INTESTINAL PARASITIC FAUNA AND PREVALENCE IN AFRICAN GIANT RAT (Cricetomys gambianus) IN NSUKKA METROPOLIS SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA

to combat food insecurity and malnutrition among the local populace. However, giant rat has been reported harbour many parasites thus, its close association with man in raising them as mini-livestock consumption of meat could be a public health risk individuals handling them. This study was conducted investigate gut their prevalence on African Nsukka metropolis. A total 21 rats comprising 13 males 8 females were trapped for study. The dissected, guts removed searched parasites. 506 where recovered. Four different Trichostrongylus sp., Trichuris muris (nematodes) Hymenolepis diminuta Taenia sp. (Platyhelminthes) identified gastrointestinal tract rats. most prevalent (100%) while had highest mean intensity 10.15 (7.46 – 12.85, 95% CI) followed by is significantly higher caecum than (p< 0.05). weight positive correlation Given parasitic load it recommended that should reared reduce infection increase market value since farmed ones will regularly dewormed.