A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in carnivores and its potential implications on human health

Abstract

Zoonoses contribute an estimated 75% of new or re-emerging infectious diseases in humans with Covid-19 being the latest addition. Carnivores act as definitive hosts and reservoirs for several endoparasites with varied effects on human health. These interactions are fluctuating and adaptive, changing in response to various biotic and abiotic conditions. With the development of ‘One health movement’ more focus has been laid on zoonotic infections and their management. The present study showed that carnivores of Dampa Tiger Reserve (DTR) are host to several infectious parasites with a prevalence rate of 90.47%. Families like Felidae, Canidae, and Viverridae were found to host the maximum number of parasites. The parasite Paragonimus spp. were recorded to be present in the highest number (33 nos.) of scat samples followed by <i>Strongyle spp</i>. (27 nos.), <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> (23 nos.), and <i>Isospora spp</i>. (19 nos.). These parasites are known to infect humans through different modes like faecal-oral route, uncooked meat, fishes, and contaminated water and induced health implications like inflammatory in the brain, bronchitis, covert toxocariasis, acute lung inflammation etc. As the surrounding landscape of DTR continuous to shrink and humans are more prone to these parasites through their daily activities and lifestyle, the study will be crucial for providing a platform for future epidemiological study and diseases management in the region.