OBJECTIVE:

To verify whether there is a relation between the positivity for Schistosoma mansoni in molluscs Biomphalaria sp. and in human, in the municipality of São Bento, Maranhão State, Brazil, in order to determine if the presence of one host exerts influence over the other.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Molluscs Biomphalaria sp. were collected in 17 districts of São Bento, in their natural breeding sites. Inside laboratory, those molluscs were analyzed regarding cercariae release. Universal collectors were delivered to the inhabitants living within 50 m radius near the natural mollusc breeding sites. The Kato-Katz method was used to analyze the faecal samples.

RESULTS:

Positive human cases occurred among fishermen from Outra Banda, Porto Grande, and Matriz districts and were not related to those in molluscs.

CONCLUSION:

A peridomiciliar breeding site can not always be responsible for the maintenance of positive humans cases living nearby, being necessary to take into account the routine of the infected individual.

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