Spatial and seasonal distribution of human schistosomiasis intermediate host snails and their interactions with other freshwater snails in 7 districts of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: The spatial and seasonal distribution, abundance, and infection rates of human schistosomiasis intermediate host snails and interactions with other freshwater snails, water physicochemical parameters, and climatic factors was determined in this study. A longitudinal malacology survey was conducted at seventy-nine sites in seven districts in KwaZulu-Natal province between September 2020 and August 2021. Snail sampling was done simultaneously by two trained personnel for fifteen minutes, once in three months. A total of 15,756 snails were collected during the study period. Eight freshwater snails were found: Bulinus globosus (n = 1396), Biomphalaria pfeifferi (n = 1130), Lymnaea natalensis (n = 1195), Bulinus tropicus (n = 1722), Bulinus forskalii (n = 195), Tarebia granifera (n = 8078), Phy

SUBMITTER: Nwoko OE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10185499 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature