title: Schistosomiasis mansoni in urban Northeast Brazil: influence of rainfall regime on the population dynamics of Biomphalaria sp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our objective was to evaluate the influence of rainfall regime on the population dynamics of Biomphalaria in a potential urban focus of schistosomiasis in Aracaju, Brazil, during 2009-2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Snails were collected monthly and were counted, measured and identified; the level of infection and fecal contamination at the sampling sites was determined; rainfall data were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High levels of fecal contamination were observed, and the abundance of Biomphalaria glabrata increased during the rainy and post-rainy seasons. The snails' size was variable, and infected snails were identified independently of rainfall.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide evidence of anthropogenic and climate interference in an urban focus of schistosomiasis in the Aracaju metropolitan area.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Instituto de Tecnologia e Pesquisa, AracajuSE.
authors.forename: Daniel Santos
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Vanessa Bispo
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Andrea Gomes Santana
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Álvaro Silva
authors.initials: ÁS
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Camila Dantas
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Silmara Marques
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Allegretti
authors.forename: Cláudia Moura de
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Rubens Riscala
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Madi
authors.forename: Verônica de Lourdes Sierpe
authors.initials: Vde L
authors.lastname: Jeraldo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development*; D001938:Brazil; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006801:Humans; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011891:Rain; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000502:physiology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000635:transmission; D012621:Seasons; D014505:Urban Population