Gymnophallid digenean Parvatrema duboisi uses Manila clam as the first and second intermediate host

Parasitol Int. 2009 Sep;58(3):308-10. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2009.05.006. Epub 2009 May 19.

Abstract

To identify the metacercariae of a gymnophallid trematode in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum from the Ariake Sea, experimental infection and molecular analysis were conducted. Based on the morphology of adult worms obtained from experimentally infected mice, the parasite was identified as Parvatrema duboisi. Comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences for metacercariae and sporocysts from Manila clams and adult worms collected from wild wigeon Anas penelope showed minor differences ranging from 0 to 0.8%. These data strongly suggest that in the Ariake Sea, the parasite has a lifecycle using the Manila clam as the first and second intermediate hosts and wigeon as the definitive host.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anseriformes / parasitology
  • Bird Diseases / parasitology
  • Bivalvia / parasitology*
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / analysis
  • Host-Parasite Interactions*
  • Life Cycle Stages
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Trematoda / growth & development
  • Trematoda / physiology*
  • Trematode Infections / parasitology
  • Trematode Infections / veterinary

Substances

  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer