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Comparative Study
. 2014:21:3.
doi: 10.1051/parasite/2014004. Epub 2014 Feb 10.

Cercarial emergence pattern of Schistosoma haematobium from Libreville, Gabon

Rodrigue Mintsa-Nguéma  1 , Hélène Moné  2 , Moudachirou Ibikounlé  3 , Krystina Mengué-Ngou-Milama  4 , Maryvonne Kombila  5 , Gabriel Mouahid  2
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Cercarial emergence pattern of Schistosoma haematobium from Libreville, Gabon

Rodrigue Mintsa-Nguéma et al. Parasite. 2014.

Abstract
in English, French

Although schistosomiasis has been a public health issue in Gabon for nearly a century, little is known about its current transmission dynamics. We analyzed the chronobiology of 137 cercarial emission profiles of Schistosoma haematobium from Libreville, the capital of Gabon, located in an open area for schistosomiasis. We found that 88% of the cercariae were shed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and that the average pattern was of circadian type, with the average peak at 1 p.m., and representing 27% of the total number of cercariae of the day. The rhythms of emergence may be associated with environmental pressures on the parasite, especially those related to their definitive hosts.

Bien que la schistosomose soit un problème de santé publique au Gabon depuis près d’un siècle, la dynamique actuelle de sa transmission est peu connue. Nous avons analysé la chronobiologie de 137 profils d’émission cercarienne de Schistosoma haematobium de Libreville, la capitale du Gabon, située dans une zone géographique ouverte pour la schistosomose. Nous avons trouvé que 88 % des cercaires étaient émises entre 11 heures et 15 heures et que le profil moyen était de type circadien, avec un pic moyen situé à 13 heures et représentant 27 % du nombre total de cercaires journalier. Les rythmes d’émergence sont associés aux pressions environnementales sur le parasite, particulièrement celles relatives aux hôtes définitifs.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Average percentage of cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium (Libreville, Gabon) emitted every hour from B. globosus (Benin), each exposed to five miracidia. Bars represent standard errors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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