[Schistosomiasis prevalence in Tutóia village, Maranhão, Brazil].

INTRODUCTION Schistosomiasis mansoni is an endemic disease in underdeveloped or developing countries. The study aimed to define schistosomiasis prevalence in Bom Gosto village, Tutóia, Maranhão, in 2008 and detect intermediate host occurrence. METHODS A survey of data from stool samples examined by the Municipal Department of Health and National Health Foundation was conducted. Next, 60 snails were collected and analyzed. Mollusk analysis was achieved by the crushing process. The Kato-Katz method was used to evaluate fecal sediment. RESULTS According to data from the Municipal Department of Health and FUNASA, schistosomiasis prevalence in the village was 3.2%. The 60 snails were identified as Biomphalaria glabrata and five (8.3%) were parasitized by Schistosoma mansoni. CONCLUSIONS The Bom Gosto village is a low prevalence region of schistosomiasis mansoni. The study area has all the components of the epidemiological chain of S. mansoni, which explains the occurrence of disease in the region.