The comparative epizootiology of Capillaria hepatica (Nematoda) in urban rodents from different habitats of Baltimore, Maryland
- 1 December 1988
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Zoology
- Vol. 66 (12) , 2769-2775
- https://doi.org/10.1139/z88-404
Abstract
The prevalence and intensity of Capillaria hepatica infections in four rodent species (Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Microtus pennsylvanicus and Peromyscus leucopus) trapped from sites in different habitats of Baltimore were examined from 1980 to 1986. Norway rats were frequently infected (87.4%), house mice rarely infected (5.4%), and no lesions were observed in meadow voles or white-footed mice. Rats from residential locations had significantly higher prevalence and intensity of infection compared with rats from parkland locations, findings not related to differences in the age structure of the populations. Prevalence and severity of lesions were positively associated with increasing body mass in rats and mice. No sex-related differences were found. Infection rates were positvely correlated with relative densities of rat and mouse populations; results were corroborated by interviews conducted with 87 household residents.This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Ecology of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft 1893) (Nematoda). II. Egg-Releasing Mechanisms and TransmissionJournal of Parasitology, 1977