Academia Open
Vol 10 No 1 (2025): June (In Progress)
Microbiology

First Record of Pygidiopsis summa and Ascocotyle longa in Iraq
Catatan Pertama Pygidiopsis summa dan Ascocotyle longa di Irak


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  • Ghadeer M. Al-Suwaij*,
  • Basim H. Abdullah
Ghadeer M. Al-Suwaij
Department of Biology,College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Basrah, Iraq *
Basim H. Abdullah
Department of Biology,College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Basrah, Iraq

(*) Corresponding Author
Picture in here are illustration from public domain image or provided by the author, as part of their works
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21070/acopen.10.2025.10744
Published March 7, 2025
Keywords
  • wild rat,
  • Pygidiopsis summa,
  • Ascocotyle longa,
  • Basrah
How to Cite
Al-Suwaij, G. M., & Abdullah, B. H. (2025). First Record of Pygidiopsis summa and Ascocotyle longa in Iraq. Academia Open, 10(1), 10.21070/acopen.10.2025.10744. https://doi.org/10.21070/acopen.10.2025.10744

Copyright (c) 2025 Ghadeer M. Al-Suwaij, Basim H. Abdullah

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

General Background: Heterophyid flukes are zoonotic parasites with complex life cycles involving multiple hosts, including fish and mammals, and pose significant public health risks. Specific Background: Despite global studies on heterophyid infections, their presence in Iraq has not been previously documented. Knowledge Gap: There is a lack of data on the distribution, taxonomy, and potential health implications of these parasites in the region. Aims: This study reports the first record of Pygidiopsis summa and Ascocotyle longa in Iraq, providing taxonomic descriptions and assessing their significance. Results: A total of 150 Rattus norvegicus were captured in Basrah, and their small intestines were examined, revealing both fluke species. Morphological analysis showed slight variations in spine length. Novelty: This is the first documentation of these species in Iraq. Implications: Findings highlight the need for awareness of foodborne parasitic infections and further molecular and epidemiological studies on heterophyid transmission dynamics.

Highlights:

  1. First record of Pygidiopsis summa and Ascocotyle longa in Iraq.
  2. Highlights Rattus norvegicus as a potential reservoir for heterophyid flukes.
  3. Emphasizes foodborne parasitic risks, urging further molecular and epidemiological studies.

Keywords: wild rat, Pygidiopsis summa, Ascocotyle longa, Basrah

 

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