Intestinal Helminths Infections of Calomyscus cf. bailwardi (Rodentia: Calomyscidae) from Fars Province, Southern Iran

Background: Rodents have a significant role as a reservoir in zoonotic diseases. Rodents which live close to human habitats such as muroid species play an important role in public health and economy. The current study aimed to evaluate the intestinal helminths infections of the Zagros Mountain rodent, Calomyscus (Calomyscus cf. bailwardi), in Shiraz, capital of Fars province, southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to October 2019, and a total of 10 Calomyscus were trapped. The animals were transferred to the animal laboratory for euthanization and dissection. Each of the digestive organs was separately cut and examined to identify their intestinal helminths. Parasites were removed by a special needle, and then transferred to 5% glycerin alcohol for the identification of the isolated helminths, using carmine staining. Results: Among the 10 total numbers of specimens, 60% (6 out of 10) were infected. All of the intestinal helminths obtained from the rodents were identified as Syphacia obvelata. Conclusion: Given the fact that the infected rodents which live in close contact with human society may cause rodent-borne infections among the residents, this parasitological study can be important in identifying the epidemiologic pattern related to zoonotic diseases, especially in rarely studied host species like Calomyscus cf. bailwardi.