Hematological, physiological and genotoxicological effects of Match 5% EC insecticide on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails

Freshwater snails are used as brilliant biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem pollution by chemical compounds. The objective of this study is to highlight the ecotoxicological impacts of the insecticide Match 5%EC (its active ingredient is lufenuron 5% EC) on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt. The present investigation recorded a remarkable molluscicidal effect of lufenuron 5% EC on these snails and there was a decrease in total number of their hemocytes after exposure. Three morphologically distinct populations of circulating hemocytes were identified (round small cells, granulocytes and hyalinocytes) and results showed that some hyalinocytes had a shrunk nucleus and some were degenerated. Significant increase of transaminases (ALT and AST), while, a decrease of the total protein and albumin content in hemolymph was recorded. The results of alkaline comet assay in the present study demonstrated that lufenuron 5% EC has a genotoxic effect especially when its concentration increases. It can be concluded that Biomphalaria alexandrina snails can be used as bio monitor to screen the deleterious effects of lufenuron 5% EC insecticide as a cause of the environmental pollution, and this insecticide can be used in controlling schistosomiasis because of its molluscicidal effects on B. alexandrina snails.