Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A zoonotic parasite is an infectious organism that can be transmitted naturally between animals and humans.
The endemic status and transmission cycles of these parasites can vary significantly across geographic regions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the epidemiologic status of each parasite in India:
- Cryptosporidium parvum (A): This protozoan causes diarrheal disease in calves, lambs, and humans. It is highly zoonotic in India, with transmission occurring through the ingestion of oocysts from contaminated water or direct contact with infected livestock.
- Sarcoptes scabiei (D): This ectoparasite causes sarcoptic mange in animals and scabies in humans. Animal variants of this mite (such as S. scabiei var. canis) are zoonotic, causing transient, highly pruritic skin lesions in humans who handle infected pets or livestock in India.
- Trypanosoma gambiense (B) is the causative agent of West African sleeping sickness. It is endemic only to parts of Africa and is not zoonotic or present in India.
- Leishmania donovani (C) is the primary cause of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in India. In the Indian subcontinent, kala-azar is strictly anthroponotic (transmitted from human to vector to human), meaning there is no animal reservoir, unlike in East Africa or the Mediterranean where it is zoonotic.
Therefore, only (A) and (D) are zoonotic parasites in India.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The zoonotic parasites in India are (A) and (D) only, corresponding to option (A).