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Background: Some freshwater snails are acting as intermediate hosts for digenetic trematodes. Studies on distribution of freshwater snails are important to determine the transmission patterns of the trematoda. Objectives: The current study aimed to identify medically important snails of Miangran Lake in Izeh, Khuzestan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted in fourteen sites around Miangran Lake in 2014. The collected samples were placed in plastic containers containing 70% ethyl alcohol, prior to consideration. The identification was carried out according to shell characteristics. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: All sampling sites were positive for medically important snails. Overall, nine genera and thirteen species were identified. The most diversity in genus was found in Melanopsis. Five genera of snails detected in the study with known medical importance include: Bithynia spp., Bulinus spp., Lymnaea spp., Melanoides spp. and Melanopsis spp. Melanoides spp. was observed in thirteen and Bellamya spp. was identified in two sites. Also, in this study Melanoides spp., Bulinus spp., and Lymnaea spp. were widespread snails around Miangran Lake. Conclusions: The reason for difference in the detected snail genera in sampling sites may be due to various physicochemical factors. According to the current study, medically important snails exist in Miangran Lake and they could be a source of trematode infections for the local people. Controlling measures after comprehensive studies should be applied.

Background: Bulinus truncatus is the intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium, which is a causative agent of urinary schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that has been given high priority by the world health organization. Although schistosomiasis was eradicated from Iran decades ago, Bulinus truncatus has been reported in some regions of Khuzestan. In addition, in recent years, cases of urinary schistosomiasis have been described in Iran's neighboring country Iraq. It is therefore possible that the disease may reemerge in the Khuzestan region in the future. Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether Bulinus truncatus is present in parts of Khuzestan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: Using a hand net, samples were taken from irrigation canals in 27 locations in Khuzestan province during October 2015. The collected materials were placed in a plastic container. The samples were then washed on a mesh screen. The snails were separated and dried at room temperature. Identification was carried out according to the morphological characteristics of the shell. A descriptive data analysis was subsequently conducted. Results: Bulinus truncatus was detected in seven locations. In addition, Melanoides tuberculata, which is also considered medically important, and Physa acuta were detected. The prevalence of Bulinus truncatus, Melanoides tuberculata, and Physa acuta was 6%, 5.5%, and 88.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Preventive measures to eliminate Bulinus truncatus should be applied in the Khuzestan region of Iran.

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