Malacological and Parasitological Surveys on Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes
Implications for Control and Elimination of Snail-Borne Diseases
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15516017 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Beekam Kebede Olkeba (0000-0001-5045-2206, Jimma University, corresponding author), Pieter Boets (0000-0001-8183-328X, Ghent University), Seid Tiku Mereta (0000-0001-8036-4995, Jimma University), Belayhun Mandefro (0000-0003-2113-6671, Dilla University), Gemechu Debesa (0000-0003-0804-465X, Jimma University), Mahmud Ahmednur (0000-0002-3161-4465, Jimma University), Argaw Ambelu (0000-0003-1898-4100, Jimma University), Wolyu Korma Erkano (0000-0003-0710-4884, Jimma University), Peter Goethals (0000-0003-1168-6776, Ghent University), Peter L M Goethals (Ghent University) |
| Year | 2021 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 142-142 |
| Publication date | 2021-12-23 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph19010142 |
| PMID | 35010399 |
| OpenAlex | W4200146279 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 44 |
Schistosomiasis is one of the snail-borne diseases responsible for the second-highest burden of diseases among neglected tropical diseases. The use of mass drug administration to the populations most at risk is a backbone of the strategy to prevent and control schistosomiasis transmission. However, it offers no protection against re-infection, and humans are often re-exposed when they return to water bodies where snails release cercariae. Surveys on cercarial infection in snails could provide better insights on human disease risk. Hence, in this study, we investigated cercarial infection in snails and also determined the epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni among fishermen at Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes. Freshwater snails were collected from the shorelines of Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes for examination of cercarial infection during 2020. Environmental data on water quality variables and physical characteristics of snail habitats were collected. Stool samples were collected from fishermen and the Kato-Katz technique was applied for the quantification of Schistosoma mansoni eggs. A malacological survey indicated that six morphologically distinguishable types of cercariae were found in snails. Infected snails with cercaria were more likely present in habitats with high five-day biological oxygen demand and low dissolved oxygen. The overall prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection among the fishermen at Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes was found to be 21.5%. This indicates that fishermen at Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes are one of the groups of people harboring schistosome cercariae which are potentially responsible for the transmission of schistosomiasis to lakeshore communities who have contact with lake water. Therefore, complementary medical treatment, public health interventions, environmental management and snail reduction are needed to control the transmission of schistosomiasis
Biology · Environmental health · Habitat · Helminths · Host (biology · Intermediate host · Mass drug administration · Population · Rift valley · Rift Valley fever · Schistosoma · Schistosoma mansoni · Schistosomiasis · Snail · Veterinary medicine · Zoology · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Parasite Biology and Host Interactions · Parasites and Host Interactions · Ecology · Immunology
| Highly cited | No |
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