Prevalence and Zoonotic Potential of Parasites in Wild Rats in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Rats have been identified as carriers of various zoonotic parasites and pathogens that can pose a serious threat to human health. This research aimed to identify species of zoonotic parasites and their prevalence in wild rats in Jeddah province, Saudi Arabia. For this purpose, 405 wild rats were collected, including two species of rats: Rattus norvegicus (94%) and Rattus rattus (6%), from different regions of the city of Jeddah. Ectoparasites were picked, and the gastrointestinal tract, internal organs, and gut contents were examined. The internal parasites were recovered and examined by stereo and light microscope. An examination of the liver was carried out to determine the presence of parasite cysts. The flotation technique was used to examine the fecal samples. Also, stained blood samples were examined with an optical microscope with 100x magnification for blood parasites. The results revealed that the overall prevalence of parasite infestation was 51%, and it was higher in Rattus norvegicus (52.2%) than in Rattus rattus (37.5%). Eleven species of parasites were recovered: three ectoparasites (Xenopsylla cheopis, Ctenocephalides felis and Ornithonyssus bacoti) and seven endoparasites (Cysticercus fasciolaris, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Syphacia muris, Syphacia obvelata, Ascaris lumbercoides, and Entamoeba histolytica cyst) and one parasite in the blood (Trypanosoma spp.) The dominant ectoparasite was Xenopsylla cheopis while that of endoparasite was Cysticercus fasciolaris.