Ivermectin efficacy against Biomphalaria, intermediate host snail vectors of Schistosomiasis

The impact of ivermectin on adult snails of the genus Biomphalaria (B. glabrata, B. tenagophila and B. straminea), B. glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni, snail egg-masses cercariae and miracidia, as well as on guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) was examined and evaluated. Biomphalaria snails, egg-masses, parasite stages and guppies were all exposed to different concentrations of ivermectin for 24 h, followed by regular observations of mortality. The calculated lethal doses of ivermectin were around an LD₅₀ of 0.03 μg ml^-1, and an LD₉₀ of 0.3 μg ml^-1 for the three species of snails. Specimens of B. glabrata actually shedding parasite cercariae all died when exposed to ivermectin at a concentration of a mere 0.01 μg ml^-1. Ivermectin B_1a, the major (80%) component of commercially available ivermectin, proved to be inactive, and it was the minor (20%) component, ivermectin B_1b, which caused snail death. Snail egg-masses were not affected, even at the highest concentration of 100 μg ml^-1. With respect to S. mansoni parasite stages, 0.2 μg ml^-1 ivermectin killed 50% of cercariae and miracidia within five minutes, rising to 90% after 30 min. Mortality of guppy fish within 24 h of exposure to ivermectin at concentrations of 0.5 μg ml^-1 and 0.01 μg ml^-1, were 100% and 30%, respectively. The concentration of 0.01 μg ml^-1 that killed Schistosoma mansoni-infected snails only caused 30% mortality in guppy fish. Ivermectin can be considered a promising molluscicide, especially as it is more potent against infected snails than uninfected ones, although it has no impact on egg-masses. Ivermectin and its derivatives could be explored in the search for a new agent to help control schistosomiasis transmission.