Influence of photon beam irradiation on Lymnaea natalensis snails infected with Fasciola gigantica.

Lymnaea natalensis is the intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica in Egypt. The effect of photon beam irradiation on the ability of the laboratory reared L. natalensis to support the larval development of F. gigantica has been studied. 120 snails were divided into two groups: The control infected non irradiated group (GI) and the experimental infected irradiated group (GII). The later group was subdivided into two subgroups: GIIa: snails irradiated before infection and GIIb: snails irradiated after infection. Photon beam irradiation had non significant effect on the survival rate between the all groups at the 30th day post infection. The life span, the number of infected snails and the length of the shedding period were significantly decreased in the two irradiated subgroups than the control group. The effect was more obvious on GIIb without significant difference. The number of metacercariae significantly decreased in the 2 irradiated subgroups than the control one. Also, it was significantly decreased in GIIb when compared with GIIa. So, photon beam irradiation has a great role on retarding larval development of F. gigantica inside the snail. This opens the way to a new strategy for fascioliasis control of in Egypt.