Analysis of Environmental DNA and Edaphic Factors for the Detection of the Snail Intermediate Host .

Background: The perpetuation of schistosomiasis japonica in the Philippines depends to a major extent on the persistence of its intermediate host an amphibious snail. While the malacological survey remains the method of choice in determining the contamination of the environment as evidenced by snails infected with schistosome larval stages, an emerging technology known as environmental DNA (eDNA) detection provides an alternative method. Previous reports showed that eDNA could be detected in water, but no reports have been made on its detection in soil.