title: Changes in the calcium metabolism of Biomphalaria glabrata experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
abstract: Levels of calcium in the haemolymph and reserves in the shell of Biomphalaria glabrata experimentally infected by Angiostrongylus cantonensis were determined for the first time. At the same time, histochemical analyses of the digestive gland of infected and uninfected snails were performed to better understand the possible changes in metabolism of calcium in these organisms. After 1, 2 and 3 weeks of infection, the snails were dissected for collection of haemolymph and separation of tissues. The highest calcium concentrations in the haemolymph were found 2 weeks after infection, with a 39.61% increase in relation to the respective control group. However, there was a significant reduction in the concentration of this ion in the haemolymph of infected snails after 1 week of infection in relation to the uninfected specimens. In parallel, intense hypocalcification was shown in the shell of infected snails 1 and 2 weeks after infection, differing significantly in relation to the respective control groups. Morphological changes in the digestive gland of infected snails were also observed, confirming the role of this ion as an important element in the parasite encapsulation process.
authors.affiliation: Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km7, BR 465, Antiga estrada Rio-São Paulo, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Tunholi-Alves
authors.affiliation: Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km7, BR 465, Antiga estrada Rio-São Paulo, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Tunholi
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: J Silva
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km7, BR 465, Antiga estrada Rio-São Paulo, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Costa-Neto
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia e Parasitologia de Mamíferos Silvestres Reservatórios, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Animal, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km7, BR 465, Antiga estrada Rio-São Paulo, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: M A J
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Referência Nacional em Malacologia Médica do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Fiocruz, Av. Brasil, 4365-Manguinhos, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Thiengo
authors.affiliation: Curso de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Departamento de Parasitologia Animal, Instituto de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Km7, BR 465, Antiga estrada Rio-São Paulo, 23890-000 Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000254:growth & development*; D060105:Animal Shells / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000737:chemistry; D006651:Histocytochemistry
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium