Ectoparasitic Infestations in Humans Andanimals of Chitwan and Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

ctoparasites such as ticks, fleas, mites, lice, bedbugs, biting flies are the major arthropods thatinfect humans and animals in most part of the world. Diseases transmitted by these arthropodsare among the major causes of illness and death of humans and animals in many tropical,subtropical and temperature zones. The general objective of this study was to find out theprevalence rate of ectoparasitic infestation in humans and animals of Gunjanagar VDC inChitwan and Pharping VDC and Dhumbarahi Area in Kathmandu. The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive study based on random sampling. Onehundred and seventy seven humans and 193 animals were studied from the two different studyareas. From Gunjanagar Village Development Committee (VDC), a total of 53 households wereselected for the conduction of research which contains cows: 27, dogs: 29, goats: 59, buffaloes:44, cats: 6, fowls: 11 and humans: 62.Similarly, from Kathmandu, a total of two monasteries inPharping VDC, with the total of 115 children of age 8-22 years were studied. Similarly, from theDhumbarahi area, a total of 12 households were observed that contained 12 dogs and 5 cats.Questionnaires and direct observation, collection, preservation and identification of ectoparasiteswere conducted by entomologists, veterinary and medical personnel on the basis of oculo-stagemicrometer and photography of specimens in permanent and temporary slides. The data wereanalyzed by using Microsoft Excel Sheet Charts XP-2000, tables, diagrams and chi-square (χ -test) at 95% Confidence Interval (χ 2 < 0.05, 95% CI). The prevalence of hosts infested with different ectoparasites was as follows: ticks: 5.5 %, lice:4.2 %, mites: 0.4%, bedbugs: 0.4% and biting flies: 1.3% in Gunjanagar (χ =36.705, P<0.05).The total prevalence of lice was 6.5% (4/62) in which the prevalence in males was 3.6% (1/ 28)and in females was 8.8% (3/34) with the highest prevalence 16.7% in the persons of age-groups≥40 years in Gunjanagar (χ 2 = 2.6, P> 0.05). Out of 132 hosts, the respective prevalence of ticks,lice, mites and fleas were as follows: 9.1%, 75.8%, 1.5% and 9.1%. Out of 115 humans, theprevalence of lice was 87.0% in Kathmandu valley. Itching, swelling, soreness, sleeplessness,restlessness, lethargy and psycho-disturbances were the symptoms and scabies was thepathogenicity found which was caused different by ectoparasites.Quick treatment of scabies and sores by distributing drugs, anti-inflammatory creams, freeinsecticides, shampoos and lotions is needed for the humans and animals in the studied areas.