Schistosoma mansoni (Trematoda: Schistosomatidae) occurrence in Biomphalaria pfeifferi (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in water bodies of Kindia Prefecture (Republic of Guinea)
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Abstract
Molluscs of the genera Biomphalaria and Bulinus, intermediate hosts of human-pathogenic Schistosoma trematodes, were found in 8 freshwater bodies in the western region of Kindia Prefecture of Guinea. While Bulinus snails were free from schistosome infection, Biomphalaria specimens were parasitized, with infection foci revealed in 4 water bodies. Morphological analysis of shells of infected snails confirmed that they belong to the species Biomphalaria pfeifferi. The movement behavior, body shape, internal anatomy, and morphometric characteristics of the cercariae shed from the snails matched those of Schistosoma mansoni. The obtained ITS1 rDNA gene sequences showed 100% identity with homologous loci of S. mansoni parasitizing on humans and rats in Africa and Brazil. In contrast, they differed by 6 nucleotide substitutions from the closest relative, S. rodhaini, and by 2–6 substitutions from S. rodhaini × S. mansoni hybrids. Phylogenetic analysis strongly supported (100% bootstrap) the clustering of the sampled sequences with that of S. mansoni, distinct from those of S. rodhaini and hybrid lineages, confirming species identification. This study reports the first documented evidence of S. mansoni infection in B. pfeifferi and its molecular characterization in the Republic of Guinea. Infected snails (n = 32) were significantly larger on average than uninfected ones (n = 1,110) in samples where trematodes were found. Analysis of environmental factors revealed no effect of pH, dissolved oxygen, or water temperature within their observed ranges during the study period (October and November) on occurrence of B. pfeifferi and prevalence of infection with S. mansoni. Notably, B. pfeifferi exhibited tolerance to slightly hypoxic conditions, likely explaining their persistence in excrement-contaminated waters and facilitating schistosome larvae transmission. The presence of schistosomes was associated with specific biocenosis features, including slack or slow-flowing water and abundant submerged vegetation. All infected water bodies were located within urban areas. Obtained data are significant for developing schistosomiasis control strategies in the region.
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References
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