Helminthofauna of Three Wild Achatina Species from a Rural Community of South Eastern Nigeria: A Potential Public Health Problem

Abstract

A total of 405 land snails were collected by hand picking from the study area between November 2018 and August 2019. The snails were morphologically identified using standard procedures. Shannon Weiner index was used to determine the distribution of the snail species during sampling. Light and teasing methods were used to isolate some of the parasites from the snails. The snails were dissected and different parts of the viscera were examined for parasites, using standard parasitological techniques. The isolated parasites were identified using parasitological guides. Achatina achatina was the most abundant snail species while A. marginata was the least abundant. Greater numbers of snails were collected in the wet season than in the dry season, with no observed complete dominance of any of the species. In the dry season, A. fulica was infected by almost all the parasites, with an overall highest prevalence of 32.69%. More snails were infected in wet season in comparison with the dry season, with higher prevalence of (46.91%vs 32.69%). There was co-infection of the snails with at least two of the parasite species. In both wet and dry seasons, A. marginata had an overall least infection prevalence of 11.77% and 4.55% respectively while A. Fulica was infected most with prevalence of (46.91%vs 32.69%). Proper cooking of snails, proper washing of vegetables, public health education and provision of good toilet facilities are recommended for control of snail-borne parasites especially the zoonotic ones.