RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The present study aimed to record the prevalence, risk factors, molecular identification, and phylogeny of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis found in the small intestine of the lesser bandicoot rat, Bandicota bengalensis, a wild rodent species. METHODS: A total of 100 bandicoot rats live trapped at two commensal urban locations (50 each), i.e., a fish market and railway station, in Ludhiana, Punjab State (India), from November 2020 to October 2021, were analysed for the presence of N. brasiliensis, a nematode parasite of zoonotic importance. RESULT: Overall, the small intestine of 43.00% of the rats was found severely infected with bright red coloured adult N. brasiliensis of both sexes (total of 1439 specimens). Faecal samples contained ellipsoidal and thin-shelled eggs measuring 62.25-74.70 m in length and 33.20-37.35 m in breadth. No significant (P > 0.05) effect of host age, sex, or season was observed on the rate of infection. The parasite intensity and mean abundance ranged from 27.68-38.04 and 10.52-18.26, respectively, indicating a high risk of disease transmission. Based on the morphology, the nematode parasite was identified as Nippostrongylus sp. Molecular identification was confirmed through PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene, which showed a single band of approximately 355 bp. A comparison of the present isolate with the available sequences of Nippostrongylus species across the globe showed 100% nucleotide homology with N. brasiliensis sequences available in GenBank from Japan (AP017690), the USA (U57035), and New Zealand (NC033886). CONCLUSION: The study indicates that B. bengalensis inhabiting commensal urban areas is a reservoir host for N. brasiliensis, which if transmitted to humans and animals visiting the area may pose a potential health risk. The study thus suggests proper rodent population management close to human habitations to avoid the transmission of disease-causing agents.