Introgressed animal schistosomes Schistosoma curassoni and S. bovis naturally infecting humans

01 Dec 2016
Léger E, Garba A, Hamidou AA, Webster BL, Pennance T, Rollinson D, Webster JP

It is imperative to identify and understand the transmission dynamics of introgressed Schistosoma species combinations. The detection of multiple introgressed hybrids with mixed ancestry in a single child suggests that Schistosoma species may be adapting to recent anthropogenic changes. If novel zoonotic hybrid species are playing a role in maintaining and exacerbating schistosome transmission, illness caused by infection, or both, treatments for humans and livestock may have to be adjusted accordingly within a One Health framework.