Gloves are recommended for activities where there is the likelihood of direct skin contact with infective stages of the parasites listed. Laboratory-associated infections with Schistosoma spp. Infective stages of Schistosoma spp. Skin penetration by schistosome cercariae and ingestion of fluke metacercaria are the primary laboratory hazards. Additionally, metacercaria may be inadvertently transferred from hand to mouth by fingers or gloves following contact with contaminated aquatic vegetation or surfaces of aquaria.
Most laboratory exposures to Schistosoma spp.
Safe and effective drugs are available for the treatment of schistosomiasis. Biosafety Level 2 practices and facilities are recommended for activities with infective stages of the parasites listed. Gloves should be worn when there may be direct contact with a water containing cercariae, or vegetation containing metacercaria from naturally or experimentally infected snail intermediate hosts. Long-sleeved laboratory coats or other protective garb should be worn when working arouquaria or other water sources that may contain schistosome cercariae. Although no laboratory-associated infections with either E. granulosus or T. solium have been reported, the consequences of such infections following the ingestion of infective eggs of E. granulosus or T. solium are potentially grave.