2-1 Sengen, Ibaraki-ken, Tsukubashi, 305–0047, Japan, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt; Shenashen M.A., Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1–2-1 Sengen, Ibaraki-ken, Tsukubashi, 305–0047, Japan; Gomaa H., Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, Na...
Read more

Multifunctional polycaprolactone-based composite fibers with icariin and glutathione for effective repair of critical-sized bone defects

Image
Bibliographic Information Authors: Yessuf A.M.; Zhang Y.; Sharma B.P.; Wang Y.; Kassa T.S.; Qadir A.; Jinqiu Y.; Mohideen M.M.; Salama A.M.; Wang W.; Zhang Q.; Liu Y. Journal: BMEMat Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc Publication Date: 30 July 2026 ISSN: 27517438 DOI: 10.1002/bmm2.70115 Scopus: View on Scopus Document Type: Article Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access Authors and Affiliations Yessuf A.M., Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Composites, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China; Zhang Y., Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital, Henan, Zhengzhou, China; Sharma B.P., Key Laboratory of Electrochemical Process and Technology of Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China; Wang Y., Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China; Kassa T.S., Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Composites, Col...
Read more