Parasitic zoonoses: Gastrointestinal parasites carried by rodents in the west of Iran in 2017

Parasitic infections in rodents have zoonotic significance. This study aimed to determine the frequency of gastrointestinal parasites in rodents in Lorestan Province, west of Iran. We captured 118 rodents from eight species, including Meriones persicus, Mus macedonicus, Meriones tristrami, Microtus qazvinensis, Arvicola terrestris, Apodemus sp., Cricetulus migratorius, and Meriones libycus, in the fall of 2017. Trapped rodents were humanly sacrificed, and the gastrointestinal tracts were removed and examined to identify parasites. The rate of infection with gastrointestinal parasites was 50.8%. The highest diversity of parasites was found in Meriones persicus. The most common helminths were Hymenolepis nana (13.5%), Trichuris sp. (11%), and Syphacia obvelata (8.5%). Rodents were also infected with Heligmosomum sp. (0.8%), Trichostrongylus (1.7%), Physaloptera (0.8%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.8%), and Catenotaenia sp. (0.8%). The rate of infection with protozoa was 9.3%. Five (4.2%) were infected with Giardia sp., and two (1.7%) with Entamoeba coli. In addition, Chilomastix sp. (0.8%), Iodamoeba butschlii (0.8%), and Eimeria sp. (0.8%) were seen. The trematode Notocotylus noyeri is reported in Arvicola terrestris for the first time in Iran. This study emphasizes the impact of rodents on the spread of infectious agents and the necessity of effective preventive programs.