Freshwater snails in Malaysia: diversity, roles in trematode transmission, and agricultural impacts

Freshwater snails play a critical role as intermediate hosts in the transmission of trematode diseases, affecting human and animal health and posing challenges to agriculture. This review summarises studies on freshwater snails and trematode diseases in Malaysia from 1973 to 2024, based on comprehensive literature searches across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 32 snail species were identified, with Radix rubiginosa hosting five types of cercariae and Robertsiella silvicola acting as a host for furcocercous cercariae. Economically significant species, such as Pomacea maculata and Pomacea canaliculata, were highlighted for their agricultural impact. While treatments for trematode infections are available, prevention through controlling snail populations remains essential due to the complex transmission involving reservoir hosts. This study underscores the zoonotic potential of trematode parasites in Malaysia and identifies a significant research gap regarding intermediate host snails.

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