MONITORING POSITIVITY FOR Schistosoma mansoni IN RODENTS Holochilus sp. NATURALLY INFECTED

The occurrence of non-human mammals such as schistosomiasis reservoir has always been an aggravating factor to be studied. Family cricetidae rodents like Nectomys sp, seem to have an important role in the potentiation of the spread of it. However, for Holochilus sp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae), found in Maranhão, studies with this function seem scarce. Thereby, we aimmed to analyze the infection rate of these animals for S. mansoni in São Bento – MA, endemic area for the parasite. These rodents were monitored during 12 months, by the Tomahawk traps for caught and triplicates of stool tests blades, made by Kato–Katz kit, for parasitogical exam. A total of 101 rodents were captured, of which 28.7% were naturally infected by S. mansoni (17.3% females and 82.7% males). This analysis showed that an average of 2.4 rodents was infected for one year, being possible to find positive animals in almost all the collects. Therefore, the rodent Holochilus sp. is a potential candidate in ensuring the maintenance of the schistosomiasis cycle in the region under study