Zoonotic and non-zoonotic helminths in black rats of rain-fed and irrigated areas of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Present study was conducted to get information on helminth parasites of zoonotic importance among the black rats of district Swat, Pakistan. Two hundred and sixty nine rats were captured from agricultural ecosystem of the district using live captured traps from 2011 to 2013. Captured rats were anesthetized and surveyed for the presence of ectoparasites, then were carefully dissected for investigation of endoparsites. Helminth parasites of 8 species were identified. Presence of parasite was noticed in 23.7% of sampled rats. The infection rates of sampled rats was given in order of their infectivity as Syphacia obvelata 13(4.83%), Aspiculuris tetraptera 13(4.83%), Heterakis spumosa 12 (4.46%), Hymenolepis spp . 9(3.34%), H.diminuta 8(2.97%), Hymenolepis fusa 4(1.48%), Lutziella microacetabularae 4(1.48%) and Lutziella spp. 1 (0.37%). No significant difference (P < 0.4289) was found in prevalence of parasites among areas, crops, crop stages and sex of the host while adult rats were found more infected than sub-adults. S. obvelata and A. tetraptera were the most common species of helminths while Lutziella sp., 1 (0.37%) was found only in one host. Rattus rattus (the black rat) was regarded as the host of helminth parasites of zoonotic importance, therefore the hidden health hazards of this rodent species needed to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans. Current study was concluded that Rattus rattus harbored a wide variety of helminth parasites which shows a hidden risk to inhabitants of the region. Monitoring rats’ population in settle areas and educating the local community about the risk of rat borne parasitic diseases transmission through rats appears to be absolutely essential.

Prevalence of Hymenolepis spp. in House Mice in Baghdad City, Iraq

“…Further, (21) who recorded that infection in male rodents was higher than female 62.06% and 37.94%, respectively. Also, (30) reported that the prevalence rate in males were higher than females (83.33% and 47.61%, respectively); ( 15) who stated the prevalence in males of house mice were higher than females 1.49% and 0.0%, respectively in Kalar district, Sulaymaniyah province; (31) who referred that the prevalence rates of rodent male were much higher than female 15.9% and 7.80%, respectively; so (32) who found the prevalence in male were higher than female 61.8% and 38.2% respectively. On the other hand, this result disagrees with (3333) who mentioned that Hymenolepis spp.…”

Description of Lutziella swatensis sp.n. (Trematoda: Dicrocoelidae) from Rattus rattus in Swat, Pakistan

“…Rats are capable to harbor various pathogens, among which certain species of zoonotic parasites are included. A long-term detection of parasite fauna of rats has sporadically been carried out in Pakistan (Farooq and Yousaf, 1986;Mehrunnisa and Shimi, 1986;Shafi et al, 1986;Shafi et al, 1982;Noor Un Nisa et al, 2013;Khan et al, 2021). Similar studies have also been conducted outside Pakistan as Chaisiri et al (2009); Milazzoc et al (2010); Kifune et al (2001); Namue and Wangsawad (2011); Tenora et al (1983); Wiroreno et al (1987).…”

First Data on Bacterial, Fungal and Parasitic Infections of Black Rats (Rattus Rattus) From the Palm Groves of the Algerian Sahara

“…Hymenolepis spp. are frequently transmitted to humans and reported as zoonotically important(Khan et al, 2021), whereas H. diminuta is transmitted by ingestion of Tribolium confusum (flour beetle, intermediate host) with contaminated cereals, or by the fecal-oral route. Hymenolepis nana is transmitted through fecal-oral contact (eggs), or by accidental ingestion of intermediate hosts harboring cysticercoids…”