[ survey on Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum infection rate of sheep in Shadegan]

To determine the prevalence of Ornithobilharziosis among native sheep in the Shadegan area [Khuzestan province] and its intermediate host. Cross sectional study. One thousand and three hundred sheep and 1321 conical snails. One thousand sheep faecal samples were collected and examined with different parasitological methods. In this study the Shadegan area was divided into 20 clusters. Faecal specimens were examined by clayton lane, flotation in saturated salt and zinc sulfate solution for detecting parasite eggs. Furthermore, 300 sheep mesenteries were studied in slaughterhouse. Out of 1300 studied sheep 14.1% had infection. Meanwhile, many snails were collected from these areas. These snails were identified as Lymnea gedrosiana, Physa sp. and Melanoides sp. For the first time we introduced the Shadegan as one of the main foci of Ornithobilharzia in Iran. This status is due to the satisfactory climate [humidity and fresh water] in marsh and rivers and presence of snail as a suitable intermediate host and excessive final host [sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, donkey, boar]

Study on humoral immune- response in sheep experimentally infected with Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum by using ELISA test

To study the humoral immune - responses in sheep experimentally infected with O. turkestanicum and to compare two different antigens in E1ISA test: excretory / secretory and somatic . Experimental study. Sixty sheep were divided into four groups : 1] 15 sheep were infected experimentally with O. turkestanicum, 2] 20 experimentally infected sheep with Fasciola gicantica, 3] 20 experimentally infected sheep with Echinococcus granulosus 4] 5 non infected lambs -control groups. In this study total antibody response to worm extract antigens and to excretory/ secretory products [ES] were determined in 15 Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum infected sheep at monthly intervals for 12 months. The infection induced an early and relatively highly immune-response to adult worm extract . This response reached its maximum level at 4 months post infection. The response to worm extracts antigens was slighthly higher than to ES products . The response against ES antigens was started later and remained at its maximum level untile 10-12 months after infection. A remarkable level of cross- reactivity was observed when Fasciola gigantica antisera were used .A low degree of cross reactivity was found with ES antigens of O . turkestanicum.There were not any cross reactivity between anti Echinoccucos granolusos sera to both tested antigens [ES and worm extract]