☆ 4.4 Article

INTESTINAL HELMINTHS INFECTION OF RATS (RATUS NORVEGICUS) IN THE BELGRADE AREA (SERBIA): THE EFFECT OF SEX, AGE AND HABITAT

PARASITE (2011)

Journal

PARASITE

Volume 18, Issue 2, Pages 189-196

Publisher

EDP SCIENCES S A

DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2011182189

Keywords

Rattus norvegicus; intestinal helminths; nematodes; cestodes; Serbia

Funding

Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [143038]

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Abstract

Gastrointestinal helminths of Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) from the Belgrade area were studied as a part of a wider ecological research of rats in Serbia (data on the distribution, population ecology, economic and epizoothiological-epidemiological importance, and density control). Rats were captured from May 2005 to July 2009 at both urban and suburban-rural sites. Of a total of 302 trapped rats 48 % were males and 52 % females, with 36.5 % and 38.8 % of juvenile-subadult individuals, per sex respectively. Intestinal helminth infection was noted in 68.5 % of rats, with a higher prevalence in male hosts and in adult individuals. Higher numbers of infected juveniles-subadults were noted in suburban-rural habitats, while an opposite tendency was noted in adult rats. Seven helminth species were recovered, of which five were nematode (Heterakis spumosa, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Capillaria sp., Trichuris muris and Syphacia muris) and two cestode species (Hymenolepis diminuta and Rodentolepis fraterna). The most prevalent parasites were Heterakis spumosa (36.7 %) and Hymenolepis diminuta (30.5 %). Sex and habitat-related differences were noted in the prevalence of infection with Capillaria sp. and Trichuris muris, while there were no age-related differences in the prevalence of infection with any individual helminth species. Significantly higher prevalence of infection was noted in summer as compared to spring or winter, with a tendency to be higher in autumn as compared to spring. The only significant difference in the prevalence of infection between habitat-related was noted during spring. H. spumosa was most prevalent in summer, while H. diminuta and N. brasiliensis in autumn. The mean intensity of infection with H. spumosa, R. fraterna, S. muris and I muris was higher in autumn than in the other seasons, while N. brasiliensis and Capillaria sp. occured in winter. No more than four helminth species were found in one host.

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The role of helminths in the development of non-communicable diseases

Yifan Wu, Megan Duffey, Saira Elizabeth Alex, Charlie Suarez-Reyes, Eva H. Clark, Jill E. Weatherhead

Summary: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, and neuropsychiatric diseases have a significant impact on global morbidity and mortality, particularly in low resource regions and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Certain parasitic helminth infections, commonly found in LMICs, have been identified as potential drivers of NCDs in regions where parasites are endemic. Understanding the immunologic mechanisms behind helminth-induced NCDs is crucial in developing targeted public health programs to reduce the burden of NCDs in LMICs.

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