Enterohepatic Helminths in Two Guinea Pig Groups (Inka Line and Chota Ecotype) From an Experimental Station in Northern Peru

Introduction: Guinea pigs are rodents with considerable potential for small-scale production, and their breeding has expanded across various regions worldwide. These animals are susceptible to a wide range of parasites that can adversely affect their productivity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of enterohepatic helminths, identify the parasitic genera, and compare the infection rates between two guinea pig groups (Inka Line and Chota Ecotype) from an agricultural experimental station in Cajamarca, a major guinea pig-producing area in northern Peru. Materials & Methods: Fecal samples from ۱۹۱ Inka Line and ۱۶۲ Chota Ecotype guinea pigs were analyzed using the natural sedimentation method for trematodes and the concentration flotation for nematodes. Results: Of the ۳۵۳ animals examined, ۳۰۵ were infected (۸۶.۴±۳.۵۸%). The prevalence in the Inka Line was ۵۲.۱۲±۵.۲۱% (۱۸۴/۳۵۳) and ۳۴.۲۸±۴.۹۵% (۱۲۱/۳۵۳) in the Chota Ecotype. Four helminth genera were identified: Paraspidodera spp., Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., and Fasciola hepatica. Co-infections were common, affecting ۶۳.۳۵% of the Inka Line and ۲۴.۰۷% of the Chota Ecotype animals. Single infections were most frequent, followed by double, triple, and quadruple infections. The most common co-infection in the Inka Line was Trichuris spp./Paraspidodera spp. (۳۰.۸۹%), whereas in the Chota Ecotype, Trichuris spp./Capillaria spp. predominated (۵.۵۶%). Triple infections involving F. hepatica, Trichuris spp., and Paraspidodera spp. were more frequent in the Inka Line (P<۰.۰۱). The detection of F. hepatica underscores a potential zoonotic risk among intensively managed guinea pig populations. Conclusion: In conclusion, a high prevalence of enterohepatic helminths was recorded in both groups, with distinct infection patterns, emphasizing the need for targeted parasitic control strategies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cavia porcellus ، Intestinal parasite ، liver fluke ، Parasitism ، polyparasitism