The Role of the Norway Rat, <i>Rattus norvegicus</i>, as a Reservoir of Zoonotic Helminth Species in the City of Barcelona (Spain).

ABSTRACT: Synanthropic rodents are involved in the transmission of several parasitic zoonoses to humans, such as helminth parasites. As part of a multidisciplinary study concerning the rodent population in Barcelona (Spain), 300 specimens of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, were analyzed to elucidate their helminth community, mainly species with a zoonotic potential. The sample included 263 specimens from the sewage system and 37 from public gardens. A total of 253 (84.3%) rats were found to be parasitized, and 206 (68.7%) harbored zoonotic species. Adult rats were found to be more heavily parasitized with zoonotic helminths than juveniles, but the sex and site of capture had no influence. Six zoonotic helminths were identified: Hydatigera taeniaeformis larvae (1.7%), Rodentolepis

SUBMITTER: Fuentes MV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11816058 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature