Direct filtration for recovery of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae in the field.

The recovery of schistosome cercariae from natural waters has been limited by variations in turbidity and in the accuracy of recovery with different techniques. A modification of the Rowan vacuum paper filtration method employing a battery-operated pumping system, a glass-silicone plate filter, and a specially designed filter holder is described and evaluated. Field tests on St Lucia indicate a mean filtration volume of 12.2 litres per filter at a mean turbidity of 20.3 Jackson turbidity units. Overall, 86% of the volumes filtered per filter were in excess of 6 litres. Particle size, rather than turbidity, was found to be the main factor influencing filter blockage, reading time, and accuracy. Recoveries of 0.01 cercaria (Schistosoma mansoni) per litre sampled were obtained, but the practical limit of the method is considered to be closer to 0.1 cercaria per litre sampled.