Differentiating snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma spp. using molecular approaches: fundamental to successful integrated control mechanism in Africa

Abstract

BackgroundSnail intermediate hosts play active roles in the transmission of snail-borne trematode infections in Africa. A good knowledge of snail-borne diseases epidemiology particularly snail intermediate host populations would provide the necessary impetus to complementing existing control strategy.Main bodyThis review highlights the importance of molecular approaches in differentiating snail hosts population structure and the need to provide adequate information on snail host populations by updating snail hosts genome database for Africa, in order to equip different stakeholders with adequate information on the ecology of snail intermediate hosts and their roles in the transmission of different diseases. Also, we identify the gaps and areas where there is need for urgent intervention to facilitate effective integrated control of schistosomiasis and other snail-borne trematode infections.ConclusionsPrioritizing snail studies, especially snail differentiation using molecular tools will boost disease surveillance and also enhance efficient schistosomaisis control programme in Africa.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0401-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Will Nigerians Win the War Against Urinary Schistosomiasis? Prevalence, Intensity, Risk Factors and Knowledge Assessment among Some Rural Communities in Southwestern Nigeria

“…Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziasis, is a waterborne parasitic disease caused by parasites of the genus Schistosoma and it is a public health concern worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The major schistosome species include Schistosoma haematobium, which is the most widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa [1][2][3][4] and responsible for urinary schistosomiasis, while Schistosoma mansoni, S. intercalatum, S. japonicum and S. mekongi are all responsible for intestinal schistosomiasis [5]. Schistosomiasis is transmitted by some specific types of freshwater snail such as Bulinus spp.…”

“…and Biophalaria spp. [5][6][7]. An adult, well-developed S. haematobium is cylindrical and elongated in shape and it is made up of a male and a female paired together to form a copula.…”

Checklist of the fresh and brackish water snails (Mollusca, Gastropoda) of Bénin and adjacent West African ecoregions

“…Hydrophila was originally spelled as "hygrophiles" (vernacular), subsequently latinized by Herrmannsen (1847Herrmannsen ( [in 1846Herrmannsen ( -1852: 547) and established as a suborder. Later, it was treated by Thiele (1926Thiele ( [in 1925Thiele ( -1926 Faso, Ghana, Togo, Bénin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon (Ntonifor and Ajayi 2007;Okafor and Ngang 2008;Salawu and Odaibo 2014;Diakité et al 2017;Abe et al 2018;Ouedraogo et al 2018) Evidence in Bénin. Widespread, especially at Djèffa and Ganhatin (Assogba and Youssao 2002); Acron, Cotonou garden ASECNA, Djidja, Nikki, Péhunco and Pèrèrè towns, Sô Ava, Pahou, Sand quarries, and Sô Tchanhoué (Ibikounlé et al 2009(Ibikounlé et al , 2013(Ibikounlé et al , 2014a; Alibori River (Agblonon Houelome et al 2017); Sô River (Koudenoukpo 2018 (Jørgensen et al 2011).…”

“…Bulinus globosus is diploid (2n = 36) (see Jelnes 1986). Faso, Ghana, Togo, Bénin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon (Ntonifor and Ajayi 2007;Okafor and Ngang 2008;Salawu and Odaibo 2014;Diakité et al 2017;Abe et al 2018;Ouedraogo et al 2018).…”

“…The species belongs to the B. forskalii species complex (Brown 1994), is diploid (2n = 36) and enzyme analyses indicated that it is distinct from B. forskalii (Jelnes 1986). The species occurs mainly in seasonal rain pools and aestivates during drought (Brown 1994 Faso, Ghana, Togo, Bénin, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon (Ntonifor and Ajayi 2007;Okafor and Ngang 2008;Salawu and Odaibo 2014;Diakité et al 2017;Abe et al 2018;Ouedraogo et al 2018).…”