Schistosoma mansoni in Gabon: Emerging or Ignored?

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Primate Health
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Schistosomiasis is a significant public health concern affecting millions in Africa.
• The parasite Schistosoma mansoni is a known cause of human schistosomiasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detect and confirm the presence of Schistosoma mansoni in wildlife, specifically western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees, in Gabon.
• To investigate the genetic relationship of detected parasites to known Schistosoma mansoni strains.

Main Methods:

• Fecal samples from gorillas and chimpanzees were analyzed for Schistosoma mansoni eggs.
• Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA fragments (ITS and COI) were amplified and sequenced.
• Phylogenetic analyses and haplotype networks were constructed using maximum likelihood.

Main Results:

• Schistosoma mansoni eggs were identified in fecal samples from western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees.
• Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses confirmed that the detected parasites belong to the S. mansoni clade.
• This represents the first confirmed record of S. mansoni in Gabon.

Conclusions:

• The presence of S. mansoni in great apes in Gabon is confirmed.
• This finding necessitates enhanced surveillance for schistosomiasis in the region.
• Further research is required to understand the extent of zoonotic transmission and clinical implications.