Bio-indicators for the evaluation of potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission at the Apipucos reservoir, Pernambuco State

Abstract In Pernambuco, schistosomiasis is endemic in the countryside and large numbers of foci are being detected in urban areas. This paper evaluated the risk of schistosomiasis transmission in aquatic ecosystem based on biomarkers and molecular biology techniques. At the Apipucos reservoir (neighborhood of metropolitan Recife), schistosomiasis intermediate host snails were collected in contaminated sites with fecal coliforms. The Biomphalaria were examined by molecular methods to detect DNA of S. mansoni. The fecal coliforms were identified with a chromogenic reaction. The collection stations were georeferenced and the results analyzed with the ArcGIS software package. Out of 77 B. straminea collected56 were negative and 21 positive for S. mansoni. Fecal coliforms were detected in all collection stations. The Kernel density map showed the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission in upscale neighborhood of Recife city.