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

ABSTRACT

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]