Acta Parasitol. 2026 Apr 6;71(2):81. doi: 10.1007/s11686-026-01260-x.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Bats harbor a diverse spectrum of gastrointestinal parasites, including trematodes, cestodes, and nematodes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in bats from cave and wetland environments in northern Iran, where bat parasitology remains largely unexplored. The research seeks to expand the regional records of bat parasites and establish a parasitological baseline for future ecological and epidemiological studies.
METHODS: A parasitological survey was conducted on 13 individuals from three bat species (Miniopterus pallidus, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Pipistrellus kuhlii) collected across Guilan Province. Recovered helminths were morphologically examined using statistical measurements, photography, and line drawings. For trematode specimens, molecular characterization was performed by sequencing the 28 S rDNA gene. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using Bayesian analysis to assess the taxonomic placement of the obtained sequences.
RESULTS: The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 61.5%. Morphological and molecular analyses revealed the presence of three trematode species belonging to the family Lecithodendriidae (Pycnoporus heteroporus, Pycnoporus sp., and an undetermined species) and one species from Plagiorchiidae, Plagiorchis koreanus. Two additional specimens were tentatively identified as Plagiorchis sp. based on morphology. Two nematode species, Molinostrongylus ornatus and Litomosa chiropterorum, were also recorded. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of the sequenced trematodes, with one sequence clustering with Plagiorchis koreanus and the others forming a distinct clade within the genus Pycnoporus.
CONCLUSION: This study reveals a high prevalence and diversity of helminth parasites in bats from northern Iran, documenting several species not previously reported in the region. These findings provide crucial baseline data on bat-helminth associations in Iran and contribute to broader ecological and parasitological knowledge of bats as hosts. Further surveys across different regions and seasons are recommended to explore host-parasite dynamics and potential zoonotic implications.
PMID:41941035 | DOI:10.1007/s11686-026-01260-x
