Internal parasitic burdens in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Grenada, West Indies. Issue 8 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coomansingh-Springer, C.; Vishakha, V.; Acuna, A. Montanez; Armstrong, E.; Sharma, R.N.
• Is Part Of: Heliyon. Volume 5:Issue 8(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Zoology -- Animal science -- Biological sciences -- Veterinary medicine -- Animal behavior -- Public health -- Endoparasites -- Brown rat -- Grenada; Research -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Periodicals; 507.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2405-8440

Abstract

Abstract: This study identified the endoparasites in Brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus) during May to July 2017 in Grenada, West Indies. A total of 162 rats, 76 females and 86 males were trapped from St. George and St. David parishes in Grenada. The collected fecal samples were examined for parasitic eggs and/or oocysts using simple fecal flotation technique. Adult parasites found in the intestinal tract were examined for identification. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among rats was 79 %. Ten helminth species were recovered, several of which were reported for the first time in rodents in Grenada. The internal parasites consist of seven nematodes ( Angiostrongylus spp., Nippostrongylus braziliensis, Heterakis spumosa, Strongyloides ratti, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Syphacia spp. and Protospirura spp.), one cestode ( Hymenolepsis diminuta ), one acanthocephalan ( Moniliformis moniliformis ) and one protozoa species ( Eimeria spp.). The most prevalent zoonotic species were Angiostrongylus spp. (35.2%), Hymenolepsis diminuta (7.4%) and Moniliformis moniliformis (3.1%). Several nonzoonotic endoparasites; which included Nippostrongylus braziliensis (50.6%), Heterakis spumosa (15.4%), Strongyloides ratti (43.2%), Aspiculuris tetraptera (2.5%), Syphacia spp . (1.9%), Protospirura spp. (1.2%) and Eimeria spp. (4.7%) were also identified. The most prevalent parasites were Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (50.6%), Strongyloides ratti (43.2%) and Angiostrongylus spp. (35.2%). Co-infections occurred with up to six species per rat showing different combinations of parasitic infections.