Internal parasitic burdens in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Grenada, West Indies

Cat is the definitive host of Taenia taeniaeformis (T. taeniaeformis). Cysticercus fasciolaris (C. fasciolaris), the larval stage of T. taeniaeformis, develops in small rodents which act as intermediate host. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of C. fasciolaris in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the densely human populated parishes, St. George’s and St. David’s of Grenada, West Indies. One hundred and seventy rats were trapped near the residential areas from May to July, 2017 and examined for C. fasciolaris in their liver. Of the 170 rats 115 (67.6%, CI 95% from 60.1 to 74.6) were positive for the larval stage of T. taeniaeformis. One to three cysts were observed in each liver, containing a single larva in each cyst. The prevalence was 77.9% in St. George and 59.1% in St. David which is a significant difference (p<0.05) between the two parishes under study. Based on gender, prevalence in males was 60.9% and females 74.7%. Significant difference was observed between young and adult rats (p=0.03). Prevalence in young rats was 45.0% compared to adults (70.7%). Further study of risk assessment in the cat population in areas of the present research is strongly suggested.

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Detection of Leptospira spp. using polymerase chain reaction technique from kidney of Rattus norvegicus from Grenada, West Indies

International Journal of One Health ◽

10.14202/ijoh.2019.81-85 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 81-85

Author(s):

Bhumika Sharma ◽

Katelyn Thille ◽

Nia Rametta ◽

Ravindra Sharma

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Rattus Norvegicus ◽

West Indies ◽

Gene Segment ◽

Local Alignment ◽

Active Infection ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Leptospira Spp ◽

Polymerase Chain

Aim: This study aimed to find out the prevalence of active infection of Leptospira spp. in Rattus norvegicus from Grenada, West Indies, through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-nine rats were trapped, anesthetized and their kidneys collected aseptically. DNA was extracted from the kidney tissue of each rat. PCR was performed targeting LipL32 gene. Eighteen PCR-positive amplicons for LipL32 gene segment were purified and sent for direct sequencing to the sequencing facility of MCLAB (South San Francisco, USA). Results of sequencing were read and interpreted. The prevalence of Leptospira spp. in relation to sex and age was also recorded. Results: All amplified sequences were compared to the sequences present in GenBank using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) from the online website National Center for Biotechnology Information, the results revealed that six samples had similarity to Leptospira interrogans strain 1399/2016 and eight samples had similarity with Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo-bovis strain L49. Of 149 kidney samples, only 14 were positive for Leptospira spp. by PCR giving an incidence of 9.3%. There was no significant difference found in relation to sex and age. Conclusion: This is the first report confirming active infection of Leptospira spp. in Rattus norvegicus in Grenada using PCR. The presence of active infection in rats can be considered as high risk for humans. Further research to understand the epidemiology of leptospirosis in Grenada is suggested.

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Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Grenada, West Indies

Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.1645/ge-902r.1 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 92 (5) ◽

pp. 1107-1108 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

J. P. Dubey ◽

M. I. Bhaiyat ◽

C. N L. Macpherson ◽

C. de Allie ◽

A. Chikweto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Toxoplasma Gondii ◽

Rattus Norvegicus ◽

West Indies

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Detection of serum antibodies against Leptospira spp. in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Grenada, West Indies

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2019.696-699 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 696-699 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ravindra Nath Sharma ◽

Katelyn Thille ◽

Brianna Piechowski ◽

Keshaw Tiwari

Keyword(s):

Rattus Norvegicus ◽

West Indies ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Close Contact ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Populated Area ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Leptospira Spp ◽

High Risk Factor ◽

Collection Sites

Background and Aim: Leptospirosis is an emerging disease of animals and humans. Among rodents brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are an important reservoir of bacteria Leptospira. There is a paucity of information on reservoirs of Leptospira in Grenada. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Leptospira spp. in brown rats in a densely human populated area of Grenada. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 169 brown rats were collected and sera screened for antibodies against Leptospira spp. using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Among a total of 169 brown rats trapped in two parishes in Grenada, 77/169 (45.5%) were positive for Leptospira spp. antibodies. A significant difference in seropositive population of brown rats between two collection sites was observed. No differences were found between sex and age of seropositive rats. Conclusion: Due to the close contact of brown rats with humans in Grenada, rats should be considered a high-risk factor in transmission of Leptospira to humans. Appropriate preventive measures should be instituted to prevent the transmission of Leptospira infection to humans.

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