Prevalence of Trematode Metacercariae in Cyprinoid Fish of Ban Pao District, Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand

The prevalence of trematode metacercariae in natural cyprinoid fish was carried out in Ban Pao district, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Fish were collected from both man-made water reservoirs and natural sources during July 1996-May 1997. Nine species of cyprinoid fish harbored the metacercariae of Opisthorchis viverrini and small intestinal flukes of the family Heterophyidae, ie Haplorchis taichui, H. pumilio and Centrocestus spp. Metacercariae of H. taichui were found approximately 384 times more than O. viverrini. Among the fish collected, Puntius leiacanthus contained the highest number of metacercariae of H. taichui (182 metacercariae/fish) whereas P. orphoides contained the highest number of metacercariae of O. viverrini (1.4 metacercariae/fish). Metacercariae of H. taichui found in this area were year-round, with the highest and lowest incidence rates being in winter and rainy season, respectively. The difference between H. taichui and O. viverrini with respect to their prevalences are discussed.