Deteksi Endoparasit Cacing pada Hepar Tikus Laboratorium (Rattus norvegicus) dari Sentra Peternak di Kabupaten Banyumas dan Kabupaten Purbalingga

The presence of laboratory rats that are maintained and bred for laboratory purposes or laboratory observations is very necessary. The presence of endoparasite in laboratory rats will have an impact on the result of the research or laboratory observations. This study aims to detect helminth endoparasites in the liver of laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) from animal breeders in Banyumas and Purbalingga Districts. This research was an observational study with a cross-sectional design. A total of 52 laboratory rats were used in the study. Rats are killed with chloroform, liver surgery then identify the presence of worm larvae. Out of the 52 rats obtained, 7 (29.17%) from 24 laboratory rats in Banyumas District and 5 (17.86%) from 28 laboratory rats in Purbalingga District were infected with Taenia taeniaeformis. It is necessary to control helminth infections in laboratory rats, such as laboratory animal quarantine, health monitoring, and antihelmintic treatment. It is important to handle carefully during travel to assure the results of research or laboratory observations using the animals.

Gastrointestinal Helminthic Parasites of Stray Cats (Felis catus) in Northwest Iran

Background: Stray cats are considered an important source of various human and animal diseases, particularly diseases of parasitic helminths. We aimed to investigate the distribution of zoonotic species of gastrointestinal helminths in stray cats in Meshkin-Shahr district in Ardabil Province in the northwest of Iran. Methods: The gastrointestinal tract of 104 stray cats from villages of Meshkin-Shahr district were provided during 2014-2015. Each gastrointestinal tract was cut into distinct sections, including esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, and each section was examined separately for detection of helminths. Helminths were collected and then identified at the species level after clearing and staining. Results: Overall, 88 out of 104 cats (84.6%) were found to be infected with at least one gastrointestinal helminth. The rate of infection for each species was as follows: Toxocara mystax (syn. cati) (49%), Taenia taeniaeformis (44.2%), Joyexiella pasqualei (32.7%), Dipylidium caninum (23.1%), Rictularia cahirensis (4.8%), and Physaloptera praeputialis (4.8%). Among these parasites, only Ph. praeputialis was collected from the stomach, all other helminths were collected from the small intestine. Conclusion: The results demonstrate a high infection rate of stray cats with zoonotic helminths. The presence of zoonotic species in stray cats, particularly T. mystax, has public health importance.

A parasitological survey of zoonotic cestodes carried by house rats in Aswan, Egypt, reveals cryptic diversity at the molecular level

Background and Aim: Some rat cestodes are zoonotic and are capable of parasitizing humans and animals, raising serious concerns regarding human and veterinary health. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cestodes in Egyptian house rats and to characterize the cestodes molecularly. Materials and Methods: The current survey examined 115 house rats (Rattus rattus) in two cities (Edfu and Aswan) in Egypt's Aswan Governorate for cestode infection using integrated molecular approaches (polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis) and morphological/morphometrical approaches. Results: The cestodes identified in this study exhibited the typical morphological characteristics of Hymenolepis diminuta (Rudolphi, 1819), Hymenolepis nana (Siebold, 1852) (from rat intestine), and Hydatigera taeniaeformis (from rat liver). The species prevalence rates from these three studies were reported to be 8.7%, 10.4%, and 20.9%, respectively. The ribosomal DNA (ITS1, 18S, and complete ITS) sequences revealed that the hymenolepid sequences were highly distinct but were related to other sequences in the GenBank database, with some sequences showing high similarities to those of H. nana and H. diminuta. In addition, the H. taeniaeformis sequences (ITS2 and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 [mtCOX1]) obtained in this study were highly similar to some Taenia taeniaeformis GenBank sequences. The constructed phylogram revealed that the hymenolepidid tapeworms examined in this study were classified into four major branches (the majority of which were hybrids of the two species) and belonged to the genus Hymenolepis. In addition, the phylogram of H. taeniaeformis assigned this species to T. taeniaeformis. Conclusion: When typical hymenolepid morphology is combined with molecular and phylogenetic divergence, it may indicate the existence of possible cryptic species. In addition, on the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, genetic diversity within T. taeniaeformis may exist as determined by comparing the metacestode mtCOX1 sequences. The current study presents the prevalence values of zoonotic cestodes and contributes to the body of knowledge, including identification keys and the use of molecular tools for species confirmation.

Isolation and Identification of different Intestinal Helminthes Groups from Stray Cats in Urban City of Kirkuk

In this study, 25 stray cats were caught from the urban city of Kirkuk hunted using specially designed traps. Cats were dissected and examined in order to investigate its infection with intestinal parasites. Our results indicate that all stray cats were infected with at least one type of helminthes. Three types of Trematodes were identified: Echinochasmus, Heterophyes and , Prohemistomum with infection rate of 4% for each type. Such species were identified for the first time in stray cats in the Iraq. Moreover, four types of cestodes were identified: Diplopylidium, Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella and Taenia taeniaeformis with infection rate of 24% 48%, 16% and 12%, respectively. Nematodes of Physaloptera preputalis, Toxocara cati and Toxoascaris leonina were also found. The infection rate was 4% ,28% and 8% for each type, respectively. Keywords: intestinal helminthes, stray cats, Trematodes.

Endoparasites of European Wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Greece

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris) is the only wild felid living in Greece. Wildcat populations are declining due to anthropogenic and phenological unfavourable conditions, and parasites may have an additional negative impact. In the present study, the occurrence of endoparasites in wildcats in Greece and the potential threats posed to wildcats, domestic animals, and humans in the study areas has been investigated. In a six-year period, 23 road-killed wildcats and 62 wildcat faecal samples were collected from different areas of the country. Necropsy for the detection of endoparasites and standard parasitological examinations of faecal samples were performed. Parasites were morphologically identified and, in selected cases, molecularly analysed. All necropsied wildcats (100%) were infected by three to 10 different parasite taxa, with the most prevalent being Taenia taeniaeformis (73.9%), Toxocara cati (60.9%), Angiostrongylus chabaudi (56.5%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (39.1%), Cylicospirura spp. (34.8%), Troglostrongylus brevior (34.8%), and Capillaria aerophila (33.8%). Of the 62 faecal samples examined, 53 (85.5%) were positive for one or more parasite elements (larvae, eggs, or oocysts). The most frequent were T. cati (45.2%), A. chabaudi (29%), C. aerophila (24.2%), and Ancylostomatidae (17.7%). This is the first survey on endoparasites affecting wildcats in Greece. Some of the parasites here found are frequent in domestic and wild felids, while others, i.e., Oslerus rostratus and Cylicospirura petrowi, were described for the first time in the European wildcat. Most of them have a significant pathogenic potential, causing severe to hazardous diseases to infected felids and some, under specific circumstances, can also threaten human health.

Identificación de helmintos en Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphidae) y Rattus rattus (Muridae) en el área metropolitana de Bucaramanga, Colombia

Objetivo. Evaluar la presencia de helmintos en Didelphis marsupialis y Rattus rattus en zonas de invasión del Caracol Gigante Africano Achatina fulica en el área metropolitana de Bucaramanga, Santander. Metodología. Se capturaron ejemplares de Didelphis marsupialis y de Rattus rattus, los cuales se analizaron para presencia de helmintos en órganos internos. Resultados. El nematodo Angiostrongylus sp. no se halló en los vasos sanguíneos de las dos especies de mamífero examinadas. En el tracto digestivo de Didelphis marsupialis se hallaron los nematodos Physaloptera sp., Aspidodera sp., Travassostrongylus sp., Cruzia sp., Trichuris sp. y Capillaria sp., además del trematodo Rhopalias sp. En el tracto gastrointestinal de Rattus rattus se encontraron los nematodos Nippostrongylus sp., Heterakis sp., los cestodos Hymenolepis sp. y un estrobilocerco de Taenia taeniaeformis, este último en hígado. En las heces de Didelphis marsupialis se detectaron huevos Tipo Strongylida, Ascaroidea, Spiruroidea y Trichuroidea y en las de las ratas, se observaron huevos Tipo Strongylida, Ascaroidea e Hymenolepididae. Conclusiones. Las zarigüeyas (D. marsupialis) y las ratas (R. rattus) del área metropolitana de Bucaramanga parecen estar parasitadas por una amplia variedad de helmintos en su sistema digestivo, a juzgar por los hallazgos de varios géneros de nematodos, cestodos y trematodos, solamente con haber procesado dos ejemplares de cada especie de mamífero. Los autores recomiendan adelantar estudios similares en la región, con un mayor número de animales y examinando, además del tracto digestivo, órganos como el corazón y la vesícula biliar.

PARASITOS GASTRINTESTINAIS EM FEZES DE GATOS DOMICILIADOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE PELOTAS, RS, BRASIL

Este estudo, teve como objetivo, determinar a frequência de parasitos gastrintestinais em gatos domésticos no município de Pelotas, RS, Brasil. Foram analisadas, 60 amostras fecais, destas, 43 (71,7%) eram procedentes de animais adultos e 17 (28,3%) de filhotes. As fezes foram processadas pelas técnicas de Willis & Mollay (1921), Faust (1938) e Hoffmann, Pons e Janer (1934). Destas amostras, 22 (36,7%) foram positivas para pelo menos um gênero de parasito, 17 apresentavam infestação simples (77,27%) e 5, associação de parasitos (22,73%). Ovos do gênero Ancylostoma e Toxocara foram os mais observados, estando presentes em 8 amostras cada (13,3%). Nos animais jovens, houve maior frequência de Toxocara sp., enquanto nos adultos, predominou Ancylostoma spp. Foram observados ainda, ovos dos cestódeos, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia Taeniaeformis e Spirometra sp., além de cistos de Giardia sp. e oocistos de Cystoisospora spp. A ocorrência de um número significativo de parasitos e a proximidade entre os animais e o homem mostra a necessidade de um controle mais efetivo para que ocorra a redução da carga parasitária dos animais e consequentemente do ambiente.

Severe Concomitant Physaloptera sp., Dirofilaria immitis, Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis Infection in a Cat

Here we describe an unusual and severe mixed parasitic infection in a cat that died during routine surgery. Gastric Physaloptera sp., cardiac Dirofilaria immitis, and intestinal Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Ancylostoma sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis were observed. Histologic lesions included chronic proliferative pulmonary endarteritis, mild increase of mucosal intestinal white cells, and terminal aspiration of gastric content. The severe dirofilariasis may have contributed to this patient death during anesthesia.

Diversity of Rodent Species and Its Potency as the Vector for Transmitting Rodent Borne Parasitic Disease in Households

Rodent species have been known as the major pest in the agricultural sector leading to economic losses. They are also identified as the vector for several rodent -borne zoonotic diseases. However, a specific study on observing their diversity in households closed to lowland irrigated agroecosystems that correspond to disease distribution’s role is limited. To address this issue, a field study was performed during the 2019 -2020 cropping season in two sites (Yogyakarta and West Java) which were categorized as the rice production centers. Trapping was conducted consecutively for 13-30 days using 65-75 snap traps. Roasted coconut and salty fish were used to attract rodents. In West Java, 3 rodent species ( Rattus argentiventer, Rattus tanezumi, Bandicota indica) and insectivore small mammal (Suncus murinus) were discovered from 1,950 trap nights. Meanwhile, the setting of 900 trap nights in Yogyakarta indicated less diverse rodents with only one species (Rattus tanezumi) and the same insectivore discovered. All captured animals were dissected and observed for the endoparasites. We obtained two potent species of parasites ( Taenia taeniaeformis and Capillaria hepatica), which can be transmitted by rodents to the local people if they do not apply a proper health practice.