Study of possible zoonotic parasites of domestic rats

ABSTRACT

One hundred and thirty rats of the species Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus were trapped. Liver, spleen intestinal contents and stool samples were examined for parasitic infection. Liver examination of rats showed 40% Capillaria hepatica infection and 16.9% showed Taenia taeniaeformis. As regards stool examination and intestinal contents, 70.8% of total rats showed S. obvelata. H. nana and H. diminute were infesting 13.8% of rats. Strongyloides ratti and Trichostrongylus spp. infested 4.6% and 7.7% of rats respectively. Protozoa were rarely infesting rats except Giardia lamblia which was found to infest 5.9% of R. norvegicus