Development of a natural molluscicide prototype kit (MoluSchall) for the control of schistosomiasis mansoni transmission

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Cynthia de Paula-Andrade, Paulo Ricardo Silva Coelho, Ricardo Aurélio Pinto Nascimento, Pedro Moacyr Pinto Coelho Mota, Marco Aurélio Romano-Silva, Kevin Augusto Faria de Alvarenga, Virgínia Torres Schall, Denise Nacif Pimenta, Paulo Marcos Zech Coelho, Edward Oliveira
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2019
• Subjects: Euphorbia milii; MoluSchall; Natural molluscicide; Prototype kit; Schistosomiasis control; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0252-2019; https://doaj.org/article/6ca2322c65774aa58c0f0cfa319e187d

Abstract INTRODUCTION In Brazil, Biomphalaria glabrata, B. tenagophila, and B. straminea are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni, the etiological agent of schistosomiasis mansoni. Molluscicide use is recommended by the WHO for controlling the transmission of this parasite. Euphorbia milii latex has shown promising results as an alternative molluscicide. Thus, a natural molluscicide prototype kit based on freeze-dried E. milii latex was developed and evaluated against Biomphalaria spp. METHODS E. milii latex was collected, processed, and lyophilized. Two diluents were defined for freeze-dried latex rehydration, and a prototype kit, called MoluSchall, was produced. A stability test was conducted using prototype kits stored at different temperatures, and a toxicity assay was performed using Danio rerio. Additionally, MoluSchall was tested against B. glabrata under semi-natural conditions according to defined conditions in the laboratory. RESULTS MoluSchall was lethal to three Brazilian snail species while exhibiting low toxicity to D. rerio. Regardless of storage temperature, MoluSchall was stable for 24 months and was effective against B. glabrata under semi-natural conditions, with the same LD100 as observed under laboratory conditions. CONCLUSIONS MoluSchall is a natural, effective, and inexpensive molluscicide with lower environmental toxicity than existing molluscicides. Its production offers a possible alternative strategy for controlling S. mansoni transmission.