credits bmbl December 7 '06.doc - Central Michigan University

Agent Summary Statements – Parasitic Agents
Snails in the family Lymnaeidae, primarily species of Lymnaea, are intermediate hosts
for F. hepatica, and release cercariae that encyst on vegetation. Persons become infected
with F. heptica by eating raw or poorly cooked vegetation, especially green leafy plants
such as watercress, on which metacercariae have encysted.
Schistosoma mansoni is widely distributed in Africa, South America, and the
Caribbean; the prevalence of infection has been rapidly changing in some areas. Infection
occurs when persons are exposed to free-swimming cercariae in contaminated bodies of
water; cercariae can penetrate intact skin. The natural snail hosts capable of supporting
development of S. mansoni are various species of Biomphalaria, although other species
of snails have been reported to be naturally infected, and still others have been
experimentally infected.
LABORATORY SAFETY
Infective stages of F. hepatica (metacercariae) and S. mansoni (cercariae) may be
found, respectively, encysted on aquatic plants or in the water in laboratory aquaria used
to maintain snail intermediate hosts. Ingestion of fluke metacercariae and skin penetration
by schistosome cercariae are the primary laboratory hazards. Dissection or crushing of
schistosome-infected snails may also result in exposure of skin or mucous membrane to
cercariae-containing droplets. Additionally, metacercariae may be inadvertently
transferred from hand to mouth by fingers or gloves, following contact with contaminated
aquatic vegetation or aquaria.
All reported cases of laboratory-acquired schistosomiasis have been caused by S.
mansoni, which probably reflects the fact that many more laboratories work with S.
mansoni than with other Schistosoma spp. However, accidental infection with S.
haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. mekongi could easily occur in the same manner as
described for S. mansoni.
Exposure to cercariae of non-human species of schistosomes (e.g., avian species)
may cause mild to severe dermatitis (swimmer’s itch).
Containment Recommendations
BSL-2 and ABSL-2 practices, containment equipment and facilities are
recommended for laboratory work with infective stages of the parasites listed. Gloves
should be worn when there may be direct contact with water containing cercariae or
vegetation with encysted metacercariae from naturally or experimentally infected snail
intermediate hosts. Long-sleeved laboratory coats or other protective garb should be worn
when working in the immediate area of aquaria or other water sources that may contain
schistosome cercariae. Water from laboratory aquaria containing snails and cercariae
should be decontaminated before discharged to sanitary sewers.
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