Protozoan Parasites of Rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran (1975–2024): A Systematic Review Publisher



Nazarbeigy M ; Mohebali M ; Khademvatan S
Source: Journal of Parasitic Diseases Published:2026

Abstract

Rodentia is the largest order of mammals with a global distribution. Members of this order play a crucial role in transmitting various pathogenic agents to humans. This systematic review aimed to identify protozoan parasites in Iranian rodents and assess the associated public health threats in Iran. Reports on rodent-borne protozoan parasites published between 1975 and 2024 were searched across multiple English and Persian electronic databases, including Civilica, GoogleScholar, Magiran, PubMed, ProQuest, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Springer, and the Scientific Information Database (SID). A total of 93 articles from various regions of Iran were included in the review. The review documented 19 genera and 26 species of protozoan parasites isolated from various biological samples, including the faeces, tissues, and blood from 18 rodent species belonging to various genera across 24 provinces in Iran. The most frequently reported protozoan species were Leishmania major and other Leishmania species (reported in 57 studies), Toxoplasma gondii (nine studies), and Entamoeba muris (seven studies). Several studies revealed notably high prevalence rates of key zoonotic pathogens, including Giardia spp. (up to 76%), Leishmania major (62%), and Sarcocystis spp. (50%). The study also identified several other zoonotic agents, including Babesia microti, Cryptosporidium parvum, Leishmania spp., and Trypanosoma lewisi. This highlights the important role that rodents play in disease transmission and the need for continuous public health surveillance. Interestingly, this review identified Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Giardia duodenalis in Rattus norvegicus, despite these species not typically hosting these parasites. These findings emphasise the urgent need to implement enhanced rodent control measures alongside strengthened public health awareness in Iran. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2026.