Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of global public health concern, caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. It is particularly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, where it poses significant challenges to healthcare systems. This narrative review examines the epidemiological and entomological dimensions of schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia, focusing on historical records, control measures, and current disease prevalence. The role of freshwater snails as intermediate hosts and the influence of environmental factors on transmission dynamics are also explored. Despite the implementation of effective control programs, persistent cases in certain regions underscore the necessity for ongoing surveillance and integrated health strategies. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia, offering valuable insights for future research and policy formulation.
References
[1]
WHO (2023) Schistosomiasis. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schistosomiasis
[2]
WHO (2024) Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/376657
[3]
Lotfy, W.M. and Alsaqabi, S.M. (2016) Climate Change and Epidemiology of Human Parasitoses in Saudi Arabia: A Review. Journal of Coastal Life Medicine, 4, 580-588. http://dx.doi.org/10.12980/jclm.4.2016j6-100
[4]
Sweileh, W.M. (2022) Contribution of Researchers in Arab Countries to Scientific Publications on Neglected Tropical Diseases (1971-2020). Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines, 8, Article No. 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-022-00173-7
[5]
Al-Madani, A.A. (1991) Problems in the Control of Schistosomiasis in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Community Health, 16, 143-149. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01323972
[6]
Zrieq, R., Alzain, M.A., Ali, R.M., Alazzeh, A.Y., Tirawi, A.O., Attili, R., et al. (2023) Epidemiological Profile of Urinary and Intestinal Schistosomiasis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 9, Article No. 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9010011
[7]
Lotfy, W.M. and Alsaqabi, S.M. (2010) Human Schistosomiasis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Review. Journal of the Medical Research Institute, 31, 1-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233748271
[8]
Ageel, A.R. and Amin, M.A. (1997) Integration of Schistosomiasis-Control Activities into the Primary-Health-Care System in the Gizan Region, Saudi Arabia. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, 91, 907-916.
[9]
El Gayar, S.B., Baknina, M.H., El Kady, N.M. and Hafez, M.A.A. (1987) First Report of Schistosomiasis Japonica in Saudi Arabia. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 81, 169. https://doi.org/10.1016/0035-9203(87)90323-3
[10]
Arfaa, F. (1976) Studies on Schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 25, 295-298. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1976.25.295
[11]
Sebai, Z.A. (1988) Nutritional Disorders in Saudi Arabia: A Review. Family Practice, 5, 56-61. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/5.1.56
[12]
Hamed, N. (2012) Biochemical Characterization of Biomphalaria arabica, the Molluscan Intermediate Host for Schistosomes in Saudi Arabia. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 5, 2678-2685. https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2012/v5i5.7
[13]
Saudi MOH (2023) Statistical Yearbook. https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Ministry/Statistics/book/Pages/default.aspx
[14]
Abdel-Hafez, M.M.A., El-Kady, N., Bolbol, A.S. and Baknina, M.H. (1986) Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Riyadh District, Saudi Arabia. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 80, 631-634. https://doi.org/10.1080/00034983.1986.11812078
[15]
Zahed, N.Z., Ghandour, A.M., Banaja, A.A. and Elce, B.J. (1992) Experimental Infection of Hamadryas Baboons Papio hamadryas with a Human Isolate of Schistosoma mansoni from Saudi Arabia. Annals of Saudi Medicine, 12, 589-590. https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.1992.589
[16]
Zahed, N.Z., Ghandour, A.M., Banaja, A.A., Banerjee, R.K. and Dehlawi, M.S. (1996) Hamadryas Baboons Papio hamadryas as Maintenance Hosts of Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 1, 449-455. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3156.1996.d01-100.x
[17]
Ghandour, A.M., Al-Robai, A.A., Doenhoff, M. and Banaja, A.A. (1995) Epidemiological Studies on Schistosoma mansoni Infection in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia Using the Potassium Hydroxide Stool Digestion Technique. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 98, 57-63.
[18]
Ghandour, A.M., Tricker, K., Doenhoff, M.J., Al-Robai, A.A. and Banaja, A.A. (1997) An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Schistosoma mansoni Purified Egg Antigen for the Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 91, 287-289. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0035-9203(97)90078-x
[19]
Siddiqui, M.A. (1981) The Prevalence of Human Intestinal Parasites in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia: A Preliminary Survey. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 75, 565-566. https://doi.org/10.1080/00034983.1981.11687483
[20]
Hug, M.I., Alsadiq, A., Rahman, A.S.M. and Munshi, M.M.H. (1985) Common Source Attack of S. mansoni in a Saudi Family. Journal of Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, 3, 33.
[21]
Omar, M.S., Abu-Zeid, H.A.H. and Mahfouz, A.A.R. (1991) Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Schoolchildren of Abha (Asir), Saudi Arabia. Acta Tropica, 48, 195-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-706x(91)90047-n
[22]
Morad, N.A. and Khan, A.R. (2001) Clinicopathological Patterns and Distribution of Schistosomiasis in Asir Region. Saudi Medical Journal, 22, 520-522.
[23]
Ghandour, A.M., Zahid, N.Z. and Banaja, A.A. (1999) Epidemiological Study on the Transmission of Schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia (Western Region). Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 93, 193-195. https://doi.org/10.1080/00034983.1999.11813412
[24]
Al Ghahtani, A.G. and Amin, M.A. (2005) Progress Achieved in the Elimination of Schistosomiasis from the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 99, 483-490. https://doi.org/10.1179/136485905x51292
[25]
Alqahtani, D.O., Abbas, M., Alshahrani, A.M. and Ibrahim, M.E. (2017) Acute Intestinal Schistosomiasis among School-Aged Children Presented to King Abdullah Hospital, Bisha Province, Saudi Arabia: A Case Series. Tropical Biomedicine, 34, 305-314.
[26]
El-Shahawy, I.S., Khalil, M.I. and Adail, A.S. (2016) Some Epidemiological and Serological Studies on Schistosomiasis in Najran Area, Saudi Arabia. Helminthologia, 53, 172-179. https://doi.org/10.1515/helmin-2016-0007
[27]
Magzoub, M. and Kasim, A.A. (1980) Schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology, 74, 511-513. https://doi.org/10.1080/00034983.1980.11687377
[28]
Arfaa, F., Mahboubi, E., Al Jeffri, M., Selim, A. and Russell, G. (1989) The Potential Role of Various Species of Intermediate Hosts of Schistosoma haematobium in Saudi Arabia. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 83, 216-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/0035-9203(89)90654-8
[29]
Jamjoom, M.B. and Manaja, A.E.A. (2007) Comparative Studies on the Susceptible and Non-Susceptible Biomphalariaalexandrina the Intermediate Snail Host of Schistosoma mansoni in Western Saudi Arabia. World Journal of Medical Sciences, 2, 108-114.
[30]
Banaja, A.E., Jamjoom, M.B., Shalaby, I.M. and Gherbawy, Y.A. (2008) Discrimination between Susceptible and Non-Susceptible Biomphalariaalexandrina Snails-Intermediate Hosts of Schistosoma mansoni in Western Saudi Arabia—Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 138, 191-195.
[31]
Mostafa, O. (2009) Effect of Salinity and Drought on the Survival of Biomphalaria arabica, the Intermediate Host of Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, B. Zoology, 1, 1-6.
[32]
Al-Quraishy, S.A., Bin Dajem, S.M., Mostafa, O.M., Ibrahim, E.H. and Al-Qahtani, A. (2014) Development of Species-Specific Primers for Identification of Biomphalaria arabica, the Intermediate Host of Schistosoma mansoni in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 21, 65-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2013.10.001
[33]
WHO (2022) Guideline on Control and Elimination of Human Schistosomiasis. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240041608