Study of Internal Parasites of Rodents in Ahvaz, South-West of Iran

Background: Rodents are the largest group of mammalian species with a world-wide distribution. They play an important role in transport of several pathogenic agents to human. Continuous traffic between indoors and outdoors results in the presence of high internal parasitic infection among rodents. More than 200 zoonotic diseases have been identified. Among these zoonotic diseases, parasitic infections have been considered by many investigators. Objectives: This study was carried out to identify internal parasites in rodents and their probable role in the transport of zoonotic parasitic diseases in the human community. Methods: Thirty rodents including Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus and Tatera indica were captured by rat live traps from different parts of Ahvaz southwest of Iran. A parasitic sample was collected from gastrointestinal tracts, blood, muscles and brains. Giemsa staining and merthiolate iodine formaldehyde (MIF) method were done for tissue and feces samples, respectively. Results: All studied rodents were infected at least by one parasite. The collected parasites included: three species of Cestodes, eight species of nematodes, one species of Acanthocephala and three genera of protozoan parasites. Hymenolepis nana and Strongyloides ratti were predominant parasites in the studied rodents. Conclusions: Rodents play an important role in the transfer of zoonotic parasite diseases, especially those that live near human habitats. Control of rodent population in the city should be considered to decrease risk of transmission.