Rodents as a Potential Source of Some Zoonotic Enteric Parasites in Beni-Suef Province

Abstract

Parasitic infections affecting the world's populations have a global significance. Infections are predominant in underdeveloped agricultural and rural areas of tropical and subtropical regions, causing reduced worker productivity and a waste of economic resources. The current study aimed to investigate epidemiological aspects and the occurrence of some zoonotic enteric parasites in different areas of Beni-Suef province, Egypt. Therefore, a total of 536 human stool samples (149 from diarrheic individuals of different ages and both sexes and 387 from apparently healthy individuals). Moreover, 95 fecal samples from rodents were collected from both rural and urban areas in Beni-Suefprovince for the detection of zoonotic enteric parasites by examination of direct fecal smears and concentration methods using different solutions (Shethear's solution, Zn sulphate and formol ether). Recovered parasites were Paragonimus-like (0.7%), Hymenolepis nana (12.5%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.18%), Enterobius (7.1%), Giardia spp. (11%), Entamoeba histolytica (16.9%) and mixed infection with more than one parasite represent 1.7%. Abundance of positive cases show rural residence with both rats and animal contact, with the young age groups were more liable to the infestation than the other groups. Examination of fecal samples from rats revealed infection rates of 33.7%. Hymenolepis diminuta was the most common parasite (20%) followed by Hymenolepis nana (12.6%) and Capillaria hepatica (1.05%).