Introduction: One of the global strategies for the elimination of schistosomiasis is by Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of a single oral dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) without a prior individual diagnosis, with a target of >75% treatment coverage among school-aged children. This study was conducted to determine the endemicity of schistosomiasis among school-aged children and adults in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 1370 participants were recruited, which consisted of 667 (48.67%) males and 703 (51.31%) females. Urine and stool specimens were collected from each participant and analyzed using standard procedures. Results: The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 27.5% in this study with Abuja Municipal having the highest prevalence of 49%, while the least (6.1%) was reported in Bwari LAC. The prevalence of schistosomiasis significantly differs (p < 0.05) between the area councils. The location of communities significantly affected the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Abaji, AMAC, and Gwagwalada LACs (p < 0.005). The Schistosoma recovered in this study were S. haematobium and S. mansoni. The prevalence of schistosomiasis increased from the baseline of 21.1% to 49% in Gwagwalada LAC. Gender significantly affected the prevalence of schistosomiasis as more males were infected (33.1%) than their female counterparts (22.2%) (p < 0.05). The prevalence of schistosomiasis was 31% and 23.9% among SAC and adults, respectively. The participants’ activities in the river significantly affected the prevalence of schistosomiasis in this study (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The clamour for urgent government and non-government intervention through alternate sources of water like boreholes or pipe-borne water, as well as implementing a behavioural change campaign across the communities to prevent the recurrence, are advocated.

Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in Nigeria. We molecularly characterized Schistosoma eggs obtained from human urine to identify species and assess the presence of hybrid schistosomes in Abuja, Nigeria. Urine samples were collected from 1,887 participants aged five years and above. Samples were examined for Schistosoma eggs using light microscopy. A total of 507 (26.9%) were positive for any form of Schistosoma while 91 (4.8%) had atypical Schistosoma eggs. DNA extracted from pooled ova was analyzed using metagenomic sequencing, read mapping, phylogenetic analysis, and BLASTn confirmation. Molecular analyses identified genetic signatures associated with both S. haematobium and S. bovis within pooled human urine samples, indicating the co-circulation of multiple schistosome species in the study area. Phylogenetic analyses based on trans-ITS and mitochondrial COX1 markers supported the presence of distinct nuclear and mitochondrial schistosome lineages. However, because sequencing was performed on pooled egg samples, the findings cannot distinguish between true recombinants and mixed infections involving co-circulating parental species. These findings highlight the potential complexity of schistosome transmission dynamics in endemic communities and underscore the need for enhanced molecular surveillance especially single-parasite genomic approaches, and integrated One Health investigations to better understand schistosome transmission and its implications for control and elimination efforts in Nigeria.

Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in Nigeria. We molecularly characterized Schistosoma eggs obtained from human urine to identify species and assess the presence of hybrid schistosomes in Abuja, Nigeria. Urine samples were collected from 1887 participants aged five years and above. Samples were examined for Schistosoma eggs using light microscopy. A total of 507 (26.9%) were positive for any form of Schistosoma while 91 (4.8%) had atypical Schistosoma eggs. DNA extracted from pooled ova was analyzed using metagenomic sequencing, read mapping, phylogenetic analysis, and BLASTn confirmation. Molecular analyses identified genetic signatures associated with both S. haematobium and S. bovis within pooled human urine samples, indicating the co-circulation of multiple schistosome species in the study area. Phylogenetic analyses based on trans-ITS and mitochondrial COX1 markers supported the presence of distinct nuclear and mitochondrial schistosome lineages. However, because sequencing was performed on pooled egg samples, the findings cannot distinguish between true recombinants and mixed infections involving co-circulating parental species. These findings highlight the potential complexity of schistosome transmission dynamics in endemic communities and underscore the need for enhanced molecular surveillance, especially single-parasite genomic approaches, and integrated One Health investigations to better understand schistosome transmission and its implications for control and elimination efforts in Nigeria.

Introduction: One of the global strategies for elimination of schistosomiasis is by mass treatment of school-aged children with a single oral dose of praziquantel (40mg/kg) without a prior individual diagnosis, with a target of >75% treatment coverage. This study was conducted to determine the endemicity of schistosomiasis among school-aged children and adults in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 1,370 participants were recruited which consisted of 667 (48.67%) males and 703 (51.31%) females. Urine and stool specimens were collected from each participant and analyzed using standard procedures. Results: The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 27.5% in this study with Abuja Municipal having the highest prevalence of 49% while the least (6.1%) was reported in Bwari LCA. The prevalence of schistosomiasis significantly differs (P<0.05) between the area councils. The location of communities significantly affected the prevalence of schistosomiasis in Abaji, AMAC, and Gwagwalada LCAs (P<0.005). The Schistosoma recovered in this study were S. haematobium and S. mansoni. The prevalence of schistosomiasis increased from the baseline of 21.1% to 49% in Gwagwalada LCA. Gender significantly affected the prevalence of schistosomiasis as more males were infected (33.1%) than their female counterparts (22.2%) (P<0.05). The prevalence of schistosomiasis was 31% and 23.9% among SAC and adults, respectively. The participants’ activities in the river significantly affected the prevalence of schistosomiasis in this study (P< 0.05). Conclusions: The clamour for urgent government and non-government intervention through alternate sources of water like boreholes or pipe-borne water, as well as implementing a behavioural change campaign across the communities to prevent the recurrence, are advocated.