title: Patho-physiological observations in natural concurrent infections of helminth parasites of zoonotic importance in the wild rodents,Bandicota bengalensis.
abstract: Screening of 83 mature wild rodents ofBandicota bengalensis(52 male and 31 females), live trapped from premises near railway station, fish market and agricultural fields in Ludhiana district of Punjab province, India was carried out to assess the natural occurrence of helminth parasites and their potential as reservoirs of zoonoses. On necropsy, intestine of rats was found infected with adult cestode parasites ofHymenolepis diminutaandH. nana.Liver was found infected withCapillaria hepaticaandCysticercus fasciolaris.These parasites were present either alone or as concurrent infection. In overall, 68.67 % rats were found infected of which 59.65 % were infected with nematode parasite,C. hepaticaand 75.44 % with cestode parasites. Grossly, pathognomonic lesions ofC. hepaticaandC. fasciolariswere seen clearly and microscopic changes were observed only in severely infected cases. Overall investigation on the effect of these parasitic infections on pathophysiology of the host revealed that rodents serve as reservoirs of these parasitic infections without having much pathogenic effect on their vital organs, fecundity and enzyme activities. Because of its close association with human habitations,B. bengalensismay act as an important source of zoonotic infections and thus direct or indirect contact with excrements and carcasses of this rodent species, should be avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004 India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004 India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, 141004 India.
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, 141004 India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Bandicota bengalensis; Concurrence; Enzymatic levels; Helminth infection; Vital organs