Potential circulation of Schistosoma haematobium in domestic ruminant in Niger Republic: challenges of schistosomiasis control

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Introduction:</bold> Schistosomiasis remains a major public health problem in Niger, where control programs rely primarily on the mass administration of drugs to human populations. Although <italic>Schistosoma (S.) haematobium</italic> is traditionally associated with the human urogenital form, recent findings suggest that domestic ruminants could serve as natural reservoirs, thus complicating disease elimination. This study aims to document, for the first time, the potential presence of this parasite in livestock in Niger. <bold>Methods:</bold> The study was conducted in the Dosso region, including the communes of Gaya and Dosso. A total of 84 urines samples were collected from ruminants, either by bladder incision at the slaughterhouse (n=57) or directly from live animals (n=27). Identification was performed by microscopy for egg detection, followed by molecular characterization including standard PCR (targeting the <italic>ITS2</italic> and <italic>COX1</italic> genes) and Dra1 qPCR specific to the <italic>S. haematobium</italic> group. <bold>Results:</bold> The overall prevalence of <italic>S. haematobium</italic> identified by microscopy was 30.95% (26/84). The commune of Gaya recorded the highest prevalence (15.48%), and cattle were more frequently infected than cows. Of the 26 microscopically positive samples, 84.61% (22/26) were confirmed by Dra1 qPCR. Molecular PCR analyses detected the genus <italic>Schistosoma</italic> ( <italic>ITS2</italic> ) in 26.92% of cases and the species <italic>S. haematobium</italic> ( <italic>COX1</italic> ) in 23.08% of the samples tested. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> This study suggest the potential circulation of <italic>S. haematobium</italic> in domestic ruminants in Niger, that livestock could constitute a significant local reservoir for urinary schistosomiasis. These results highlight the need to adopt a One Health approach integrating animal health into control strategies to effectively interrupt human transmission.