Schistosomiasis mansoni in urban Northeast Brazil: influence of rainfall regime on the population dynamics of Biomphalaria sp.

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Daniel Santos Oliveira, Vanessa Bispo Santos, Andrea Gomes Santana Melo, Alvaro Silva Lima, Camila Dantas Carvalho, Silmara Marques Allegretti, Claudia Moura de Melo, Rubens Riscala Madi, Veronica de Lourdes Sierpe Jeraldo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2013
• Subjects: Biomphalaria glabrata; Sergipe; Urban environment; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-1486-2013; https://doaj.org/article/21af599aafc84cf0b9dfbb04899ac64f

Introduction Our objective was to evaluate the influence of rainfall regime on the population dynamics of Biomphalaria in a potential urban focus of schistosomiasis in Aracaju, Brazil, during 2009-2010. Methods Snails were collected monthly and were counted, measured and identified; the level of infection and fecal contamination at the sampling sites was determined; rainfall data were obtained. Results High levels of fecal contamination were observed, and the abundance of Biomphalaria glabrata increased during the rainy and post-rainy seasons. The snails' size was variable, and infected snails were identified independently of rainfall. Conclusions These results provide evidence of anthropogenic and climate interference in an urban focus of schistosomiasis in the Aracaju metropolitan area.