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Biological interactions between soil saprotrophic fungi and Ascaris suum eggs

Joanna Blaszkowska1, Anna Wojcik, Piotr Kurnatowski

  • 1Department of Diagnostics and Treatment of Parasitic Diseases and Mycoses, Medical University of Lodz, Poland. joanna.blaszkowska@umed.lodz.pl

Veterinary Parasitology
|March 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Saprotrophic soil fungi, including Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium expansum, and Fusarium oxysporum, significantly inhibited Ascaris suum embryonic development in vitro. These fungi caused embryopathies and increased larval mortality, with some species penetrating and colonizing the eggs.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Parasitology
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Ascaris suum is a significant human and animal pathogen.
  • Soil fungi are ubiquitous and play diverse ecological roles.
  • Understanding interactions between soil microbes and parasite eggs is crucial for developing novel control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro effect of selected saprotrophic soil fungi on the embryonic development of Ascaris suum.
  • To identify fungal species with potent inhibitory activity against A. suum embryogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Co-culture of A. suum egg suspension with six species of saprotrophic soil fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus, Penicillium citrinum, P. expansum, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichothecium roseum) at 25°C for 60 days.
  • Daily monitoring of egg developmental stages and periodic assessment of egg viability and morphological alterations.
  • Microscopic examination to confirm embryopathies, larval mortality, and fungal invasion.

Main Results:

  • All tested fungi inhibited A. suum embryogenesis compared to controls.
  • A. terreus, P. expansum, and F. oxysporum exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, delaying larval development (L2 stage) from 26 days to 32-51 days.
  • Significant increases in embryopathies and non-viable embryos/larvae were observed in fungal co-cultures.
  • Larval mortality reached 55.3-60.3% with A. terreus, P. expansum, and F. oxysporum.
  • P. expansum and F. oxysporum demonstrated hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization.

Conclusions:

  • Saprotrophic soil fungi possess significant potential to inhibit Ascaris suum embryonic development.
  • Specific fungal species, notably A. terreus, P. expansum, and F. oxysporum, could be explored as biocontrol agents against A. suum.
  • Fungal-induced embryopathies and direct egg colonization represent key mechanisms of inhibition.
Keywords:
Ascaris suumOvicidal activityOvistatic activitySaprotrophic soil fungi

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