Schistosomiasis of Animals in Uzbekistan

This book examines the problems posed by animal schistosomiasis caused by the trematode Schistosoma turkestanicum Skrjabin, 1913, which parasitizes in the adult stage in the circulatory system of domestic and wild mammals. A person is not a specific host for this schistosome; however, cercariae can actively penetrate human skin into water bodies, causing mechanical damage and exerting a toxic effect. The disease caused by cercariae of this trematode in humans is known as cercariasis (skin dermatitis). This book summarizes information on the morphological features of larval and dioecious generations, the life cycle and ecology of Sch. turkestanicum, and the infestation of intermediate and final hosts. Due attention is paid to the distribution and epidemiology of human cercariosis. Chapters also discuss issues of laboratory diagnostics, clinical course, pathogenesis, and methods of control and prevention of animal schistosomiasis.