A feasible and effective technique for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum cercaria-infested water.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a new technique for detecting Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) cercariae so as to predict the distribution of area with high transmission potential and to control acute infection of schistosoma.


METHODS
A C-6 film was established and used to adhere the cercariae on water surface and compared with a few other conventional detecting techniques.


RESULTS
The average rate of the cercaria-recovery was 40% in laboratory and field using C-6 film, which was 20 times higher than that of traditional nylon-tissue adsorbing and precipitating method. Either in some areas where oncomelania were present or in some places where the snail had been under control, the technique could detect the cercariae.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique can be characterized by a feasible, economical, promptly accessible method, especially for field application.
Cai
S
S
Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
Chen
X
X
Ni
C
C
Liu
H
H
Liu
B
B
Zhang
J
J
Yang
H
H
D000818:Animals; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control
D014867:Water