Redefining Schistosoma Epidemiology through Continued Coprological Surveys

Abstract

Bovine schistosomiasis is an important trematode infection that can affect cattle health and productivity in endemic regions. This study assessed the occurrence of Schistosoma infection in cattle and documented freshwater snail fauna in Degloor tehsil and adjoining areas of the Marathwada region, Maharashtra. A total of 600 cattle faecal samples and 40 nasal samples were collected from randomly selected villages located near or with access to water bodies. Faecal samples were examined by sedimentation technique, and eggs were identified morphologically. Snails were collected from ponds, rivers, percolation tanks, canals, rainwater bodies, and adjacent grazing areas and were identified using standard keys, with species confirmation obtained from the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. Coprological examination showed the presence of Schistosoma indicum and Schistosoma spindale eggs in cattle faeces. The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 36.83%. Species-wise prevalence was 25.33% for S. indicum and 11.50% for S. spindale. Examination of nasal samples showed 25.00% prevalence of nasal schistosomiasis associated with S. nasale. Age-wise prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis did not differ markedly across age groups, whereas sex-wise prevalence was higher in females than males. Breed-wise results indicated variation among groups; however, findings for Holstein Friesian cattle should be interpreted cautiously because of the very small number of samples. The recorded snail fauna included Indoplanorbis exustus, Lymnaea luteola, Bulinus spp., and Bellamya bengalensis, although cercariae were not recovered from the collected snails. The findings indicate that bovine schistosomiasis is present in the study area and support the need for continued surveillance of cattle and freshwater snail populations.