Distribution and habitats of Bulinus depressus and possible role as intermediate host of economically important helminth parasites in South Africa

This article documents the large-scale spatial distribution and ecological descriptors of associated habitats of Bulinus depressus by analysis of samples taken from 552 collection sites on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. This snail species is experimentally susceptible to Schistosoma margrebowiei, a helminth parasite of game animals and cattle and can possibly also exploit humans as definitive hosts. The 125 different loci (1/16 degree squares) on record reflect a geographical distribution that is largely limited to the central and western part of the Limpopo Province and westwards down the basins of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. Details of each habitat as described by collectors during surveys, as well as altitude and mean annual air temperature and rainfall for each locality, were processed and chi-square and effect size values calculated. A decision tree constructed from all the available data indicated that temperature and altitude, followed by the type of water-body, seemed to be the more important factors that significantly influenced the distribution of this species in South Africa. The possible role of this species as intermediate host of economically important helminth species is briefly looked at and the urgent need to update the geographical distribution of host snails is emphasised. It is recommended that efforts be made to determine the exact role of B. depressus in the epidemiology of economically important helminth parasites. Keywords: Bulinus depressus, geographical distribution, habitat preferences, Schistosoma margrebowiei Water SA Vol. 31(4) 2005: 491-49

A new distribution record of Chambardia wahlbergi (Krauss, 1848) (Bivalvia: Iridinidae) and Unio caffer (Krauss, 1848) (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in South Africa

Little is known with regard to the conservation status of invertebrates of South Africa; however, in the revised edition of the IUCN Red Data List (2011) the conservation status of both Unio caffer and Chambardia wahlbergi is considered as ‘of least concern’. In recent reports on the geographical distribution and habitat preferences of these two species in South Africa, concern was expressed regarding their conservation status. However, specimens of C. wahlbergi collected at several sites on several occasions in the Vaal River were the first evidence that the geographical distribution of this bivalve was wider and not restricted to water bodies located in east-flowing catchments in the warmer areas of South Africa. The fact that populations of C. wahlbergi can become established in habitats on the Highveld was further supported by a number of valves collected on the dry bed of the Schoonspruit (26° 37’ 55.2”S, 26° 35’ 32.3”E), near Klerksdorp in the North West Province, on 16 February 2016. A number of valves of U. caffer which were collected on the same occasion at the same locality are also the first record of this species from this water body

A semi-quantitative survey of macroinvertebrates at selected sites to evaluate the ecosystem health of the Olifants River

This study was conducted to evaluate the ecosystem health of the Olifants River by means of semi-quantitative surveys of the macroinvertebrates at 7 selected sites in the catchment. These surveys were performed during the high- and low-flow seasons for 2 consecutive years. Macroinvertebrates were collected by using a net consisting of a 30 cm square steel frame with a sturdy handle, to which a Perlon gauze net with a mesh of 1 mm was attached. Semi-quantitative surveys were done by sampling the vegetation, as well as the substratum, with the net at each site for approximately 15 min. The pH, water temperature and conductivity were measured in situ at each site during the different surveys. Samples were fixed and preserved in 90% ethanol and thereafter sorted, identified up to family level and counted. The specimens were categorised as tolerant, moderately sensitive or highly sensitive, according to the guidelines set by the South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS5). Although a total of 95 taxa were recovered during this study, only 7 of these taxa were categorised as highly sensitive, it can be concluded that the water of the Olifants River is in a poor state of health as revealed by the macroinvertebrate assemblages.Keywords: Olifants River, macroinvertebrates, river healt

The influence of different helminth infection phenotypes on immune responses against HIV in co-infected adults in South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The convergent distribution of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and helminth infections has led to the suggestion that infection with helminths exacerbates the HIV epidemic in developing countries. In South Africa, it is estimated that 57% of the population lives in poverty and carries the highest burden of both HIV and helmith infections, however, the disease interactions are under-researched.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We employed both coproscopy and <it>Ascaris lumbricoides</it>-specific serum IgE to increase diagnostic sensitivity and to distinguish between different helminth infection phenotypes and their effects on immune responses in HIV co-infected individuals. Coproscopy was done by formol ether and Kato Katz methods. HIV positive and negative adults were stratified according to the presence or absence of <it>A. lumbricoides </it>and/or <it>Trichuris trichuria </it>eggs with or without elevated <it>Ascaris </it>IgE. Lymphocyte subsets were phenotyped by flow cytometry. Viral loads, serum total IgE and eosinophils were also analysed. Lymphocyte activation markers (CCR5, HLA-DR, CD25, CD38 and CD71) were determined. Non parametric statistics were used to describe differences in the variables between the subgroups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Helminth prevalence ranged between 40%-60%. Four distinct subgroups of were identified, and this included egg positive/high <it>Ascaris</it>-specific IgE (egg⁺IgE^hi), egg positive/low IgE (egg⁺IgE^lo), egg negative/high IgE (egg^-IgE^hi) and egg negative/low IgE (egg^-IgE^lo) individuals. The egg⁺IgE^hisubgroup displayed lymphocytopenia, eosinophilia, (low CD4⁺counts in HIV^-group), high viral load (in HIV⁺group), and an activated lymphocyte profile. High <it>Ascaris </it>IgE subgroups (egg⁺IgE^hiand egg^-IgE^hi) had eosinophilia, highest viral loads, and lower CD4⁺counts in the HIV^-group). Egg excretion and low IgE (egg⁺IgE^lo) status demonstrated a modified Th₂immune profile with a relatively competent response to HIV.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>People with both helminth egg excretion and high <it>Ascaris</it>-IgE levels had dysregulated immune cells, high viral loads with more immune activation. A modified Th₂helminth response in individuals with egg positive stools and low <it>Ascaris </it>IgE showed a better HIV related immune profile. Future research on helminth-HIV co-infection should include parasite-specific IgE measurements in addition to coproscopy to delineate the different response phenotypes. Helminth infection affects the immune response to HIV in some individuals with high IgE and egg excretion in stool.</p

Distribution and habitats of Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) and M. victoriae (Dohrn, 1865) (Mollusca: Prosobranchia: Thiaridae) in South Africa

An account is given of the geographical distribution and habitats of Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774) and M. victoriae (Dohrn, 1865) as reflected by the samples on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) of South Africa. About 30 species of Melanoides occur in Africa of which only M. tuberculata is widespread. Melanoides tuberculata is also indigenous to India and the south-east Asian mainland to northern Australia and was widespread in the present-day Sahara during the late Pleistocene-Holocene, but M. victoriae seems to be restricted to Southern Africa. Details of the habitats on record for each species, as well as mean altitude and mean annual air temperature and rainfall for each locality, were processed to determine chi-square and effect-size values. An integrated decision-tree analysis indicated that temperature, altitude and type of substratum were the most important factors of those investigated that played a significant role in establishing the geographical distribution of these species in South Africa. In view of the fact that M. tuberculata can serve as intermediate host for a number of trematode species elsewhere in the world, it is recommendedthat the ability of the 2 local Melanoides species to act as intermediate hosts should be investigated. Due to the fact that the majority of sites from which these species were recovered were not since revisited, it is recommended that efforts should be made to update their geographical distribution and the results compared with the data in the database. The conservation status of these 2 species and the possible influence of global warming and climatic changes on their geographical distribution are briefly discussed.Keywords: Melanoides tuberculata, Melanoides victoriae, geographical distribution, habitat preferences, biological control, Trematoda, freshwater Mollusca, South Afric

Distribution and habitats of the Bulinus africanus species group, snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma haematobium and S. mattheei in South Africa

As intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium and S. mattheei, the Bulinus africanus group plays a major role in the transmission of urinary and bovine schistosomiasis, diseases that negatively affect the health status of millions of people and their livestock in South Africa. Bulinus spp. can also play a role in the transmission of cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) caused by the immune reaction of incompatible hosts to the penetration of cercariae of non-human schistosomes. This can cause considerable discomfort to humans bathing in infested waters. This article focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of this group as reflected by the samples taken from 2 930 collection sites on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University. The 414 different loci (1/16-degree squares) on record, reflect an extensive distribution from the western parts of the North- West to Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces and the coastal areas of the Eastern Cape Province. Details of each habitat as described by collectors during surveys, as well as altitude and mean annual temperature and rainfall of each locality, were processed and chi-square and effect size values were calculated. A decision tree constructed from all the available data indicated that temperature and altitude, followed by the type of water-body, seemed to be the more important factors that had a significant influence on the distribution of this group in South Africa. The role of the B. africanus group in the transmission of schistosome species is briefly discussed and the urgent need for co-ordinated surveys to update the geographical distribution of host snails, as well as the schistosome parasites in South Africa, is stressed. Key words: geographical distribution, habitat preferences, epidemiology of schistosomiasis, Bulinus africanus, Bulinus globosus Water SA Vol.31(1) 2005: 117-12

Distribution and habitats of Biomphalaria pfeifferi, snail intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, in South Africa

As intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni, Biomphalaria pfeifferi plays a major role in the transmission of intestinal bilharziasis in the endemic areas of South Africa. This article focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of this species, as reflected by the 1 639 samples on record in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection of South Africa. This snail is well represented in the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal, that represent the bilharzia endemic areas of South Africa. Details of each habitat, as well as mean altitude and mean annual temperature and rainfall of each locality, were processed to determine chi-square and effect size values and to construct an integrated decision tree that makes a selection of those variables that could maximally discriminate between this snail and all the other species in the database. The results indicated that temperature and type of water-body are the major factors determining the distribution of B. pfeifferi in South Africa. These findings support the results of demographic studies reported by several authors that led them to the conclusion that B. pfeifferi does best under warm stable conditions. The importance of four isolated and persistent foci occurring further west than the western arm of its range of distribution and far removed from the bilharzia endemic areas, is discussed. Two of these localities are popular holiday resorts and the fact that specimens from both these localities showed a high compatibility with a local strain of S. mansoni is cause for concern. Water SA Vol.30(1): 29-3