THE MOLLUSCICIDAL ACTIVITY OF CROWN-OF-CHRIST (EUPHORBIA-SPLENDENS VAR. HISLOPII) LATEX ON SNAILS ACTING AS INTERMEDIATE HOSTS OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI AND SCHISTOSOMA-HAEMATOBIUM

The present study describes the action of the latex of Euphorbia splen dens var. hislopii (E. milli) on species of the genus Bulinus and on B iomphalaria pfeifferi, intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis in Africa , and the Brazilian snails B. glabrata, B. tenagophila, and B. stramin ea, intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis in Brazil. The impact of the latex on the egg masses and embryos of B. glabrata was also evaluated . Using the standardized methodology of the World Health Organization for testing plant-derived molluscicides, we obtained a 90% lethal dose (LD90) ranging from 0.13 ppm for B. glabrata subjected to lyophilized latex to 4.0 ppm for B. pfeifferi tested with the natural latex. This material has proved to be one of the most potent and specific plant m olluscicides discovered thus far, presenting advantages in terms of ap plication so that it could be used in programs involving community par ticipation in endemic areas in both Brazil and Africa.