Investigation on the endemic characteristics of Metorchis orientalisin Huainan area, China

OBJECTIVE To investigate the endemic characteristics of Metorchis orientalis (M. orientalis)in the Huainan area, Anhui province, China. METHODS The first-intermediate host, second-intermediate host and reservoir hosts were collected, and the endemic characteristics of M. orientalis were examined through field investigation and artificial infection. RESULTS Investigation was completed in 89 domestic ducks, 156 domestic chicken, 41 domestic geese, 20 domestic cats and 19 dogs. The infection rate of M. orientaliswas 18.0% (16/89) in ducks, 12.2% (19/156) in chicken, 9. 8% (4/41) in geese, 5.0% (1/20) in cats and 5.3% (1/19) in dogs. Sixty-seven cercariae of M. orientaliswere identified in 1,000 Parafossarulu s striatulus,with a natural infection rate of 6.7%, and 19 cercariae occurred in 300 Pseudorasbora parva, with a natural infection rate of 6.33%. The activity of the cercariae of M. orientaliswas associated with light intensity and temperature. The full life cycle of M. orientalisranged from 120 to 140 days; it occurred approximately in 89 days in snails, 28 days in fish and 20 days in ducks. CONCLUSION M. orientalisis prevalent in the Huainan area, and it may complete its life cycle in Parafossarulus striatulus, Pseudorasbora parva and natively rais ed ducks.