Swimmer’s itch: etiology, impact, and risk factors in Europe

0392791 - BC 2014 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Soldánová, Miroslava - Selbach, C. - Kalbe, M. - Kostadinova, Aneta - Sures, B.
Swimmer’s itch: etiology, impact, and risk factors in Europe.
Trends in Parasitology. Roč. 29, č. 2 (2013), s. 65-74. ISSN 1471-4922. E-ISSN 1471-5007
R&D Projects: GA ČR GAP505/10/1562
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : bird schistosomes * Trichobilharzia * swimmer's itch * Lymnaeidae * ecological factors * risk factors * Europe
Subject RIV: EC - Immunology
Impact factor: 6.217, year: 2013
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1471492212002000

This review summarizes current knowledge about the occurrence and distribution of swimmer’s itch, with a focus on Europe. Although recent publications have reviewed the biology and systematics of bird schistosomes and their complex host–parasite interactions, the underlying ecological factors that create favorable conditions for the parasites and the way humans interact with infested water bodies require further attention. Relevant studies from the past decade were analyzed to reveal an almost complete set of ecological factors as a prerequisite for establishing the life cycle of bird schistosomes. Based on both records of the occurrence of the parasite infective agents, and epidemiological studies that investigate outbreaks of swimmer’s itch, this review concentrates on the risk factors for humans engaged in recreational water activities.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0225106