Studies on schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia
Arfaa, F.
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 25(2): 295-298
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9637 PMID: 943963 Document Number: 103243
Urine and stool samples from inhabitants of various areas in Saudi Arabia (mostly rural) were examined and 97 aquatic habitats in 46 localities were searched for snails. The results indicate the occurrence of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis in most parts of the country, with a patchy distribution and varying infection rates. The snail intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni was found to be Biomphalaria arabica. For S. haematobium 3 species of snails, Bulinus truncatus and B. beccarii in the west and B. wrighti in the northeast, may transmit the infection; the susceptibility of the first 2 species has been confirmed in the laboratory. The limitation in the size of snail habitats (consisting of wells, small canals, cisterns, small swamps, interrupted streams, and ponds) creates a special type of transmission which can be defined as "oasis transmission", making control of the disease both simple and practical. [AS].