Prevalence of zoonotic helminths in local house rats (<i>Rattus rattus</i>) in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The occurrence o zoonoic helminths in house rats (Rattus rattus) constitute serious public healthrisks as these rats commonly cohabit with humans, and are known to be natural reservoirs of somehelminth inections of public health importance. This study surveyed the prevalence of the three major zoonotic helminths (Capillaria hepatica, Hymenolepis spp and Trichinella spiralis) in house rats in Nsukka, Eastern Ngeria. A total of 103 house rats were trapped and screened for the three zoonotic helminths. Whole liver of each R. rattus was sectioned into smallbits and examined for the presence of C. hepatica nodules/granuloma, while faecal samples collected from the rectum othe trapped rats were screened for worm eggs by the simple floatation technique, and diaphragmatic muscle sections were examined microscopically for the presence of T. spiralis larvae. Results showed that out of the 103 rats screened, 5.8% were infected with C. hepatca, 19.5% with Hymenolepis spp, and none (0%) with T. spiralis. The prevaence of C. hepatca in reaton to sex and age of the rats was found to be 29% for maes 7.4% for females, 0% for young rats and7.8% for adult rats, while that o Hymenolepis spp in relation to sex and age of R. rattus was 20%or males, 16.2% for females, 0% for young rats and 23.4% for adults. The prevalence obtanedin this study was compared with those reported in literature for other locations The occurrence of C.hepatica and Hymenolepis spp in R. rattus surveyed was considered to be of immense public healthsignificance because of the detrimental pathologies the helminths cause in humans who easily get infected as the rats cohabit the homes/houses where humans live.

Keywords: Prevalence, Zoonotic helminths, Capillaria hepatica, Hymenolepis spp, Trichinella spiralis, Rattus rattus