Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the helminth profile of Lemniscomys striatus (L. striatus) and Cricetomys gambianus (C. gambianus) in Nsukka, Southeastern Nigeria, and their zoonotic potentials and public health risk. Methods: A total of 63 rodents were captured during the study period, of which 54 (85.7%) were L. striatus and 9 (14.3%) were C. gambianus. Following evisceration, various organs from the rodents (the lungs, liver, stomach, small intestines and large intestines) were split open and thoroughly examined under a stereomicroscope. The liver samples were subjected to histopathological processing and examination. Results: No helminth parasite was found in C. gambianus while 44 (81.5%) of L. striatus were infected with one or more species of helminth parasites. And 10 (18.5%) and 34 (63%) of L. striatus had mixed and single infections, respectively. Three helminth species were recovered during the study. Two nematodes [Capillaria hepatica (C. hepatica) and Protospirura spp.] and one cestode parasite (Hymenolepis spp.) were found at prevalence rates of 3.7%, 14.8% and 81.5%, respectively. Histopathology revealed the typical characteristic bipolar plugs of C. hepatica ova. There were also massive areas of degenerative necrosis of hepatocytes, fibrous encapsulation of C. hepatica ova and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Conclusions: Two out of the three helminths (C. hepatica and Hymenolepis spp.) recovered in this study are of serious zoonotic importance and thus pose great public health risk to the community.

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