A Survey of Cestodes in the Gut and Liver of Rats (Rattus sp.) in Metro Manila

Abstract

Three rats come from a supermarket in Makati, one from a residential area in Tondo and the last from a residential area in Caloocan City, are obtained from pest control companies, sacrificed and dissected. Cestodes are collected from the liver (metascestode) and from the gastrointestinal tract of each rat. The cestodes are then identified and counted (when possible). The following parasites are found in the rats: Taenia taeniaeforais (strobilocercus), Raillientina garrisoni and Hymenolepis diminute. All are transmissible to man. In consideration of the demonstrated presence of the cestodes in the rats, the high biotic potential of the worms, the close proximity of rats to man and the high risk of infection of man by the parasites, the following measures are recommended: increased efforts at rodent control, personal hygiene and community sanitation, and proper processing and cooking of food.