INTRODUCTION
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by
blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, which remains prevalent
in several nations. About 200 million people are infected worldwide,
and more than 600 million reside in endemic zones [1].
Although the most important causative species for human diseases
are Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, and
Schistosoma japonicum, a further species, Schistosoma mekongi,
found along the Mekong River in Cambodia and Lao People’s
Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), also infects humans. Mortality
rates are high in all species infections [2]. Schistosomiasis japonica
is widespread in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines
[3]. Recent increases in the movements of foreign workers,