Immunological and molecular detection of digenetic infections in different species of Egyptian freshwater snails.

Due to the possibility of utilizing different snails in the combat of Schistosoma in Egypt; it is important to study the role it may play in transmitting other trematodes of medical and veterinary importance. Taking this background into consideration, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed to identify trematode species at larval stages in intermediate hosts (cercariae in snails) using a combination of standard and molecular methods. This PCR assay was also applied to naturally infected molluscan in order to assess the use of the procedure for detection. The importance of the present study was to demonstrate the epidemiological situation and application in control.