The prevalence of heterophyidae family in humans and animals in Khuzestan province

heterophyidsis is a common disease in man and animals(Zoonosis),the causative agents are small parasites of 1-2mm from the family of heterophyidae(trematodes)and often has a world-wide prevalence.this study was performed with the objective to determine the prevalence rate and identify the reservoirs of heterophyidae in man during the years 1991-1993 in Khuzestan province.in order to do this in a cross-sectional study with the method of simple randomzation a total of 984 persons in the rural areas were examined for infection with heterophyidae ova in their stools by formalin-ether concentration technique.the finding indicated that 19 persons(1.9%) were infected with the ova of the trematode.in order to find the animal reservoirs a total of 45 careases of carnivors were examined including:dog,jackal,fox,cat,wild cat,wildpigs and wolf.a total of 37.8% of the careases were infected with Haplorchis taichui,H.pumilio and stellantchasmus falcatus.this is the first time that these parasites have been reported in Iran,and they could be considered a public health problem in this region.