Korean J Parasitol.  2018 Feb;56(1):93-100. 10.3347/kjp.2018.56.1.93.

Endoparasites of Small Mammals in Edo State, Nigeria: Public Health Implications

• Isaac C
• Igbinosa B
• Ohiolei JA
• Osimen CE

• KMID: 2408531
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2018.56.1.93

Abstract

Some small mammals occur as household pests and harbour a number of parasites that could be of public health importance. This study profiled the helminth and protozoan parasites in trapped small mammals within and around human dwelling places (houses) located across 4 major towns (Auchi, Benin, Ekpoma, and Uromi) and environs in Edo state, Nigeria. Six genera (Apodemus sp., Crocidura sp., Mastomys natalensis, Mus musculus, Rattus sp., and Sorex sp.) were identified from 502 trapped small mammals. Overall, M. musculus (71.9%) and Rattus rattus (20.1%) were the most frequently trapped. In total, on examination of blood, gastrointestinal contents, and brain tissues, 12 helminth taxa (Angiostrongylus sp., Aspicularis sp., Capillaria sp., Gongylonema sp., Heterakis spumosa, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, Mastophorus muris, Moniliformis moniliformis, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Strongyloides sp., Trichosomoides sp., and Trichuris sp.), and 6 protozoan parasites (Babesia sp., Trypanosoma lewisi, Plasmodium sp., Eimeria sp., Isospora sp., and Toxoplasma gondii) were isolated. Most prevalent helminths with relatively heavy mean intensity were Strongyloides sp. and Heterakis spumosa, while Plasmodium, Eimeria, and Isospora were the most prevalent protozoan parasites. Generally, intrinsic factors like sex and age had marginal influence on the rate and burden of infection in M. musculus and R. rattus. Although the infection rate and prevalence of zoonotic parasites were low, they were largely recovered in rodents from Ekpoma. This study elucidates the public health implication of the presence of zoonotic parasites in these small mammals.

Keyword

Mus musculus; Rattus rattus; zoonotic parasite; Ekpoma

MeSH Terms

Animals
Benin
Brain
Capillaria
Eimeria
Family Characteristics
Gastrointestinal Contents
Helminths
Humans
Hymenolepis diminuta
Hymenolepis nana
Intrinsic Factor
Isospora
Mammals*
Mice
Moniliformis
Murinae
Nigeria*
Nippostrongylus
Parasites
Plasmodium
Prevalence
Public Health*
Rats
Rodentia
Spiruroidea
Strongyloides
Toxoplasma
Trichuris
Trypanosoma lewisi
Intrinsic Factor