Genetic characterization of Biomphalaria arabica, the molluscan intermediate host for schistosomes in Saudi Arabia

The present study was a comparative analysis of genetic variability of Biomphalaria arabica, the intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni from two different areas having different prevalence level of Schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia. Biomphalaria arabica samples from Riyadh and Hofuf area were studied at the genotypic level by RAPD analysis in an attempt to associate possible polymorphic markers related to susceptibility to infection by the Schistosoma mansoni. A total of 9 primers were tested and polymorphic markers were obtained. The results showed polymorphism with 3 primers and suggested that RAPD represents an efficient means of genome comparison, since many molecules markers were detected as genetic variations between Riyadh and Hofuf snails. The present study confirms that genetic profile of Biomphalaria arabica is critically important for the success of schistosome life cycle and that snail host plays at least a part in prevalence of the disease.