%0 Journal Article %T Intestinal and Ectoparasites of black rats (Rattus rattus) in Garmian, Kurdistan region of Iraq %J Journal of Garmian University %I زانکۆی گەرمیان %Z 23100087 %A Amin, Omer Mahoud %D 2019 %\ 04/01/2019 %V 6 %N 1 %P 623-629 %! Intestinal and Ectoparasites of black rats (Rattus rattus) in Garmian, Kurdistan region of Iraq %R 10.24271/garmian.1050 %X Rodents are found worldwide and live close to human inhabitation. They are known as vectors of zoonotic diseases such as viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Investigating parasites of rats and understanding their life cycles have become crucial necessity. The present study aimed to screen for the presence of intestinal parasites and ectoparasites in black rats (Rattus rattus) in Garmian region. An overall 55 live rats (21 male, 34 female) were trapped from three districts in Garmian region (Kalar, Kifri and Khanaqin). The rats were euthanized, dissected and their parasites were identified. The overall rate of infection with at least one parasite was 61.81% (36/55). Four genera of nematodes were identified; Trichuris muris, capillaria spp., Strongyloides sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. with infection rate 20% (11/55). Twenty four out of the 55 rats (43.61%) were infected with Hymenolepis nana and/or Hymenolepis diminuta. Three protozoa were also identified, Giardia muris, Entamoeba muris and Isospora ratti with infection rate of 25.45% (14/55). The flea Xenopsylla cheopis was the only ectoparasite identified from 4 rats (7.27%). Rat from all the three studied areas carried parasites with no significant difference in term of infection rates. Male rats showed significantly higher prevalence of parasites compared to female. Coinfection was observed in rats and some rats carried four types of parasites at one time.  Findings of this study suggest that rats of Garmian region harbor zoonotic parasites which can pose risk to humans and animals. Therefore, actions have to be taken to content the potential of disease transmission. %U https://jgu.garmian.edu.krd/article_91793_928a7fe52197f3d0c4c69d9a2ffbb80d.pdf