Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal

ABSTRACT Introduction Increasing urbanization has particularly affected rivers and their outer edges in cities, including Kathmandu Valley, which encompasses Lalitpur, the nation's third‐largest city. This study aims to conduct a parasitological survey to investigate the occurrence of zoonotic...

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Main Authors: Roshan Babu Adhikari, Diksha Ghimire, Tirth Raj Ghimire
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine and Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70164
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author Roshan Babu Adhikari
Diksha Ghimire
Tirth Raj Ghimire
author_facet Roshan Babu Adhikari
Diksha Ghimire
Tirth Raj Ghimire
author_sort Roshan Babu Adhikari
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Introduction Increasing urbanization has particularly affected rivers and their outer edges in cities, including Kathmandu Valley, which encompasses Lalitpur, the nation's third‐largest city. This study aims to conduct a parasitological survey to investigate the occurrence of zoonotic intestinal protozoa and helminths along the Karmanasa River bank in central Nepal. Methods Faecal samples from openly defaecating animals were collected via non‐invasive techniques, and coproscopy was carried out using direct wet mount, concentration and acid‐fast staining methods to ensure reliable findings. Results The findings showed that all the faecal samples were positive for intestinal parasites as follows: buffaloes (15/15), cats (5/5), cattle (30/30), chickens (7/7), dogs (15/15), goats (15/15), pigs (20/20) and rats (12/12). A total of 28 intestinal parasites were reported, out of which 21 species possess zoonotic potentialities, and each host was reported to harbour at least one zoonotic parasite. Entamoeba sp., Cryptosporidium sp., hookworm, Trichuris sp., Trichostrongylus and Balantidium coli were among the predominant zoonotic parasites. The use of the landscape for livestock grazing and the presence of free‐ranging animals could have all added to the zoonotic risks. Moreover, the excretion of a moderate to large number of zoonotic parasite eggs in the faecal samples indicates a transmission risk. Conclusions The study detected 21 species of intestinal zoonotic parasites circulating along the landscape in the study area, indicating a higher risk of cross‐transmission. Therefore, strategic treatment of livestock and free‐ranging animals and periodic public health awareness programs for the local inhabitants are highly recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-6f6e6f3288404c1ca6e9d1d65fc38d252025-08-20T03:40:17ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine and Science2053-10952025-01-01111n/an/a10.1002/vms3.70164Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, NepalRoshan Babu Adhikari0Diksha Ghimire1Tirth Raj Ghimire2Department of Zoology Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences (NAIHS) Kathmandu NepalDepartment of General Medicine Alka Health Institute Pvt. Ltd. Lalitpur NepalDepartment of Zoology Tri‐Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University Kathmandu NepalABSTRACT Introduction Increasing urbanization has particularly affected rivers and their outer edges in cities, including Kathmandu Valley, which encompasses Lalitpur, the nation's third‐largest city. This study aims to conduct a parasitological survey to investigate the occurrence of zoonotic intestinal protozoa and helminths along the Karmanasa River bank in central Nepal. Methods Faecal samples from openly defaecating animals were collected via non‐invasive techniques, and coproscopy was carried out using direct wet mount, concentration and acid‐fast staining methods to ensure reliable findings. Results The findings showed that all the faecal samples were positive for intestinal parasites as follows: buffaloes (15/15), cats (5/5), cattle (30/30), chickens (7/7), dogs (15/15), goats (15/15), pigs (20/20) and rats (12/12). A total of 28 intestinal parasites were reported, out of which 21 species possess zoonotic potentialities, and each host was reported to harbour at least one zoonotic parasite. Entamoeba sp., Cryptosporidium sp., hookworm, Trichuris sp., Trichostrongylus and Balantidium coli were among the predominant zoonotic parasites. The use of the landscape for livestock grazing and the presence of free‐ranging animals could have all added to the zoonotic risks. Moreover, the excretion of a moderate to large number of zoonotic parasite eggs in the faecal samples indicates a transmission risk. Conclusions The study detected 21 species of intestinal zoonotic parasites circulating along the landscape in the study area, indicating a higher risk of cross‐transmission. Therefore, strategic treatment of livestock and free‐ranging animals and periodic public health awareness programs for the local inhabitants are highly recommended.https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70164CryptosporidiumEntamoebaGI parasiteshookwormratszoonosis
spellingShingle Roshan Babu Adhikari
Diksha Ghimire
Tirth Raj Ghimire
Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal
Veterinary Medicine and Science
Cryptosporidium
Entamoeba
GI parasites
hookworm
rats
zoonosis
title Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal
title_full Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal
title_fullStr Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal
title_short Investigation of the Occurrence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites along the Karmanasa River Bank in Lalitpur, Nepal
title_sort investigation of the occurrence of zoonotic intestinal parasites along the karmanasa river bank in lalitpur nepal
topic Cryptosporidium
Entamoeba
GI parasites
hookworm
rats
zoonosis
url https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70164
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