Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection of non-native rats in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, the Philippines

Issue Date

8-2020

Abstract

A number of studies had been conducted on rat species diversity in the Philippines, however, there is a dearth of information on the extent of Angiostrongylus spp. infection in various ecological niches. Collection of non-native rat samples occurred in various sampling sites categorized as residential, agricultural and agro-forest in Philippine Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) and its adjacent areas. Three species of non-native rats were captured including Rattus tanezumi, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus exulans. Of the total 90 non-native rats collected, 24.4% were found infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Statistical analysis showed significant difference among rat species with highest prevalence observed in R. exulans (42.9%) followed by R. tanezumi (29.8%) and R. norvegicus (7.7%) (P = 0.047). Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection was significantly higher in adults (29.4%) than in juvenile rats (9.1%) (P = 0.050). However, results showed no significant difference in A. cantonensis infection between male (43.3%) and female (18.3%) rats and between wet (31.6%) and dry seasons (19.2%) (P > 0.05). Moreover, this study also revealed that rats from agricultural and agro-forest areas showed significantly higher prevalence than residential areas. With urbanization and the everchanging landscape of MMFR watersheds and buffer zones, zoonotic transmission can pose health threats to the local people.

Source or Periodical Title

Parasitology

ISSN

0031-1820

Volume

148

Issue

2

Page

143-148

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Angiostrongylus cantonensis, non-native rats, Philippine Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, zoonosis

Identifier

10.1017/S0031182020001511.

Digital Copy

yes

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ANGIOSTRONGYLUS CANTONENSIS; NON-NATIVE RATS; PHILIPPINE MOUNT MAKILING FOREST RESERVE; ZOONOSIS

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