Biomaterial Database

Seasonal patterns in the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium, S. mattheei and S. mansoni in the highveld region of Zimbabwe. 1987

S K Chandiwana, and N O Christensen, and F Frandsen

Blair Research Laboratory, Harare, Zimbabwe.

The pattern of fluctuation in the population size of Bulinus globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi, in their infection rates with Schistosoma haematobium/S. mattheei and S. mansoni, respectively, and in the cercarial population size as monitored using hamster immersions, was elucidated in streams in the temperate highveld region of Zimbabwe over a 27-month period during 1982-1984. The results revealed that transmission of S. mansoni was erratic and unpredictable without a clearcut seasonal transmission pattern. In contrast, transmission of S. haematobium and S. mattheei exhibited a marked seasonal pattern, being most intensive during the hot, dry season (September-November) and markedly reduced during the cold, dry season (June-August). During the rainy (December-February) and warm, post-rainy (March-May) seasons transmission was moderate and variable, but occasionally intensive. The results also showed that rodent immersion is to be preferred to measurements of snail population size and snail infection rate in elucidating seasonality of transmission of schistosomiasis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008647	Mesocricetus	A genus in the order Rodentia and family Cricetidae. One species, Mesocricetus auratus or golden hamster is widely used in biomedical research.	Hamsters, Golden,Hamsters, Golden Syrian,Hamsters, Syrian,Mesocricetus auratus,Syrian Golden Hamster,Syrian Hamster,Golden Hamster,Golden Hamster, Syrian,Golden Hamsters,Golden Syrian Hamsters,Hamster, Golden,Hamster, Syrian,Hamster, Syrian Golden,Syrian Hamsters
D002033	Bulinus	A genus of small freshwater snails of the order Pulmonata, found throughout Africa and the Middle East, where it is a vector of SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM.
D005260	Female		Females
D006224	Cricetinae	A subfamily in the family MURIDAE, comprising the hamsters. Four of the more common genera are Cricetus, CRICETULUS; MESOCRICETUS; and PHODOPUS.	Cricetus,Hamsters,Hamster
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001700	Biomphalaria	A genus of planorbid freshwater snails, species of which are intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni.	Australorbis,Australorbis glabratus,Australorbi,Biomphalarias
D012547	Schistosoma	A genus of trematode flukes belonging to the family Schistosomatidae. There are over a dozen species. These parasites are found in man and other mammals. Snails are the intermediate hosts.	Bilharzia,Bilharzias,Schistosomas
D012548	Schistosoma haematobium	A species of trematode blood flukes of the family Schistosomatidae which occurs at different stages in development in veins of the pulmonary and hepatic system and finally the bladder lumen. This parasite causes urinary schistosomiasis.	Schistosoma haematobiums,haematobiums, Schistosoma
D012550	Schistosoma mansoni	A species of trematode blood flukes of the family Schistosomatidae. It is common in the Nile delta. The intermediate host is the planorbid snail. This parasite causes schistosomiasis mansoni and intestinal bilharziasis.	Schistosoma mansonus,mansonus, Schistosoma