Occurrence of the causative agents of cercarial dermatitis in the Veerse Meer (Netherlands): trematode parasites and their potential hosts.

Abstract

It was investigated if cercarial dermatitis causing trematodes are present in the Veerse Meer, Netherlands. Almost no research has been done in Europe on cercarial dermatitis cases in marine and brackish waters. Outside of Europe there are documented cases of cercarial dermatitis in marine waters. This confirmed the possibility of causative agents of cercarial dermatitis in marine and brackish waters. During the study possible host gastropods (Haloa japonica, Littorina littorea, Tritia reticulata) have been examined via shedding for trematode infections. Also eDNA samples have been taken and tested on Trichobilharzia sp.. No trematode infections known to be able to cause cercarial dermatitis were found in the examined gastropods. Two positive eDNA samples have been recorded of Trichobilharzia sp.. in the Veerse Meer. This shows that there is a presence of trematodes that can cause cercarial dermatitis. But without the link to infected gastropods in the Veerse Meer it is unclear if the positive eDNA results are from an infected gastropod in the Veerse Meer or from eggs or miracidia dispersed by birds for instance.

Date of Award	19 May 2024
Original language	English
Supervisor	Dennis Uit de Weerd (Examiner), Esmée Bijnens (Co-assessor), Dr. Ana Born-Torrijos (External assessor), Prof. Dr. David Thieltges (External assessor) & Dr. Jeroen van de Water (External assessor)