Résumé
Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infection in wild mice in Shitai County, Anhui Province, so as to provide insights into precise control of the source of S. japonicum infections. Methods Wild mice were captured using the trapping method for three successive nights at snail-infested settings from Jitan Village of Jitan Township, and Shiquan Village and Xibai Village of Dingxiang Township, Shitai County, Anhui Province in June and October, 2018. All trapped wild mice were sacrificed and liver and mesenteric vein specimens were collected for detection of S. japonicum eggs using microscopy, while the fecal samples in mouse intestines were collected for identification of S. japonicum infections using Kato-Katz technique. In addition, the population density of trapped wild mice was estimated and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection was calculated in trapped wild mice. Results A total of 376 wild mice were trapped from three villages in Shitai County. The population density of trapped wild mice was 9.1% (376/4 124), and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection was 24.2% (91/376) in trapped wild mice. The highest prevalence of S. japonicum infection was detected in Shiquan Village of Dingxiang Township (30.1%), and the lowest prevalence was seen in Xibai Village of Dingxiang Township; however, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of S. japonicum infection in trapped wild mice among three villages (χ2= 4.111, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild mice captured between on June (26.8%, 34/127) and October (22.9%, 57/249) (χ2 = 0.690, P = 0.406). The trapped wild mice included 6 species, including Rattus norvegicus, Niviventer niviventer, R. losea, Apodemus agrarius, Mus musculus and N. coning, and the two highest prevalence of S. japonicum infection was detected in R. losea (34.9%, 22/63) and R. norvegicus (31.2%, 44/141). Conclusions The prevalence of S. japonicum infections is high in wild mice in Shitai County, and there is a natural focus of schistosomiasis transmission in Shitai County.
Résumé
Objective To evaluate the effect of cementing ditch-based project on schistosomiasis control in the irrigation ar-ea of Dingshen River basin in Shitai County,Anhui Province.Methods The data of Oncomelania hupensis snail surveys from 2009 to 2015 and the data of schistosome infections in humans and livestock from 2009 to 2015 were collected,and the changes of the epidemic situation were analyzed and compared before and after the project.Results In the cementing ditches,the occur-rence rate of living snails decreased by 68.79% and the average density of living snails decreased by 97.78%,whereas in the control areas without ditch hardening,the occurrence rate of living snails increased by 72.49% and the average density of living snails increased by 37.16%.The infection rate in humans decreased by 100%.Of 161 bovines examined with the egg-hatching method during the period,no infections were found.Conclusion The cementing ditch-based project has a good effect on reduc-ing the density of snails and controlling schistosomiasis.