Help Olivia study disease in Hawaii
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Have you ever found a snail in your garden or your backyard? Have you ever thought about buying a snail as a pet? What if I told you that snail could potentially be carrying a parasitic illness?
My name is Olivia Stogner, and I'm a graduate student at Auburn University. I'm working to get my master's degree in wildlife biology, with a focus on disease ecology. Right now, I'm working on a research project that tests if African land snails can ingest and distribute the parasite that causes Toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is the disease that is famous for preventing pregnant women from cleaning the litter box. Felids, including house cats, shed the parasite in their feces, putting an unsuspecting cat owner at risk for infection. Although anyone could show symptoms of Toxoplasmosis, it's particularly dangerous for pregnant women. If a pregnant woman ingests the parasite, it could cause a miscarriage or severe birth defects in the baby, such as mental disabilities and blindness. It is also potentially fatal for anyone with a compromised immune system.
Even though the parasite is spread through cat feces, recent research shows that marine snails can ingest the parasite and distribute it throughout the marine environment through it's feces, similar to the way a cat does. However, there is no research showing whether or not land snails can do the same, which could be a concern for human health. Snails tend to live within close proximity to people, meaning their ability to carry the parasite could pose a risk to any people sharing the same habitat. This could be a particular problem if this is the case for African land snails.
Have you ever seen an African land snail? They are an adorable species that are popular pets in many countries. They can grow to be as big as your hand and are generally easy to care for. They also live to be about 8 years old in captivity, which is the same life span as the domestic rabbit. So, the perfect pet, right? Many people in the United States believe so! Even though this species is illegal to have as a pet in the United States, there are petitions circulating to have this rule overturned. However, these snails are not only a possible distributor of Toxoplasmosis, but they are also incredibly invasive and destructive, causing considerable damage to gardens and farms in the countries they invade.
This species of snail is particularly a concern in Hawaii. It has been a big problem for native snail species and it's potential ability to distribute the parasitic agent of Toxoplasmosis is a concern for native wildlife where Toxoplasmosis is lethal, such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the nene goose. I've designed a research project that involves traveling to Hawaii, where I'll collect a sample of African land snails and test their digestive systems for any traces of the parasite that causes Toxoplasmosis. This will be the first look at whether or not these snails are actively ingesting the parasite and potentially spreading it throughout the environment through it's feces. Understanding this information opens up a whole new door for Toxoplasmosis ecology and is an information gap that can help us better understand how we can protect wildlife populations and human health as well.
The research project is quickly making success! Many of the big details are coming underway. However, I still need funds to help with the living expenses on Hawaii, since I will need to stay there for 6 weeks. I need to raise about $3,000 by the end of June to secure living arrangements in Hawaii. The donations you give will be:
1. my food budget on Hawaii
2. my housing costs
3. my rental car funds
The research project is set to take place in late summer, making my goal to secure the necessary travel funds by June.
This is a whole new territory of research that has never been done before! Your donations will make it possible for not only a whole new door to open for Toxoplasmosis ecology, but also solving an information gap that could help us battle Toxoplasmosis infection.
Thank you very much for your donations. They not only allow me to get my masters degree, but also to discover some fascinating new information about disease transmission.
Works Cited
Albuquerque, F.S., Peso-Aguiar, M.C., and Assunção-Albuquerque, M.J.T. (2007). Distribution,
feeding behavior and control strategies of the exotic land snail Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in the northeast of Brazil. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 68(4), 837-838. Doi: 10.1590/s1519-69842008000400020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Parasites – Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma
Infection). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/
Chaudhry, S.A., Gad, N., Koren, G. (2014). Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy. Canadian Family
Physician, 60. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046541/pdf/0600334.pdf
Coupe, A., Howe, L., Shapiro, K., and Roe, W. D. (2019). Comparison of PCR assays to detect
Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus). Parasitology Research, 118:2389-2398. Doi: 10.1007/s00436-019-06357-z
Cowie, R.H. (1998). Patterns of introduction of non-indigenous non-marine snails and slugs in the Hawaiian
Islands. Biodiversity and Conservation, 7, 349-368. Doi: 10.1023/A:1008881712635
Hawaii Invasive Species Council. (2020). Feral Cats. Hawaii.gov.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/feral-cats/
Honnold, S.P., Braun, R., Scott, D.P., Sreekumar, C., and Dubey, J.P. (2005). Toxoplasmosis in
a Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi ). Journal of Parasitology, 91(3), 695-697. Doi: 10.1645/GE-469R
Invasive Species Specialist Group. (2010, February 3). Achatina fulica. iucngisd.org. http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=64
Krusor, C., Woutrina, A., Smith, M., Tinker, T., Silver, M., Conrad, P.A., and Shapiro, K.
(2015). Concentration and retention of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts by marine snails demonstrate a novel mechanism for transmission of terrestrial zoonotic pathogens in coastal ecosystems. Environmental Microbiology, 17(11), 4527-4537. Doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12927
Lu, X.T., Gu, Q.U., Limpanont, Y., Song, L.G., Wu, Z.D., Okanurak, K., and Lv, Z.Y. (2018).
Snail-borne parasitic diseases: an update on global epidemiological distribution, transmission interruption and control methods. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7(28), 1-3. Doi: 10.1186/s40249-018-0414-7
Miller, N.L., Frenkel, J.K., and Dubey, J.P. (1972). Oral infections with toxoplasma cysts and
oocysts in felines, other mammals, and in birds. The Journal of Parasitology, 58(5), 928-937.
Montazeri, M., Mehrzadi, S., Sharif, M., Sarvi, S.,Tanzifi, A., Aghayan, S. A., and Daryani, A.
(2018). Drug Resistance in Toxoplasma gondii. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9(2587). Doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02587
Ribeiro, L.A., Santos, L.K.N.S.S., Brito, P.A. Jr., Maciel, B.M., Da Silva, A.V., Albuquerque,
G.R. (2014). Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Brazilian oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae). Genetics and Molecular Research, 14(2), 4658-4665. Doi: 10.4238/2015.May.4.25
Staggs, S.E., Keely, S.P., Ware, M.W., Schable, N., See, M.J., Gregorio, D., Zou, X., Su, C.,
Dubey, J.P., and Villegas, E.N. (2015). The development and implementation of a method using blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) as biosentinels of Cryptosporidicum spp. And Toxoplasma gondii contamination in marine aquatic environments. Parasitology Research, 114, 4655-4667. Doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4711-9
Work, T.M., Massey, J.G., Lindsay, D.S., and Dubey, J.P. (2002). Toxoplasmosis in Three
Species of Native and Introduced Hawaiian Birds. The Journal of Parasitology, 88(5), 1040-1042.
My name is Olivia Stogner, and I'm a graduate student at Auburn University. I'm working to get my master's degree in wildlife biology, with a focus on disease ecology. Right now, I'm working on a research project that tests if African land snails can ingest and distribute the parasite that causes Toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is the disease that is famous for preventing pregnant women from cleaning the litter box. Felids, including house cats, shed the parasite in their feces, putting an unsuspecting cat owner at risk for infection. Although anyone could show symptoms of Toxoplasmosis, it's particularly dangerous for pregnant women. If a pregnant woman ingests the parasite, it could cause a miscarriage or severe birth defects in the baby, such as mental disabilities and blindness. It is also potentially fatal for anyone with a compromised immune system.
Even though the parasite is spread through cat feces, recent research shows that marine snails can ingest the parasite and distribute it throughout the marine environment through it's feces, similar to the way a cat does. However, there is no research showing whether or not land snails can do the same, which could be a concern for human health. Snails tend to live within close proximity to people, meaning their ability to carry the parasite could pose a risk to any people sharing the same habitat. This could be a particular problem if this is the case for African land snails.
Have you ever seen an African land snail? They are an adorable species that are popular pets in many countries. They can grow to be as big as your hand and are generally easy to care for. They also live to be about 8 years old in captivity, which is the same life span as the domestic rabbit. So, the perfect pet, right? Many people in the United States believe so! Even though this species is illegal to have as a pet in the United States, there are petitions circulating to have this rule overturned. However, these snails are not only a possible distributor of Toxoplasmosis, but they are also incredibly invasive and destructive, causing considerable damage to gardens and farms in the countries they invade.
This species of snail is particularly a concern in Hawaii. It has been a big problem for native snail species and it's potential ability to distribute the parasitic agent of Toxoplasmosis is a concern for native wildlife where Toxoplasmosis is lethal, such as the Hawaiian monk seal and the nene goose. I've designed a research project that involves traveling to Hawaii, where I'll collect a sample of African land snails and test their digestive systems for any traces of the parasite that causes Toxoplasmosis. This will be the first look at whether or not these snails are actively ingesting the parasite and potentially spreading it throughout the environment through it's feces. Understanding this information opens up a whole new door for Toxoplasmosis ecology and is an information gap that can help us better understand how we can protect wildlife populations and human health as well.
The research project is quickly making success! Many of the big details are coming underway. However, I still need funds to help with the living expenses on Hawaii, since I will need to stay there for 6 weeks. I need to raise about $3,000 by the end of June to secure living arrangements in Hawaii. The donations you give will be:
1. my food budget on Hawaii
2. my housing costs
3. my rental car funds
The research project is set to take place in late summer, making my goal to secure the necessary travel funds by June.
This is a whole new territory of research that has never been done before! Your donations will make it possible for not only a whole new door to open for Toxoplasmosis ecology, but also solving an information gap that could help us battle Toxoplasmosis infection.
Thank you very much for your donations. They not only allow me to get my masters degree, but also to discover some fascinating new information about disease transmission.
Works Cited
Albuquerque, F.S., Peso-Aguiar, M.C., and Assunção-Albuquerque, M.J.T. (2007). Distribution,
feeding behavior and control strategies of the exotic land snail Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in the northeast of Brazil. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 68(4), 837-838. Doi: 10.1590/s1519-69842008000400020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Parasites – Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma
Infection). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/
Chaudhry, S.A., Gad, N., Koren, G. (2014). Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy. Canadian Family
Physician, 60. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046541/pdf/0600334.pdf
Coupe, A., Howe, L., Shapiro, K., and Roe, W. D. (2019). Comparison of PCR assays to detect
Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in green-lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus). Parasitology Research, 118:2389-2398. Doi: 10.1007/s00436-019-06357-z
Cowie, R.H. (1998). Patterns of introduction of non-indigenous non-marine snails and slugs in the Hawaiian
Islands. Biodiversity and Conservation, 7, 349-368. Doi: 10.1023/A:1008881712635
Hawaii Invasive Species Council. (2020). Feral Cats. Hawaii.gov.
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/feral-cats/
Honnold, S.P., Braun, R., Scott, D.P., Sreekumar, C., and Dubey, J.P. (2005). Toxoplasmosis in
a Hawaiian Monk Seal (Monachus schauinslandi ). Journal of Parasitology, 91(3), 695-697. Doi: 10.1645/GE-469R
Invasive Species Specialist Group. (2010, February 3). Achatina fulica. iucngisd.org. http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=64
Krusor, C., Woutrina, A., Smith, M., Tinker, T., Silver, M., Conrad, P.A., and Shapiro, K.
(2015). Concentration and retention of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts by marine snails demonstrate a novel mechanism for transmission of terrestrial zoonotic pathogens in coastal ecosystems. Environmental Microbiology, 17(11), 4527-4537. Doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12927
Lu, X.T., Gu, Q.U., Limpanont, Y., Song, L.G., Wu, Z.D., Okanurak, K., and Lv, Z.Y. (2018).
Snail-borne parasitic diseases: an update on global epidemiological distribution, transmission interruption and control methods. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 7(28), 1-3. Doi: 10.1186/s40249-018-0414-7
Miller, N.L., Frenkel, J.K., and Dubey, J.P. (1972). Oral infections with toxoplasma cysts and
oocysts in felines, other mammals, and in birds. The Journal of Parasitology, 58(5), 928-937.
Montazeri, M., Mehrzadi, S., Sharif, M., Sarvi, S.,Tanzifi, A., Aghayan, S. A., and Daryani, A.
(2018). Drug Resistance in Toxoplasma gondii. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9(2587). Doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02587
Ribeiro, L.A., Santos, L.K.N.S.S., Brito, P.A. Jr., Maciel, B.M., Da Silva, A.V., Albuquerque,
G.R. (2014). Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Brazilian oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae). Genetics and Molecular Research, 14(2), 4658-4665. Doi: 10.4238/2015.May.4.25
Staggs, S.E., Keely, S.P., Ware, M.W., Schable, N., See, M.J., Gregorio, D., Zou, X., Su, C.,
Dubey, J.P., and Villegas, E.N. (2015). The development and implementation of a method using blue mussels (Mytilus spp.) as biosentinels of Cryptosporidicum spp. And Toxoplasma gondii contamination in marine aquatic environments. Parasitology Research, 114, 4655-4667. Doi: 10.1007/s00436-015-4711-9
Work, T.M., Massey, J.G., Lindsay, D.S., and Dubey, J.P. (2002). Toxoplasmosis in Three
Species of Native and Introduced Hawaiian Birds. The Journal of Parasitology, 88(5), 1040-1042.
Organizer
Olivia Stogner
Organizer
Auburn, AL