Parasitic Infection in Wild Rabbits Oryctolagus Cuniculus

Abstract

The purpose of current study is the Biochemical detection of parasitic infection in wild rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus and illustrate which one of these parasites can infect humans or economical animals to clarify the important role of rabbits in the transmission of these parasites (as a vector and/or a reservoir host). During the period October 2016 to December 2017, a total of 55 samples of wild rabbits were collected from the local animals market in Al-Diwaniyah province – Iraq, of both sexes with different ages. After dissection and examination of all rabbits to look for ectoparasites infestation and endoparasites infection, then these parasites were prepared according to suitable methods. Results shown that 41 rabbits (74.55%) were infected with eight different types of external and internal parasites. Our results showed three species of external parasites (ectoparasites): the rabbit ear mite Psoroptes cuniculi (25.45%), the poultry red mite Dermanyssns gallinae (30.91%) and nymphs of Linguatula serrata which belong to the tongue worms (21.82%); and also we found five species of internal parasites (endoparasites) which were: the protozoan Eimeria sp.(61.82%), Giardia sp.(16.36%) and Cryptosporidium cuniculus (38.18%), and the larva stage cysticercus pisiformis (54.55%) and finally the nematodes Passalurus ambiguous (32.73%). The results in this biochemical study revealed that rabbits can be infected with common parasites which are: D. gallinae (poultry red mite), nymphs of Linguatula serrata, Eimeria sp. and Giardia sp. these parasites can infected anther hosts beside rabbits. So that our results enhance the important role of rabbits in the spreading of parasites and transmission of infection to other animals as well as humans.