Abstract:

Schistosoma mansoni poses a serious threat to human health and has been identified as an important parasite that undergoes a sexual developmental phase within a planorbid snail host. Currently, research on Biomphalaria infection with S. mansoni is under a switch from the macro-scale to micro-scale, with a large number of functional genes and proteins being reported. Neurotransmitters are important substances that regulate nerve activities and are widely distributed within both Biomphalaria snails and S. mansoni. Their activity is not limited to the regulation of basic physiological behaviors of hosts, but also exerts influences on the snail’s oviposition and plays a regulatory role in the development of the parasite. Studies have shown that serotonin, dopamine, histamine, acetylcholine, glutamate and nitric oxide are the most common neurotransmitters involved in S. mansoni infection. This paper provides insights into the physiology, biochemistry and tissue localization of these neurotransmitters and also comprehensively provides evidence for the compatibility between Biomphalaria snails and S. mansoni.

Key words: Biomphalaria, Schistosoma mansoni, Nervous system, Biogenic amines