Cercarial density in the river of an endemic area of schistosomiasis haematobia in Kenya

Abstract

The cercarial density in natural water and number of infected Bulinus globosus were monitored over a one-year period to identify the transmission foci in an endemic area of schistosomiasis haematobia in Kenya. Overall prevalence and intensity of infection of the study community were 59.2% and 10.9 eggs/10 ml of urine. Cercariometry was carried out on 456 occasions at 20 study sites while snail sampling was done on 465 occasions at the same sites over a one-year period. Cercariometry was exclusively done at flowing water habitats. The results showed the focality and seasonality of transmission. Cercariae were detected on 44 occasions at 11 sites. The detections were made on seven occasions at two study sites, six occasions at one site, four occasions at four sites, three occasions at one site, two occasions at two sites, and one occasion at one site. Densities of 1-4 cercariae/100 liters of water were found on 31 occasions. Five to nine cercariae/100 liters of water were found on seven occasions, 10-19 cercariae/100 liters of water were found on two occasions, and high cercarial densities greater than 20 cercariae/100 liters of water were found on four occasions. The highest count was 52 cercariae/100 liters of water. The presence of cercariae in natural water was shown to depend on the water temperature, but the intensity and duration of sunlight did not affect the presence of cercariae in water. The monthly variability of cercarial density was proportional to the number of infected snails. Cercarial density was highest in March and April, in the middle of the rainy season, whereas no cercariae were detected in cool dry season. The snail population peaked late in March, the beginning of the long rainy season, remained high for two months, and decreased rapidly late in May when heavy rain occurred. The overall infection rate of snails was 7.3% and the majority of infected snails were collected from March to May. There was no definite correlation between the presence or absence of cercariae and infected snails. Cercariae were frequently found where infected snails were absent and cercariae were sometimes absent where infected snails were present. Cercariometry and snail sampling remain quite complementary in identifying the transmission foci of schistosomiasis.