Strobilocercus fasciolaris (Eucestoda: Taeniidae) in black rats (Rattus rattus) at Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil

Abstract

ABSTRACT The island of Fernando de Noronha, belonging to the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, has several animal species introduced by man, such as the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the domestic cat (Felis catus), representing a risk to the ecological balance of the island and to the public health. This study aimed to report the occurrence of Strobilocercus fasciolaris in black rats (R. rattus) in this insular environment and to contribute with epidemiological data on this parasitosis. Rodents were captured using Tomahawk traps and sedated with an association of Ketamine Hydrochloride (40mg/kg/IM) and Xylazine Hydrochloride (2mg/kg/IM) for subsequent euthanasia and necroscopic evaluation. Of the 154 captured black rats, 54 (35.06%) had single or multiple cysts in the liver. The cysts were morphologically evaluated and the metacestodes were identified as Strobilocercus fasciolaris, the larval form of Hydatigera taeniformis. This is the first report of the occurrence of Strobilocercus fasciolaris in black rats (Rattus rattus) in an island environment in Brazil. The occurrence of this metacestode in rodents on the Island demonstrates the high environmental contamination, fast reproduction, and dispersion of this parasite, being a potential risk for the conservation of susceptible species and for public health.