Pasożytnicze helminty u ssaków w ogrodach zoologicznych

In this review the faunistic results concerning helminth parasites of mammals in zoological gardens are reported. The role of zoos in the context of parasitological surveys with special attention to laboratory in the Zoo of Łódź is presented. Different examples of helminthofauna of zoo animals are disscussed, e.g. hyperinfections of the gastro−intestinal helminths of zoo ruminants as well as parasite species common for primates and humans, e.g. Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma sp., Echinococcus multilocularis. It is reported that a high prevalence of parasitic agents was noted in captive rodents in zoos. The rodents are proven to be the source of Toxocara spp., Calodium hepaticum and E. multilocularis infections as zoological gardens may provide an ideal environment for these parasites.