Malacological survey of potentially contaminated waters at outbreaks of transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni in the city of Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Schistosoma mansoni, which causes schistosomiasis has humans as the primary definitive host and mollusks Biomphalaria glabrata, B. straminea tenagophila intermediate hosts. The goal of this research was to undertake a malacological survey on watercourses in city Betim, using data provided by city´sHealth´s Department. were collected from pre-selected sites, examined for presence cercariae taxonomically-identified, morphological molecular techniques species. 168 eight collection sites. species found tenagophila. Four glabrata one sites positive S. mansoni. These results hosts throughout region studied, even if not be infected, is epidemiological importance suggests that health authorities Betim should implement disease control measures. KEY WORDS: public health; bioindicators; malacology; malacofauna; distribution ecology; vector expansion.