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Schistosoma bovis in western Uganda
J R Stothard1, A E Lockyer, N B Kabatereine
1Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Imperial College, London, UK. r.stothard@imperial.ac.uk
Journal of Helminthology
|October 8, 2004
Summary
Emaciated cattle in Uganda were found to be infected with Schistosoma bovis, a parasitic worm. This discovery highlights a potential animal health concern in the Lake Albert region, requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Zoonotic Disease Research
Background:
- High prevalence of human schistosomiasis in children near Tonya primary school, Uganda.
- Unusual emaciation observed in cattle grazing in the adjacent water meadow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of emaciation in local cattle.
- To determine if an anthropozoonotic focus of Schistosoma mansoni existed in the cattle herd.
- To identify the species of schistosome infecting the cattle.
Main Methods:
- Parasitological surveillance and monitoring.
- Slaughter of an emaciated heifer for worm recovery.
- Morphological inspection of recovered schistosome worms.
- Molecular identification using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Schistosome worms were recovered from the slaughtered heifer.
- Morphological identification was inconclusive due to non-gravid female worms.
- Molecular analysis identified the worms as Schistosoma bovis.
- This represents the first confirmed report of Schistosoma bovis in the Lake Albert region of western Uganda.
Conclusions:
- The emaciated cattle were infected with Schistosoma bovis, not Schistosoma mansoni.
- This finding establishes a new geographical record for Schistosoma bovis in western Uganda.
- Further epidemiological studies are crucial to understand the extent of bovine schistosomiasis in this area, especially considering future land use plans for a game reserve.