Sains Malaysiana 47(1)(2018): 9–18

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2018-4701-02

An Epidemiological Study on Endoparasites of Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Egypt with Special Reference to Their Health Impact

(Kajian Epidemiologi pada Endoparasit Arnab Domestik (Oryctolagus cuniculus) di Mesir dengan Rujukan Istimewa kepada Kesan ke atas Kesihatan Mereka)

ISMAIL ELSHAHAWY^1* & ASHRAF ELGONIEMY²

¹Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Egypt

²Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Egypt

Diserahkan: 14 Disember 2016/Diterima: 3 September 2017

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to study the enteric parasites infection in domestic rabbits in Upper Egypt and its impact on their health. A total of 298 faecal samples were collected from different farms in Upper Egypt. Each faecal sample was screened for parasitic isolation during May 2011- October 2012. Furthermore, The Eimeria species from samples containing isolated and sporulated oocysts were morphologically identified under microscope. Additionally, the Sheather's sugar flotation and Modified Zeihl Neelsen techniques were used to detect the Cryptosporidium species oocyst. According to results of the present study, the overall enteric parasite infections in rabbits was 68.12%, with 5.7% samples were found to be positive for helminths (P. ambiguus) and 49% were found to harbour various species of protozoa (Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium oocysts). Influences of age, sex and breed on the prevalence were recorded. Also, there was strong significant seasonal trends in the prevalence of the recovered parasites. Eight species of Eimeria were detected. Concurrent infection with two to eight Eimeria species occurred most frequently. Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in 45 rabbits (15.1%). To the best of author's knowledge, this the first report of E. piriformis and Cryptosporidium species in rabbits in Egypt. Histopathological changes were indicative of inflammatory reactions brought about by parasitic infection with Eimeria species and its consequent irritating effects on intestine. The current study showed the characteristics of the prevalence of rabbit enteric parasite infection in Egypt and provided relevant 'baseline' data for assessing the effectiveness of future control strategies against these parasites in Egypt.

Keywords: Egypt; helminth; pathology; prevalence; protozoa; rabbits

ABSTRAK

Penyelidikan ini telah dijalankan untuk mengkaji jangkitan parasit enteron pada arnab domestik di Mesir Atas dan kesannya ke atas kesihatan mereka. Sebanyak 298 sampel tinja telah diambil dari ladang yang berlainan di Mesir Atas. Setiap sampel tinja ini telah disaring untuk pengasingan parasit sepanjang Mei 2011-Oktober 2012. Selain itu, spesies Eimeria daripada sampel yang mengandungi oosista yang dipencil dan disporulat secara morfologi telah dikenal pasti di bawah mikroskop. Di samping itu, pengapungan gula Sheather dan teknik ubah suai Zeihl Neelsen telah digunakan untuk mengesan oosista spesies Cryptosporidium. Menurut keputusan kajian ini, jangkitan keseluruhan parasit enteron dalam arnab adalah 68.12% dengan 5.7% daripada sampel didapati positif untuk helmint (P. ambiguus) dan 49% didapati mempunyai pelbagai spesies protozoa (Eimeria spp. dan Cryptosporidium oosista). Pengaruh umur, jantina dan baka secara lazim telah direkodkan. Selain itu, terdapat pengaruh aliran musim secara lazim bagi parasit yang diambil. Lapan spesies Eimeria telah dikesan. Jangkitan serentak dengan dua hingga lapan spesies Eimeria berlaku paling kerap. Oosista Cryptosporidium dikesan pada 45 arnab (15.1%). Sepanjang pengetahuan penulis, ini merupakan laporan pertama E. piriformis dan spesies Cryptosporidium pada arnab di Mesir. Perubahan patologi menunjukkan tindak balas keradangan yang disebabkan oleh jangkitan parasit dengan spesies Eimeria dan kesannya merengsa pada usus. Kajian ini menunjukkan ciri kelaziman jangkitan parasit enteron pada arnab di Mesir dan menyediakan data 'garis dasar' untuk menilai keberkesanan strategi masa hadapan terhadap kawalan parasit di Mesir.

Kata kunci: Arnab; helmint; kelaziman; Mesir; patologi; protozoa

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: dr.ismail_para@yahoo.com