Abstract

Avian schistosome cercariae that emerge from aquatic snails can penetrate human skin causing cercarial dermatitis resulting in serious skin disease in sensitized and immunocompromised people. A trap developed for Schistosoma mansoni cercariae was tested for recovery of avian schistosome cercariae. A matrix with an unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid stimulates attachment and penetration of Trichobilharzia spp. cercariae, and the immobilized larvae can be subsequently visualized. The number of trapped cercariae exceeded by 3 to 7 times the number of larvae expected on the surface of the trap, based on their random distribution in the water. Recognition, attachment, and penetration of Trichobilharzia spp. cercariae led to injection of more secretory products into the stimulant matrix than by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. This method can assist in the identification of waters infected with avian schistosome cercariae so that human exposure to these parasitic larvae can be minimized.