Evaluation of dwarf hamsters as reservoirs of zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths and assessment of anthelmintic properties of papaya (Carica papaya) seeds infusion

• Main Author: Chan, Helenar G
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: Zoonoses; Helminths; Dwarf hamsters; Papaya; Biology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdd_bio/7; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etdd_bio/article/1010/viewcontent/2024_ChanHelenar_Evaluation_of_dwarf_hamsters_as_reservoirs_of_zoonotic_soil_trans.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis is one of the most prevalent Neglected Tropical Diseases in the world. A quarter of the global population is infected with soil-transmitted helminths. Some soil-transmitted helminths have been shown to have zoonotic potential in a broad host range of about 60 different mammalian species, including rodents. Their zoonotic potentials allow parasitic infections to spread from animals to humans. Zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths represent a significant public health concern because humans are closely associated with animals, particularly canines, felines, and rodents. Despite years of established control methods, the prevalence of these parasitic diseases continues to rise, posing a public health concern in the country. This study aimed to evaluate dwarf hamsters as reservoirs of zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths and assessed the anthelmintic properties of papaya seeds infusion. The stool samples of the commercially available dwarf hamsters from local pet shops were processed using the formol-ether concentration technique and light microscopy. The endohelminths found in the hamsters were Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis nana, Syphacia spp., and hookworms. To evaluate the anthelmintic properties of the papaya seeds infusion, these hamsters were grouped into four: T0 served as the control with no treatment received, whereas T1, T2, and T3 received 0.5g, 1.0g, and 1.5g per kg body weight, respectively. The reduction in fecal egg count with papaya seeds infusion varied from 39.86% to 86.36% at 7 days post-treatment. The treatment with 1.5g/kg papaya seeds infusion (T3) was the most effective, followed by the treatment with 1.0 g/kg papaya seeds infusion (T2), and 0.5g/kg papaya seeds infusion (T1). Syphacia spp. (86.36%) had the highest FECR for T3 at 7 days post-treatment, followed by Hymenolepis diminuta (71.82%), Hymenolepis nana (61.02%), and hookworm (34.50%). These data indicate that papaya seeds infusion treatment effectively lowers fecal egg counts for seven days following treatment. Since dwarf hamsters and other rodents are common household pets, cross-infections are significantly risky, especially among children. It is imperative to increase awareness about the role that rodents play in the spread of these zoonotic diseases and to develop methods for preventing and controlling parasitic diseases among pet animals where many human populations are linear to rodents and other animal species. The absence of recent studies has resulted in a lack of knowledge on the role of rodents and other animals in spreading parasitic diseases throughout the country, thereby underscoring the necessity for more research to move toward eliminating these zoonotic parasitic infections.