SCHISTOSOMIASIS-MANSONI IN THE REGION OF THE TRIANGULO-MINEIRO, STATE OF MINAS-GERAIS, BRAZIL

In order to reevaluate the possible presence of schistosomiasis mansoni in the Triangulo Mineiro, one of the areas of the State of Minas Gerais where this parasite is not commonly found, malacological survey and fecal examinations were undertaken in the region between October 1990 and June 1992. A sample of 7,032 1st grade school children from 29 counties had their feces examined using the Kato-Katz method Amongst the children examined, two from Planura and one from each countie of Capinopolis, Conceicao das Alagoas, Uberaba, Uberlandia, Prata and Gurinhata were positive for Schistosoma mansoni None of the children were identified as being autoctonous cases. In the malacological survey, 5,406 planorbid snails were examined. The specimens were identified morphologically and examined for S. mansoni by squashing between glass plates. The species were identified as Biomphalaria tenagophila in three counties, as B. straminea in ten and B. intermedia in 16. No snails were found in eight other counties studies. The snails were found to be negative for S. mansoni. The presence of intermediate hosts for S. mansoni, associated with parasitized individuals emphasizes the necessity of epidemiological surveillance for schistosomiasis in the region of Triangulo in the State of Minas Gerais.