Gastrointestinal Parasites of Wild Thryonomys swinderianus (Grass-cutters) Sold at Eateries in Umuawulu Community, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Parasitic infections have been shown to affect the growth and economic value of animals. The demand for grass-cutter meat is high in most rural and semi-urban communities in Nigeria due to its value as a source of protein. The present study investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite of wild grass-cutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) sold to restaurants within Umuawulu, Anambra State. Three locations were randomly sampled within the study area and the grass-cutters were purchased from three eateries in the sampled locations. The gut and intestinal contents of the animals were collected at the point of slaughter, transferred to a sterilised container and transported to the Zoology Laboratory, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka for further analysis. A total of 45 (25 male and 20 female) grass-cutters were examined out of which 23(51.1%) were infected. The parasites identified were: Ancylostoma sp. 20(75.0%), Ascaris sp. 5(55.56%), Necator americanus 2(25.00%) and Trichuris sp. 1(12.50%). The highest parasite prevalence in the grass-cutters sampled was found in females 13 (65.0%) while the male had the least 10 (40.0%). Parasite prevalence was not sex-dependent (χ2= 0.95, P =0.136). Also, there was no significant relationship between the parasite distribution and location (χ2= 3.889, P>0.05).  It thus highlighted the need for screening of parasites in stock grass cutters brought from the wild for domestication as well as properly cooked before consumption. Further studies are required  to generate more data on it.