Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spatiotemporal and seasonal transmission dynamics of Schistosoma haematobium and snail infectivity in Ase River catchment, Delta State, Nigeria

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Parasitic Diseases Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Bulinus are intermediate snail hosts of Schistosoma haematobium. Despite their vectorial role, the transmission dynamics and infectivity of these intermediate snail hosts remain understudied in the Ase River. This longitudinal study evaluated the geospatial and seasonal transmission patterns and infectivity of three S. haematobium vectors between November 2020 and October 2022 in the Ase River catchment, Delta State, Nigeria. Eleven (11) geospatial water contact coordinates were mapped for monthly spatiotemporal collection of Bulinus species along the Ase River and its catchment, for two years. Snail sampling was performed for 45 min at each study site using scooping/hand-picking techniques and subsequently counted, identified and recorded. Snails of the Bulinus genus were individually placed in a beaker containing distilled water and exposed to light to shed cercariae which were identified to be human schistosome type. The number of infected snails for each month and season was also documented to analyze the spatiotemporal and seasonal transmission dynamics of infectivity. Out of the 2345 Bulinus snails collected, a total of 41.45% were found to be infected with S. haematobium. The monthly infectivity of Bulinus snails varied significantly (P < 0.05) throughout the study period (P =  < 0.0001; F = 23.11; df = 11). Further analysis showed a strong significant association (χ2 = 23.57; df = 11; p = 0.015) between the study years. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results suggest that Bulinus infectivity within the Ase River catchment area was primarily associated with the months of February and January. B. truncatus consistently had the highest transmission potential, followed by B. globosus and B. senegalensis. ANOVA confirms that the monthly/study site infectivity and transmission potential in B. truncates, B. globosus and S. senegalensis were statistically, significant (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated a clear distinction in the patterns and relationships between the different months in terms of snail infectivity and seasonal transmission potential. This understanding will help in the continuous monitoring and targeted interventions to control schistosomiasis transmission in Ase River.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

(Source: Ito et al. 2023)

Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

This manuscript presents novel data from the Ase River catchment, Delta State, Nigeria.

References

  • Abe EM, Ombugadu A, Oluwole AS, Njila HL, Mogaji HO, Adeniran AA, Guo YH, Li SZ, Zhou XN, Ekpo UF (2017) Population abundance and bionomics of snail intermediate hosts of trematode parasites in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Res J Parasitol 12:8–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alade T, Ta-Tang TH, Nassar SA, Akindele AA, Capote-Morales R, Omobami TB, Berzosa P (2023) Prevalence of S. haematobium and intestinal helminth infections among Nigerian School Children. Diagnostics 13(4):759. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13040759

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Amoah LAO, Anyan WK, Aboagye-Antwi F, Abonie S, Tettey MD, Bosompem KM (2017) Environmental factors and their influence on seasonal variations of schistosomiasis intermediate snail hosts abundance in Weija Lake, Ghana. J Advocacy Res Educ 4(2):68–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown DS, Kristensen TK (1993) A field guild to African Freshwater Snail: West African Species. Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory, pp 55

  • Chu KY, Dawood IK (1970) Cercarial transmission seasons of schistosoma mansoni in the Nile Delta Area. Bull World Health Organiz 42(4):575–580

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De La Rocque S, Rioux JA, Slingenbergh J (2008) Climate change: effects on animal disease systems and implications for surveillance and control. Rev Sci Tech 27(2):339–354

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ekwunife CA, Ozumba NA, Eneanya CI (2008) Studies on the biology and population parameters of Bulinus globosus and Bulinus truncatus in the laboratory. Nigerian J Parasitol 29(1):11–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ekwunife CA, Agbor VO, Ozumba AN, Eneanya CI, Ukaga CN (2009) Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in Iyede-Ame community and environ in Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Nigerian J Parasitol 30(1):2. https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v30i1.43986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emukah E, Gutman J, Miri ES, Yinkore P (2012) Urine hem dipstick are useful in monitoring the impact of praziquantel treatment on S. haematobium in sentinel communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Acta Trop 122:126–131

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ezeh CO, Onyekwelu KC, Akinwale OP, Shan L, Wei H (2019) Urinary schistosomiasis in Nigeria: a 50-year review of prevalence, distribution and disease burden. La schistosomiase urinaire au Nigeria: un bilan de 50 ans sur la prévalence, la distribution et le fardeau de la maladie. Parasite 26:19. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2019020

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ezinna EE, Obisike VU, Dike MC (2023) Fresh water snails (Bulinus and Lymnaea) in Canals in Imo State, Nigeria: their public health importance and implications for control. J Infect Dis Case Reports 4(1):1–6. https://doi.org/10.47363/jidscr/2023(4)170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frandsen F, Christensen N (1984) An introductory guide to the identification of cercariae from African freshwater snails with special reference to cercariae of trematode species of medical and veterinary importance. Acta Trop 41:181–202

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fryer S, Probert A (1988) The cercarial output from three Nigerian bulinids infected with two strains of S. haematobium. J Helminthol 62(2):133–140. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X00011378

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ito EE (2017) Survey of parasites of two fish species (Tilapia zillii and Clarias gariepinus) in Ase River Catchment, Delta State, Nigeria. J Coastal Life Med 5(10):417–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito EE (2019) Hyper-endemicity of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in two communities in the Lower Niger-Delta, Nigeria. Nigerian J Parasitol 40(1):76–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito EE, Egwunyenga AO (2015) Schistosomiasis: the aftermath of 2012 Floods in Delta State, Southern Nigeria. Int Med J 22(4):218–223

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ito EE, Egwunyenga AO (2023) Seasonal prevalence, intensity and risk factors of geohelminthiasis among children in Peri-Urban settings, Abraka, Southern, Nigeria. Nigerian J Parasitol 44(1):219–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito EE, Utebor EK (2023) Anti-schistosoma efficacy of Occimum gratissimum (Scent Leaf) and Andrographis paniculata (King of Bitters) against S. haematobium Cercaria. In Press, Scientific African

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ito EE, Eze CN, Nduka FO (2023) Geospatial seasonal environmental impacts on the distribution and abundance of S. haematobium vectors in two districts of the Ase River Catchment, Delta State, Nigeria. Tropical Freshwater Biol 32:19–36

    Google Scholar 

  • King CH, Dangerfield-Cha M (2008) The unacknowledged impact of chronic schistosomiasis. Chronic Illn 4(1):65–79

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen TK, Malone JB, McCarroll JC (2001) Use of satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems to model the distribution and abundance of snail intermediate hosts in Africa: a preliminary model for Biomphalaria pfeifferi in Ethiopia. Acta Trop 79:73–78

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen KT, Madsen H, Stensgaard AS (2013) The role of snails in schistosomiasis research—from taxonomy to forecasting disease outbreaks. In: Olsen A, Ørnbjerg N, Winkel K (eds) A succes story in Danish development aid DBL (1964–2012). Institute for Health Research and Development. University of Copenhagen, Denmark, pp 61–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Manyangadze T, Chimbari MJ, Rubaba O, Soko W, Mukaratirwa S (2021) Spatial and seasonal distribution of Bulinus globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi in Ingwavuma, uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: implications for schistosomiasis transmission at micro-geographical scale. Parasit Vectors 14(1):222. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04720-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marco AAS, Alan LM (2012) Ecological aspect of Biomphalaria in endemic areas for schistosomiasis in Brazil. In: Mohammed BR (Eds.) Schistosomiasis. Available at http://www.interchopen.com/booksschistosomiasis.

  • Mereta ST, Bedewi J, Yewhalaw D, Mandefro B, Abdie Y, Tegegne D, Birke W, Mulat WL, Kloos H (2019) Environmental determinants of distribution of freshwater snails and trematode infection in the Omo Gibe River Basin, southwest Ethiopia. Infect Dis Poverty 8(1):93. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-019-0604-y

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mereta ST, Abaya SW, Tulu FD, Takele K, Ahmednur M, Melka GA, Nanyingi M, Vineer HR, Graham-Brown J, Caminade C, Siobhan MM (2023) Effects of land-use and environmental factors on snail distribution and trematode infection in Ethiopia. Tropical Med Infect Dis 8:154. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8030154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed MHMA (2017) Distribution, ecological factors and trematode infectivity of snails in Mosana Lake, Kassala State. University of Gezira, Sudan, p 2017

    Google Scholar 

  • N’Guessan GC, Silué KD, Ba O, Ba H, Tian-Bi NT, Yapi GY, Kaba A, Koné B, Utzinger J, Koudou BG (2017) Prevalence and seasonal transmission of S. haematobium infection among school-aged children in Kaedi town, southern Mauritania. Parasit Vectors 10(1):353. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2284-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nduka F, Nebe OJ, Njepuome N, Dakul DA, Anagbogu IA, Ngege E, Jacob SM, Nwoye IA, Nwankwo U, Urude R, Aliyu SM, Garba A, Adamani W, Nwosu C, Clark A, Mayberry A, Mansiu K, Nwobi B, Isiyaku S, Dixon R, Adeoye GO, Amuga GA (2019) Epidemiological mapping of schistosomiasis and soiltransmitted helminthiasis for intervention strategies in Nigeria. Nigerian J Parasitol 40(2):218–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nwabueze AA, Opara KN (2007) Outbreak of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in riverine communities of Delta State, Nigeria: impact of road and bridge construction. J Med Sci 7(4):572–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nwoko OE, Kalinda C, Manyangadze T, Chimbari MJ (2022a) Species diversity, distribution, and abundance of freshwater snails in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Water 14:2267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nwoko OE, Manyangadze T, Chimbari MJ (2022b) Spatial distribution, abundance, and infection rates of human schistosome transmitting snails and related physicochemical parameters in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. Heliyon 9:e12463

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Nwoko OE, Manyangadze T, Chimbari MJ (2023) Spatial and seasonal distribution of human schistosomiasis intermediate host snails and their interactions with other freshwater snails in 7 districts of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Sci Rep 13:7845. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34122-x

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Okafor FC (1990) Schistosoma haematobium Cercariae transmission patterns in freshwater systems of anambra State, Nigeria. Angew Parasitol 31:159–166

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onyeneho NG, Yinkore P, Egwuage J, Emukah E (2010) Perceptions, attitudes and practices on schistosomiasis in Delta State, Nigeria. Tanzania J Health Res 12(4):287–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pam VA, Daramola OS, Uzoigwe NR, Ombugadu A, Maikenti JI, Ahmed HO, Aimankhu PO, Aliyu AA, Ayuba SO, Odey SA, Anyebe GE, Adejoh VA, Attah AS, Dogo KS (2021) Freshwater snails infection status and predisposing risk factors to schistosomiasis in Doma local government area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Biomed J Sci Technol Res 37(2):005963

    Google Scholar 

  • Posa MRC, Sodhi NS (2006) Effects of anthropogenic land use on forest birds and butterflies in Subic Bay, Philippines. Biol Cons 129:256–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudge JW, Webster JP, Lu DB (2013) Identifying host species driving transmission of schistosomiasis Japonica; a multi host parasite system, in China. Proc Nat Acad Sci United States Amer 110:114–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2013) Sustaining the drive to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases. WHO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (2016). Schistosomiasis: WHO reports substantial treatment progress for school age children. Available from: http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/news/WHO schistosomiasis reports substantial treatment_progresssac/en/ Accessed June 21, 2023

Download references

Acknowledgements

We want to appreciate the undeniable role of Shalom Research Laboratories in lending her staff as field research assistants and providing research-enabling laboratory environments for this investigation. The role of Delta State University, Abraka for also providing research fellows and laboratory equipment is highly appreciated. Special thanks to Dr. Babalola of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) for assisting in geospatial mappings of S. haematopium transmission hotspots in the Ase, River Catchment.

Funding

No funds, grants, or other support were received.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

    E. E. Ito, C. N. Eze & F. O. Nduka

  2. Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

    E. E. Ito

Authors
  1. E. E. Ito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. N. Eze
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. O. Nduka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. E. Ito.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interests

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review board, University of Port-Harcourt, with reference number UPH/CEREMAD/REC/MM90/039 for this research.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ito, E.E., Eze, C.N. & Nduka, F.O. Spatiotemporal and seasonal transmission dynamics of Schistosoma haematobium and snail infectivity in Ase River catchment, Delta State, Nigeria. J Parasit Dis (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-024-01656-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-024-01656-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation