@Article{
AUTHOR = {Agniwo, Privat Agniwo and Niangaly, Amadou Niangaly and Dembélé, Laurent Dembélé and Agbati, Marc Agbati and Tapily, Aly Tapily and Egueng Ndong, Yann Arthur Ulrich Egueng Ndong and Sidibé, Bakary Sidibé and Guindo, Hassim Guindo and Diakité, Assitan Diakité and Diarra, Rabiatou A. Diarra and Koné, Abdoulaye K. Koné and Thera, Mahamadou A. Thera and Dabo, Abdoulaye Dabo and Doumbo, Safiatou Niare Doumbo},
TITLE = {Ecological and Genetic Insights into Schistosoma haematobium Transmission in Bamako, Mali: Snail Host Density, Cercarial Shedding, and Molecular Profiling},
JOURNAL = {African Journal of Parasitology, Mycology and Entomology},
VOLUME = {3},
YEAR = {2026},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {0--0},
URL = {https://ajpme.jams.pub/article/3/2/297},
ISSN = {1987-1473},
ABSTRACT = {Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in West Africa. Although traditionally considered a rural disease, ecological conditions and human–water interactions facilitate its transmission in urban areas. This study aimed to assess the ecological and genetic factors influencing Schistosoma haematobium transmission in Bamako, the capital of Mali. Methods: Malacological surveys were conducted at two sites in the capital district, Taliko and Missabougou, over a 12-month period from July 2024 to June 2025. Snail abundance, relative density, and infection rates were determined. Water physicochemical parameters, including temperature, conductivity, and pH, were recorded. Genotypic analysis of cercariae shed daily (24 h) by the snails was performed using PCR. Results: Bulinus truncatus was the predominant intermediate host in Taliko, with high densities (up to 27 snails/collector/15 min) and infection rates ranging from 10% to 45%, peaking in May 2025. In Missabougou, snail densities and infection rates were very low (<1%). Cercarial shedding exhibited a diurnal pattern with a peak between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. All genotyped cercariae were pure S. haematobium strains, indicating that there is no genetic variation associated with the time of shedding. Months with high snail infection coincided with elevated temperatures (27.9–30.6 °C), conductivity levels ≥99 µS/cm, and pH values > 6, suggesting that the water’s physicochemical conditions were suitable for snail survival and parasite development. Conclusion: The physicochemical parameters of water and ecology and geography influenced snail density and infection rates. These findings could guide snail control strategies, while longitudinal monitoring improves our understanding of schistosomiasis transmission dynamics across seasons.},
DOI = {10.35995/ajpme03020016}
}