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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: The plerocercoid stage of Pseudophyllidean
cestoda infected a wide range of fresh water fish,
particularly the members of the Cyprinidae family. The parasite
species are the most common pathogens that have severe effects
on fish. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study is to
determine the occurrence and distribution of the plerocercoid of
Diphyllobothriidae in two freshwater fish from north and
northwest of Iran. Finally, we discuss the role and dynamics of
these species of fish in the transmission of infection. METHODS:
This study was carried out from September 2011 to September
2012on a total of 883 A. bipunctatus and 418 A. brama from north
and northwest of Iran. The samples were analyzed to find the
plerocercoid infection. RESULTS: From a total number of 883 A.
bipunctatus and 418 A. brama fish samples, 558 fish (63.19%)
of the former and 67 fish (16.02%) of the latter were infected. The
rate of infection was significantly lower in winter (p<0.01). Also,
the weight of infected fish was significantly lower than noninfected
ones (p<0.01). Moreover, the infection in northwest of
Iran was significantly higher than north of Iran (p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: The family of Diphyllobothriidae is an important
cestode and the prevention programs to break the cycle
of infection are essential. More suitable solutions to tackle the
problem, further epidemiological studies on other fresh water
sources of Iran are needed.
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