Review of the Urinary Schistosomiasis Control in Morocco (1960–2018)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the epidemiological profile and evolution of urinary schistosomiasis in Morocco, from the first confirmed case in 1960 until disease elimination, and control snails. During this period, 129,526 cases were recorded in Morocco. A majority of cases were reported in Agadir province (25%), Errachidia (18%), and Beni Mellal (13%). Other cases have been reported in the other provinces. Activities within the National Schistosomiasis Control Programme for more than three decades were focused in priori on screening in schools located in high-risk communities, treatment program, surveillance of snails in water bodies, and mollusciciding. Then, the goal of eliminating the transmission of schistosomiasis has been reached in 2004. Sixteen years later, no indigenous cases were detected in Morocco, and only 25 residual cases (resulting from bilharziasis previously treated) are detected, such as in Tata ( 40%), Errachidia (16%), and (12%) in Marrackesh. Similarly, recent national studies conducted on children and the snail reservoir hosts have indicated that no human and molluscs are currently infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Actually, timely investigation and management of imported cases has been implemented to prevent the reintroduction of the disease. The Ministry of Health is planning to implement final confirmatory surveys before requesting WHO to proceed with the formal verification process.

Schistosomiasis at the Crossroad to Elimination: Review of Eclipsed Research with Emphasis on the Post-Transmission Agenda

“…In spite of this situation, elimination of the disease that Mao Zedong called the "God of Plague" [58] is within reach this decade [59]. Of note, Japan has actually been declared free from S. japonicum [60] and, apart from the People's Republic of China, there are a few more countries that are close to eliminating schistosomiasis, such as the Islamic Republic of Iran and Morocco [61,62].…”

Geographical distribution and molecular survey of freshwater snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma haematobium by DraI/Sh73 PCR in eliminated foci of Morocco

“…However, S. haematobium had a distinct band at 180 bp while S. bovis had a distinct band at 240 bp. The assay reliably identified and distinguished between S. haematobium and S. bovis cercariae, even when only a few cercariae (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) were present in the sample, or when the parasite DNA concentrations were as low as five pico grammes (5pg). DraI/Sh73 PCR has a limit detection of 1pg of S. haematobium.…”

“…Five years ago, in 2009, Schisosomiasis national survey showed the absence of antibodies anti S. haematobium in all serum samples of children tested by Enzyme immune transfer blot (HAMA-EITB), 6 Same result in 2017. [7][8][9] Molecular malacological survey by simultaneous use of DraI PCR and Sh110/SmSl PCR differentiate S. hametaobium and S. bovis and revealed the absence of S. haematobium infectivity of snails collected from the last endemic areas. Molecular tools using pooled snail extracts to test large sample of snails is specific.…”