Jorge Sánchez Noda

Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute | IPK · Laboratory of Medical Malacology

Background Biological invasions pose risks to the normal functioning of ecosystems by altering the structure and composition of several communities. Molluscs stand out as an extensively studied group given their long history of introduction by either natural or anthropogenic dispersal events. An alien population of the lymnaeid species Orientogalba...

Digeneans (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda) are considered as a very ancient and as the most diversified group of internal metazoan parasites of animals. They can have important detrimental effects on human and animal health. They also affect populations dynamics of their hosts, are able to shape the structure of communities, and can act as determinants...

Many species of Digenea require a host snail for the development of their larval forms. Among the species of molluscs involved in the transmission of these parasitoses, Lymnaeidae serves as intermediate hosts for at least 71 species of parasites, distributed in 13 families. The breeding of lymnaeids under laboratory conditions allows specifying the...

One of the most interesting biological models is that of snail–trematode interactions, many of which ultimately result in the transmission of several important diseases, particularly in the tropics. Herein, we review the scientific advances on a trematode–snail system in which certain populations of Pseudosuccinea columella (a common host species f...

Pseudosuccinea columella snails transmit the trematode Fasciola hepatica, but in Cuba, six naturally occurring populations successfully resist parasite infection. Here, we present an updated distribution of P. columella in Cuba; 68 positive sites with the earliest records more abundant in west-central Cuba and with east-central populations generall...

Fasciolosis is an important food-borne parasitic disease affecting over two million people worldwide with economic losses related to cattle production of up to US$ 3 billion annually. Despite the long known presence of Fasciola hepatica in the Caribbean islands its transmission is not well known. This study reviews historical and recent data on fas...

The snail Pseudosuccinea columella is one of the main vectors of the medically-important trematode Fasciola hepatica. In Cuba, the existence of natural P. columella populations that are either susceptible or resistant to F. hepatica infection offers a unique snail-parasite for study of parasite-host compatibility and immune function in gastropods....

The Fasciola hepatica/Pseudosuccinea columella interaction in Cuba involves a unique pattern of phenotypes; while most snails are susceptible, some field populations are naturally resistant to infection and parasites are encapsulated by snail hemocytes. Thus, we investigated the hemocytes of resistant (R) and susceptible (S) P. columella, in partic...

BACKGROUND: Pseudosuccinea columella is one of the most widespread vectors of Fasciola hepatica, a globally distributed trematode that affects humans, livestock and wildlife. The exclusive occurrence in Cuba of susceptible and naturally-resistant populations to F. hepatica within this snail species, offers a fascinating model for evolutionary biol...

Fasciolosis is a food-borne trematodosis affecting many cattle farms in Cuba. Ten dairy farms in western Cuba were studied to assess the prevalence in both intermediate and definitive hosts. A single faecal sample from 455 dairy cows was studied. The animals were randomly selected and the samples were kept at -20oC until infection determination. De...

The Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors) is known for engaging in long-distance North-South migrations and back in the Americas with Cuba being an important wintering ground. Teals serve as hosts for a wide range of parasite species that can be “discharged” at each end of the migration route. Here, we explore for the first time the diversity of trema...

The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica has been reported invading Cuba since 2014 and is now well established in areas of Havana and several nearby regions. This invasive species is of major concern to health authorities given its role as an important vector of parasites such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the causative agent of eosinophilic...

The giant African snail, Lissachatina fulica, is considered one of the most invasive species worldwide, acting as a crop pest and diseases vector. It was first detected in Cuba in 2014 and is dispersing throughout Havana. We mapped 34 sites in the vicinity of Havana to assess its spread and analysed ecological (forestation and humidity) and anthrop...

Background: Fasciolosis is one of the food-borne neglected trematodioses that has reemerged as a human disease while its effects on domestic animal health remains of significant economic consideration. Being snail-borne disease, the accurate and time-saving epidemiological surveillance of the transmission foci where infected lymnaeid snails occur...

In this study we present the first approach to exploration of the genetic diversity of Cuban Fasciola hepatica populations using microsatellite markers, coupled with observed prevalence in slaughterhouses. Nine populations of flukes recovered from cows and buffalos were studied in the central-western region of Cuba. The observed infection rates of...

Natural infections of lymnaeid snails by Fasciola hepatica are of primary importance to study transmission. Also, infected snails in the field can be used to explore the existing compatibility in host-parasite interactions. This paper aimed to describe the infection rate of Galba cubensis populations in fasciolosis transmission areas. Eight sites w...

ABSTRACT Introduction: The recognition of intermediary host snails is capital to control snailborne diseases. Morphological studies allow the identification of species in a simple and accessible way which may not require the use of advanced molecular techniques. Since specialized readings regarding medical malacology are not broadly available in Cu...

Rocky shore molluscs are highly relevant in keeping shore’s dynamics and ecological balance of beaches. The knowledge regarding species distribution patterns is important in understanding how environmental and anthropogenic factors may influence the structure of these communities. This study aimed to explore changes in structure and composition of...

The giant African snail, Achatina (Lissachatina) fulica (Bowdich 1822), is considered one of the worst invasive alien species in the world. This mollusc is also a concern to public health because it can serve as an intermediate host of the rat lungworm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a causative agent of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. Th...

Fasciolosis is a globally distributed snail-borne disease which requires economic consideration due to its enormous impact on veterinary medicine. During recent decades, this parasitosis has also shown increasing prevalence in human populations worldwide. The dissemination and successful transmission of fasciolosis ultimately depends on the existen...

The control of fasciolosis, as that of other vector-borne diseases, must be related to the control of the lymnaeid snails, the intermediate hosts of the parasite. Thus, an accurate epidemiological surveillance of the transmission foci where the infected mollusks occur is essential. For this purpose, immunoassays could be a useful tool. However, inf...

Introduction: studies on digenean trematode species living in Cuba are scarce and mainly focused on species causing major parasitic diseases in humans. Moreover, the intermediary host for many of the trematodes has not been found. Eight species of Paramphistomatidae have been reported in Cuba, but the mollusk species involved in transmission of thi...

Introduction: studies on digenean trematode species living in Cuba are scarce and mainly focused on species causing major parasitic diseases in humans. Moreover, the intermediary host for many of the trematodes has not been found. Eight species of Paramphistomatidae have been reported in Cuba, but the mollusk species involved in transmission of thi...

In Cuba, only two lymnaeid snails, Galba cubensis and Pseudosuccinea columella, with different ecology and distribution patterns, are intermediate hosts for Fasciola hepatica. The compatibility of these two species as hosts was analysed through their rates of infection, the production of rediae and survivorship when exposed to F. hepatica miracidia...

ecological studies were carried out on mollusk populations of medical and veterinary importance with emphasis on Fasciola hepatica intermediary hosts species. to determine the relative abundance of populations and the possible use of some species as biological control agents against F. hepatica intermediary hosts. a total of 13 freshwater bodies we...

Littoridinops monroensis Frauenfeld, 1863 was found in recent surveys in the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, Cuba. The species seems to be well established in this area with populations occurring in diverse habitats. L. monroensis has never been recorded from other monitored localities in the country and constitutes a new species record for Cuba. Its app...

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: los moluscos fluviales se caracterizan por su capacidad de servir como hospederos intermediarios de importantes parásitos causantes de enfermedades tropicales. OBJETIVO: se realizó un estudio malacológico en la provincia de Santiago de Cuba para determinar la distribución de las principales especies de importancia médica y su...

A wild population of the lymnaeid snail Pseudosuccinea columella infected by larval stages of Fasciola hepatica was discovered in the Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. One of 100 snails was infected in a rice culture field. This is the first time this species has been found acting as intermediate host of F. hepatica under natural conditions, not only f...

INTRODUCCIÓN: se realizaron estudios ecológicos sobre las poblaciones de moluscos de importancia médico-veterinaria con énfasis en las especies hospederas de Fasciola hepatica . OBJETIVOS: determinar la abundancia relativa de las poblaciones, así como el posible uso de algunas especies competidoras en el control biológico de hospederos intermediari...

A study was carried out to determine the distribution and habitat preferences of several species of the genus Biomphalaria. Samples were taken at 350 freshwater locations in Cuba. Three species of Biomphalaria (Biomphalaria havanensis, Biomphalaria helophila and Biomphalaria pallida) were recorded based on their distribution. Of the three species,...

The freshwater species, Hemisinus brevis (Thiaridae), is one Cuba's endemic snails. Reports of this species date from decades ago in the province of Pinar del Río, Cuba. Since then it had never been found again and it was thought that competition effects from other snails had driven it to extinction. Several living specimens of this species were re...

INTRODUCCIÓN: estudios recientes en Cuba con colofonia, resina extraída a partir de Pinus caribeae y Pinus tropicalis , han demostrado su actividad molusquicida sobre Biomphalaria havanensis , hospedero intermediario de esquistosomosis. OBJETIVO: determinar la influencia de la colofonia sobre la actividad cardiaca y sobre la eclosión de los huevos...

INTRODUCCIÓN: se realizó un estudio sobre la ecología de las 2 especies de moluscos lymnaeidos de Cuba. Ambas especies son capaces de servir como hospederos intermediarios de Fasciola hepatica y existen en la mayoría de los ecosistemas de humedales. OBJETIVO: determinar la distribución y la preferencias de hábitat de Fossaria cubensis y Pseudosucci...

INTRODUCTION: in Cuba, recent studies with colophony - a resin from Pinus caribaea and P. tropicalis - have shown its molluscicidal activity on Biomphalaria havanensis, intermediate host of schistosomosis. OBJECTIVE: to determine the impact of colophony on the heart activity and the hatching of B. hava- nensis eggs in lab. METHODS: lethal doses of...

INTRODUCTION: an ecological study was carried out on the lymnaeids species of Cuba. Both species are capable of serving as intermediary hosts of Fasciola hepatica and occur in most of the wetland ecosystems. OBJECTIVE: to determine distribution and habitat preferences of Fossaria cubensis and Pseudosuccinea columella. METHODS: a total of 370 locati...

INTRODUCCIÓN: se realizó un estudio ecológico sobre la diversidad en poblaciones de moluscos de importancia médica, para mostrar la importancia de los cambios en la diversidad sobre el comportamiento de estas en diferentes ecosistemas. OBJETIVO: determinar qué cambios en las abundancias de las poblaciones hacían que variara la diversidad. MÉTODOS:...

INTRODUCCIÓN: la ausencia de poblaciones de moluscos en el entorno ecológico y natural de las pináceas, observada en estudios de campo, conllevó a estudiar la resina de pino, colofonia, como control del molusco Biomphalaria havanensis , hospedero intermediario de Schistosoma mansoni . OBJETIVO: determinar la acción molusquicida de la colofonia para...

BACKGROUND: field studies have previously demonstrated that freshwater mollusk populations did not exist in the ecological and natural environment of pine trees, which led to study pine resin, colophony, as a controlling agent for Biomphalaria havanensis mollusk, an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. OBJECTIVE: to determine the molluscicidic...

BACKGROUND: An ecological study was carried out on the diversity of freshwater mollusc populations of medical importance to show the significance of changes in diversity for their behaviour in various ecosystems. OBJECTIVE: to determine what changes in the abundance of the populations were responsible for diversity variations. METHODS: Five locatio...

The abundance of freshwater snails in two rural sites of Pinar del Río, Cuba, which harbor Pseudosuccinea columella susceptible and resistant to miracidia of Fasciola hepatica was followed for one year. Susceptible snails were found in the most anthropic site (IPA) whereas the resistant population inhabited the most preserved one (El Azufre). Only...

Competition between three Cuban lymnaeid isolates (one of Fossaria cubensis and two of Pseudosuccinea columella resistant and susceptible to Fasciola hepatica miracidial infection) was assessed in order to study the interactions between these snails. Growth and fecundity were compared under laboratory conditions among the three isolates. Comparison...

Twelve natural populations of Pseudosuccinea columella snails, sampled in the western and central regions of Cuba, were analyzed using the RAPD-PCR technique to screen for resistance to Fasciola hepatica. Ten OPA primers previously shown to produce marker bands for resistance and susceptibility were tested. A new population of P. columella (El Azuf...

The variation of abundances of intermediate snail hosts of Fasciola hepatica in Cuba (Fossaria cubensis and Pseudosuccinea columella) was studied during one year under natural conditions at five sampling sites in San Juan y Martinez municipality, Pinar del Rio province, Cuba. The effect of some environmental variables on the lymnaeid abundances was...

Protein electrophoresis, RAPD-PCR and nuclear rDNA ITS sequencing were performed to search for genetic differences between Pseudosuccinea columella snails susceptible and resistant to Fasciola hepatica infection. Of the 21 enzymatic loci analyzed in both populations, none of them exhibited neither within- or between-group variation. Such an absence...

Se determinaron varios marcadores fenotípicos por diferentes procedimientos como fueron: morfometría de la concha, conducta de oviposición, pigmentación del manto y reacción tisular a la infección, y marcadores moleculares mediante los perfiles de RAPD. Ambos tipos de marcadores están relacionados con la resistencia y susceptibilidad de Pseudosucci...

Isolates of Cuban Pseudosuccinea columella susceptible and non-susceptible to Fasciola hepatica miracidial infection were compared for cellular reaction to miracidial development, shell morphometrics, mantle pigmentation pattern, and egg laying behaviour. At 24 h post-exposure, non-susceptible snails showed an early cellular host reaction to encaps...

Isolates of Cuban Pseudosuccinea columella susceptible and non-susceptible to Fasciola hepatica miracidial infection were compared for cellular reaction to miracidial development, shell morphometrics, mantle pigmentation pattern, and egg laying behaviour. At 24 h post-exposure, non-susceptible snails showed an early cellular host reaction to encaps...

1 RESUMEN Se realizó un estudio ecológico con el fin de determinar la abundancia, distribución y diversidad de moluscos dulceacuícolas en un área rural del municipio San Juan y Martínez, Pinar del Río, Cuba. En dicha área son frecuentes altos índices de Faciola hepatica en ganado bovino y ovino, y además se repor-taron dos casos de la enfermedad en...

A snail-conditioned water experiment was conducted in Pseudosuccinea columella to test the possible role of a chemical interaction between snails on the diminished growth and fecundity rates found for snails raised in pairs compared to those raised in complete isolation. The results permit to discard the hypothesis of an inhibition of growth and re...

An uncommon snail-trematode interaction pattern was found for the Pseudosuccinea columella - Fasciola hepaticamodel under laboratory conditions. Week-old juveniles from two isolates showed very high rates of infection (90.0% and 93.3%) after exposure to five miracidia. They also showed differences in their life history traits when compared to a con...

Life history traits of Fossaria cubensis were compared between isolated and paired snails after infection with three miracidia of Fasciola hepatica. Four experimental groups were tested: isolated-unexposed, paired-unexposed, isolated-infected, and paired-infected. A repeated-measures ANOVA showed statistically significant interactions among isolati...

A snail-conditioned water experiment was conducted in Pseudosuccinea columella to test the possible role of a chemical interaction between snails on the diminished growth and fecundity rates found for snails raised in pairs compared to those raised in complete isolation. The results permit to discard the hypothesis of an inhibition of growth and re...

The effect of exposing the lymnaeid snail Fossaria cubensis to the trematode Fasciola hepatica on the snail population's life-history traits was studied under laboratory conditions. Exposed individuals showed a lower survival rate than control snails, although from week 7 onward a slower decrease of this parameter in relation to the control group w...

RESUMEN Se llevó a cabo un estudio durante 3 años, sobre la distribución y posible competencia entre las 2 especies de tiáridos presentes en el lago Hanabanilla en Cuba Melanoides tuberculata y Tarebia granifera. Ambas especies presentaron diferencias significativas en su abundancia dentro de un microhábitat determinado, pero lograron equiparar sus...

Se evaluó un método para el cultivo masivo de Fossaria cubensis (Pfeiffer) hospedero intermediario principal de la fascioliasis en Cuba. Para ello se diseñó un algario a base de un cultivo de algas cianofitas de los géneros Lyngbya, Leptolyngbya, Phormidium y Schimidleinema, en placas de Petri de 12 cm de diámetro con sustrato fangoso y altos nivel...

A method for the culture of Fossaria cubensis (Pfeiffer), the major intermediate host of fascioliasis in Cuba, was assessed. For this purpose, an algae-bearing plate was designed based on a culture of Cyanophyceae algae from Lyngbya, Leotolyngbya, Phormidium, and Schimidleinema on Petri plates 12 cm in diameter with mud substrate and high levels of...

A study was carried out along three years, on distribution and possible competence between the two thiarid species present in Lake Hanabanilla, Cuba: Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera. Both species presented significant differences as to its abundance within a determined microhabitat, but they could match their densities for the total sa...

The ecological structure and the population dynamics of the snail populations in a section of Hanabanilla Lake, Cuba was studied. It was found that the molluscan community is formed by ten species of snails and a bivalve, some of which varied their density according to the abiotic factors variations. By means of a principal component analysis it wa...

It was observed that the Tarebia granifera plays a significant role in the control of a Biomphalaria peregrina population introduced in a permanent water body. The densities of this planorbid, which had reached high levels, were notably reduced by two important events: an increase of the water level due to heavy rains, and the introduction of the c...

A study was carried out on the molluscacidal action of agave (Agave legrelliana) on the mollusk Biomphalaria havanensis, host of Schistosoma. Different concentrations of the plant's juice extract were tested to determine lethal doses. 3 experimental series were carried out using 144 mollusks in each. LD50 = 0.14 mL/L and LD90 = 0.47 mL/L were deter...