Dicrocoelium Dentriticum Infection among Domestic Animals in Iran: A systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background and Dicroceliasis is a common disease in ruminants caused by various species of Dicrocoelium. This parasite is seen communally in bile ducts and gallbladder of ruminants and sometimes accidentally in humans. The parasite is considered to be important from both economic and veterinary aspects since it has a direct impact on liver damage and results in significant loss of protein in human diet because infected livers are removed in slaughterhouses. This parasite is prevalent in Iran, so, this study was performed to determine the rate of dicrocoeliasis infection in Iran. We sought to conduct a systematic review of articles published on some databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, IranMedex, Scopus, SID, IranDoc and Magiran, between 2000-2015. Our search resulted in a total of 15 reports published about the prevalence of dicrocoeliasis infection. The random effect model was used for this meta-analysis. The relative prevalence rate of dicrocoelium was 3.1% (2.2-4.2%) in sheeps, 1.3% (0.9-1.9%) in goats, and 2.1% (1.1-3.5%) in cows. This study revealed high prevalence of dicrocoelium dentriticum infection among domestic animal in Iran, therefore, it is necessary to follow hygiene procedures in washing vegetables and adequate monitoring are also needed in Iranian abattoirs to ensure the infected livers are removed.