Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40544310›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Evidence for persistent multilocus genotypes of Biomphalaria pfeifferi in a natural population in Kenya, with implications for transmission of Schistosoma mansoni.

Noel A Oduor, Daniel W Kariuki, Gerald M Mkoji, Polycup O Oraro, Martina R Laidemitt, Michelle L Steinauer, Eric S Loker, Eric L Agola

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Direct measurement ofbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Noel A OduorBiochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya. noeladhis@gmail.com.
Daniel W KariukiBiochemistry Department, School of Biomedical Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
Gerald M MkojiCenter for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Polycup O OraroCenter for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.
Martina R LaidemittDepartment of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Michelle L SteinauerCollege of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, USA.
Eric S LokerDepartment of Biology, Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Parasite Division Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Eric L AgolaCenter for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya.

Funding

Snail-Related Studies of Transmission & Control of Schistosomiasis in KenyaR37AI101438 · NIAID · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO · PI ERIC SAMUEL LOKER · 2017 to 2026
$3.7M
NIAID NIH HHS R37 AI101438
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBiomphalaria pfeifferi, a predominantly self-fertilizing freshwater snail, is the world's most important intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni, one of the causative agents of schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease affecting millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to determine whether we could identify distinct and persistent lineages of B. pfeifferi within a natural stream habitat in western Kenya, indicative of their asexual descent. We also sought to determine whether infections by S. mansoni or other trematodes were associated with particular lineages. METHODOLOGY: Utilizing 14 microsatellite markers in a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) format, we genotyped 502 B. pfeifferi collected in six bimonthly (every other month) sampling times from the same locality in a single habitat (Asao Stream, western Kenya). Snails were isolated and screened for infection with S. mansoni and other trematodes using the shedding method followed by microscopical examination of any cercariae found.

resultsWe identified 26 multilocus genotypes (MLGs), that were present at two or more sampling times. Four MLGs persisted across the entire 10-month sampling period, one of which was represented by 17 individuals. These persistent lineages harbored a variety of trematode species, with S. mansoni being the most common. The persistent MLGs were more likely to have trematode infections than those found only at a single sampling time. Low genetic differentiation was observed between November and March (fixation index among subpopulations [F

conclusionsBy identifying the presence of persistent MLGs and their associations with trematode transmission, this study highlights the importance of considering B. pfeifferi MLGs, some of which could be resistant to infection, when developing strategies to control schistosomiasis transmission within Asao Stream and similar ecosystems across sub-Saharan Africa.

Indexed as

BiomphalariaGenotypeSchistosoma mansoniSchistosomiasis mansoniAnimalsGenetic VariationHumansKenyaMicrosatellite RepeatsBiomphalaria pfeifferiMultilocus GenotypesNeglected tropical diseasesRed queenSchistosoma mansoniSelf-fertilizing snails

Identifiers

PMID40544310
PMCPMC12182688

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.