Helminth communities in murid rodents from southern and northern localities in Lao PDR: the role of habitat and season

Abstract

The helminth communities of wild murid rodents were investigated in Luang Prabang and Champasak province, Lao PDR. Thirteen species of rodents (404 individuals) were infected by 19 species of parasites (2 trematode, 3 cestode, 14 nematode species). Four of the recorded helminth species (Echinostoma malayanum, Raillietina sp., Hymenolepis diminuta and H. nana) are known to cause potential zoonotic helminthiases of medical importance in the South-East Asian region. Individual helminth infection was significantly higher in the wet season. Habitat significantly influenced individual helminth species richness and individual helminth abudance, with a decrease of individual helminth species richness and individual helminth abundance from forest habitat to agricultural and human settlement habitats. The reduction of helminth diversity and abundance is discussed in relation to the ongoing increase of human influence on habitats in Lao PDR.

Molecular genetic diversity of Gongylonema neoplasticum (Fibiger & Ditlevsen, 1914) (Spirurida: Gongylonematidae) from rodents in Southeast Asia

“…During the last 10 years, a variety of murine rodents (approximately 4,500 individuals of more than 20 species) has been trapped in Cambodia, Laos, Philippines and Thailand to try and understand the role of host species and habitat on helminth species richness and to also answer other ecological and epidemiological questions related to parasitic diseases (e.g. Pakdeenarong et al, 2014;Palmeirim et al, 2014;Chaisiri et al, 2015Chaisiri et al, , 2016Veciana et al, 2015;Ribas et al, 2016). As part of these studies, specimens of Gongylonema were recorded from various murine hosts (Pakdeenarong et al, 2014;Palmeirim et al, 2014;Chaisiri et al, 2016;Ribas et al, 2016), a portion of which was used for the present study; 114 worms collected from different individuals of five Rattus spp., M. surifer, and B. bowersi trapped in Thailand (11 localities), Cambodia (three localities), Lao PDR (three localities), and Philippines (one locality) during the period February 2008 to August 2014 (Table 1).…”

Potentially Zoonotic Helminthiases of Murid Rodents from the Indo-Chinese Peninsula: Impact of Habitat and the Risk of Human Infection

“…However, this parasite does not generally cause severe symptoms. Indeed, mild to moderate infection may cause no symptoms, whereas heavy infection can be accompanied by dizziness, anorexia, abdominal distress, and diarrhea (Markell et al 1992, Waikagul andThairungroj 1997 (Betterton 1979, Leong et al 1979, Sinniah 1979, Krishnasamy et al 1980, Chenchittikul et al 1983, Roberts 1991Pham et al 2001, Syed-Arnez and Mohd Zain 2006, Chaisiri et al 2012, Pakdeenarong et al 2014.…”

“…Among overall helminth species, the potential zoonotic species were inferred by searching from previous human case reports and relevant research publications (Table 1). The present study focuses only on the potential zoonotic helminth species, as overall helminth diversity found in these rodents has been reported elsewhere (Chaisiri et al 2012, Pakdeenarong et al 2014).…”

“…CHAISIRI ET AL. Chenchittikul et al 1983, Roberts 1991, Chaisiri et al 2012, Pakdeenarong et al 2014, demonstrating that H. nana is very successful at parasitizing a wide range of hosts.…”

“…The parasite requires two intermediate insect hosts, such as beetles, ants, and cockroaches, to complete its life cycle. In Asia, there have been reports of human cases in Indian Ocean countries, China, Japan, and Thailand (Chandler and Pradatsundarasar 1957, Areekul and Radomyos 1970, Beaver et al 1984 (Areekul and Radomyos 1970, Betterton 1979, Namue and Wongsawad 1997, Chaisiri et al 2012, Pakdeenarong et al 2014).…”