The schistosome vectors in the Americas

The role of population movement in the epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis in Brazil: a preliminary typology of population movement

“…Settlement by farmers, gold miners, extractors of forest products and labourers at dam construction projects in the Amazon Basin warrant particular attention in light of the rapid development of that area. The presence of two snail intermediate hosts of S. mansoni (Biomphalaria straminae and Biomphalaria amazonica) and of infected migrants from areas in the Northeast makes it likely that schistosomiasis will become endemic as the Amazon Basin develops and the population increases (Corrêa & Paraense 1971, Coimbra Júnior et al 1984, Barrow 1987, Bichara et al 1997, Paraense 2001, Fernandez & Thiengo 2002. Many of the settlers from the Northeast are environmental refugees, a newly defined category of migrants who leave their home areas due to climate change and environmental deterioration (Kayley 2008, Barbieri et al 2009).…”

“…Many of the settlers from the Northeast are environmental refugees, a newly defined category of migrants who leave their home areas due to climate change and environmental deterioration (Kayley 2008, Barbieri et al 2009). The spread of schistosomiasis and several species of Biomphalaria as a result of changes in the natural environment caused by settlement and agricultural development has also been described in the South and Southeast (Paraense 2001).…”

Rosin of Cuban Pines for the Control of Tropical Illnesses Transmitted by Mollusks

“…Estudios parasitológicos y epidemiológicos han demostrado que eliminando al molusco vector, es decir rompiendo al eslabón más débil del ciclo de vida, se puede controlar o eliminar hasta niveles contaminantes no peligrosos (Quintana, 2007). Entre los métodos de control de moluscos el más utilizado es el químico (Paraense, 2001); sin embargo, el elevado costo de los productos químicos, así como su toxicidad para la biota acompañante han hecho que desde hace muchos años los trabajos se orienten hacia la extracción de productos de origen botánico, debido a que son selectivamente activos, biodegradables, ecosostenibles, económicos y fácilmente disponibles en las áreas afectadas por esquistosomiasis (Yong y Rodríguez, 1994).…”

Distribution and habitat preferences of the genus Biomphalaria (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Cuba

“…In the western hemisphere, the main species related to this disease is Biomphalaria glabrata (Paraense 2001). In America, schistosomiasis is produced by the parasite Schistosoma mansoni.…”