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The present study was aimed at characterising Biomphalaria species using both morphological and molecular (PCR-RFLP) approaches. The specimens were collected in 15 localities in 12 municipalities of the southern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The following species were found and identified: Biomphalaria tenagophila guaibensis, Biomphalaria oligoza and Biomphalaria peregrina. Specimens of the latter species were experimentally challenged with the LE Schistosoma mansoni strain, which showed to be refractory to infection.

Foi feita uma revisão dos levantamentos malacológicos realizados pela Fundação Nacional de Saúde em 52 municípios de 8 microrregiões do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil, de 1981 a 1994. Cinqüenta deles foram positivos para Biomphalaria tenagophila, o único vetor do Schistosoma mansoni identificado nos 94.535 exemplares examinados. Das 1.358 localidades trabalhadas, 617 (45,4%) foram positivas, variando de 4,3% a 89,4%, por município. Os caramujos foram coletados em 0,2% a 26,3% das coleções hídricas pesquisadas, por município, sendo que 7,1% (2.013/28.120) serviam de criadourospara oplanorbídeo. Nos municípios de Araquari, Massaranduba, Joinville, Jaraguã do Sul e São Francisco do Sul, na microrregião de Joinville, foram encontrados caramujos infectados com S. mansoni. Os dois últimos são os focos de esquistossomose mansoni mais meridionais do Brasil. Outras pesquisas identificaram a B. peregrina, B. oligoza, B. schrammi, B. straminea e B. occidentalis.TA revision of the malacological surveys canied out in Santa Catarina, Brazil, by the National Health Foundation in 52 counties of 8 microregions between 1981 and 1994 was made. Fifty of them were positive for Biomphalaria tenagophila, the only schistosome vector identified in the 94,535 specimens collected. Of 1,358 districts, 617 (45.4%) were positive to the vector, varying from 4.3% to 89-4% per municipality. The percentages of water bodies with planorbids varied from 0.2% to 26.3 % and, of the total 28,120 examined, 2,013 (7.1%) were positive. Snails infected with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni were found in the counties of Araquari, Massaranduba, Joinville, Jaraguá do Sul and São Francisco do Sul, the last two constituting the southernmost focus of schistosomiasis mansoni in Brazil. Otherplanorbid species identified were B. peregrina, B. oligoza, B. schrammi, B. straminea and B. occidentalis.

Migratory movements have caused the spread of Schistosomiasis mansoni to different areas of Brazil. The presence of the intermediate hosts for Schistosoma mansoni is a necessary condition for establishing of the transmission cycle, linked to lower infrastructure basic sanitation. In the Amazon, only the state of Pará has autochthonous outbreaks of this disease. The present study aimed mapping the nurseries of Biomphalaria sp. and sewerage system in the Airport area, in the District of Mosqueiro, Belem-PA, seeking the possibilities of establishment the endemic foci. This area was defined by the largest representation of socio-demographic components, according to the pattern of territorialization of Family Health Strategy. The data were obtained through home interviews, using secondary information from official agencies and application of geotechnology. Were demarcated 8 points of breeding, especially in peridomiciles, exists only 7.7 % coverage of sewerage system. The socio-demographic data showed that majority of families establishes only on holidays; between permanent residents, (57.9%) proceeds from District, have low schooling level, where 45.5% have incomplete primary education, 63.2% age up to 50 years. It was observed that the area is still unharmed for Schistosomiasis, but data of interpolation of biological, ecological and social conditions showed this area must remain under surveillance as to whether the introduction possibility of S. mansoni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]