Diversity and risk assessment of parasitic infections harboured by commensal rodents in central zone of Punjab state
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Date
2020
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
Present study on diversity and prevalence of ecto and endo-parasites of commensal rodents
was conducted in Ludhiana, Punjab from November 2017 to October 2019. A total of 300
rodents belonging to three species namely Rattus rattus (201), Bandicota bengalensis (90)
and Mus musculus (09) were live trapped from residences/shops, poultry farms and fish
market in three seasons. Fifty eight percent of the total rodents were found infested with 724
specimens of five ectoparasite species namely Xenopsylla cheopis (249), Polyplax spinulosa
(394), Ornithonyssus bacoti (32), Liponyssoides sanguineus (41) and Haemaphysalis sp. (08)
with infestation rate of 61.19% and 56.67% in R. rattus and B. bengalensis. No parasite was
found in M. musculus. A significant effect of host species was found on prevalence of ecto
and endo-parasites, however, season, study location, sex and age had no significant effect.
Oocysts/trophozoites of protozoans, Cryptosporidium murisand Giardia sp. were also
recorded in faecal samples. Overall prevalence of endoparasites was 65.67% with highest rate
in B. bengalensis (72.22%) followed by R. rattus (65.67%). Amongst nematodes, highest
prevalence was recorded for Capillaria hepatica (59.33%) followed by Strongyloides ratti
(49.00%), Trichuris muris (34.33%), Syphacia muris (26.33%), Aspiculuris tetraptera
(22.67%) and Heterakis spumosa (21.33%). Amongst cestodes, Cysticercus fasciolaris
(64.68%) was the most prevalent followed by Hymenolepis nana (63.00%) and H. diminuta
(52.00%).One acanthocephalan species (Moniliformis moniliformis) (8.60%) was also
recorded. Significant effect of parasitic infection was observed on sperm parameters, estrous
cycle, hormones, and biochemical parameters. Histopathologically, necrotic changes were
observed in infected liver and intestine. The study suggests that proper rodent pest and vector
management should be conducted in animal and human inhabitations to avoid the spread of
zoonotic diseases caused by them
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Citation
Sukhmanpreet Kaur (2020). Diversity and risk assessment of parasitic infections harboured by commensal rodents in central zone of Punjab state (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.