exudates and Helminthiasis--Animal

This study was carried out in order to identify acanthocephalan species complexes, based on morphological variability, infecting Barbonymus schwanenfeldii from Lake Kenyir, Terengganu, Malaysia. Acanthocephala were fixed in ethanol, stained with aceto-carmine and studied morphologically by using a light microscope. Variation in morphological traits such as proboscis, proboscis receptacle, egg, testes shape and location, number of hooks and cement gland has been traditionally used to diagnose the acanthocephalans species but the delimitations between closely related species are still confusing and are always questionable among taxonomists. Molecular analysis was used for support the identification. Morphological variability prospecting reveals the presence of three different new species complexes from the subgenus Acanthosentis by referring published taxonomic keys. These new species may be distinguished from the other 46 described species of Acanthosentis by having six unique structures: the presence of an anterior parareceptacle structure (PRS); vaginal sleeve structure; a paired lateral, cone-shaped, muscular jacket surrounding the vagina; alternating pattern and size of proboscis hooks, variation in proboscis size and shape; the presence of the circular collar ring around the neck between the proboscis and trunk and lastly the presence of a muscular-like structure attached to the collar ring on the proboscis. These acanthocephalans found in the intestine of B. schwanenfeldii in Kenyir Lake Malaysia represent new species, named Acanthogyrus ( Acanthosentis) kenyirensis n.sp., A. ( A.) terengganuensis n.sp. and A. ( A.) tembatensis n. sp.

Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Cyprinidae; Female; Fish Diseases; Helminthiasis, Animal; Lakes; Malaysia

Indigenous chicken (Gallus domesticus) is reared for both its meat and eggs. Most consumers prefer the meat probably due to its specific texture and taste. The study was conducted to determine the presence of helminth parasites of 240 indigenous chickens (Gallus domesticus) obtained randomly from 12 divisions in Penang Island, Malaysia. Necropsy findings revealed 14 endoparasite species which parasitized these chickens namely, Acuaria hamulosa, Acuaria spiralis, Amoebotaenia sphenoides, Ascaridia galli, Brachylaima sp., Capillaria spp., Gongylonema ingluvicola, Heterakis gallinarum, Hymenolepis sp., Oxyspirura mansoni, Raillietina echinobothrida, Raillietina tetragona, Syngamus trachea and Tetrameres americana. The high abundance of helminth species observed in this study may be attributed to the free-range scavenging production system, where these indigenous chickens were exposed to intermediate or paratenic hosts of helminths which infect poultry. Besides, sustainable methods of helminthic control measure are necessary in order to enhance indigenous chicken production and eventually improve the economy of the rural farmers.

Topics: Animals; Chickens; Female; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Islands; Malaysia; Male; Poultry Diseases

Nasalis larvatus are well-known attraction for tourists in the mangrove forest of Bako National Park (BNP). Little is known regarding the infestation of helminth parasites in proboscis monkeys. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence species of major helminth parasites of public health importance in proboscis monkeys in BNP.. A total of 65 faecal samples screened for helminth parasites via sodium nitrate floatation and faecal sedimentation techniques.. A total of 14 helminth parasite species comprising of eight genera of nematodes, two species of cestodes and two trematodes were identified. Eggs of Trichuris trichiura were the most frequently encountered in proboscis monkeys.. This is the first survey on the fauna of helminth parasites of proboscis monkeys living in mangrove forests, and therefore, it implies the important baseline information that increases our current knowledge for future research regarding parasite-host ecology in primates.

Topics: Animals; Borneo; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Malaysia; Monkey Diseases; Presbytini

Two new nematode species, Bakeria schadi sp. nov. and Falcaustra malaysiaia sp. nov. from the gastrointestinal tract of McGuire's rock gecko, Cnemaspis mcguirei (Sauria: Gekkonidae) collected in Peninsular Malaysia are described. The two species now assigned to Bakeria are separated on the bases of male bursa type and location of the excretory pore: type II in B. schadi sp. nov. and type I in B. bakeri; location of excretory pore, anterior to nerve ring in B. schadi sp. nov. and posterior to nerve ring in B. bakeri. Falcaustra malaysiaia sp. nov. is most similar to F. chabaudi, F. concinnae, F. condorcanquii, F. barbi, F. dubia, and F. tchadi in that these 7 species possess 1 pseudosucker, 1 median papilla plus 10 pairs caudal papillae, and spicules with lengths between 1 and 2 mm. F. barbi and F. tchadi lack adcloacal papillae; the remaining 5 species possess 1 pair of adcloacal papillae. Falcaustra chabaudi is known from Nearctic salamanders; F. concinnae from Nearctic turtles; F. condorcanquii from Neotropical frogs, F. dubia from Oriental frogs, and F. malaysiaia sp. nov. from Oriental geckos. Two additional species of Nematoda were found, Cosmocerca ornata and Meteterakis singaporensis. Cnemaspis mcguirei represents a new host record for Cosmocerca ornata and Meteterakis singaporensis.

Topics: Animals; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Helminthiasis, Animal; Lizards; Malaysia; Male; Nematoda

To estimate the current prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in dogs and cats, a total of 105 fresh faecal samples were collected from rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Each faecal sample was examined for the presence of GI parasites by microscopic examination after formalin-ether concentration technique and for protozoa, trichrome and Ziehl-Neelsen staining were employed. The overall prevalence of GI parasitic infection was 88.6% (95% CI = 82.5-94.7) in which 88.3% of dogs and 89.3% of cats were infected with at least one parasites species, respectively. There were 14 different GI parasites species (nematodes, cestodes and protozoa) detected, including Ancylostoma spp. (62.9%), Toxocara spp. (32.4%), Trichuris vulpis (21.0%), Spirometra spp. (9.5%), Toxascaris leonina (5.7%), Dipylidium caninum (4.8%), Ascaris spp. (2.9%), Hymenolepis diminuta (1.0%) and others. General prevalence of GI parasites showed a significant difference between helminth (84.4%) and protozoa (34.3%) infections. Monoparasitism (38.1%) was less frequent than polyparasitism (46.7%). As several of these GI parasites are recognized as zoonotic agents, the results of this investigation revealed that local populations may be exposed to a broad spectrum of zoonotic agents by means of environmental contamination with dogs and cats faeces and this information should be used to mitigate public health risks. Prevention and control measures have to be taken in order to reduce the prevalence rates especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where animals live in close proximity to people, poor levels of hygiene and overcrowding together with a lack in veterinary attention and zoonotic awareness.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Helminthiasis, Animal; Malaysia; Prevalence

The prevalence of parasitic infections among commensal animals such as black and brown rats in many tropical countries is high and in comparison with studies on rodents in temperate climates, little is known about the community structure of their parasites. Rodent borne parasites pose threats to human health since people living in close proximity to rodent populations can be exposed to infection.. The helminth community structures of two urban rat populations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were investigated. The rats were from two contrasting sites in the city caught over a period of 21 months in 2000-2002.. Eleven species of helminth parasites comprising seven nematodes (Heterakis spumosum, Mastophorus muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Syphacia muris, Pterygodermatites tani/whartoni, Gongylonema neoplasticum, Angiostrongylus malaysiensis), three cestodes (Hymenolepis (Rodentolepis) nana, H. diminuta and Taenia taeniaeformis) and one acanthocephalan (Moniliformis moniliformis) were recovered from 346 Rattus rattus and 104 R. norvegicus from two urban sites, Bangsar and Chow Kit, during 2000-2002. Rattus rattus harboured over 60% of all helminths compared with R. norvegicus, although both host species played a dominant role in the different sites with, for example R. norvegicus at Bangsar and R. rattus at Chow Kit accounting for most of the nematodes. Overall 80% of rats carried at least one species of helminth, with the highest prevalences being shown by H. diminuta (35%), H. spumosum (29.8%) and H. nana (28.4%). Nevertheless, there were marked differences in prevalence rates between sites and hosts. The influence of extrinsic (year, season and site) and intrinsic (species, sex and age) factors affecting infracommunity structure (abundance and prevalence of infection) and measures of component community structure were analyzed.. Since at least two species of rat borne helminths in Kuala Lumpur have the potential to infect humans, and these showed high prevalences in the rats, the assessment and regular monitoring of infections carried by wild rodents have important roles to play in public health.

Topics: Animals; Biodiversity; Female; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Malaysia; Male; Prevalence; Rats; Rodent Diseases

This paper reports the occurrence of helminth and protozoan infections on small ruminants from eight farms situated in Kinta and Perak Tengah district, Perak. The results of this survey indicate that helminthiasis and coccidiosis is rampant in sheep and goat farms. Several anthelmintics have been used for the control of helminths. The smallholders depended on health and extention services from the State Veterinary Department. This survey is part of an ongoing programme by the Department of Veterinary Services to upgrade services and report the current status of parasitic diseases in the state.

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Anthelmintics; Coccidiosis; Feces; Goat Diseases; Goats; Helminthiasis, Animal; Hematocrit; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Malaysia; Parasite Egg Count; Parasitemia; Ruminants; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires

Rodents were collected from five wet markets (Chow Kit, Dato Keramat, Setapak, Jinjang and Kepong) in Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory between March to April 2006. Ninety seven rats were trapped using wire traps measuring 29 x 22 x 50 cm baited with fruits, coconuts, dried fish or sweet potatoes. A total of 17 different species of parasites were identified from three species of rats out of which 11 (65%) were identified to be zoonotic. The helminths identified from the urban rats were nematodes- Capillaria hepatica, Gongylonema neoplasticum, Heterakis spumosa, Heterakis sp., Masterphorus muris, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, Physolaptera sp., Pterogodermatis sp., Rictularia tani and Syphacia muris; cestodes- Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Hymenolepis sabnema, Hymenolepis sp., Raillietina sp. and Taenia taeniaeformis, and acanthocephalan- Moniliformis moniliformis. The following parasites are of potential medical importance: C. hepatica, G. neoplasticum, R. tani, S. muris, H. diminuta, H. nana, Raillietina sp. and T. taeniaeformis.

Topics: Acanthocephala; Animals; Cestoda; Helminthiasis, Animal; Humans; Malaysia; Nematoda; Rats; Rodent Diseases; Species Specificity; Zoonoses

A survey for small mammal parasites carried out in a secondary forest of Ulu Gombak, Selangor, Peninsula Malaysia yielded the following animals: Rattus bowersi (7), Rattus tiomanicus jalorensis (2), Maxomys rajah (12), Maxoyms whiteheadi (3), Leopoldamys sabanus(13), Sundamys muelleri(10), Lariscus insignis (1), Sundasciurus tenuis (1) and Tupaia glis (2). The following nematodes: Capillaria hepatica, Hepatojarakus malayae, Trichostrongylus sp. and Streptopharagus sp., the following cestodes: Hymenolepis sp., Raillietina sp. and Taenia taeniaformis; and trematode, Zonorchis sp. from Tupaia glis were recovered. No parasites were observed during blood examination. No endoparasite was seen in Maxomys whiteheadi, Lariscus insignis and Sundasciurus tenuis. The following parasites, Capillaria hepatica, Hymenolepis sp., Raillietina sp. and Taenia taeniaformis are considered of medical importance.

Topics: Animals; Capillaria; Cestoda; Female; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Hymenolepis; Malaysia; Male; Muridae; Rodent Diseases; Species Specificity; Zoonoses

The parasites which occurred most frequently in 175 owned or stray dogs in Sabah were Ancylostoma spp. present in 68% of the animals. Dirofilaria immitis occurred in 70% of the adult dogs but neither D. immitis nor Spirocerca lupi were present in puppies under four months of age. The latter attained a prevalence of 30% in the adults. In contrast Toxocara canis occurred in 81% of the puppies but infrequently in older dogs. Dipylidium caninum was moderately prevalent (15 to 25%) in dogs of all ages. Ticks were the most common arthropod parasite being present on 26% of the dogs and were mainly Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Demodectic and sarcoptic mange were confirmed and fleas and lice were also recovered.

Topics: Animals; Dogs; Helminthiasis, Animal; Malaysia; Siphonaptera; Tick Infestations

Topics: Animals; Deer; Helminthiasis; Helminthiasis, Animal; Malaysia

Topics: Animals; Chickens; Female; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Malaysia; Male; Poultry Diseases

Topics: Animals; Cercopithecus; Disease Models, Animal; Haplorhini; Helminthiasis, Animal; Malaysia; Monkey Diseases

Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Chiroptera; Disease Reservoirs; Eukaryota; Filariasis; Haplorhini; Helminthiasis, Animal; Helminths; Malaysia; Mammals; Microfilariae; Nematoda; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Rats; Sciuridae

Topics: Animals; Ecology; Feeding Behavior; Helminthiasis; Helminthiasis, Animal; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Malaysia; Rats; Rodent Diseases