Molecular surveillance of Schistosoma species in Sunsari district of Nepal.

Research Report.

SUMMARY:

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are those parasites which are found in the intestine of the host body.
GI parasites infections are most common where poor water quality; inadequate sanitation and
overcrowding are present. Schistosomiasis is the one of the important neglected GI diseases caused
by trematode parasite of genus Schistosoma. It is the disease of poverty which caused ill-health.
Urinogenital schistosomiasis is caused by S. haemotobium and intestinal schistosomiasis is caused
by S. japonicum and S. mansoni. People get infected when come to contact with water that is
contaminated with larval form of parasites (cercaria) released by freshwater snail. In our previous
study, Schistosoma species is detected in wild water buffalo of Koshi Tappu Wild Life Reserve of
Sunsari district. The aim of the present study is to detect GI parasite including Schistosoma spp in
human being living in Sunsari district. In this study, 198 stool samples was collected from study
area. The stool was preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate. The sample was brought and stored
at Central Department of Zoology for laboratory work. The stool sample was used for microscopic
examination to detect the GI parasites. Schistosoma microscopic positive will be used for PCR for
species identification. Structural questionnaire was asked to get information on demographic,
socioeconomic, behavior and treatment. Male and female study population was equal and younger
age (below 15 years) was the highest in number. About 50% people do not have formal education,
90% kept livestock in their house, drink water without treating and walk bare foot. These are the
possible cause for increase the number of GI parasites.