Cystic echinococcosis and other helminth infections of wild boar in northeastern and northwestern regions of Tunisia

Epidemiology and distribution of gastrointestinal parasites in fattening pig farms in northern Italy

In Italy, pig breeding is characterised by intensive farms in which parasitic diseases often present a subclinical pattern, while being responsible for decreased animal welfare and great economic losses. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of major parasites in pigs, and, for this purpose, 880 faecal samples of fattening pigs raised in 22 intensive farms located in northern Italy were collected in two different sampling sessions, at the beginning and end of the fattening cycle. For the detection of helminth eggs and coccidian oocysts, a quantitative flotation technique was used, whereas a conventional PCR was performed to confirm the identification of cestode eggs found by copromicroscopic analysis. Moreover, data regarding herd management were collected to assess risk factors for parasite occurrence. A total of 95 samples were positive for at least one parasitic taxon (10.8%); the most detected parasite was Ascaris suum (7.6%), followed by Trichuris suis (1.7%) and Cystoisospora suis (0.9%). Further, eggs with morphometric features compatible with those of Hymenolepis diminuta were detected in 16 samples (1.8%), and the analysis of sequences confirmed the identification of cestode eggs. Statistical analysis showed that large farms and those applying the all-in/all-out system were associated with a lower risk of nematode infection. This study provided data on prevalence and burden of gastrointestinal parasites in two different times of the fattening cycle. It was evidenced that endoparasites are persistent, albeit with low prevalences, and would need specific measures to reduce their effects on both animal health and productivity.

Parasitological Examination of the Digestive System of Wild Boar from a Practical Point of View-Endoparasitological Sampling under Field Conditions

From 2015 to 2023, we conducted a comprehensive study in the 11,893-hectare hunting area managed by the Marcal-Bitvaközi Hunting Company, characterised by its substantial wild boar population. The research was carried out across various settings, including a free-range wild boar garden during large-scale hunts and free-living areas during individual hunts. We examined 216 wild boars in total, with 173 individuals from free-living areas and 43 from free-range areas. Throughout the sample collection process, we encountered numerous technical challenges that are infrequently detailed in the professional literature, often mentioned only tangentially. This oversight in existing publications neglects the significance of addressing field sampling difficulties, which are crucial for ensuring the precision and accuracy of research. This paper details the equipment requirements, sampling methodologies, and practical solutions to streamline fieldwork. While our primary focus was on endoparasitic infections of the stomach and small intestine, the described methodologies and findings are broadly applicable to research involving all internal organs.

Prevalence, molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analyses of hydatid cysts and cysticercus tenuicollis isolates and first report of E. canadensis (G6/G7) in wild boars in Bingol province, Türkiye

Wild boars can directly or indirectly transmit numerous zoonotic helminths to humans in rural communities as they serve as reservoir hosts. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and molecular characterisation of cystic metacestode forms of helminth parasites in wild boar and to identify haplotypes. To this end, 23 wild boar carcasses shot by hunters during the 2023 hunting season were necropsied and all internal organs were examined. Cysticercus tenuicollis (n = 07) and hydatid cyst (n = 10) isolates were obtained from the examined boars. Species identification of Cysticercus and hydatid cyst isolates was performed by amplification of partial fragments of the cox1 gene. According to BLAST search, all sequences of C. tenuicollis isolates were identified as Taenia hydatigena. Out of the hydatid cyst isolates, seven were classified as Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1/G3) and one sample was identified as Echinococcus canadensis (G6/G7). All isolates of E. granulosus s.s. (G1/G3) were re-amplified with the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) in order to distinguish between G1 and G3 genotypes. Based on the sequence analysis, it was found that five of the E. granulosus s.s. isolates were classified as G1, while two were classified as G3. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the G1 genotype is the most prevalent genetic variant among wild boar populations in Bingol province, Türkiye. In this study, a total of five novel haplotypes were identified. A previously unidentified haplotype was revealed through the haplotype analysis of E. canadensis (G6/G7). All isolates in the haplotype network of T. hydatigena were shown to exhibit distinct and geographically specific haplotypes. According to the findings of the study, wild boars include a substantial amount of genetic variety in E. granulosus s.s. And T. hydatigena.

Cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato infection) in Tunisia, a One Health perspective for a future control programme

The emergence of pandemics with dramatic consequences for human health has obscured endemic diseases that continue to pose a problem for human and animal health in several regions of the world. Among these diseases, cystic echinococcosis, a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by a group of cestodes, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, remains a real human and animal health problem in several regions of the world, including the Mediterranean Basin. Despite the implementation of a number of governmental control programmes using several tools (dog treatment, meat inspection, etc.), this infection is still highly prevalent in North Africa. Here we present a review of the epidemiology of cystic echinococcosis in Tunisia, an analysis of the constraints limiting the effectiveness of the control programmes implemented, and finally argue for the use of the One Health framework to improve the effectiveness of future programmes.

Morphometric, histopathological and molecular findings of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus infection in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from continental Italy

Although Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a neglected acanthocephalan of suids occasionally responsible for severe infections in humans, the spread of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe could promote the circulation. Herein, we report the first morphometric, histological and molecular characterization of a severe M. hirudinaceus infection in a boar from continental Italy. The boar's intestine displayed granulomatous enteritis due to 24 helminths (14 females, 10 males), identified as adults of M. hirudinaceus by a combined morphometric/molecular approach. The phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 gene revealed a close relationship of the M. hirudinaceus sequence type found herein with those from Hungary and insular Italy. The high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity of M. hirudinaceus specimens would suggest its rapid demographic expansion in the Mediterranean basin. More research is needed to assess the presence of M. hirudinaceus in susceptible beetle species and the role of boars in the epidemiology of infection.

Borrelia persica infection in wild carnivores in Israel: molecular characterization and new potential reservoirs

BACKGROUND

Borrelia persica causes tick-borne relapsing fever in Israel, the eastern Mediterranean basin, and Asia. Relapsing fever is associated with severe illness and potentially death in humans and animals. Since B. persica infection has rarely been described in wild animals, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of infection with B. persica in wild carnivores in Israel.

METHODS

Spleen and blood clot samples from wild carnivores, which underwent necropsy, were tested for the presence of Borrelia DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were sequenced, and the spirochete loads were quantified using a specific quantitative PCR (qPCR).

RESULTS

A total of 140 samples from 74 wild carnivores were analyzed for the presence of Borrelia DNA. Six out of the 74 (8.1%) animals were found positive for B. persica by PCR and sequencing of the flagellin B gene, of which 4/74 (5.4%) were also positive by PCR for the glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase (glpQ) gene. Positive samples were obtained from three European badgers, and one striped hyena, golden jackal, and red fox each. All B. persica-positive animals were young males (P < 0.0001). Quantifiable results were obtained from 3/5 spleen and 4/5 blood samples. The spirochete loads in the blood were significantly higher than those found in the spleen (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of B. persica infection found in wild carnivores brought for necropsy was unexpectedly high, suggesting that this infection is widespread in some wild animal species in Israel. This is the first report of B. persica infection in the European badger and striped hyena. These carnivores have a wide geographical range of activity, and the results of this survey raise the possibility that they may serve as reservoir hosts for B. persica.

Endoparasites of Wild Boars (Sus Scrofa) in Primorsky Krai, Russia

This study identified helminthic species among wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Primorsky Krai, Russia. In total, 66 fecal samples were taken from wild boars and examined using the floatation-sedimentation method to identify helminths eggs and protozoan cysts. Age and sex were estimated for each host animal investigated. The helminthic fauna of the wild boars examined involved six parasite genera, but 4 are helminths and 2 are protozoans: the nematodes Metastrongylus spp., Trichuris suis, Capillaria sp. and Ascaris suum; and the protozoan parasites Eimeria sp. and Cystoisospora suis.

The most prevalent parasite was Metastrongylus spp. (13.6 %) followed by Trichuris suis (7.6 %).

The other parasites found were Eimeria sp. (3 %), Ascaris suum (3 %), Capillaria sp. (1.5 %) and Cystoisospora suis (1.5 %).

Not found positive correlation between the host’s age and sex and the parasite prevalence. This was the first detailed study on helminths infections among wild boars in Primorsky Krai.

First molecular description of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in wild boars from Italy with pathomorphological and epidemiological insights

Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a zoonotic parasite affecting suids worldwide which are the definitive hosts for this helminth species. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is of significant economic and management concern due to its pathogenicity, causing intestinal obstruction and perforation in the definitive hosts. Current study is the preliminary investigation from Sardinia, Italy, reporting the pathomorphological findings and molecular characterization of M. hirudinaceus in the wild boars (Sus scrofa meridionalis). A total of 59 wild boars were examined showing acanthocephalan infection in 8 (13.6%) animals. In total, 49 parasites were collected with a mean intensity of 6.1. Comparatively higher infection levels were observed for males (16.7%) and young boars (14.3%); however, these epidemiological differences were statistically non-significant. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of a variable number of nodules (∼5 mm) in the intestine of M. hirudinaceus infested animals surrounded by a hyperemic-hemorrhagic halo. Several parasites were recovered from the intestinal lumen attached by the means of characteristic hooks showing necrosis in muscle layers. A moderate number of plump reactive fibroblasts and lesser numbers of fibrocytes were embedded with and at the borders of the inflammatory nodules in a moderate amount of homogeneous intensely eosinophilic fibrillary material rupturing the cell membrane. For molecular characterization, six isolated worms were amplified for the partial mitochondrial cox1 gene showing distinct interindividual variations. This first pathological and molecular description from southern Europe provided new knowledge about the diffusion of M. hirudinaceus in wild boars, furthering the research into the origin and transmission status of M. hirudinaceus in endemic localities.