Ophidascaris sp. in an African Rock Python (Python sebae) in Ghana: A Case Report

Abstract

This study reports an Ophidascaris sp. infection in the gastrointestinal tract of a python snake found at a construction site in Labone, a suburb of Accra and the capital city of Ghana. Examination of the rectal contents of the snake by the zinc sulfate centrifugal floatation method revealed helminths eggs. Besides, examining various sections of the alimentary canal revealed adult worms of the genus Ophidascaris in the anterior half of the small intestine just below the stomach's pyloric sphincter. Also, milking one of the female worms onto a microscope slide and examining the exudate by microscopy following staining with Lugol's iodine dye revealed eggs. Our findings may alert the possibility of zoonotic transmission of the parasite from pythons to humans, especially in the suburban/rural areas where people consume snake meat.