Helminth parasites of the Nile Rat, Arvicanthis niloticus, from Shendi area, Sudan

Eighty nine rats, Arvicanthis niloticus, were collected from the horticultural fields of Shendi area in Sudan, between January and June 2018, and examined for the first time for helminth parasites. Thirty seven (41.6%) of the collected rats were infected, with an overall mean intensity of 4.4 helminths per a rat. A total of 6 helminth species were identified including three nematodes (Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Monanema nilotica and Capillaria hepatica) and three cestodes (Hymenolepis diminuta, H. nana and Taenia taeniae formis). The most prevalent helminth was found to be the nematode, N. brasiliensis (21.3%), followed by the cestode, H. diminuta (10.1%), while the least was the nematode, C. hepatica (1.1%). Higher prevalence and intensity of infection were observed among older rats. Likewise, male rats were found to harbor a higher prevalence and intensity of infection. In conclusion, the rat, A. niloticus in Shendi area has found to be parasitized by various species of helminths, which some are of zoonotic importance, thus, any possible contact between this rat and humans or their pets may pose potential risk to public health.

Helminth parasites of the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis (Squamata: Gekkonidae), from Shendi area, Sudan

This is the first report on helminths parasitize the white-spotted wall gecko, Tarentola annularis from Shendi area in Sudan. A total of 32 geckos were collected between January and May 2018, and examined for helminth infections. Three nematode species of the family Pharyngodonidae were identified: Pharyngodon mamillatus, Spauligodon brevibursata and Parapharyngodon sp. The most prevalent nematode found was P. mamillatus followed by S. brevibursata. The overall prevalence and intensity of infections was 81.3% and 6.8 nematodes per one infected gecko, respectively. The prevalence and intensity of infections were observed to be more in adult male geckos compared to adult females. On the other hand, the prevalence and intensity of infections were significantly higher in adult geckos compared to the juveniles.

Ectoparasites of the Nile Rat, Arvicanthis niloticus from Shendi area, Sudan

This study investigated the ectoparasites of the Nile Rat, Arvicanthis niloticus in Shendi area, River Nile State, Sudan. Eighty nine A. niloticus were collected for the first time from the horticultural fields of Shendi, between January to June 2018, and their entire fur was combed thoroughly, using a fine-tooth comb. Any removed ectoparasites were relaxed, mounted and examined under a microscope for morphological identification. Forty two (47.2%) of the collected rats was found infested, with an overall mean intensity of 13.4 (range 2­67) ectoparasites per an infested rat; 10 different species of ectoparasites were identified, including: 2 species of flea ­ Xenopsylla cheopis, Leptopsylla segnis; 3 species of louse ­ Polyplax spinulosa, P. abyssinica, P. serrata; a species of tick ­ Rhipicephalus sp.; 4 species of mite ­ Laelaps agilis, L. nuttalli, Ornitonyssus bacoti, Dermanyssuss gallinae. The most prevalent ectoparasite found was the flea Xenopsylla cheopis, 23.6%, followed by the mite Laelaps nuttalli, 10.1%, while the least was the mite Ornitonyssus bacoti, 1.1%. Significantly higher prevalence and intensity of infestation was found among male rats. Likewise, older rats significantly harbored a higher prevalence and intensity of infestation.