Interactions between parasitism and biological responses in zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): Importance in ecotoxicological studies.
Given that virtually all organisms are hosts for parasites, the investigation of the combined effects of contamination and parasitism is important in the framework of aquatic bioindication procedures. To assess the impact of such multistresses at the host cellular level, we sampled parasitized zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) populations from two sites in northeast France that presented different levels of contamination. Experimental groups were formed based on parasite species and host gender and tested by histochemistry and automated image analysis for biological responses, such as structural changes of the lysosomal system and neutral lipid accumulation. Infected organisms displayed smaller and more numerous lysosomes compared with uninfected congeners, and infection further elevated the effect of the chemical contamination on this biomarker. In contrast, co-infection of females with selected parasites did produce inverse results, i.e. a more developed lysosomal system and neutral lipid depletion. Our data, therefore, suggest that parasitism in zebra mussels represents a potential confounding factor in ecotoxicological studies and must be taken into account in environmental risk assessment studies.
Minguez
Laëtitia
L
Université Paul Verlaine-Metz, Laboratoire des Interactions, Ecotoxicologie, Biodiversité, Ecosystèmes (LIEBE), CNRS UMR 7146, Campus Bridoux, Rue du Général Delestraint, F-57070 Metz, France.
Meyer
Antoinette
A
Molloy
Daniel P
DP
Giambérini
Laure
L
D000818:Animals; D049875:Dreissena / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology*; D054750:Ecotoxicology / Q000379:methods*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D045483:Rivers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical