PARASITES Egg/s Ascaris sp. Ancylostoma sp.

Enterobiusvermicularis Hymenolepisdiminuta Syphaciamuris Syphaciaobvelata Taeniataeniaformis >80 >100 1

Rattus exulans(N=6) Juvenile/s 20 Adult/s 2 Egg/s 2 1 3 1 1

Rattus tanezumi(N=4) Juvenile/s 1 Adult/s 2 3 3 1

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One of the most common rodents of human that is responsible for some zoonotic parasites are the rats. These rats have given chaos to human society by transmitting diseases since they are known to act as vector for bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. Many pandemics in human population were due to their involvement. The species of the different endoparasites present on rats were examined using the two different species of rats namely Rattus tanezumi and Rattus exulans. Findings of the study on each individual parasite will be presented and discussed. One of the rat species is the R.exulans which can be caught mostly inside houses and in gardens within small villages and cities. Sometimes found in rice fields and dry cultivated areas but generally not far from humans settlements. Rattus exulans lives in close association with humans and in syntopy with Rattus tanezumi. It is known to be commensal and has the behavior of being arboreal, and good climber. Rattus exulans is quick and agile. It usually nests in roofs. Six different species of parasites on their different life stages were found on the species R.exulans. Eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta were found to be present on the small intestines of the species Rattus exulans. The number of eggs was estimated to be more than 100. Ten faecal samples were examined for eggs, proglottids or adult worms present on the species of rats. Of these, only two rat samples were found to be positive on the eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta. This shows that H. diminuta has a densityof 20% among the rats examined. Prevalence was highest on R. exulans. H. diminuta has a worldwide distribution whose definitive hosts are rodents. Infection of human is rare and occurs by accidental ingestion of infected arthropods harboring cysticercoids, infective larvae of the parasite. But even though transmission to human beings is rare, however it may be a serious threat to those living in close association with rodents The H. diminuta infection is often asymptomatic yet abdominal pain, irritability, pruritis have been associated with this condition. This species has an abundance of more than 100/1. Another species found on the fecal sample of Rattus exulans were the eggs of Taenia taeniaeformis which can be found in both domesticated and wild cats whereas its immature form

(metacestode stage) is prevalent in the rodents that serve as its intermediate hosts. Rodents ingest infected eggs that develop into larvae inside them. These larvae migrate in their intestinal wall and strobilocercus develops in the liver. This strobilocercus measures about 60mm to 100 mm in length and become infective for its final host. Eggs of Taenia taeniaeformis were approximately more than 80 giving an abundance of more than 80/1. In the ten rat samples examined in the laboratory, only in one rat sample was this parasite found implying that Taenia taeniaeformis has a density of 10%. Syphacia muris egg and adult stage was both found on Rattus exulans only. Again, on the ten rat samples examined, this parasite was only found in one rat sample which is the species of Rattus exulans therefore making its density 10%. This parasite is known to be the rat pinworm. This rodent pinworm belongs to class Nematoda, order Ascarida, suborder Oxyurina. They are roundworms that have three broad lips with a prominent esophagus containing a well-developed single bulb at the posterior end; and long, pointed tails. Male worms possess three mamelons; a long, prominent spicule; a gubernaculum; and a ventrally bent tail. On the female, the vulva is located on the anterior quarter of the body, behind the excretory pore. Eggs are asymmetrical, more or less flattened on one side, thin shelled, and transparent. This species has an abundance of 2/1. Three juvenile stages of the parasite Enterobius vermicularis was also found on the species Rattus exulans but three adult stages of this parasite was also found to be present on Rattus tanezumi which means that it has a density of 20% on the hosts. Enterobius vermicularis has an abundance of 3/1. These worms are small, white, and threadlike, with the females being larger ranging from 8-13 mm by 0.3-0.5 mm and the males being smaller ranging between 2-5 mm by 0.1-0.2 mm. Females are characterize by possessing a long, pin-shaped posterior end from which the parasite's name is derived. They dwell primarily in the cecum of the large intestine, from where the gravid females migrate at night to lay up eggs on the perineum. For the last parasite seen on Rattus exulans, two adult stage and 20 juvenile stages of Ascaris sp. was seen implying that it has an abundance of 22/1. Of all the parasites seen among the two species of rats, this parasite species have the highest density which is 40% since it was seen on the four rat samples dissected. Ascaris sp are the intestinal roundworms. This parasite affects human populations, typically in sub-tropical and tropical areas with poor sanitation. A species of this parasite which is the A. lumbricoides, is the largest intestinal roundworm and is the most common helminth that infects humans worldwide the infection is known as ascariasis. Infestation can cause morbidity, and sometimes death, by compromising nutritional status, since cognitive processes are affected. Other infections include inducing tissue reactions, such as granuloma, and provoking intestinal obstruction or rectal prolapsed. To sum up the parasites found on Rattus exulans, Ascaris species (eggs and adults) were found in one sample of Rattus exulans (abundance=22). Enterobius vermicularis juvenile species were present in one sample of host (abundance=3). Hymenolepis diminuta eggs were found in one sample of Rattus exulans (abundance=>100). Syphacia muris adult and egg species were observed in one sample of Rattus exulans (abundance=2). And lastly the species Taenia taeniaformis egg was also present in one sample of Rattus exulans (abundance=>80).

References: Rattus exulans. Retrieved 23 March 2012 http://www.ceropath.org/rdbsea/species/rattus%20exulans from the World Wide Web:

Studies on Rats and Mice as a Reservoir of Zoonotic Parasites. Retrieved 23 March 2012 from the World Wide Web: http://prr.hec.gov.pk/Thesis/242S.pdf Syphacia obvelata (Mouse Pinworm) and Syphacia muris (Rat Pinworm). Retrieved 23 March 2012 from the World Wide Web: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1429&page=156 Enterobius vermicularis. Retrieved 23 March 2012 from the World Wide Web: http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Enterobius/general%20information.h tm