Occurrence of snail intermediate host of schistosomiasis: implications for schistosomiasis control based on mass drug administration of praziquantel in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Schistosomiasis is a neglected disease that is still ravaging many rural community dwellers in Nigeria. Different species of freshwater snails, such as Bulinus and Biomphalaria , play passive roles in the transmission of schistosomiasis. A study on the occurrence of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomes was conducted following mass praziquantel administration in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, Nigeria. The objective was to determine the prevalence of freshwater snails. incriminated in transmitting schistosomiasis and their cercaria infectivity. A total of 24,812 freshwater snails belonging to six different genera ( Bulinus globosus, B. forskalii, Pila ovata, Lanistes lybicus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and Lymnaea natalensis were encountered. Snails collected were kept under laboratory conditions for cercaria emergence. B. globosus, B. forskalii , and B. pfeifferi were identified as vectors of Schistosomes because they secreted cercaria of S. haematobium and S. mansoni , respectively. Parasite infection was higher in the ponds (83.33 %); followed by dams (68.57 %)) and streams (53.33 %). There was positive correlation (r = 0.657; P < 0.05) between the amount of rainfall and abundance of all snail species and their infection rate collected except Biomphalaria species that showed a negative correlation. The studies, therefore, call for Consideration of snails control to be integrated with Praziquantel Mass Drug Advocacy Campaigns so as to achieve transmission interruption.