A fresh insight into transmission of schistosomiasis: A misleading tale of biomphalaria in Lake Victoria

Standley, Claire J.; Wade, Christopher M.; Stothard, J. Russell

Abstract

Lake Victoria is a known hot-spot for Schistosoma mansoni, which utilises freshwater snails of the genus Biomphalaria as intermediate hosts. Different species of Biomphalaria are associated with varying parasite compatibility, affecting local transmission. It is thought that two species, B. choanomphala and B. sudanica, inhabit Lake Victoria; despite their biomedical importance, the taxonomy of these species has not been thoroughly examined. This study combined analysis of morphological and molecular variables; the results demonstrated that molecular groupings were not consistent with morphological divisions. Habitat significantly predicted morphotype, suggesting that the different Lake Victorian forms of Biomphalaria are ecophentoypes of one species. The nomenclature should be revised accordingly; the names B. choanomphala choanomphala and B. c. sudanica are proposed. From a public health perspective, these findings can be utilised by policy-makers for better understanding of exposure risk, resulting in more effective and efficient control initiatives.

Citation

Standley, C. J., Wade, C. M., & Stothard, J. R. (2011). A fresh insight into transmission of schistosomiasis: A misleading tale of biomphalaria in Lake Victoria. PLoS ONE, 6(10), Article e26563. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026563

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 28, 2011
• Publication Date: Oct 24, 2011
• Deposit Date: Aug 9, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 9, 2022
• Journal: PLoS ONE
• Electronic ISSN: 1932-6203
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 10
• Article Number: e26563
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0026563
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3189047
• Publisher URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0026563