Albert Wulari Mbaya, Musa Isiyaku Ahmed, Umar Isa Ibrahim, Krumah Jethniel Lamurde
A survey of trichinilosis in 100 wild African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus) was conducted for the first time in the arid region of northeastern Nigeria. The results showed that 10(10.0%) males, 6(6.0%) females, 11(11.0%) juveniles and 5(5.0%) adults, harboured Trichinella infection. The males and the juveniles were significantly (p<0.05) more infected than the females and the adults respectively. According to locations, 9(9.0%) giant rats in Sanda Kyarimi Zoological Garden, 6(6.0%) in Maimallari Army Barracks and 1(1.0%) in Costums area, harboured the infection, while none (0%) of the rats on the University of Maiduguri Campus or Bagga Road area were infected. On one hand, the diaphragm, intercoastal and eye muscles of the rats did not harbour any infection while, on the other hand, the tongue 3(3.0%), biceps 7(7.0%), and masseter muscles 6(6.0%), harboured Trichinella larvae. The artificial enzymatic digestion technique, significantly (p<0.05) detected 10(10.0%) cases, more than histopathology 4(4.0%) and squash compression microscopy 2(2.0%). We corroborate the importance of the African giant rat, as a potential reservoir of trichinilosis, which is zoonotic in nature.
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