Zoonotic Schistosomiasis: The Crossroads Between Animal and Human Schistosomiasis in Africa: Narrative Review

Background The fight against schistosomiasis (urogenital and intestinal) has prolonged more than expected with more areas that were previously known to have less or no incidence of infection now recording alarming incidence rate. Researchers and stakeholders are now concerned about what is probably sustaining the possible infection, and one of the leading hypotheses is the zoonotic forms of the species playing a major role. Aim In Africa, livestock and their owners stay in proximity, thereby bringing together both human and livestock schistosomes. Schistosoma haematobium (human) and Schistosoma bovis (livestock) have the same snail host and can result in hybridization during the sexual phase of the parasite development in the mammalian host. These genetic spillovers lead to hybrid formation of schistosomes which can be problematic for diagnosis, treatment, and control programs. Conclusion Although there is less data on the ability of hybrid to cause resistance on praziquantel, experts suggest a possibility. This review calls for researchers, experts, and stakeholders to come together to provide empirical data on this menace especially on the prevailing Schistosoma species in livestock on the African continent.