Rodents as natural hosts of zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids: an epidemiological and evolutionary perspective from West Africa.

The role of wild small mammals as reservoir for zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids in endemic areas of Senegal

From:
Department for International Development
Published
1 January 2018
Country:
Niger and Senegal
Document Type:
Journal Article
Theme:
Agriculture and Health
Authors:
Catalano, S, Sene, M, Diouf, N and Fall, C

Abstract

The complex multi-host disease dynamics of schistosomiasis and Schistosoma spp., including the emergence of zoonotic parasite hybrids, remain largely unexplored in West Africa. We elucidated the role of wild small mammals as reservoir for zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids in endemic areas of Senegal. We identified Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma bovis, and a Schistosoma haematobium/S. bovis hybrid, with local prevalence in wild rodents ranging from 1.9% to 28.6%. Our findings indicate that rodents may be an important local reservoir for zoonotic schistosomiasis in endemic areas of West Africa, amplifying transmission to humans and acting as natural definitive hosts of schistosome hybrids.

This work arises from the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) programme.

Citation

Catalano S, Sène M, Diouf N, Fall C, Borlase A, Léger E, Bâ K, Webster J (2018). Rodents as natural hosts of zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids: an epidemiological and evolutionary perspective from West Africa. Journal of Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy029

Rodents as natural hosts of zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids: an epidemiological and evolutionary perspective from West Africa

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Published 1 January 2018
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