Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 21 3 2026 09 02 398 408 Chavanut Jaroenchaiwattanachote 1. Biomedical Science Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand 2. Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand Jitsuda Kullawat Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand Tongjit Thanchomnang 1. Biomedical Science Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand 2. Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand Supawadee Piratae 1. Biomedical Science Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand 2. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand Kritsana Homwutthiwong Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand Weerachai Saijuntha 1. Biomedical Science Research Unit, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand 2. Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand Teputid Kuasit Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand 2025 12 19 2026 09 02 Background: Trematode-borne diseases remain an important public health issue in Thailand, where freshwater ecosystems support a wide diversity of snail species that act as intermediate hosts. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections among freshwater snails in Maha Sarakham Province. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design to ascertain the prevalence of fluke larvae in freshwater snails in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand during April 2023. Snail samples were selected from four freshwater bodies using the counts per unit of time methodology, with five distinct sampling points established at each site. Cercaria larvae detection was conducted using the cercaria shedding method. The cercariae were examined under a stereomicroscope to classify them based on morphological characteristics. Results: Among the 959 individual snails examined, 11 species of freshwater snails were identified, including three cercarial trematodes, Pleurolophocercous cercaria, Furcocercous cercaria, and Xiphidiocercaria, in which Lymnaea auricularia rubiginosa and Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos were infected. The overall prevalence of trematode infection was 1.04%, with 10 infected snails. The Chi Long Forest Park Reservoir exhibited the highest infection rate at 2.33%, followed by the Nang Chong Stream at 0.60% and the Ban Koeng Reservoir at 0.45%, respectively. The prevalence of trematode infections in four freshwater bodies was not significantly different (P>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study provide essential baseline data for developing effective trematode control and prevention strategies in the study area. Accordingly, targeted management of intermediate host snail populations is critical for interrupting the trematode life cycle and minimizing transmission risk. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/4855 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/4855/1515