Schistosoma haematobium DNA and Eggs in the Urine Sample of School-Age Children (SAC) in South-West Nigeria

This study aimed to detect Schistosoma haematobium DNA in the urine samples of school-age children (SAC) in Otamokun, Oyo State, South-west Nigeria. A communi-ty-based cross-sectional study involving 165 SAC aged 5-16 years selected through multi-stage sampling was carried out. S. haematobium DNA was extracted from the urine samples containing S. haematobium eggs after microscopy and the mitochondria gene (COX1) was amplified using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). S. haemato-bium eggs were found in 12 out of 165 (7.3%) urine samples after microscopy, 11 SAC had light infection and one had moderate infection. Nine of the 12 urine samples amplified af-ter PCR and S. haematobium DNA was identified in six of the nine samples. Three of the six samples containing S. haematobium DNA were related to hybrid species of S. hae-matobium and S. bovis in the NCBI gene bank. Urinary Schistosomiasis is still prevalent in Otamokun with the possibility of hybridization between cattle and humans. Cross-reactivity with related species may be responsible for the amplified sequences not related to any known organism in the NCBI database. It is imperative to educate the community on the factors associated with Schistosomiasis, especially the implication of sharing water sources between humans and cattle.