B Meshgi - Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
A Eslami - Department of Parasitology, School of Specialized Sciences of Veterinary Medicine, Unit of Sciences andResearches, Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran.Researches, Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran.
N Taefie-Nasrabadi - Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.Researches, Islamic Azad University,Tehran, Iran.
F Jalosian - Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum, a liver trematodeof herbivores, and man is very prevalent among ruminants of Iran,resulting in causing significant economic losses. Recently itsphenotype polymorphism has been found in Iran, a phenomenonthat may affect the protein profile of the parasite. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to determine the somatic protein profilesof D.dendriticum in different ruminants in Iran. METHODS:Adultworms were collected from infected livers of sheep, goat, cattle,buffalo and camel. Somatic antigens were prepared separately bycentrifugation of the homogenized adult worms and their patternswere determined using SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: Our findingsrevealed 18-20 protein fractions in somatic proteins of D.dendriticum of sheep and goat and 12, 11 and 10 in that of buffalo,cattle and camel respectively showing similar molecular weights of14.4 to 116 kDa. Similar protein bands were seen in sheep and goatssamples; but not for in other samples. CONCLUSIONS: The resultsshowed polymorphism in the somatic protein patterns ofD.dendriticum isolated from different hosts. Adifferent number ofprotein bands with similar molecular weights of somatic antigensof D.dendriticum are described for the first time in the present study.

Dicrocoelium dendriticum, somaticantigens, SDS-PAGE, ruminants, Iran