Morphological and Molecular Study of Hymenolepis Sp. From House Rats in Baghdad/Iraq through Mitochondrial Cox1 and ITS1 Gene PCR Analysis

Abstract

Rodents are popular companion animals and they can be reservoirs of many parasites of zoonotic pathogens. The occurrence of Hymenolepis nana and H. diminuta in rodents from variety cities from Baghdad/Iraq Totally, 100 fecal samples were collected from Rats. The fecal samples were examined by direct and different fecal diagnostic techniques. The total prevalence of parasitic infection was 25(25%), H. diminuta were detected in 18(18%) while H. nana were detected in 7(7%). Higher prevalence 11(40.74%) were found in Abu Ghraib area with significant differences (p≤ 0.01). Our results revealed differences in the infection rates of Rat Hymenolepiasis according to sex. The present study showed relatively male was higher prevalence than female. The reported of Rat Hymenolepiasis increased in September than the other month which decreased in December and no infection in November. Ten samples with positive PCR products in any of the DNA regions include Hymenolepis sp mitochondrial cox1 gene, Hymenolepis nana 18S rRNA-ITS1 gene and Hymenolepis diminuta 18S rRNA-ITS1 gene gave profiles characteristic of H. nana and H. diminuta. The results imply the risk of zoonotic transmission of Hymenolepiasis in Baghdad. Particular attention should be given to hygiene level maintained and disposal rodents for avoid parasite transmission to humans.