RODENTS AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF SOME ZOONOTIC ENTERIC PARASITES IN BENI-SUEF PROVINCE

Gihan K Abdel-Latef ,Lilian N Mahrous

doi:10.21608/avmj.2015.170202

Abstract

Parasitic infections affecting the world's populations have a global significance. Infections are predominant in underdeveloped agricultural and rural areas of tropical and subtropical regions, causing reduced worker productivity and a waste of economic resources. The current study aimed to investigate epidemiological aspects and the occurrence of some zoonotic enteric parasites in different areas of Beni-Suef province, Egypt. Therefore, a total of 536 human stool samples (149 from diarrheic individuals of different ages and both sexes and 387 from apparently healthy individuals). Moreover, 95 fecal samples from rodents were collected from both rural and urban areas in Beni-Suefprovince for the detection of zoonotic enteric parasites by examination of direct fecal smears and concentration methods using different solutions (Shethear's solution, Zn sulphate and formol ether). Recovered parasites were Paragonimus-like (0.7%), Hymenolepis nana (12.5%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.18%), Enterobius (7.1%), Giardia spp. (11%), Entamoeba histolytica (16.9%) and mixed infection with more than one parasite represent 1.7%. Abundance of positive cases show rural residence with both rats and animal contact, with the young age groups were more liable to the infestation than the other groups. Examination of fecal samples from rats revealed infection rates of 33.7%. Hymenolepis diminuta was the most common parasite (20%) followed by Hymenolepis nana (12.6%) and Capillaria hepatica (1.05%).

Highlights

Gastrointestinal protozoon parasites are a major health problem with a high prevalence worldwide (Abd El Bagi et al, 2004)
School-age children are prone to intestinal parasites because of crowding and behavioral patterns that greatly contribute to the spread of parasitic infection
Previous literature of parasitic infections performed on villages revealed high infection rates of single and multiple gastrointestinal parasitic infections (85%) in small villages (Banta et al, 2009; Fawzi et al, 2004)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal protozoon parasites are a major health problem with a high prevalence worldwide (Abd El Bagi et al, 2004). Many literatures reported that amoebiasis is the most aggressive protozoal disease that affects the human bowel and is considered as a mandatory cause of death among the parasitic diseases (WHO, 1997). Experimental infection with E. histolytica occurred in dogs, cats, rats, monkeys and other laboratory animals. Rats act as reservoir host for many zoonotic pathogens including parasites that pose a health risk to humans (Paramasvaran et al, 2009). Some are accidentally infect and have a little public health importance, while others naturally occur in rodents and play a significant role in the prevalence of some of human parasites (Flynn, 1973). The current work aimed to detect the prevalence of different zoonotic parasites infecting humans and rats in different localities of Beni-Suef province, Egypt with determination of the role of rats in transmission of such zoonotic parasites among human beings. Each sample was put into individual plastic container and was transferred to the Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University and stored at 4°C for parasitological examination

Human stool samples

Floatation and sedimentation techniques

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION