Abstract
Background and AimAsian house shrew (Suncus murinus), a widely distributed small mammal in the South Asian region, can carry helminths of zoonotic importance. The aim of the study was to know the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) helminths in free-ranging Asian house shrew (S. murinus) in Bangladesh.Materials and MethodsA total of 86 Asian house shrews were captured from forest areas and other habitats of Bangladesh in 2015. Gross examination of the whole GI tract was performed for gross helminth detection, and coproscopy was done for identification of specific eggs or larvae.ResultsThe overall prevalence of GI helminth was 77.9% (67/86), with six species including nematodes (3), cestodes (2), and trematodes (1). Of the detected helminths, the dominant parasitic group was from the genus Hymenolepis spp.(59%), followed by Strongyloides spp.(17%), Capillaria spp. (10%), Physaloptera spp. (3%), and Echinostoma spp.(3%).ConclusionThe finding shows that the presence of potential zoonotic parasites (Hymenolepis spp. and Capillaria spp.) in Asian house shrew is ubiquitous in all types of habitat (forest land, cropland and dwelling) in Bangladesh. Therefore, further investigation is crucial to examine their role in the transmission of human helminthiasis.
Highlights
Shrews, belonging to the order Insectivora and under the family of Soricidae and the genus Suncus, are extensively distributed in Asia, Africa, and Europe [1]
The finding shows that the presence of potential zoonotic parasites (Hymenolepis spp. and Capillaria spp.) in Asian house shrew is ubiquitous in all types of habitat in Bangladesh
Among all the parasites identified in different land gradients, only Capillaria spp. has significantly higher prevalence in cropland area
Summary
Shrews, belonging to the order Insectivora and under the family of Soricidae and the genus Suncus, are extensively distributed in Asia, Africa, and Europe [1]. Of the 18 currently recognized species of Suncus, only two species, namely Suncus murinus, the house shrew (Chika or Chucho), and S. etruscus, the pygmy shrew (Baman Chika), are native to Bangladesh. Shrew plays an important role as reservoirs and hosts of many pathogens of animals and humans [3]. Asian house shrew (Suncus murinus), a widely distributed small mammal in the South Asian region, can carry helminths of zoonotic importance. The aim of the study was to know the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal (GI) helminths in free-ranging Asian house shrew (S. murinus) in Bangladesh
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