The helminthic parasites of rodents in Dakahlia Governorate, with reference to their Egyptian helminth fauna.

No doubt, rodents are among the most important reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. This paper aimed to survey the helminth fauna of the different species of rodents in Dakahlia Governorate. Eight species of rodents were encountered in the different centers examined. A total of fifteen species of helminthic parasites were found. They belong to four classes: Trematoda five species: H. heterophyes, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, S. tridactyla and E. callawayensis, Cestoidea three species: H diminuta, H. nana and T. taeniaeformis, Nematoda six species: A. cantonensis, T. muris, C. hepatica, S. obvelata, S. muris, S. ratti, and Archiacanthocephala one species: M. moniliformis. The medical and/or veterinary importance of these parasites were discussed. It was concluded that rodents are the most serious source of zoonotic parasites.