Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Current Techniques for Detecting Schistosome Infections in Intermediate Host Snails: A Scoping Review.

Onyekachi Esther Nwoko,Moses John Chimbari,John J O Mogaka

doi:10.3390/ijerph18105403

Onyekachi Esther Nwoko, Moses John Chimbari + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105403

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Abstract

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), causes morbidity and mortality in over 250 million people globally. And 700 million people are at risk of contracting it. It is caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma. Freshwater snails of the family Planorbidae are of public health significance as they are intermediate hosts of these highly infective flukes. Accurate diagnostic techniques to detect schistosome infections in intermediate host snails (IHS) and environmental surveillance are needed to institute measures for the interruption of transmission and eventual elimination. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to assess advantages and limitations of different diagnostic techniques for detecting schistosome infections in snails. Literature from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases from 2008 to 2020 were searched using combinations of predefined search terms with Boolean operators. The studies revealed that conventional diagnostics are widely used, although they are labor-intensive, have low specificity and sensitivity levels, and cannot detect prepatent infections. Whereas more advanced techniques such as immunological, nucleic-acid amplification, and eDNA diagnostics have high sensitivity and specificity levels, they are costly, hence, not suitable for field applications and large-scale surveys. Our review highlights the importance of designing and developing innovative diagnostics that are high in specificity and sensitivity as well as affordable and technically feasible for use in field laboratories and for large-scale surveys.

Highlights

Parasitic organisms, the causative agents of some of the most neglected but prevalent infections, constitute endemic and emerging public health threats in many parts of the world, mainly in poor and developing countries with poor sanitation and limited health care [1]
Articles that highlighted techniques for detecting infections in IHS were included while articles that focused on the effects of selected plants on schistosomiasis in intermediate host snails were excluded
The articles we fully reviewed examined techniques used in detecting infections in schistosomiasis intermediate host snails in 12 African countries

Summary

Introduction

The causative agents of some of the most neglected but prevalent infections, constitute endemic and emerging public health threats in many parts of the world, mainly in poor and developing countries with poor sanitation and limited health care [1] This group of pathogens includes the protozoans Trypanosoma (African sleeping sickness), Leishmania (leishmaniasis), Plasmodium (malaria), and the helminths such as Schistosoma (schistosomiasis). They are geographically widespread and affect vulnerable and non-vulnerable human populations due to their high prevalence and the number of deaths they cause each year.

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