Abstract
Thorough knowledge of the dynamics of Bulinus spp. infestation could help to control the spread of schistosomiasis. This study describes the spatio-temporal dynamics of B. senegalensis and B. umbilicatus infestation by the Schistosoma haematobium group of blood flukes in Niakhar, Senegal. Molecular identification of the S. haematobium group was performed by real-time PCR, targeting the Dra 1 gene in 810 samples of Bulinus spp. collected during the schistosomiasis transmission season in 2013. In addition to Dra 1 PCR, a rapid diagnostic-PCR was performed on a sub-group of 43 snails to discriminate S. haematobium, S. bovis, and S. mattheei. Out of 810 snails, 236 (29.1%) were positive for Dra 1 based on the PCR, including 96.2% and 3.8% of B. senegalensis and B. umbilicatus, respectively. Among the sub-group, 16 samples were confirmed to be S. haematobium while one was identified as a mixture of S. haematobium and S. bovis. Snails infestations were detected in all villages sampled and infestation rates ranged from 15.38% to 42.11%. The prevalence of infestation was higher in the north (33.47%) compared to the south (25.74%). Snail populations infestations appear early in the rainy season, with a peak in the middle of the season, and then a decline towards the end of the rainy season. Molecular techniques showed, for the first time, the presence of S. bovis in the Bulinus spp. population of Niakhar. The heterogeneity of snail infestations at the village level must be taken into account in mass treatment strategies. Further studies should help to improve the characterizations of the schistosome population.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating chronic disease affecting both humans and livestock [1]
Bulinus senegalensis comprised the majority of the sample with 790 individuals (97.5%) while B. umbilicatus was marginal with only 20 specimens collected (2.5%)
We have shown a probable co-infection of Schistosoma haematobium/Schistosoma bovis DNA of both species were found within a single snail specimen
Summary
Schistosomiasis is a debilitating chronic disease affecting both humans and livestock [1] It is the most important neglected tropical disease (NTDs), second only to malaria in terms of the public health impact [2,3]. The spread and level of disease transmission are closely linked to hydro-agricultural developments which create favorable ecological conditions in which snails, intermediate hosts of Schistosoma parasites, can thrive [7,8]. This situation is exacerbated by poor socio-environmental conditions such as the lack of drinking water, unimproved sanitation, and poor hygiene engendering human contact with snails, maintaining the disease transmission cycle
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