Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Schistosomiasis, due to S. mansoni, is prevalent in Rwanda. However, there is a paucity of information related to the abundance, species, distribution, and infectivity of Schistosoma intermediate host snails.Methods
Snails were collected from 71 sites, including lakeshores and wetlands. Snails obtained were morphologically identified, and cercariae were shed using standard procedures. Cercariae were molecularly characterized using PCR. GPS coordinates were used to generate geospatial maps of snail distribution that were overlaid with geospatial distribution of schistosomiasis among pre-school children in the same areas.Results
Overall, 3653 snails were morphologically classified as Bulinus spp. and 1449 as Biomphalaria spp. A total of 306 snails shed cercariae, 130 of which were confirmed as S. mansoni cercaria by PCR. There was no significant difference in the proportion of S. mansoni cercariae in wetlands compared to lakeshores.Conclusion
Rwandan water bodies harbor an important number of snails that shed S. mansoni cercariae. Furthermore, a strong spatial correlation was observed between the distribution of schistosomiasis in children and the spatial distribution of snail infectivity with S. mansoni. The presence of Bulinus spp. Suggests a potential risk of S. haematobium, although molecular analysis did not show any current transmission of this parasite.
SUBMITTER: Kagabo J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10303441 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Kagabo Joseph J Kalinda Chester C Nshimiyimana Project P Mbonigaba Jean Bosco JB Ruberanziza Eugene E Nyandwi Elias E Rujeni Nadine N
Tropical medicine and infectious disease 20230528 6
<h4>Background</h4>Schistosomiasis, due to <i>S. mansoni</i>, is prevalent in Rwanda. However, there is a paucity of information related to the abundance, species, distribution, and infectivity of <i>Schistosoma</i> intermediate host snails.<h4>Methods</h4>Snails were collected from 71 sites, including lakeshores and wetlands. Snails obtained were morphologically identified, and cercariae were shed using standard procedures. Cercariae were molecularly characterized using PCR. GPS coordinates wer ...[more]