Abstract
Helminth parasites have been studied as potential accumulators for different pollutants. Echinostoma paraensei is a foodborne trematode whose vertebrate host, the rodent Nectomys squamipes, is naturally exposed to environmental pesticides. However, little information exists regarding the pesticide's effects on helminths. This study investigated the morphological effects on the trematode, E. paraensei, after experimental Roundup® herbicide exposure, in concentrations below those recommended for agricultural use. After two hours of exposure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed changes to the tegument, such as furrowing, shrinkage, peeling, spines loss on the peristomic collar, and histopathological evidence of altered cells in the cecum and acinus vitelline glands with vacuoles and structural changes to the muscular layers. Glycidic content was decreased, primarily in the connective tissue. As E. paraensei is an intestinal parasite of the semi-aquatic wild rodent, N. squamipes, it is predisposed to pesticide exposure resulting from agricultural practices. Therefore, we emphasize the need to evaluate its impact on helminth parasites, due to their pivotal role in regulating host populations.
Highlights
Helminth parasites have been studied as potential accumulators of different pollutants resulting from modern industrial processes, gastrointestinal helminths, as they acquire nutrients from their vertebrate host’s intestinal lumen contents (BRÁZOVÁ et al, 2015; MCGREW et al, 2015; TELLEZ & MERCHANT, 2015; SURES et al, 2017)
This study investigated the morphological effects on the trematode, E. paraensei, after experimental Roundup herbicide exposure, in concentrations below those recommended for agricultural use
As E. paraensei is an intestinal parasite of the semi-aquatic wild rodent, N. squamipes, it is predisposed to pesticide exposure resulting from agricultural practices
Summary
Helminth parasites have been studied as potential accumulators of different pollutants resulting from modern industrial processes, gastrointestinal helminths, as they acquire nutrients from their vertebrate host’s intestinal lumen contents (BRÁZOVÁ et al, 2015; MCGREW et al, 2015; TELLEZ & MERCHANT, 2015; SURES et al, 2017). E. paraensei is a foodborne trematode whose vertebrate host is the semi-aquatic rodent, Nectomys squamipes Brants, 1827 (LIE & BASCH, 1967; MALDONADO et al, 2001; BONVICINO et al, 2008). Because it is semi-aquatic, these rodents are naturally exposed to pesticides and pesticide degradation products in the environment (ERNEST & MARES, 1986; BONVICINO et al, 2008). Little is known about the pesticide’s effects on helminth parasites (MONTE & MALDONADO, 2017)
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