Usefulness of environmental DNA for detecting Schistosoma mansoni occurrence sites in Madagascar
International Journal of Infectious Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.08.018
- PMID
- 30201503
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W2890047785
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The eDNA approach enables identification of transmission hot spots and safe spots in endemic areas, offering an ecological tool for monitoring control programs and informing water safety to improve living standards in endemic regions.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study developed and field-tested an environmental DNA detection system for Schistosoma mansoni to improve schistosomiasis eco-epidemiology studies in Madagascar.
Study design
Primers and probes were designed and tested in experimental biotopes, then applied in a field study in Maevatanana District. Seven water sources were sampled (21 total samples), snails were collected, and patients were examined by ultrasound.
Population and setting
The field study was conducted in Maevatanana District of Madagascar at seven water sources with human use. The study population included people in the area who were examined for clinical schistosomiasis.
Main findings
One water source with active transmission was identified through detection of S. mansoni eDNA and the intermediate host Biomphalaria pfeifferi at the same location. People with clinical schistosomiasis were found in the area, supporting the transmission findings.
Public-health relevance
The eDNA approach enables identification of transmission hot spots and safe spots in endemic areas, offering an ecological tool for monitoring control programs and informing water safety to improve living standards in endemic regions.
Important limitations
This summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata. The original paper is required for decision-grade interpretation of study limitations, validation results, and methodological details.
GIDS interpretation
The article is discoverable through GIDS classifications for schistosomiasis, Madagascar, and topics including climate/environment, One Health, and transmission dynamics. This context supports literature retrieval but does not constitute epidemiological surveillance data.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 8 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.