Soil transmitted helminthiasis in different occupational groups in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

We investigated the prevalence of geohelminth parasites in farmers, education concerned and shepherd of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 1041 stool samples were examined from January 2006 to December 2008 using direct smear [Normal saline and Lugol,s Iodine solution] the concentration methods and procedures. Seven hundred and sixty three [73.2%] individuals were found infected with one or more than one geohelminth parasites. Four hundred and eighteen [54.7%] were infected with single parasite and three hundred forty five [45.3%] with multiple infections. Ascaris lumbricoides 460 [53.0%], Trichuris trichura 228 [26.2%], Enterobius vermicularis 123 [14.1%] and Ancylostoma duedenale 56 [6.45%] were detected. The adults were found more parasitized than children and males were more infected than females. Shepherds were found more infected than farmers and education concerned. Although Swat is an area with poor hygiene located in temperate zone near the border of Afghanistan and China. The prevalence of reported geohelminth parasites here compared with the same studies is unexpectedly high. These type of studies should continue time to time to know the hazardous of such parasitic infections for the betterment of the human health

Redescription of the lutztrema [Lutziella] microacetabularae rohde, 1966 trematode of the family dicrocoelidae [Looss, 1899]

A known species Lutztrema [Lutziella] microacetabularae Rhode, 1966 is being described for the first time from Pakistan. This species is characterized by having body long and slender, oral sucker subterminal, acetabulum smaller than oral sucker lying in anterior third of the body, pharynx small, esophagus prominent which become gradually wider and bifurcates in to two rudimentary caeca. Testes symmetrical at the level of posterior margin of acetabulum separated by uterine coils, cirrus pouch median, pre-acetabular, genital opening some distance behind pharynx. Receptaculumsemin is behind ovary. Ovary submedian, post-testicular, Laurer's canal present. Vitellaria lateral from the level of testes to a short distance behind middle of the body. Uterus occupies most of the hind body, eggs small, oval, numerous. It is being reported from the rat [Rattusrattus L.] from Swat