Abstract
The study reveals the prevalence of a potential rodent-borne zoonotic helminth species, Hymenolepis diminuta in commensal rodents caught from irrigated and rain-fed areas of Swat, Pakistan. Three hundred and fifty rodents (269 rats and 81 mice) trapped during vegetative, flowering/fruiting and mature/harvesting stages of crops were studied from 2011-2013. Hymenolepisdiminuta eggs were identified on the basis of their shape, size, colour and markings on the surface of the egg shell and three pairs of embryonic hook-lets. Overall prevalence of H. diminuta was 3.14% (n=11/350). The highest prevalence 3.49% (n=5/143) of H. diminuta was noted at harvesting stages of the crops whereas the lowest 2.59% (n=2/77) during vegetative stage. Infection was higher in males 3.25% (n=7/215) than females 2.96% (n=4/135). Adult rodents were highly infected while no sub-adult was found infected. Infection was higher in mice 3.70% (3/81) than rats 2.69% (8/269) while no significance (p=1.0000:0.1250 to 32.00 CI). Rats and mice appears to show the most suitable reservoirs by hosting H. diminuta a zoonotic helminth. The presence of these rodents in all possible habitats can act as a main channel of transferring parasites through various habitats and can pose a hazard to humans in the area.
Highlights
Rodents of the family Muridae act as an important reservoirs of ectoparasites as well as helminths of potential importance (Bordes et al, 2013)
Most of the helminths are known for the public health importance such as echinococcosis, taeniasis, trichinosis, schistosomiasis, filariasis, opisthorchiasis and hymenolepiasis with the aid of potential role of murid rodents as reservoirs for parasites of zoonotic importance
Several reports on H. nana infection in Swat area of Pakistan have been published as Khan et al (2011, 2017a, b, 2018a, b, 2019a, b), Khan and Khan (2015) and Noor un Nisa et al (2012) but no report is available on H.diminuta infection in man, some other studies such as Marangi et al (2003) and Rohela et al (2012) have reported the presence of H. diminuta in humans
Summary
Rodents of the family Muridae act as an important reservoirs of ectoparasites as well as helminths of potential importance (Bordes et al, 2013). Rodent borne diseases like others such as malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS and helminthiasis effect human population and are considered as neglected diseases. Most of the helminths are known for the public health importance such as echinococcosis, taeniasis, trichinosis, schistosomiasis, filariasis, opisthorchiasis and hymenolepiasis with the aid of potential role of murid rodents as reservoirs for parasites of zoonotic importance. Coleopteran beetles, caterpillars, and millipedes, are known as the intermediate hosts (Heicher and Gallati, 1978; Andreassen et al, 1999). The cysticercoid contaminated food of the intermediate hosts when ingested become the leading source of infection to human beings. H. diminuta does not normally show severe symptoms, mild to moderate infection cannot cause any symptoms, whereas heavy infection can cause giddiness, anorexia, intestinal disorders, and diarrhea Waikagul and Thairungroj, 1997)
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