Helminth Infections of Meriones Persicus (Persian Jird), Mus Musculus (House Mice) and Cricetulus Migratorius (Grey Ham-Ster): A Cross-Sectional Study in Meshkin-Shahr District, North-West Iran



Zarei Z¹ ; Mohebali M^{1, 2} ; Heidari Z¹ ; Davoodi J³ ; Shabestari A³ ; Haghi AM¹ ; Khanaliha K¹ ; Kia EB^{1, 2} Show Affiliations
Source: Iranian Journal of Parasitology Published:2016

Abstract

Background: Rodents have important role as reservoirs of different parasites. The aim of this study was to determine helminth parasites of abundant rodents in Meshkin-Shahr, Ardabil Province northwest Iran. Methods: From April 2014 to March 2015; 205 rodents including 118 Meriones per-sicus, 63 Mus musculus and 24 Cricetulus migratorius were collected, using live traps. All rodents were dissected and their different tissues examined for infectivity with helminth parasites. Results: Overall, 74.2% of rodents were infected with helminth parasites. The rate of infectivity in M. persicus, M. musculus and C. migratorius was 82.2%, 61.9%, 66.7%, respectively. In general, among all 205 rodents, the species and infection rates of helminthes were as follows: Nematoda: Trichuris sp. (46.8 %), Capillaria hepatica (18.1%), Syphacia frederici (14.2%), Aspicularis tetraptera (3.4%), Trichuris rhombomidis (2%), Heligmosomom sp. (2%), Streptopharagus kuntzi (0.5%), Spiruridae gen. sp. (0.5%); Cestoda: Hymenolepis nana fraterna (16.6%) Hymenolepis diminuta (7.3%) tetrati-ridium of Mesocestoides sp. (1%), Paranoplocephala sp. (0.5%), Cysticercus fasciolaris (0.5%), Taenia endothoracicus larva (0.5%), and Acanthocephala: Moniliformis monilifor-mis (18.5%). Conclusions: Variable species of helminthes circulate in the rodents of the study area. Presence of several zoonotic species highlights the potential risk of infections for public health. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved.