Editorial: Pre-Conference Research Topic: 16th International Symposium on Schistosomiasis

Traditionally, every two years, the International Symposium on Schistosomiasis, organized by Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, takes place in Brazil. The Symposium brings together scientists from all over the world working on different aspects of schistosomiasis. As this disease affects approximately 240 million people worldwide (1), it is crucial to appraise recent advances in schistosome biology, parasite interactions with hosts, and review progress in the development and evaluation of new tools for disease diagnosis, treatment, and control. The 16th edition of the Symposium (http://www.vppcb.fiocruz.br/16symposium-schisto/_en) was scheduled to take place in August 2020 but was postponed to November 2022, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The published papers in this Research Topic sustain our global engagement and aim to keep the research momentum on schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, thriving. Our infographic highlights our international engagement across 23 countries with a total of 177 authors (Figure 1). Of note, whilst intestinal schistosomiasis (Schistosoma mansoni) occurs in South America and still poses a significant public health challenge in parts of Brazil, it also occurs in Africa, alongside urogenital schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium). In Asia, however, intestinal schistosomiasis is caused by a different schistosome species (Schistosoma japonicum), and the appreciation of this is essential to ensure that global research and control efforts are appropriate and complementary

DNA barcoding as a valuable tool for delimiting mollusk species of the genus Biomphalaria Preston, 1910 (Gastropoda: Planorbidae)

IntroductionThe genus Biomphalaria in Brazil includes 11 species and one subspecies, three of which are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni. Due to the recent evolution of this group, some species are difficult to identify based on morphological characters, making the use of genetic markers necessary for species identification. This study aimed to evaluate the use of partial sequences of the cytochrome c oxidase I (coi) gene for the identification of Biomphalaria species using phylogenetic reconstruction and species delimitation algorithms. The study tested the use of DNA barcoding technique for species delimitation within the genus.MethodsDNA barcoding was performed by sequencing a partial region of the coi gene from specimens, and the sequences were analyzed using phylogenetic reconstruction and algorithms to delimit Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs).ResultsThe study found that the use of the coi gene in the reconstruction of the phylogeny of the genus might be an alternative for understanding the evolution and dispersion of species. However, this marker alone is not enough to solve complex taxonomic problems within the genus. A total of 223 sequences were analyzed, 102 of which could be separated using the barcode gap, enabling the correct identification of seven taxa.DiscussionThe study demonstrated that accurate mollusk identification is necessary for effective schistosomiasis control. The DNA barcoding methodology was found to be promising for accurate mollusk identification, which is crucial for concentrating schistosomiasis control efforts in places where it is needed

Characterization of South American Snails of the Genus Biomphalaria

The identification of snails of the genus Biomphalaria can be done using morphological characteristics which depends on the size of the snails and skill and knowledge of researcher. These methods sometimes are not adequate for identification of species. The PCR-RFLP, using the ITS region of the rDNA, has been used to identify Brazilian species of the genus Biomphalaria. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information about snails from other Latin American countries. In addition, some snails may be infected by Schistosoma mansoni and when submitted to PCR-RFLP they show molecular profiles different from those previously standardized for the other mollusc species. In this work the molecular profiles of 15 species and the subspecies were established by PCR-RFLP of ITS-rDNA with the enzyme DdeI. Moreover, the molecular profiles of host species, B. glabrata, B. straminea, B. tenagophila, and B. prona, infected by S. mansoni were also established. The molluscs were dissected to permit morphological identification. These results contribute to a correct identification of snails of the genus Biomphalaria and detection of these snails infected by S. mansoni

Identification of Biomphalaria sp. and other freshwater snails in the large-scale water transposition project in the Northeast of Brazil

The wide eco-bio-social intervention generated by the SaoFrancisco River Integration Project (PISF) may contribute to the dispersion or introduction of schistosomiasis intermediate hosts in areas without prior recording. The objective was to characterize the limnic malacofauna and its distribution along watersheds involved in the PISF. A cross-sectional study based on the collection of mollusks from 33 water bodies, from Aurora, Brejo Santo, Jaguaretama, Jaguaribara, Jati e Mauriti municipalities in the Ceara (CE) State was developed. The conchological characteristics were used to identify snails at the genus level. The snails of the genus Biomphalaria were analyzed for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and the molecular identification (only mollusks from Brejo Santo-CE) for differentiation between species. The following species were found: Biomphalaria sp.; Drepanotrema sp.; Melanoides sp.; Physa sp.; and Pomacea sp. Pomacea sp. (75.8%) and Biomphalaria sp. (72.7%) were the most prevalent species. All municipalities showed Biomphalaria sp. Biomphalaria straminea (Porcos Stream) and Biomphalaria kuhniana was identified in the Boi 1 and Cipo reservoirs (Brejo Santo). The evaluated municipalities under the influence of the PISF present areas with potential for schistosomiasis transmission. It is necessary to intensify control actions and health surveillance in these areas

Meninas.comp: computación para niñas en escuelas primarias de Brasil

The Computing field has a gender diversity gap, with female participation much lower when compared to men. In this context, several activities have been developed to include more women in the field of Computing, and the Meninas.comp project has been working to introduce Computing to girls in elementary schools in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. This article has two objectives: i) to present the activities of the Meninas.comp project for girls in elementary schools; ii) to present a mapping of the literature on computational activities with a focus on girls in elementary schools in Brazil. The systematic literature mapping found publications reporting a large variety of activities, such as unplugged computing, game development, card games, programming classes, competitions, lectures, and workshops. From the Meninas.comp project, this article highlights a smart garden developed by female elementary school students.El campo de la informática tiene una brecha de diversidad de género, con una participación femenina mucho menor en comparación con los hombres. Al respecto, se han desarrollado varias actividades para incluir a más mujeres en el campo de la Computación. El proyecto Meninas.comp ha trabajado en Informática para niñas de escuelas primarias en Brasilia, capital de Brasil. En este contexto, este artículo tiene dos objetivos: i) presentar las actividades del proyecto Meninas.comp en escuelas primarias de niñas; ii) presentar un mapeo de la literatura sobre actividades computacionales con enfoque en niñas de escuelas primarias en Brasil. El mapeo sistemático de literatura encontró publicaciones que informan una gran variedad de actividades, como computación desconectada, desarrollo de juegos, juegos de cartas, clases de programación, concursos, conferencias y talleres. Del proyecto Meninas. comp, este artículo destaca un jardín inteligente desarrollado por alumnas de primaria

The use of the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique associated with the classical morphology for characterization of <i>Lymnaea columella</i>, <i>L. viatrix</i>, and <i>L. diaphana</i> (Mollusca: Lymnaeidae)

The specific identification of Lymnaeid snails is based on a comparison of morphological characters of the shell, radula, renal and reproductive organs. However, the identification is complicated by dissection process, intra and interspecific similarity and variability of morphological characters. In the present study, polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques targeted to the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) rDNA and to the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal gene (16S rDNAmt) were used to differentiate the species Lymnaea columella, L. viatrix, and L. diaphana from some localities of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay as well as to verify whether the molecular results corroborates the classical morphological method.PCR-RFLP analysis of the ITS1, ITS2, and 16S using 12 restriction enzymes revealed characteristic patterns for L. columella and L. diaphana which were concordant with the classical morphology. On the other hand, for L. viatrix populations a number of 1 to 6 profiles were generated while morphology provided the species pattern results.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse