Implication of Rattus Rattus as Vectors of Gastrointestinal helminthes Parasites in Parts of Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria.

Rats are one of the ubiquitous rodents around human residential areas and market places and their filthy habits make them to be potential carriers of pathogens. The current survey was aimed to determine gastro-intestinal helminths infection in 75 trapped rodents of domestic and market areas of Osogbo, Southwesthern Nigeria to document the potential health risks associated with rats as mechanical vectors of medically important gastro-intestinal parasites Osogbo, Southwesthern Nigeria. 37 rats were collected from the residential areas while 38 were collected from the market places. 16 (43%) of the 37 rats collected in residential area harboured gastro-intestinal parasites while 22 (57%) of the 38 rats from market places harbored parasites. Rats were trapped using metal snares and glue board traps, between October and December 2016 from residential and market areas and euthanized. The body surfaces and the faecal samples of rats collected from both residential area and market places were examined for parasites while the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts were removed and examined to identify parasitic helminthes. The results indicated that 38(50.67 %) of examined rodents were infected with nine helminths species with market area having higher  prevalence rates in all the species of parasites recovered: Entamoeba hystolitica (19.50%), Balantidium coli (13.76%), Ascaris lumbricoides (79.00%), Thricuris muris (22.30%),  Enterobius vermicularis (13.76%), Hookworms (13.76%), Nippostrogylus brasiliences (3.65%), Syphacia muris (16.35%) and Hymenolepis diminuta (11.49%) while the prevalence of infection among the rats sampled in the domestic area are  Entamoeba hystolitica (16.49%), Balantidium coli (11.34%), Ascaris lumbricoides (62.32%), Thricuris muris (13.76%),  Enterobius vermicularis (11.14%), Hookworms (8.32%), Nippostrogylus brasiliences (2.25%), Syphacia muris (11.35%) and Hymenolepis diminuta (15.12%). Of the 75 sampled rats, 35(48.0 %) were males and 40 (52 %) were females. 21 (52.5%) of the males were infected compared to female rats 17 (48.6%). There was no significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among different age groups and sexes (P>0.05).  Market places harbored higher gastro-intestinal parasites than residential area. We concluded that examined rodents carry gastrointestinal parasites that are zoonotic and that both domestic and market areas are exposed to these infections. The control of these animals therefore has an important role in safeguarding public health. The promotion of hygienic conditions and periodical fumigation of the environment become imperative so as to control the population of rats and reduce the health risks associated with their presence in the study area.