[Factors responsible for preventing the carrying out of the Schistosoma mansoni cycle in the waters of Grande Terre of Guadeloupe (French Antilles)].

Different surveys which have been conducted in ponds and pools in the Grande Terre of Guadalupe, have demonstrated the absence of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in spite of apparent favourable ecological conditions. Four hypothesises can explain this absence of transmission: 1 - the presence of Biomphalaria glabrata populations non-susceptible to the infestation by S. mansoni. 2 - Ecological conditions unfavourable to the survival of parasitized snails. 3 - Ecological conditions unfavourable to the production, survival and infectivity of the S. mansoni cercariae. 4 - Factors causing the non-contamination of the snails. The results show that the transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni is possible in the ponds and pools of Grande Terre. Only human behaviour is responsible for the absence of actual transmission in the waterbodies of this area. Man breaks the life-cycle of the parasite by avoiding all fecal pollution and therefore all snail contamination.