Assessing S. mansoni prevalence in Biomphalaria snails in the Gombe ecosystem of western Tanzania: the importance of DNA sequence data for clarifying species identification.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Snails are essential for the transmission and maintenance of schistosomiasis in endemic areas, as they serve as intermediate hosts for schistosome parasites. A clear understanding of the snail species present, their local distribution and infection status is therefore a prerequisite for effective control of schistosomiasis. The purpose of this study was to establish the infection status and distribution of Schistosoma mansoni in snails in the Gombe area along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania, using both detection of cercarial shedding and molecular approaches.

Methods

Snails were collected from streams located close to human settlements in Gombe National Park, as well as from nearby villages (Kiziba, Mtanga, Mwamgongo and Bugamba) and the largest

SUBMITTER: Bakuza JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5701381 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature