Investigation of Enteric Parasites of Zoo Animals and Zookeepers in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

In this study, the enteric parasites of zoo animals and zookeepers in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt were investigated. Fecal samples from thirteen animal species were examined by floatation and formol ether sedimentation techniques. Zoo animals were classified into non-human primates, carnivores and herbivorous animals. The examination of non-human primates revealed the presence of Trichuris trichura eggs, Giardia intestinals and Entamoeba histolytica cysts. In carnivores, Toxoascaris leonina eggs and Isospora felis oocysts were the most predominant findings. In herbivore wild animals, gastrointestinal nematode (GIT) eggs and Eimeria species oocysts were present. Larval identification by fecal culture of (GIT) eggs demonstrated the presence of Haemonchus contortus and Strongyloid papillosus larvae. Examination of zookeepers and one lab worker revealed the presence of Giardia intestinals and Entamoeba histolytica cysts. In conclusion, infection with Giardia intestinals and Entamoeba histolytica in both of human and nonhuman primates suggests the zoonotic transmission in the zoo.

Wild Animals in Captivity: An Analysis of Parasite Biodiversity and Transmission among Animals at Two Zoological Institutions with Different Typologies

“…Among carnivorous animals, we only found positive samples in some species of the order Carnivora and in the giant anteater (order Pilosa) (Tables 3 and 5). In species of the order Carnivora, the vast majority of findings occurred only once or twice over the 10 years of sampling, and except for four positive samples for Capillaria, the parasites now found do not correspond to those generally detected in other studies, which report ascarids, whipworms, and strongyles [13,25,31,34,44,60,62].…”

“…In a previous molecular-based investigation [ 15 ], there was no evidence of transmission between these parasites and the personnel at ZooAquarium and Faunia; however, zoonotic transmission was detected for Cryptosporidium hominis Morgan-Ryan et al 2002 and Blastocystis (Alexeieff 1911) spp. In some studies conducted in other zoos, potential transmission of parasites to zoo personnel was also suggested [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 131 , 132 ]. The risk of transmission to visitors is low, as contact with animals is generally limited or nonexistent; however, zookeepers and veterinarians are exposed during handling and cleaning operations.…”

“…Despite the veterinary regulations in importing countries, zoo animals could be parasitised by co-imported parasites as well as other autochthonous species, and in some cases, cross-transmission with zoo personnel could occur [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. However, although there are many studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in zoo animals, only a few deal with the possible cross-transmission between housed and free-ranging animals or with the characteristics of the facilities [ 9 , 14 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Study on Gastrointestinal Parasitism of Wild Animals in Captivity at the Zoological Garden of Haramaya University, Ethiopia

“…The spread of gastrointestinal parasites among zoo animals by zoo keepers were reported by several authors [16] [26] [35]. Arafa et al [45] reported that unhygienic zoo keepers can potentially transmit parasites between the animals especially when the life cycle is direct.…”