A long-term schistosomiasis control project with molluscicide in a rural area of Brazil

Abstract

A long-term controlled field experiment is described from northeastern Brazil, in which the molluscicide Bayluscide was used as the sole means of control against Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Bayluscide was effective in the reduction of all of the parameters used for evaluation of the disease: incidence, prevalence, intensity of the infection (egg counts) in man, snail population (dynamics and natural infection rate) and the infectivity of natural water bodies (as measured through the exposure of sentinel mice). A less pronounced reduction of the same parameters was seen in the untreated area.

Comments are made on the use of molluscicides and on the present situation in schistosomiasis control in the social and economic context of northeastern Braeil.