Prevalence of intestinal parasites in street dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) with highlights on zoonosis in Lalitpur, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: The presence of intestinal parasites influences the growth and well-being of canids. Additionally, infected dogs and their faeces with considerably higher eggs/oocysts released per gram (epg/opg) of zoonotic parasites contribute to parasitic spillover to humans, domestic animals and sympatric wildlife. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to reveal the prevalence of intestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths) and to list the zoonotically significant parasites in free-roaming street dogs in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal. METHODS: Fresh faecal samples (n = 332) were collected from feral dogs of varying ages and sexes and transported to the research laboratory. The copro microscopic examination was carried out via direct wet mount, formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation, saturated salt flotation, acid-fast staining and sporulation techniques. RESULTS: Coproscopy revealed an overall 95.7% (318/332) prevalence rate with 23 diverse species of intestinal parasites (10 protozoa and 13 helminths). Among them, 5 protozoa and 11 helminths possessed zoonotic potential, and their overall prevalence was 92.5%. Helminth's overall prevalence was double that of the protozoa (87.7% vs. 43%). Polyparasitism was dominant over mono parasitism (79.5% vs. 16.3%), and co-infection of up to seven species of parasites at a time was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Urban street dogs harboured a higher prevalence of intestinal parasites that varied with age and sex. Since most of the reported parasites are zoonotic, dog density and parasitic richness indicate a greater spillover risk to humans and domestic animals. Furthermore, this study also provides appropriate 'baseline' data for assessing effective control measures against parasitic infestations among street dogs and controlling their transmission to humans.

Survey on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in domestic cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in central Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: Cats (Felis catus) are the only felines that live in close contact with humans. Since cats can act as vectors, carriers, reservoirs and definitive hosts of many gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, parasitic assessment could contribute to their survival and well-being. AIMS: The current study aimed to assess the diversity and prevalence of GI parasites in domestic and feral cats from Ratnanagar in Chitwan in Central Nepal. METHODS: A total of 107 fresh faecal samples of cats (90 household cats and 17 feral cats) of varied ages and sex were collected and transported to the laboratory. The copromicroscopic examination was carried out following direct wet mount, formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation, saturated salt flotation, acid-fast staining and sporulation techniques. Furthermore, associated risk factors were evaluated to ascertain the predictor of risks for parasitic acquisition. RESULTS: The current study revealed an overall 95.3% prevalence rate with a 100% rate in feral cats and 94.4% in household cats. Altogether, 18 (17 known and one unknown) different species of GI parasites were reported with the helminths (95.3%; 11 species) and the protozoa (55.1%; seven species). Besides age and sex, outdoor lifestyle, absence or unknown history of medication and hunting behaviour of the felines are the predictors of risk. Furthermore, mixed infection was comparatively higher than single infection in the faecal samples. CONCLUSIONS: Cats harbour a higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites, and parasitism varies with age and sex. This finding can be essential for veterinarians and public health authorities for strategic treatment and for assessing the zoonotic transmission of the parasites from these felines. Importantly, an effective medication strategy for cats and owners is recommended.

Prevalence and diversity of intestinal parasites in household and temple pigeons (Columba livia) in central Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal infection, caused by various protozoans and helminths, represents one of the significant health concerns in pigeons around the world. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the diversity and prevalence of the intestinal parasites in pigeons found in Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan, in central Nepal. METHODS: The fresh faecal samples (n = 155) were non-invasively collected from different households and temples pigeons The individual samples were immediately preserved in the 2.5% potassium dichromate solution and transported to the research laboratory. Following direct wet mount and concentration methods, the samples were observed under a compound microscope. RESULTS: The results showed 87.1% prevalence rate with 16 parasite species that included 8 protozoan and 8 helminth faunae. The faecal samples of temple pigeons contained a higher prevalence rate with higher parasitic richness (95.6%; 16 species) than household pigeons (75.4%; 12 species). Mixed infection up to four different species was recorded in both types of sampling populations. CONCLUSIONS: Pigeons harbour a greater prevalence and wider diversity of intestinal parasites and the parasitism varies based on the habitats. Proper management and effective deworming practices are recommended to control intestinal parasitic infection in these avian hosts.

Prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites in domestic buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus, 1758) reared under captive and semi-captive conditions in Ratnanagar, Chitwan, Nepal.

Buffaloes are one of the most popular domestic ruminants, reared globally for milk and meat. Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism in these hosts possesses a critical warning factor that severely limits the growth, reproductive performance, and milk production. Thus, the current study aimed to assess the prevalence and diversity of GI parasites in buffaloes in Ratnanagar Chitwan in central Nepal. The fresh faecal samples (n=300) of buffaloes (150 from captive and 150 from semi-captive) were collected and immediately preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. These samples were processed via direct wet mount, sedimentation, and floatation techniques and examined under a compound microscope at 100×, 400×, and 1000× magnifications. The results showed an overall 90% prevalence of parasites (80% in captive with 22 species and 100% in semi-captive buffaloes with 30 species). Entamoeba and Balantidium coli were the most prevalent parasites among the captives, whereas Entamoeba and Fasciola were dominant in semi-captive populations. In conclusions, buffaloes under semi-captive domestication harbor the higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites. GI parasitism in buffaloes varies with captivity and age. Furthermore, awareness programs to the local farmers for healthy husbandry practices and therapeutic and preventive strategies should be conducted to reduce the parasitic loads and cross-transmission of potential parasites from different environments.

First report on the molecular detection of Entamoeba bovis from the endangered wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: The Asiatic wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is an endangered species that is conserved in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), Nepal, and was recently translocated to the Chitwan National Park (CNP). Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are the cause of significant negative health and production impacts on animals worldwide. METHODS: A coprological survey of GI parasites of wild water buffalo was carried out in the CNP in 2020. Fresh dung samples (n = 25) were collected from wild water buffaloes and analysed using sedimentation and flotation techniques for morphological identification of parasite cysts, oocysts and eggs. RESULTS: Nine different GI parasites were recorded of which Entamoeba spp. (20 samples, 80%) were the most common. The presence of Entamoeba spp. was further validated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and DNA sequencing. The PCR results were positive for all of the microscopically positive samples, and the species was identified as Entamoeba bovis. Three samples were sequenced and formed a cluster of E. bovis, which was separated from other Entamoeba spp. in phylogenetic analysis. CONCLUSION: This is the first report for molecular detection of E. bovis from wild water buffaloes in Nepal. Future work should focus on the prevalence of such infections in water buffaloes in forest environments.

Prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites in the Chepangs in Nepal.

Gastrointestinal (GI) infection is predominant globally, especially in people with low socio-economic status with existing illiteracy, ignorance, poor housing and lifestyle, and the surrounding environment. It has been implicated as a significant public health concern in the rural parts of many developing countries like Nepal. This study aimed to determine the diversity and prevalence of GI parasites in the highly marginalized indigenous Chepang communities in central Nepal. One hundred fresh stool samples of Chepangs were collected and preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. The samples were analyzed by direct wet mount, sedimentation, flotation, and acid-fast techniques and examined under the microscope at the total magnifications of 100Å~, 400Å~, and 1000Å~. We detected 97% prevalence rates with eight protozoan and six helminth parasites. Considering the infection's concurrency, mixed pattern of infection was found to be higher than single pattern. Mixed infections from two to seven parasitic species were differently recorded in different samples. We also found that people's eating habits were associated with GI parasitism (p=0.0034). "One Health" Approach/Principle accompanied by the detailed molecular and epidemiologic studies of parasitic transmission is required to identify the causal evidence critical in controlling and preventing parasitic infections.

Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in the Frugivorous and the Insectivorous Bats in Southcentral Nepal.

Bats are the only active flying placental mammals and are traditionally classified into mega- and microbats, which are, respectively, herbivorous and insectivorous in feeding habit. Though deforestation, habitat destruction, natural calamities, illegal hunting, and climate changes are the challenging threats for bats, the role of existing gastrointestinal (GI) parasites have not been evaluated yet in Nepal. Thus, the current study aims to determine the prevalence of GI parasites in bats from the Shaktikhor area at the Chitwan district of Southcentral Nepal. From July 2018 to February 2019, a total of 60 fecal samples of bats (30 from frugivorous bats and 30 from the insectivorous bats) were collected. These samples were preserved at 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. The fecal examination was carried out by the direct wet mount, concentrations, acid-fast staining, and sporulation techniques. Overall results showed the prevalence rate of 80% GI parasites. The parasites detected in the insectivorous bats were Ascarid spp., Capillarid sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Eimeria spp., Entamoeba sp., Giardia sp., Hymenolepis spp., Isospora sp., Oxyurid sp., Strongyle, and Strongyloides sp. In contrast, Eimeria sp., Entamoeba sp., and Hymenolepis sp. were detected in the frugivorous bats. Based on a wide diversity of parasite richness and parasitic concurrency measured by the prevalence rates, we suggest that GI parasitism might be a threatening factor in the insectivorous bats in the current study area.