As intermediate hosts, molluscs play a major role in the transmission
of schistosomes; they are the sites of an intense multiplication of pa
rasites. Thus, snail control strategies are considered a priority for
the reduction of schistosomiasis transmission. Here, Vinca Lardans and
Colette Dissous review the efficacy of environmental management and t
he use of molluscicides and biological agents to control snail populat
ions. They then describe the development of diagnostic tests, based on
the detection of parasite antigens or specific parasite DNA sequences
in snail tissues, to detect the early infection of snails. Finally, t
hey discuss progress in studying the molecular basis of susceptibility
and resistance phenotypes, and the possible application of the geneti
c manipulation of molluscs.