White-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris): zoonotic risk for endoparasitosis in the metropolitan area of Recife

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.973522527011

• Palavras-chave: Didelphis albiventris, parasites, public health, synanthropic, zoonoses.

• Keywords: Didelphis albiventris, parasites, public health, synanthropic, zoonoses.

• Abstract:

  The white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is a marsupial mammal belonging to the Didelphidae family. Due to their high degree of adaptation to the urban environment, they are considered synanthropic and pose a risk to public health. Didelphids are susceptible to helminth infections due to their omnivorous diet and can transmit these parasites to humans when they contaminate food and water sources. Knowledge about endoparasitoses in opossums is essential due to their pathogenicity for the species and also in order to adopt measures to prevent infection in humans. The aim of this study was therefore to identify the endoparasites of the white-eared opossum from the Tangará Wild Animal Screening Center, which belongs to the Pernambuco State Environment Agency (CPRH-PE). The helminths and coccidia were identified by laboratory analysis of the feces using the Willis-Mollay coproparasitological technique. Samples were collected from 70 animals, which were divided by age group. In all, 57.14% of the animals had parasites, but the adult individuals had 100% endoparasitosis. Multiparasitism was also seen in 67.5% of the opossums. The eggs found were from the Strongyloidea and Spiruroidea superfamilies, the Ascaridae and Trichuridae families, Cruzia sp., Coccidios, Giardia sp., Eimeria sp. and Octosporella spp. Didelphis albiventris has a high parasite load and is host to several zoonotic species that have already been reported in the Recife Metropolitan Region. Therefore, its contact with domestic animals and humans can pose a risk to public health.