The shedding pattern of three little known African schistosomes under outdoor conditions

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Abstract
The shedding patterns of Schistosoma intercalatum, S. leiperi and S. margrebowiei as found at Nelspruit, E Transvaal, South Africa, are reported. The latter 2 schistosomes originated from the antelopes Kobus ellipsyprymnus, K. leche and K. vardoni all of which frequently enter water. The snail species susceptible to these schistosomes are Bulinus (Physopsis) sp. for S. leiperi and B. tropicus, B. depressus and B. natalensis for S. margrebowei. The shedding pattern of S. leiperi was comparatively restricted to certain times of day; it is unlikely that much transmission takes place to other than the definitive antelope hosts. Shedding by S. margrebowei was not so restricted and occurred throughout the day and night, giving ample opportunity for the parasite to enter man. The shedding pattern of S. intercalatum suggests that the natural host may be some water-frequenting animal, possibly a rodent, emerging during mid to late afternoon. Man could be the main definitive host, but he would be able to acquire some infection from daily exposure at the start of shedding, at 1400-1600 h.