Determination of definitive and intermediate hosts of cercarial dermatitis-producing agents in northern Iran.

Background: The study concerns the prevalence of avian schistosomes in intermediate and definite hosts in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran.

Methods: A total of 14190 fresh-water snails belonging to various genera were sampled and tested for cercarial emission by lighting and then crushing. During the same period, the nasal blood vessels and mesenteric veins of aquatic birds, mainly belonging to the Anatidae family, were examined under dissecting microscope for detecting adult worms.