Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania

Background: Rodents and shrews play an important role in the transmission and spreading of zoonotic diseases in Tanzania and worldwide. Purpose: This study aims to identify ectoparasites and hemoparasites in rodents and shrews captured in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Methods: Rodents a...

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Main Authors: Aheir Achuil Deng, Emmanel P. Lita, Erneo Bernardo Ochi, Jahashi Nzalawahe, Abdul A. S. Katakweba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universitas Airlangga 2024-04-01
Series:Journal of Applied Veterinary Science and Technology
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Online Access:https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JAVEST/article/view/54181
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author Aheir Achuil Deng
Emmanel P. Lita
Erneo Bernardo Ochi
Jahashi Nzalawahe
Abdul A. S. Katakweba
author_facet Aheir Achuil Deng
Emmanel P. Lita
Erneo Bernardo Ochi
Jahashi Nzalawahe
Abdul A. S. Katakweba
author_sort Aheir Achuil Deng
collection DOAJ
description Background: Rodents and shrews play an important role in the transmission and spreading of zoonotic diseases in Tanzania and worldwide. Purpose: This study aims to identify ectoparasites and hemoparasites in rodents and shrews captured in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Methods: Rodents and shrews were captured using Sherman live traps and modified wire cages, both of which were placed indoors, peri-domestically, and in agricultural fields. The animals were anaesthetized using diethyl ether, and blood samples were collected aseptically from the heart. Thin and thick smears were prepared for the identification of hemoparasites. Results: The overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 56.4%, with the following ectoparasites identified: Laelaps echininus (39.6%), Polyplax spp. (4.0%), Xenopsylla cheopis (2.7%), and Heamaphysalis leachi (0.7%). The highest prevalence of ectoparasites was observed in Mastomys natalensis. In terms of sex, male animals showed a higher prevalence of ectoparasites (59.0%) than female animals. Additionally, the prevalence of hemoparasites was 35.5%, with the following parasites identified: Anaplasma spp. (18.8%), Trypanosoma lewisi (0.7%), Plasmodium spp. (1.3%), Bipolar coccobacilli (2.7%), and Bacillus spp. (3.4%). Anaplasma spp. was identified in all infested rodent species, with the highest prevalence observed in Mus musculus (34.4%) and Mastomys natalensis (27.3%). However, T. lewisi was only identified in Rattus rattus (0.7%), whereas no hemoparasites was identified in Crocidura spp. Conclusion: This study provides baseline information on the prevalence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites in rodents and shrews in Ilemela district, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Therefore, monitoring of these parasites is important for preparedness and early warning preparation for the control of rodent-borne diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-38ab60990d9c4b518d4c634f42e6c6cf2025-08-20T02:18:09ZengUniversitas AirlanggaJournal of Applied Veterinary Science and Technology2716-11882716-117X2024-04-0151727710.20473/javest.V5.I1.2024.72-7752343Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, TanzaniaAheir Achuil Deng0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6038-8636Emmanel P. Lita1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-6876Erneo Bernardo Ochi2https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4713-1798Jahashi Nzalawahe3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4719-7459Abdul A. S. Katakweba4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4121-1280Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro-TanzaniaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro-TanzaniaSchool of Veterinary Medicine, University of Juba, Juba-South SudanDepartement of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro-TanzaniaInstitute of Pest Management (ACEII), Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro-TanzaniaBackground: Rodents and shrews play an important role in the transmission and spreading of zoonotic diseases in Tanzania and worldwide. Purpose: This study aims to identify ectoparasites and hemoparasites in rodents and shrews captured in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Methods: Rodents and shrews were captured using Sherman live traps and modified wire cages, both of which were placed indoors, peri-domestically, and in agricultural fields. The animals were anaesthetized using diethyl ether, and blood samples were collected aseptically from the heart. Thin and thick smears were prepared for the identification of hemoparasites. Results: The overall prevalence of ectoparasites was 56.4%, with the following ectoparasites identified: Laelaps echininus (39.6%), Polyplax spp. (4.0%), Xenopsylla cheopis (2.7%), and Heamaphysalis leachi (0.7%). The highest prevalence of ectoparasites was observed in Mastomys natalensis. In terms of sex, male animals showed a higher prevalence of ectoparasites (59.0%) than female animals. Additionally, the prevalence of hemoparasites was 35.5%, with the following parasites identified: Anaplasma spp. (18.8%), Trypanosoma lewisi (0.7%), Plasmodium spp. (1.3%), Bipolar coccobacilli (2.7%), and Bacillus spp. (3.4%). Anaplasma spp. was identified in all infested rodent species, with the highest prevalence observed in Mus musculus (34.4%) and Mastomys natalensis (27.3%). However, T. lewisi was only identified in Rattus rattus (0.7%), whereas no hemoparasites was identified in Crocidura spp. Conclusion: This study provides baseline information on the prevalence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites in rodents and shrews in Ilemela district, Mwanza Region, Tanzania. Therefore, monitoring of these parasites is important for preparedness and early warning preparation for the control of rodent-borne diseases.https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JAVEST/article/view/54181ectoparasiteshaemoparasitesrodentsshrew
spellingShingle Aheir Achuil Deng
Emmanel P. Lita
Erneo Bernardo Ochi
Jahashi Nzalawahe
Abdul A. S. Katakweba
Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
Journal of Applied Veterinary Science and Technology
ectoparasites
haemoparasites
rodents
shrew
title Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
title_full Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
title_fullStr Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
title_short Prevalence of Ectoparasites and Hemoparasites in Rodents and Shrews in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
title_sort prevalence of ectoparasites and hemoparasites in rodents and shrews in ilemela district mwanza region tanzania
topic ectoparasites
haemoparasites
rodents
shrew
url https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JAVEST/article/view/54181
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