Intestinal Helminth Parasites of Macaca mulatta (Zimmermann) from Pashupati (Kathmandu District) and Nilbarahi Area (Bhaktapur District) of Nepal

Abstract

A total of 202 faecel samples from Macaca mulatta (Rato bandar) from Pashupati and Nilbarahi areas were microscopically examined to identify the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites. Faecel smears were prepared from fresh faecel samples and microscopically examined. About 3 gm of the dropping was also preserved separately in clean properly labelled vials containing 10% formalin. The specimens were microscopically examined after concentration for ova of intestinal helminth parasites. Out of total 202 samples, 124 (61.38%) samples were found positive for one or mixed infection of more than one helminthes and 78 (38.61%) samples were found to be negative for any helminthes. Eggs of 18 helminth species (16 nematodes, 1 trematode and 1 acanthacephala) were identified. Regarding classwise prevalence rate, out of 202 samples, the nematodes were the most prevalent with prevalence percentage 89.51% and trematode was the least prevalent with prevalence percentage 4.83%. The prevalence percentage of acanthocephala was 5.64%. Only one species of trematode that is Dicrocoelium sp. with 4.83% was found. Likewise only one species of acanthocephala that is Prosthenorchis elegans with 5.64% was found. Among nematodes Strongyloides fulleborni was found to be the most prevalent with 51.61% whereas prevalence with nematode Toxocara canis with 0.80% and Cooperia sp. with 0.80%were found to be the least prevalent. The prevalence rate of other species of nematodes were as follows : Oxyuris sp. – 11.29%, Ascaris lumbricoides – 10.48%, Dictyocaulus sp. – 7.25%, Chabertia sp. – 6.45%, Toxascaris leonina – 6.45 %, Ostertagia sp. – 6.45%, Trichurs ovis – 6.45%, Trichuris trichura – 5.64%, Trichostrongylus sp. –4.83%, Capillaria sp. – 4.03%, Oesophagostomum sp. – 4.03 %, Ancylostoma duodenale – 2.41%, Haemonchus contortus – 2.41 %. Cooperia sp. – 0.80 % and Toxocara canis – 0.80 %. Comparatively. the prevalence percentage of intestinal helminth parasites from Rhesus monkey were found to be 64.70% in Pashupati area and 58% in Nilbarahi area. Out of all observed helminthes, one trematode Dicrocoelium sp. and ten nematodes namely Strongyloides fulleborni, Oesophagostomum sp., Capillaria sp., Trichostrongylus sp., Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia sp., Ostertagia sp. and Toxocara canis were zoonotically infective. All the Genus and Species of intestinal helminth parasites observed in the Rhesus monkey are reported here for the first time from Nepal. Whereas, Prosthenorchis elegans is reported for the first time in Nepal.