SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF OMAN - VECTOR SNAILS AND SEROLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF PATIENTS IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS

The snail Biomphalaria arabica is apparently ubiquitous in the south o f Oman (Dhofar province). Snails bred in the laboratory were susceptib le to infection with miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni (Puerto Rican st rain). The snail Bulinus wrighti, a potential intermediate host of S. haematobium, was found for the first time in Dhofar, Human sera from f ive localities had antibodies against adult worm antigens and in parti cular against Sm31/32. The prevalence of seropositive patients was 28% of 47 farm workers, 12% of 99 out-patients from a clinic and 1% of 38 9 children from four localities. Autochthonous transmission of schisto somiasis in Dhofar is discussed.