Identification of snail fauna as intermediate hosts of pathogenic trematodes in livestock and poultry in Borujen county

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Yaser Pirali 1
Hamidreza Yoonesi Borujeni 2
Fatemeh Nasiri Dashtaki 3
1 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
2 Master's degree in Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
3 Resident in Aquatic Animal Healths and Disease,, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord,, Iran
10.22034/ijvcs.2026.14985.1097
Abstract
Many freshwater snails in the life cycle of Trematodes are intermediate hosts, and are vectors of various parasitic diseases. Some of these pathogens are zoonotic and others primarily affect livestock and poultry. A comprehensive understanding of the species diversity of these snails and their geographical distribution is crucial for designing public health and veterinary strategies. The purpose of this study was to identify freshwater snail species that act as intermediate host for trematodes pathogenic to livestock and poultry. During the summer and autumn of 2018 and the summer of 2019, in 9 stations located in Borujen, search for snail collection was carried out and collection were successful in 7 stations. Existing snails were collected. After transferring the samples to the laboratory, their family and genus were identified using diagnostic keys and reputable references. It was determined that the snail speciese Physa acuta, Planorbis planorbis, Lymnaea truncatula, Lymnaea gedrosiana, and Lymnaea stagnalis inhabit this region. Considering the identification of Lymnaea truncatula and Lymnaea gedrosiana, which are the intermediate host for Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica and Schistosoma turkestanicum, respectively, it is concluded that the area is favorable for the spread of such diseases, and prevention plans should be considered for prevent their occurrence. According to previous research throughout Iran, two snail species, Theodoxus doriae and Pisidia sp, were reported for this city, but due to the failure to collect these species and identification of two new species, Planobis planorbis and Physa acuta, in this area, a revision of previous findings appears necessary.
Keywords
Freshwater Snails
Zoonotic Disease
Public Health
Intermediate Host
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
Volume 20, Issue 1 - Serial Number 34
Spring &Summer 2026
September 2026
Pages 131-142