Zoonotic and non-zoonotic helminths in black rats of rain-fed and irrigated areas of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Present study was conducted to get information on helminth parasites of zoonotic importance among the black rats of district Swat, Pakistan. Two hundred and sixty nine rats were captured from agricultural ecosystem of the district using live captured traps from 2011 to 2013. Captured rats were anesthetized and surveyed for the presence of ectoparasites, then were carefully dissected for investigation of endoparsites. Helminth parasites of 8 species were identified. Presence of parasite was noticed in 23.7% of sampled rats. The infection rates of sampled rats was given in order of their infectivity as 13(4.83%), 13(4.83%), 12 (4.46%), . 9(3.34%), 8(2.97%), 4(1.48%), 4(1.48%) and spp. 1 (0.37%). No significant difference (P < 0.4289) was found in prevalence of parasites among areas, crops, crop stages and sex of the host while adult rats were found more infected than sub-adults. and were the most common species of helminths while sp., 1 (0.37%) was found only in one host. (the black rat) was regarded as the host of helminth parasites of zoonotic importance, therefore the hidden health hazards of this rodent species needed to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans. Current study was concluded that harbored a wide variety of helminth parasites which shows a hidden risk to inhabitants of the region. Monitoring rats' population in settle areas and educating the local community about the risk of rat borne parasitic diseases transmission through rats appears to be absolutely essential.