Abstract

DIAZ, Marcos Tulio et al. Paragonimus mexicanus in natural hosts from two municipalities of the Sucre State, Venezuela. Salus [online]. 2011, vol.15, n.1, pp.14-17. ISSN 1316-7138.

The Paragonimus mexicanus infection was studied in the opposum Didelphis marsupialis and crab Eudaniela garmani from the Sucre and Montes municipalities of Sucre State, Venezuela. In Sucre, prevalence of adult parasites in opposums was 13. 33% with an intensity of 1.50 parasites per individual; in Montes, prevalence was 31.88% with a parasite load of 6.82 parasites per host. Prevalence of metacercariae in crabs was 17. 98% in Montes and 4.07% in Sucre. No significant differences between prevalence, intensity and gender of the crabs was found in any of the two areas, but there was a positive and significant correlation with size. In Sucre, the crab parasite burden was higher, 8.20%, than in Montes, 5.31%. It was concluded that the intensity of infection was higher in female crabs and in those of a larger body size. These results indicate the existence of zoonotic contamination in both areas, and the need to continue investigating in order to determine relevant elements of this parasitic interrelation.

Keywords : Paragonimus mexicanus; Didelphis marsupialis; Eudaniela garmani.

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