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

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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