OCCURRENCE OF Cryptosporidum sp IN SINANTROPIC Rattus (FISCHER, 1803) AND Mus (LINNAEUS, 1758) CAPTURED IN THE URBAN AREA OF UMUARAMA, PR, BRAZIL

Abstract

Sinantropic rodents, mainly of the genus Rattus and Mus, can be used as indicators of environmental contamination by Cryptosporidium oocysts, responsible for high rates of infection in humans and animals, and for economic losses and poor health of individuals. In this work, in order to measure the frequency of Cryptosporidium in rodents in the urban area of Umuarama, PR, fecal samples of these animals were collected and analyzed using the Kinyoun staining method to determine the absolute and relative frequency of the parasite. From 50 samples collected, 26 showed rounded reddish structures, with the presence of parasitic forms inside, compatible with oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. Higher frequency (P-value <0.05) is found in Rattus, with no difference between sexes and origin of animals. The measurement of oocysts suggests the occurrence of zoonotic species Criptosporidium parvum.