title: A novel bacterial pathogen of Biomphalaria glabrata: a potential weapon for schistosomiasis control?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schistosomiasis is the second-most widespread tropical parasitic disease after malaria. Various research strategies and treatment programs for achieving the objective of eradicating schistosomiasis within a decade have been recommended and supported by the World Health Organization. One of these approaches is based on the control of snail vectors in endemic areas. Previous field studies have shown that competitor or predator introduction can reduce snail numbers, but no systematic investigation has ever been conducted to identify snail microbial pathogens and evaluate their molluscicidal effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In populations of Biomphalaria glabrata snails experiencing high mortalities, white nodules were visible on snail bodies. Infectious agents were isolated from such nodules. Only one type of bacteria, identified as a new species of Paenibacillus named Candidatus Paenibacillus glabratella, was found, and was shown to be closely related to P. alvei through 16S and Rpob DNA analysis. Histopathological examination showed extensive bacterial infiltration leading to overall tissue disorganization. Exposure of healthy snails to Paenibacillus-infected snails caused massive mortality. Moreover, eggs laid by infected snails were also infected, decreasing hatching but without apparent effects on spawning. Embryonic lethality was correlated with the presence of pathogenic bacteria in eggs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first account of a novel Paenibacillus strain, Ca. Paenibacillus glabratella, as a snail microbial pathogen. Since this strain affects both adult and embryonic stages and causes significant mortality, it may hold promise as a biocontrol agent to limit schistosomiasis transmission in the field.
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duval
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galinier
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mouahid
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toulza
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Jean François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Allienne
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Portela
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Laboratoire de Chimie des Biomolécules et de l'Environnement (LCBE, EA 4215), Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Calvayrac
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rognon
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arancibia
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitta
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Théron
authors.affiliation: CNRS, UMR 5244, Ecologie et Evolution des Interactions (2EI), Perpignan, France; Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gourbal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000382:microbiology*; D060740:Disease Eradication / Q000379:methods*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010063:Ovum / Q000382:microbiology; D056507:Paenibacillus / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012547:Schistosoma; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D061046:Biological Control Agents