Biomphalaria glabrata in Haiti

Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni, was first reported in Haiti in 1891 at one location in the Départment du Nord and in 1977 it was reported at several sites in one additional watershed. Our study identifies two additional locations each on a different watershed plus a third possible site. A wide but discontinuous distribution of the snail on the north coast of Haiti is confirmed (no autochthonous infections with S. mansoni have been reported). While there are many possible explanations for this discontinuous distribution, a role for the competitor Thiara granifera in shaping the current distribution of B. glabrata is suggested. The incursion of B. glabrata into Haiti is not recent but at the same time is not expanding.     

Schistosomiasis: new occurrence of Biomphalaria straminea in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais

In Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, the snail Biomphalaria straminea was found in the Pampulha region. Recently the snail was found in ditches in the old Santa Lúcia Reservoir, a now-extinct focus of schistosomiasis transmission by B. glabrata. The snails were collected and examined to verify whether they were naturally infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Negative specimens were used for breeding or infection with the LE strain of S. mansoni from the laboratory and another strain obtained from eggs found in the feces of a schoolchild (VGS) from Belo Horizonte. Among the 1890 snails collected from 1994 to 1995, none were infected with S. mansoni. Among 87 snails collected and exposed to the LE strain, 9 (10.3%) shed cercariae; among 83 snails from F1, and exposed to LE, 10 (12.0%) shed cercariae. Among 88 snails exposed to VGS, 10 (11.3%) shed cercariae. In Belo Horizonte, schistosomiasis is transmitted by B. glabrata and B. tenagophila. However, currently there exists the risk of appearance of a focus in which B. straminea could be the host if prophylactic measures are not taken by the authorities responsible for the construction of a park and lake at that site.     

Long-term controlled field experiment on the competition between two species of Biomphalaria (Mollusca, Basommatophora), the snail vectors of Schistosoma mansoni in Northeastern Brazil

A long-term controlled field experiment on the interactions of the populations of Biomphalaria glabrata (target population) and B. straminea (competitor) was carried out in the county of Alhandra, state of Paraíba, Brazil, during the period 1980 through 1989. Results obtained in the current paper show that the snail B. straminea has strong competitive advantages over B. glabrata. In six out of nine streams the native population of B. glabrata were totally excluded and replaced by B. straminea. There is evidence showing that seasonal dryness has marked influence on the phenomenon studied in this paper. In all the streams were B. straminea already predominated, return of B. glabrata was never observed.     

Community water-contact patterns and the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium in the highveld region of Zimbabwe

The patterns of community water-contact, their relationships to Schistosoma haematobium infection in the human population and also in Bulinus globosus, snail host for S. haematobium and S. mattheei were carried out at 12 human water contact sites located in stream habitats in the temperate highveld region of Zimbabwe over a 27-month period during 1982-1984. It was shown that water contact was markedly heterogeneous with sex, age, type of activity and village location being the major variables affecting water-contact patterns. This heterogeneity in contact appears to be related to variations in levels of infection with S. haematobium among residents of the villages and by sex but in adults high water-contact was not associated with increased levels of infection and this discrepancy is attributed to the influence of acquired immunity in adults. An association was found between total body exposure indices and prevalence of S. haematobium in B. globosus in the cool dry and hot dry period of the year indicating that the level of input of schistosome eggs into water play an important role in determining snail infection rates, although the absence of clearcut relationships between the two parameters in the rainy and post-rainy periods suggest that other factors may be involved.     

Studies on the snail vectors of bilharziasis mansoni in North-eastern Brazil

The authors describe the bilharziasis endemic areas in north-eastern Brazil, giving the rainfall and general characteristics of the climate. The life-cycles of the two snail vectors-Australorbis glabratus and Tropicorbis centimetralis-in Pernambuco are described. Considerable attention is given to the effects on the snails of the annual drought, which causes many of the habitats to dry up and seriously affects the snail life-cycles and survival patterns. The snails are able to populate habitats that are dry for 5-7 months every year. They survive during the dry season in the protection of debris, vegetation, etc. A. glabratus is more susceptible to infection with Schistosoma mansoni than is T. centimetralis, but the latter is an effective vector, nevertheless, probably because it often occurs in very large numbers. A. glabratus with mature infections die or lose their infections when removed from the water for 20-30 days. Immature parasites are not killed under the same conditions. Infection with S. mansoni injures the snails and may kill them. It also reduces the reproductive capacity of the vectors, but it does not permanently castrate them. The epidemiological significance of these findings and their meaning in terms of snail control are discussed.     

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection and its relationship to snail distribution in a village at the Nile bank south to Cairo

The relationship between epidemiology of S. mansoni infection and snail distribution at a village, related to Guiza Governorate and lies south to Cairo, was investigated. A systematic random sample of houses was selected. All inhabitants of the houses were invited to share in the study. The Number examined was 704. Urine and stools were examined using Nucleopore filtration and standard Kato-Katz techniques, respectively. Snail collection was done from 35 sites along the water bodies related to the village. Snails collected were examined by cercariae shedding under light. Snail differentiation was done. The results showed that the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni human infection was 25.1 % and GMEC was 2.4 +/- 5.5. Schistosoma haematobium infection was zero percent. Biomphlaria alexandrina snail infection rate was 3.7% with density equal 0.5 +/- 1.3. Bulinus truncatus snail infection rate was zero percent. The pattern of S. mansoni human infection was closely related to snail distribution and infection. Presence of a hybrid species of B. alexandrina and B. glabrata may explain the epidemiological pattern found in the studied village.     

Schistosomiasis in north-western Ghana

A survey of 8 274 people in the Ghana-2101 project area showed that 12% were passing ova of Schistosoma haematobium in the urine, the infection rate rising to a peak of 34% in males 15-19 years of age. S. mansoni, despite the wide distribution of its potential intermediate host, was not encountered in 1 698 boys examined for it. Urinary schistosomiasis in northern Ghana is focal in character and is usually contracted in standing water during the dry season. A method of control was developed that depends on the identification of localities subject to relatively intense and prolonged transmission, followed by dry season mollusciciding of the water sources in each locality infested with the snail hosts. Two such control cycles were carried out in 30 localities. The results suggest that selective, dry season, focal control of schistosomiasis can be effective in reducing transmission.     

Water level regulation and control of schistosomiasis transmission: a case study in Oyan Reservoir, Ogun State, Nigeria.

The effect of different water discharge patterns from the artificial Oyan Reservoir in Ogun State, Nigeria, on water level fluctuations and on schistosomiasis transmission was investigated between August 1990 and March 1993 to determine the impact of water level regulation on schistosomiasis transmission and control. The results show that transmission was greatly influenced by the pattern of water discharge during the hot dry season (January-April). A high discharge during this period of no rainfall, high temperatures, and intense sunshine stimulated rapid water level fluctuations and lake draw-down, which led to significant reductions in all indices of schistosomiasis transmission, i.e. snail density, snail infection rates, human water contact patterns, and incidence of infection. Although these results support continuous water discharges from the reservoir during the hot dry season, this may run counter to current water management policies. Further investigation is therefore required to harmonize the potential benefits in this type of discharge pattern with the objectives of efficient water management in artificial reservoirs.     

An outbreak of acute schistosomiasis at Porto de Galinhas beach, Pernambuco, Brazil

We recently confirmed several cases of acute schistosomiasis in Porto de Galinhas beach, Northeast Brazil. A total of 662 patients were diagnosed by parasitological and clinical examinations. The infection likely occurred during the September 7 national holiday, when heavy rainfall flooded the Ipojuca River and people were infected when the water covered their yards. Families were continuously exposed to infection for a period of three weeks until the water had completely dried up. Previous investigation suggests that snail vectors were introduced as a result of landfill in marshy areas. The swamp-flooding of such areas facilitated the emergence of slums surrounded by snail breeding sites. Heavy rainfall caused open-air sewage ditches to overflow, allowing for infection of snails by Schistosoma mansoni. Thus, continuous floods were responsible for the spread of human infection. Clinical and laboratory results identified 62% of acute cases of S. mansoni. Complementary studies are being conducted to define the impact and epidemiological meaning of the acute schistosomiasis outbreak.     

Further observations on Bulinus (Bulinus) truncatus rohlfsi (Clessin) in Ghana: Seasonal population fluctuations and biology

Bulinus (B.) truncatus rohlfsi is an important snail host of Schistosoma haematobium in Ghana and probably elsewhere in West Africa. Study of this snail in natural habitats in Northern Ghana has shown that the pronounced population fluctuations can be broadly related to the alternating wet and dry seasons and to any marked changes in the aquatic vegetation. An increase in snail density and reproductive activity begins during the rainy season, reaching a peak in the dry season. The onset of the contraction phase in the snail population is often abrupt, although it may be preceded by intense oviposition; during this phase there are but a few widely scattered snails and little reproductive activity with a low level of survival, particularly of juvenile snails. The factors which favour the survival of young specimens are clearly critical in the evolution of the snail population.     

Outcome in critically ill patients with candidal fungaemia: Candida albicans vs. Candida glabrata

In a retrospective study (1 January 1992-12 December 1998), we investigated population characteristics and outcome in critically ill patients with fungaemia involving C. albicans (n=41) and C. glabrata (n=15). Patients with C. glabrata fungaemia were significantly older compared with patients in the C. albicans group (P=0.024). There were no other differences in population characteristics or severity of illness. Logistic regression analysis showed age (P=0.021), the presence of a polymicrobial blood stream infection (P=0.039), and renal failure (P=0.044) to be independent predictors of mortality. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between the C. glabrata and C. albicans groups (60.0% vs. 41.5%; P=0.24). Since age was an independent predictor of mortality, the trend towards a higher mortality in patients with C. glabrata can be explained by this population being significantly older. In conclusion, we found no difference in mortality between patients with fungaemia involving C. albicans and C. glabrata.     

Schistosomiasis in an ecotourism area in Minas Gerais State, Brazil

This paper discusses schistosomiasis transmission in S?o José da Serra, a village with a population of 500 in the county of Jaboticatubas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The area receives thousands of visitors a year for ecotourism. The study was motivated by a case of acute schistosomiasis involving a couple that spent the 2007 Carnival (Mardi Gras) holiday in the area. Stool tests from 268 local residents (53.6% of the population) showed that 35 (13%) were positive for the infection. A comparison with a previous survey (2005) in the same location showed an increase in the schistosomiasis-positive rate from 9.6% to 12.5%, among the 56 individuals who participated in both surveys. A malacological survey of 65 Biomphalaria glabrata snails showed one specimen (1.5%) eliminating cercariae. In a similar survey in 2005, no positive snail specimens were found. The study indicates that active schistosomiasis transmission is occurring in the area, and that integrated educational programs are needed for both the local community and tourists.     

Urinary Schistosomiasis in Urban and Semi-Urban Communities in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background

In view of the massive rural-to-urban migration in Nigeria, investigations on transmission of urinary schistosomiasis were carried out in urban and semi-urban communities in Nike Lake area of Enugu State, Nigeria.

Methods

Urine samples of school children were tested for micro-haematuria using reagent strips followed by microscopic examination for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Water contact sites were also identified and sampled for snails.

Results

The overall prevalence of S. haematobium eggs in school children was 4.64%. The mean intensity of infection was 1.14 ± 0.41 eggs/10ml urine. Males had insignificantly higher prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection than females. The youngest age group (4-7 years) had no infection. The prevalence of micro-haematuria (6.2%) was higher than that of microscopy, and this correlated positively with prevalence (r = 0.65, P < 0.01) and intensity (r = 0.50, P < 0.01) of the infection. Potential intermediate host of human shistosome collected were: Bulinus globosus, B. senegalensis and Biomphalaria pfeifferi. However, only B. globosus shed cercariae of S. haematobium, with a snail infection rate of 0.73%. Transmission was in the dry season coinciding with the drying of wells.

Conclusion

The results revealed that urinary schistosomiasis is prevalent, and that B. globosus and not B. truncatus as previously reported is the main intermediate host of urinary schistosomiasis in this part of Enugu State.     

Spatial analysis of Biomphalaria glabrata foci and human cases of mansoni schistosomiasis in Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco State, Brazil, in the year 2000

This article provides information on the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis, correlating snail foci with human cases using spatial analysis. The locations studied were Merepe III, Pantanal, Salinas, and Socó, comprising 70% of the populated area of Porto de Galinhas. Malacological and parasitological surveys by a CPqAM/ FIOCRUZ team at the location where an epidemic occurred in 2000 identified 15 foci of infected B. glabrata. Human cases were also diagnosed and recorded according to residential block. Spatial analysis was performed using the TerraView computer program and Kernel intensity estimation. Total infection rates, considering all collection stations marked out per location, varied from 15% to 32.4%. The 15 infected B. glabrata foci included 9 in Merepe, 2 in Socó, 3 in Salinas, and 1 in Pantanal. The results suggest a strong spatial trend in the risk of schistosomiais transmission in Salinas and Socó. In Merepe, with the most foci and where foci were closer together, individual focal infection rates were lower. Spatial analysis thus showed less concentration of risk as compared to other locations studied. As for human cases, two high-intensity areas were observed, shown on the map in darker colors.     

河道型钉螺孳生地环境特点及灭螺措施

目的 掌握河道型血吸虫病流行区钉螺孳生地的环境特点,提供最优的灭螺措施.方法 选择湘江河长沙段钉螺孳生地现场,进行钉螺分布、钉螺扩散、水文、泥沙和3种灭螺措施效果的观察.结果 湘江长沙段18块洲滩有钉螺分布,面积839 99 hm2.钉螺逆水向上游扩散,年平均可达17.5 km.洲滩的植被93%以上是莎草.湘江水体含沙量较大,汛期5-10月占全年输沙量的70%,因河道水流不畅,所以每年洲滩都有泥沙淤积,厚度一般为1.0 cm,部分低洼地带或水流缓冲处可达7.0 cm左右.湘江一般4月上旬开始涨水,最高洪水位多见于5-7月,最高洪峰持续时间较短,8月开始退水.3种灭螺措施效果比较,实施土埋和翻耕垦种灭螺措施的6块洲滩,灭螺效果好,其中3块效果考核没有发现钉螺,另3块活螺平均密度均减少了95%以上.每年坚持药物灭螺处理的7块洲滩,灭螺效果差,活螺密度没有变化,其中有3块洲滩发现了感染性钉螺.结论 钉螺向上游扩散同样具有较快的速度;洲滩植被以莎草为主;洲滩泥沙淤积主要是5-10月;湘江涨水和退水时间均较长江早;洲滩环境改造灭螺效果好,药物灭螺效果差.     

Hourly frequency and seasonality of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) on São Luís Island, Maranhão, Brazil

This article presents the hourly and seasonal distribution of the Lutzomyia longipalpis sand fly captured on S?o Luís Island, Maranh?o State. A total of 11,200 specimens were captured during monthly use of CDC light traps indoors and in animal sheds, between 6:00 PM and 6:00 AM, in 1996 and 1997. The sand fly behaved as an annual species, with a high frequency year-round, while it was most abundant during the rainy season (57.2%) as compared to the dry season (42.8%). The highest frequencies during the rainy season occurred in January and April and in the dry season in July and November. The species was found all night long, mainly between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM in animal sheds and between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM indoors.     

A snail intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni introduced into Hong Kong

The South American planorbid snail Biomphalaria straminea, an intermediate host of S. mansoni, has been discovered in a stream in Hong Kong.     

The distribution of Biomphalaria (Gastropoda, Planorbidae) in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, Brazil]

An analysis to determine new localities colonized by the intermediate snail hosts (B. straminea, B. tenagophila and B. tenagophila tenagophila) of Schistosoma mansoni from Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States (Brazil) was carried out. As regards the geographical distribution of the schistosomiasis vector, the possible extension of the endemic disease to Southernmost Brazil is commented on.     

Laboratory observations on the biological control of Biomphalaria glabrata by a species of Pomacea (Ampullariidae)

Laboratory experiments have shown that medium-sized (30-50 mm in shell height) Pomacea sp. snails consumed the egg masses of Biomphalaria glabrata deposited either on glass or on the leaves of Salvinia, and that they also caused a high mortality rate among the newly hatched B. glabrata. When the two species of snail were kept in the same tank, the Pomacea sp. caused a reduction in the B. glabrata egg density in proportion to their relative numbers and the presence of Pomacea sp. prevented colonies of B. glabrata from becoming established. The identity of the Pomacea sp. has not yet been satisfactorily established.