TY - EJOU AU - Thiam, T. Fatou AU - Sow, S. Doudou AU - Ranque, R. Stephane AU - Gaye, G. Papa M. AU - L’Ollivier, L. Coralie AU - Parola, P. Philippe AU - Diamanka, D. Arfang AU - Doucoure, D. Souleymane AU - Sokhna, S. Cheikh TI - Low Circulation of Schistosoma haematobium x Schistosoma bovis Hybrid Species both in Perennial and Seasonal Schistosomiasis Transmission Areas in Senegal T2 - African Journal of Parasitology, Mycology and Entomology PY - 2024 VL - 2 IS - 2 SN - 1987-1473 AB - Background: In Northern Senegal, previous studies have shown a high occurrence of Schistosoma haematobium x S. bovis hybrids. This study aimed to update their circulation in perennial and seasonal transmission areas. Methods: Schistosoma eggs were collected in 2021 from 118 positive urine samples from 6- to 16-year-old children in the villages of Thiagar and Ndiathene, where schistosomiasis transmission is perennial, and in Niakhar and Khombole, with seasonal transmission. Dra1 Real-time PCR and RD PCR targeting mitochondrial (COX1) and nuclear DNA (ITS2) followed by sequencing were performed to characterize individual parasites. Results: Of the 1176 eggs obtained, only 998 with less than 33 ct at the Dra1 test were selected for RD PCR. Among these, 997 (99.9%) and 1 (0.1%) exhibited, respectively, S. haematobium and S. bovis patterns. Among the 998 COX1 amplicons, we obtained 997 sequences (99.9%) of S. haematobium and 1 (0.1%) of S. bovis (Ndiathene). Of the ITS2 sequences analyzed, 21 (2.1%) showed an S. haematobium x S. bovis hybrid sequence from Central Senegal. The complete genetic profiles showed that 976 (97.8%) and 22 (2.2%) sequences were S. haematobium and S. haematobium x S. bovis. Conclusion: Overall, hybrid prevalence was low and, for the first time, the circulation of S. haematobium x S. bovis hybrids was reported in human populations in Central Senegal. The prevalence of hybrids in the north is low compared with previous studies. The mapping of hybrid strains reinforces our knowledge of their circulation in Senegal. KW - schistosome hybrids KW - COX1/ITS2 KW - perennial/seasonal transmission KW - Senegal DO - 10.35995/ajpme02020016