Seasonal transmission of Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato and a lecithodendriid trematode species in Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos snails in northeast Thailand.
Seasonal changes play roles in the transmission success of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT). This study examined the seasonal transmission patterns of Opisthorchis viverrini sensu lato (s.l.) and a virgulate cercaria (family Lecithodendriidae) in the snail intermediate host, Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos in northeast Thailand. Snail samples were collected monthly during the rainy, cool, and hot seasons during 2012-2013 to determine the prevalence and intensity of larval trematode infections. The prevalence of O. viverrini s.l. varied significantly with season, being 0.31%, 1.05%, and 0.37% in the rainy, cool, and hot seasons, respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, the prevalence of virgulate cercariae was 3.11%, 6.80%, and 1.64% in the rainy, cool, and hot seasons, respectively (P < 0.05). The intensity of larval trematode infections also varied between seasons and peaked in the hot season (P < 0.05) in both species. The snails infected with O. viverrini s.l. were significantly smaller (P < 0.05) and those infected with virgulate cercariae were significantly larger (P < 0.05) than uninfected snails. Seasonal variation and the different sizes of B. s. goniomphalos parasitized by O. viverrini s.l. and virgulate trematodes indicate complex host-parasite interactions with important implications for the epidemiology of O. viverrini s.l.
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Jutamas
J
Namsanor
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom paibsit@gmail.com.
Paiboon
P
Sithithaworn
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Kulthida
K
Kopolrat
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Nadda
N
Kiatsopit
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Opal
O
Pitaksakulrat
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Smarn
S
Tesana
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Ross H
RH
Andrews
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center (LFCRC), Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Institute of Zoology 1: Ecology and Parasitology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany; Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, London, United Kingdom.
Trevor N
TN
Petney
D000818:Animals; D058487:Cercaria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D033661:Oocysts; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D009891:Opisthorchis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012621:Seasons; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014200:Trematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification