Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON
Rats and other mammalian species co-inhabiting or living in proximity with humans can serve as potential reservoir hosts and may contribute to the transmission of parasitic infections. Aside from endoparasites, ectoparasites such as lice, mites, ticks, and fleas, can also serve as vectors of various...
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| Language: | English |
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Universitas Airlangga
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Parasite Science |
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| Online Access: | https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JoPS/article/view/47686 |
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| author | Helenar Chan Mary Jane Flores Eligio Santiago Maghirang Bridget Arellano Jan Michael Chan |
| author_facet | Helenar Chan Mary Jane Flores Eligio Santiago Maghirang Bridget Arellano Jan Michael Chan |
| author_sort | Helenar Chan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rats and other mammalian species co-inhabiting or living in proximity with humans can serve as potential reservoir hosts and may contribute to the transmission of parasitic infections. Aside from endoparasites, ectoparasites such as lice, mites, ticks, and fleas, can also serve as vectors of various pathogens inducing diseases and contaminating the environment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of Polyplax spinulosa (spiny rat louse) infestation among house rats in selected urban and rural areas in the Philippines. A total of 60 Rattus spp. were captured and examined. The overall prevalence rate of Polyplax spinulosa was 71.7% (43/60). Of the infestations, 23.3% (14/60) were recorded in Metro Manila while 48.3% (29/60) were recorded in CALABARZON. These results have revealed that rodents like rats play an important role in both direct and indirect transmission of zoonotic diseases since these pests themselves could be host to a variety of diseases. As a result, there is an immediate need to provide education and raise awareness about the role of rodents as reservoir hosts and vectors of these zoonotic diseases to develop long-term strategies for controlling and preventing rodent populations and the transmission of zoonotic ectoparasite infestation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-26558341209545e28a0732d86df27f06 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2599-0993 2656-5331 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Universitas Airlangga |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Parasite Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-26558341209545e28a0732d86df27f062025-01-09T04:32:51ZengUniversitas AirlanggaJournal of Parasite Science2599-09932656-53312024-03-0181374110.20473/jops.v8i1.4768645773Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZONHelenar Chan0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2358-238XMary Jane Flores1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5328-9491Eligio Santiago Maghirang2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9208-8107Bridget Arellano3Jan Michael Chan4https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0220-0620Department of Biology, De La Salle University, Manila, PhilippinesDepartment of Biology, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines; Biological Control Research Unit (BCRU), Center for Natural Sciences and Environmental Research (CENSER), College of Science, De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines; Ehime University - De La Salle University International Collaborative Research Laboratory, De La Salle University, Laguna Campus, Laguna ProvinceDepartment of Biology, College of Science, De La Salle University; Department of Internal Medicine-Section of General Medicine; Department of Medical Education and Research, the Makati Medical Center; Department of Emergency Medicine, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Metro Manila, PhilippinesDepartment of Biology, De La Salle University, Manila, PhilippinesDepartment of Biology, De La Salle University, Manila, PhilippinesRats and other mammalian species co-inhabiting or living in proximity with humans can serve as potential reservoir hosts and may contribute to the transmission of parasitic infections. Aside from endoparasites, ectoparasites such as lice, mites, ticks, and fleas, can also serve as vectors of various pathogens inducing diseases and contaminating the environment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence rate of Polyplax spinulosa (spiny rat louse) infestation among house rats in selected urban and rural areas in the Philippines. A total of 60 Rattus spp. were captured and examined. The overall prevalence rate of Polyplax spinulosa was 71.7% (43/60). Of the infestations, 23.3% (14/60) were recorded in Metro Manila while 48.3% (29/60) were recorded in CALABARZON. These results have revealed that rodents like rats play an important role in both direct and indirect transmission of zoonotic diseases since these pests themselves could be host to a variety of diseases. As a result, there is an immediate need to provide education and raise awareness about the role of rodents as reservoir hosts and vectors of these zoonotic diseases to develop long-term strategies for controlling and preventing rodent populations and the transmission of zoonotic ectoparasite infestation.https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JoPS/article/view/47686lousephilippinespolyplax spinulosaprevalencerattus spp.zoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Helenar Chan Mary Jane Flores Eligio Santiago Maghirang Bridget Arellano Jan Michael Chan Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON Journal of Parasite Science louse philippines polyplax spinulosa prevalence rattus spp. zoonosis |
| title | Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON |
| title_full | Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON |
| title_fullStr | Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON |
| title_full_unstemmed | Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON |
| title_short | Zoonotic Ectoparasite Burden in House Rats (Rattus spp.) in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of NCR and CALABARZON |
| title_sort | zoonotic ectoparasite burden in house rats rattus spp in selected urban and rural areas of ncr and calabarzon |
| topic | louse philippines polyplax spinulosa prevalence rattus spp. zoonosis |
| url | https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JoPS/article/view/47686 |
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