Histological detection of fasciola larval stage in snails in Sulaimani-Kurdistan-Iraq

Abstract EN

Background : Fasciolosis is an economically important disease of domestic livestock, in particular cattle and sheep, and occasionally man.

The disease is caused by digenean trematodes of the genus Fasciola, commonly referred to as liver flukes.

The two species most commonly implicated as the aetiological agents of fasciolosis are F.

hepatica and F.

gigantica (family Fasciolidae).

F.

hepatica has a worldwide distribution but predominates in temperate zones while F.

gigantica is found on most continents, primarily in tropical regions.

Aims : Record the snail that is considered as intermediate host of fasciola and determine the most infected area by the snail that is mean infected area by fasciola and facilitates the control in human and animal fasciolosis.

Method : A descriptive crossectional study was undertaken at eight different regions in Sulaimany governorate diagnosed as snail sampling area that includes Penjewen / Chamigawra, Sharazoor / SaidSadiq, Saraisubhanaga, Penjewen / ChamiNzara, Penjewen / Homarsenan, Penjewn / Hajieliasafa, Penjewen / Kanichawazar and Sharbazher / Khewata.

Histological study of the snail was performed by the routine histological technique (the positive area was 8.3 %, 8.6 % and 10 % respectively in Penjewen/Chamigawra, Sharazoor / SaidSadiq and Saraisubhanaga snails other regions was negative).

Conclusion : This is a new appearance of the incidence of fasciola in Sulamani province and the reason may be due to the climate and environmental changes that enhance parasite survival.