Resumen

LIBORIA, Matinella et al. First finding in Venezuela of Schistosoma mansoni eggs and other helminths of interest in public health found in faeces and mucous secretion of the mollusc Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822). Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.3, pp.383-394. ISSN 0798-7269.

In order to determine the presence of parasites in faeces as well as in mucous secretion of Achatina fulica snails (452) snails were collected. Twelve (12) groups from Aragua state and 2 from Portuguesa state were conformed. Of 253 evaluated snails corresponding to El Limón sector, Mario Briceño Iragorry municipality, Maracay, Aragua state, 8,70% turned out positive to eggs of Schistosoma mansoni, 2,77% Trichuris spp. and 5,93% Hymenolepis spp., when analyzing the faeces samples. Whereas for the 90 A. fulica snails from La Pedrera sector, Girardot municipality, Aragua state, in 10,42% was evidenced the presence of Strongyloides spp. larvae in faeces and in 9,52% of the same, when evaluating mucous secretion. The mucous secretion parasitological evaluation performed on every A. fulica snails groups, from Aragua state as well as from Portuguesa state, did not evidenced the presence of Angiostrongylus spp. infecting larvae. However, it was confirmed the viability of S. mansoni eggs, which demonstrated the maintenance of the biological cycle of the parasite. Based on the obtained results it is concluded that A. fulica it is a species of medical importance in Venezuela, due to it’s value as a mechanic transporter of different helminths species and as an indicator for parasitic infections within the human population

Palabras clave : achatina fulica; Schistosoma mansoni eggs; helminths; angiostrongylosis; public health; Venezuela.