Molecular Identification of Fasciola Infection in Freshwater Snails from Hamedan Province

Background: Freshwater snails serve as intermediate hosts for trematode parasites, transmitting zoonotic diseases such as fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. The distribution of specific snail species greatly influences parasite spread in aquatic habitats. Hamedan Province, with its permanent water sources and suitable climate, offers favorable conditions for these hosts. Limited molecular data exist on local snail infections; thus, this study aimed to assess Fasciola and Schistosoma larvae in freshwater snails using molecular methods. Methods: Freshwater snails were collected from rivers and streams in Hamedan Province during ۲۰۲۴ using hand collection and mesh nets. After morphological identification, foot tissue samples were used for DNA extraction with a commercial kit. Detection of Fasciola and Schistosoma larvae was performed by PCR using species-specific primers for the ITS region. PCR products were visualized on agarose gel, and selected positive samples were verified through sequencing analysis. Results: total of ۳۸۶ freshwater snails from four genera were collected from five rivers in Hamedan Province. Molecular analysis detected Fasciola hepatica larvae in ۱۶ snails: ۱۰ Physa acuta and ۶ Lymnaea truncatula. No Schistosoma infection was found. Infection was highest in rivers with dense vegetation and slow water flow. Sequence alignment of positive PCR products confirmed F. hepatica identity. These results emphasize the role of specific snail species as intermediate hosts in fascioliasis transmission in this region, highlighting the epidemiological significance of monitoring freshwater snail populations to prevent disease spread. Conclusion: This study showed that freshwater snails, especially Physa acuta and Lymnaea truncatula, act as important intermediate hosts of Fasciola hepatica in Hamedan Province. No Schistosoma infection was detected. Molecular techniques enabled reliable parasite detection, highlighting their epidemiological value. These findings improve understanding of parasite ecology and support future control strategies in veterinary and public health.

کلیدواژه ها:

Physa acuta ، Fasciola hepatica ، Schistosoma ، PCR ، Hamedan Province