Epidemiology of Fasciola spp. in the intermediate host in China: A potential risk for fasciolosis transmission.

• The present study reported the prevalence of Fasciola spp. in snails from large-scale regions of China. • In China, climate and topography could affect the Fasciola spp. infection in snails. • A highly positive correlation between snails and animal infection was found in central and eastern China. • Infected snails could be an indispensable risk factor for fasciolosis transmission. Fasciolosis is a zoonotic disease as 600 million animals have been infected, and 180 million people are at risk of the infection in the world. Snail as the intermediate host of Fasciola is an essential and important factor in the transmission of fasciolosis, while its potential risk for transmission has not been studied. In this study, 3561 snails collected from large-scale regions of China were examined by nest-PCR method. A total of 345 snails were positive for Fasciola spp. , with an overall prevalence of 9.7%. Prevalence in central and southern China, characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate, was relatively low (8.0%), while a high infection rate (36.9%) was found on the plateau area (altitude > 500 m). In combination with previous findings, the study showed a highly positive correlation between snails and animal infection in central and eastern China, thus indicating that infected snails could be an indispensable risk factor for fasciolosis transmission. Epidemiological surveillance of snails will help assess the risk of fasciolosis in humans or ruminants, which promotes future prevention of this zoonotic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]