Sample Collection

This study used archived miracidia samples from Niger and Zanzibar (Tanzania) fixed on Whatman FTA cards archived within the SCAN (Emery et al. 2012). From Zanzibar, encompassing both the Unguja and Pemba islands, the S. haematobium miracidia were collected as part of the SCORE population genetics studies in 2011 from 26 locations spaced up to 160.9 km apart. From Niger, the S. haematobium miracidia were collected in 2013 from school-aged children from 10 locations located up to 125 km apart. These samples were also collected as part of SCORE population genetic studies within a gaining and sustaining control of schistosomiasis project in Niger and also as part of monitoring and evaluation activities carried out by the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative. To capture maximum diversity we used a single miracidium from 96 individuals (n_Zanzibar = 48, n_Niger = 48). Schistosoma haematobium eggs were harvested from each infected urine sample by sedimentation or filtration, put into fresh water and then exposed to light to facilitate miracidial hatching. Miracidia were captured individually, under a binocular microscope, in 3 µl of water and spotted onto indicating Whatman FTA Classic Indicating cards (GE Healthcare Life Sciences, UK) using a micropipette, dried and archived in SCAN (Emery et al. 2012).