Toxicity of Aspergillus niger Fungus Against Biomphalaria alexandrina Snails and Schistosoma mansoni Free Larval Stages

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Mansour S.M.; El-Mahdy O.M.; Taha R.G.

Journal: Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries

Publisher: Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health

Publication Date: 1 March 2024

Volume / Issue: Volume 28 / Issue 2

Pages: 1–21

ISSN: 11106131

DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2024.343997

Scopus: View on Scopus

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access


Authors and Affiliations

Mansour S.M., Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Warrak El – Hadar, Giza, Egypt; El-Mahdy O.M., Biological and Geological Sciences Department, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Heliopolis, Cairo, 11757, Egypt; Taha R.G., Biological and Geological Sciences Department, Faculty of Education, Ain Shams University, Roxy, Heliopolis, Cairo, 11757, Egypt


Abstract

Aspergillus niger is a one-of-a-kind fungus with benefits for both terrestrial and aquatic species, although research on the effects of A. niger on aquatic animal species is limited. The present study investigated the impact of Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, and Alternaria alternate filtrates on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails (the main intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt). Moreover, the effect of A. niger (the most toxic fungus) filtrate was assessed against infected B. alexandrina snails with S. mansoni, in addition to its efficacy against S. mansoni free larval stages. Aspergillus niger had more toxicity (100 % mortality) than A. flavus (40% mortality), while Alternaria alternate did not affect B. alexandrina snails. Chronic exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of A. niger caused histopathological changes in the head-foot, digestive gland, kidney, and hermaphrodite gland of B. alexandrina snails. Furthermore, after exposure to the determined sub-lethal concentrations of A. niger, both uninfected and infected snails with S. mansoni showed low survival rates. In addition, the lethal time for miracidia and cercariae after exposure to LC25 of A. niger was 130 and 200 minutes, respectively. Additionally, exposure to sub-lethal A niger concentrations resulted in a significant decrease in the infection rate and mean total count of cercariae shed per snail, as well as the shed of aberrant cercariae. In conclusion, Aspergillus niger filtrate had a potent molluscicidal activity against B. alexandrina, and a damaging effect on cercariae, hence it can play a role in reducing schistosomiasis. © 2024, Egyptian Society for the Development of Fisheries and Human Health. All rights reserved.


Keywords

Abnormal cercariae; Aspergillus niger; Biomphalaria alexandrina; Histology; Molluscicide; Schistosoma mansoni


Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 2


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