The Prevalence of Fasciola (Digenea: Fasciolidae) Species in Livestock and Humans in Iran, A Systematic Review.

Fasciolosis, a foodborne parasitic disease, is caused by the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. This disease is of significant concern, having been reported in various vertebrate hosts across more than 80 countries. A comparison of the geographical distribution of the two species reveals that Fasciola hepatica affects a wider range of animals and is often reported from high altitudes and hot and humid areas. The present study endeavors to provide an update on fascioliasis in animal and human hosts in Iran during the years 2019 to 2024. A systematic search of published articles in English was conducted using electronic databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Iran Science Direct, SID and Magiran. Following a thorough review of the literature, a total of 18 articles were identified that satisfied the predetermined inclusion criteria for the evaluation of the prevalence of fascioliasis in humans and animals within the Iranian context. Of the 18 articles that were subjected to analysis, only five documented the presence of the Fasciola hepatica species. In four articles, researchers encountered difficulties in identifying the specific species of Fasciola. Notably, the remaining articles reported the presence of both F. hepatica and F. gigantica species. The molecular analysis was employed in 61.1% of the cases, which is noteworthy. The prevalence of human fascioliasis exhibited variability, ranging from 1.7% to 2.4% across diverse regions of Iran. The present systematic review revealed that there has been a paucity of studies conducted in the field of fasciolosis in Iran during the last five years. Consequently, the authors of the present study recommend the implementation of further research focusing on the prevalence of fasciolosis in all provinces. The authors further recommend the formulation and dissemination of effective prevention and control strategies for this disease, contingent on the prevalence of fasciolosis in different provinces.