Neurotoxicity and genotoxicity of the veterinary antibiotics oxytetracycline and trimethoprim-sulphadiazine to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails

ABSTRACT

There is increased concern about aquatic contamination with veterinary antibiotics (VAs) residues. The present study tested the effects of two commonly used antimicrobials in animal husbandry, oxytetracycline (OTC) and trimethoprim-sulphadiazine (TMS), on survival rate, DNA integrity and some biochemical parameters in the nervous system and reproductive tissues of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails as bio-indicator organisms for VAs toxicity. The results showed that both antibiotics caused a decline in the survival of snails in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, disturbances in the levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA), antioxidant enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and neurotransmitters were recorded in exposed snails with an overall decrease in these parameters compared to controls. In addition, comet assay revealed DNA damage in snails’ tissues following 96 h exposure. Thus, B. alexandrina snail can be used as a bio-indicator for assessing VAs toxicity and its potential impacts on the nervous system and reproduction of animals.

KEYWORDS:

• Biomphalaria alexandrina
• bioindicator
• veterinary antibiotics
• neurotoxicity
• genotoxicity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics approval

All the applicable guidelines for institutional animal care and use in experiments were considered during the current study. No human participants or subjects were used.