Abstract
Background: The epidemiology of schistosomiasis transmission varies depending on the circumstances of the surrounding water bodies and human behaviors. We aimed to explore cercarial emergence patterns from snails that are naturally affected by human schistosomiasis and non-human trematodes. In addition, this study aimed to explore how schistosomiasis infection affects snail survival, reproduction, and growth. Methods: We measured the survival rate, fecundity, and size of Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails and the cercarial rhythmicity of S. haematobium and S. mansoni. The number of egg masses, eggs per egg mass, and snail deaths were counted for 7 weeks. The survival rate and cumulative hazard were assessed for infected and non-infected snails. Results: S. haematobium and S. mansoni cercariae peaked at 9:00–11:00 a.m. Infection significantly reduced the survival rate of B. pfeifferi, which was 35% and 51% for infected and non-infected snails, respectively (p = 0.02), at 7 weeks after infection. The hazard ratio of death for infected snails compared to non-infected snails was 1.65 (95% confidence interval: 1.35–1.99; p = 0.01). Conclusions: An understanding of the dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission will be helpful for formulating schistosomiasis control and elimination strategies. Cercarial rhythmicity can be reflected in health education, and the reproduction and survival rate of infected snails can be used as parameters for developing disease modeling.
Highlights
Introduction iationsSchistosomiasis, an acute and chronic parasitic disease, is a major public health issue in 51 endemic countries, with moderate-to-high transmission [1]
We aimed to explore cercarial emergence patterns from snails that are naturally affected by human schistosomiasis (Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi) and non-human trematodes, collected from the White Nile River in Sudan
S. haematobium cercariae peaked at 9:00–11:00 a.m. and steadily reduced until around sunset (7:00 p.m.)
Summary
Schistosomiasis, an acute and chronic parasitic disease, is a major public health issue in 51 endemic countries, with moderate-to-high transmission [1]. Despite global control efforts for schistosomiasis, it is estimated that fewer than 50% of the 237 million people who required preventive treatment in 2019 received treatment [1]. Estimates of schistosomiasis-specific deaths per year across the world range from 24,072 to. Schistosomiasis-specific deaths are substantially concentrated in low- and low-middle-income countries (94%) [2]. We aimed to explore cercarial emergence patterns from snails that are naturally affected by human schistosomiasis and non-human trematodes. This study aimed to explore how schistosomiasis infection affects snail survival, reproduction, and growth. Methods: We measured the survival rate, fecundity, and size of Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails and the cercarial rhythmicity of S. haematobium and S. mansoni.
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