Biological control of rodents using Sarcocystis singaporensis.
Int J Parasitol
; 29(8): 1321-30, 1999 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10576581
ABSTRACT
Parasites have been identified as an important factor in regulating vertebrate populations. In replicated field experiments (plots up to 4 ha) performed in Thailand we tested whether commensal and field rodents could be artificially infected and controlled with the host-restricted apicomplexan protozoon Sarcocystis singaporensis which is endemic in Southeast Asia. When bait-pellets containing high numbers of these parasites were consumed by rodents of three species (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tiomanicus, Bandicota indica) in different agricultural habitats (chicken farm, oil palm plantation, ricefield), we observed a parasite-induced mortality ranging from 58% to 92%. Detection of merozoites of S. singaporensis in lung tissue samples of rats collected dead at the experimental sites using a species-specific monoclonal antibody confirmed that S. singaporensis was the causative agent of mortality. As observed with brown rats, the parasite's effect on the host was not related to sex. These experiments demonstrate for the first time that artificial infection of rodents with an endemic protozoon has the potential for effective population control.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Doenças dos Roedores
/
Roedores
/
Controle Biológico de Vetores
/
Sarcocystis
/
Sarcocistose
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article