Abstract
Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease caused by helminth parasites of the genus Schistosoma. Worldwide, an estimated 250 million people are infected with these parasites with the majority of cases occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Within Asia, three species of Schistosoma cause disease. Schistosoma japonicum is the most prevalent, followed by S. mekongi and S. malayensis. All three species are zoonotic, which causes concern for their control, as successful elimination not only requires management of the human definitive host, but also the animal reservoir hosts. With regard to Asian schistosomiasis, most of the published research has focused on S. japonicum with comparatively little attention paid to S. mekongi and even less focus on S. malayensis. In this review, we examine the three Asian schistosomes and their current status in their endemic countries: Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, and Thailand (S. mekongi); Malaysia (S. malayensis); and Indonesia, People’s Republic of China, and the Philippines (S. japonicum). Prospects for control that could potentially lead to elimination are highlighted as these can inform researchers and disease control managers in other schistosomiasis-endemic areas, particularly in Africa and the Americas.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma
22 of of 29 focus on only those species currently occurring in Asia: S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis, to be closely related to S. mekongi, is endemic in Malaysia [4]
Preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel has been the mainstay of schistosomiasis morbidity control and, in addition to targeting mammalian and snail hosts mentioned earlier, efforts to control transmission have included programs aimed at improving WASH and health education
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. 22 of of 29 focus on only those species currently occurring in Asia: S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis, to be closely related to S. mekongi, is endemic in Malaysia [4]. The three Asian schistosomes are all zoonotic, whereas the species currently occurring in Asia: S. japonicum, S. mekongi, and S. malayensis, which cause intestinal remaining species infecting humans are generally considered human-only parasites, with some schistosomiasis. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current status of schistosomiasis in Asia, Asia, with a particular focus on endemic countries in the region and the unique challenges they with a particular focus on endemic countries in the region and the unique challenges they face.
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