Enteric parasites with zoonotic importance in jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758).

Abstract

The investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in jackal of Barisal, Bangladesh. The study period was May,2017-April,2018. Out of 30 jackal, 25 jackal (83.33%) were infected by different species of parasites. The association of age, sex of the hosts and season were also observed. Fecal analyses were screened via using Formol-Ether concentration technique for parasite ova, cysts, oocysts and larvae. During the study period, total thirteen species of parasites were identified. Among them Toxocara canis had highest prevalence rate (83.33%) and higher prevalence followed by Isospora spp. (76.67%), Ancylostoma spp. (76.67%), Echinococcus granulosus (53.33%) and Mesocestoides lineatus (53.33%). The prevalence of parasites in jackal was highest in 4-5 years age group (85.71%) and 8-9 years age group (85.71%) and was statistically significant (p<0.05). In all years age groups, Toxocara canis had highest prevalence (85.71%). Females (100%) had higher infection than the males (76.92%). Statistically it was also significant (p<0.05). The parasites which had higher prevalence rate in females were Toxocara canis (100%) and Isospora sp. (82.35). Ancylostoma spp. (76.92%), Toxocara canis and Isospora sp. (69.23%) had higher prevalence rate in males. Prevalence of parasite species in jackal was highest in summer (100%) and in win- ter (100%) and was statistically significant (p<0.05). From the above result, it could be stated that jackal act as zoonotic agent which is a threat for human health. Key