ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the prevalence and changing patterns of Schistosoma japonicum infections in goats in Dantu District of Zhenjiang City, so as to provide the scientific data for the management of in livestock. Methods The S. japonicum infections were detected using a miracidial hatching test (one test for one stool specimen) in goats grazed in settings with snail habitats in Dantu District of Zhenjiang City at spring and autumn of each year from 2004 to 2019, and the prevalence and intensity of S. japonicum infections were estimated. Results A total of 21 836 goat stool samples were detected from 2004 to 2019, and 86 were positive for S. japonicum (0.39% prevalence). The highest prevalence of S. japonicum infections in goats was seen in 2004 (1.25%) and no infections were detected in goats since 2013. S. japonicum-infected goats were identified in marshland-type endemic areas and plain regions with waterway networks, and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of S. japonicum infections in goats between these two types of endemic areas (0.50% vs. 0.15%; χ2 = 11.566, P < 0.05). The prevalence of S. japonicum infections was significantly greater in goats at ages of more than 10 months (0.51%) and over 10 months (0.44%) than in other goats (χ2 = 13.088, P < 0.05), and higher prevalence was found in autumn than in spring (0.54% vs. 0.27%; χ2 = 9.597, P < 0.05). In addition, there were 76.74% of S. japonicum-infected goats with intensity of“+++”and“++++”. Conclusions Although the high prevalence of S. japonicum infections has been effectively controlled in goats in Dantu District, goat remains to be an important source of S. japonicum infections that should be given a high priority for control to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements.
ABSTRACT
The surveillance of schistosomiasis in Sanzhou Village, Dantu District, Zhenjiang City, a national schistosomiasis surveillance site, showed that in 2008, the area with snails was 27 hm~2, among which the area with infected snails was 14 hm~2, the densities of living snails and infected snails were 0. 86 and 0.002 1 snails/0. 1 m~2, respectively. The infection rate of snails was 0.25% , the positive rate of IHA was 3. 10% and the infection rate of schistosome in human populations was 1%. There were no infected domestic animals found, and there were no acute schistosomiasis and newly advanced schistosomiasis cases found in the surveillance site in 2008. It is indicated that the endemic situation of schistosomiasis is stable. The comprehensive control, including molluciciding and environmental modification, should be implemented for snail control. The comprehensive measures with emphasis on infectious source control should be further strengthened.