ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to evaluate the current status of shistosomiasis in the Nkolmebanga region (Lekie) of Cameroon; p rev i o u s ly determined to be a mixed zone harboring both Schistosoma mansoni and S. intercalatum. Study invo lved both malacology with collection and identifi c ation of fre s h water snails in four wat e rpools and para s i t o l ogy with collection and analysis of stools from schoolchildren Five species of freshwater snails were identified including two that were intermed i ate host of Schistosomes; i.e.; Biomphalaria pfe i ffe ri and Bulinus fo rskalii. Only B. pfe i ffe ri species collected from the Momboh and Mbonsoh Rivers shed Schistosoma cercaria. A total of 347 schoolchildren were enrolled but only 200 provided stools for parasitological testing. There were 93 boys and 107 girls. Parisitology demonstrated S. intercalatum eggs in the stools of no children. S. mansoni eggs were identified in the stools of 10 children for a prevalence of 5. Parasitic load ranged from 24 to 1104 eggs per gram of stool. In this study both malacologic and parasitological findings suggested that S. mansoni persists in Nkolmebanga region but that S. intercalatum has disappeared probably as a result of deforestation and urbanization