Gastrointestinal endoparasites of capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) that inhabit the urbanized area of Jaboticabal-SP

Abstract

Free-living capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) can be considered reservoirs of various agents, mainly gastrointestinal parasites. The proximity of these animals to humans further reinforces the importance of investigating the parasite population. The objective of this study was to carry out coproparasitological examinations of capybaras that live in the Municipal Lake of Jaboticabal-SP. Twenty-five stool samples were evaluated using modified Faust flotation and Foreyt sedimentation techniques. It was possible to estimate that 72% of the samples corresponded to adult animals and 28% to juveniles. The parasite corresponding to Protozoophaga obesa was found in 71.42% of the samples from young capybaras. In addition, eggs of the superfamily Trichostrongyloidea were found in higher prevalence. Besides Strongyloides chapini; Protozoophaga obesa; Capillaria hydrochoeri; Monoecoestus spp. and non-sporulated Eimeria spp. No parasites with zoonotic potential were found, but further monitoring of these animals is beneficial for both human and animal health, since capybaras can be reservoirs for some diseases.