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Malone CJ, Oksanen A, Mukaratirwa S, Sharma R, Jenkins E. From wildlife to humans: The global distribution of Trichinella species and genotypes in wildlife and wildlife-associated human trichinellosis. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024; 24:100934. [PMID: 38651034 PMCID: PMC11033181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Zoonotic nematodes of the genus Trichinella are foodborne parasites that have a global distribution in wild carnivores and omnivores, with spillover and spillback into domestic livestock and people, with concomitant trade and health consequences. Historically, most human cases were linked to domestic pigs infected with Trichinella spiralis, but under current high biosecurity swine production in many countries, wildlife have become a more important source of human trichinellosis. The aim of this review is to update the global distribution of Trichinella species and genotypes reported in wildlife, as well as reported human outbreaks from the consumption of wildlife. Using several online databases and by "snowballing" references, hundreds of reports of Trichinella spp. in wildlife published between January 1991 and December 2023 provide an important update to the host and geographic range for each of the recognized 13 species/genotypes, grouped by continent. Surveillance effort was highest in Europe and North America, while Africa, Asia, Oceania, Central and South America have had limited surveillance, in some instances with human cases serving as sentinels of transmission in a region. Dozens of human outbreaks are described, with wild boars (Sus scrofa) being the most frequently implicated wildlife species in human outbreaks globally. Bears are an important source of infection in North America, for wildlife tourism, and importation of bear meat has also been implicated in multicountry outbreaks. The largest study limitation was the dearth of molecular identification of larvae in both wildlife surveillance studies and human outbreaks, particulary in under-studied regions. We highlight the need for enhanced molecular epidemiological approaches to outbreaks of this important foodborne parasite, and emphasize the need for a One Health approach to manage Trichinella spp. which transmit among terrestrial and marine wildlife (including migratory birds), pigs, horses, and people, often across large geographic scales and borders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody J. Malone
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Antti Oksanen
- Finnish Food Authority, (FINPAR), Elektroniikkatie 3, FI-90590, Oulu, Finland
| | - Samson Mukaratirwa
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rajnish Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Centre for One Health, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Emily Jenkins
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Juozaitytė-Ngugu E, Maziliauskaitė E, Kirjušina M, Prakas P, Vaitkevičiūtė R, Stankevičiūtė J, Butkauskas D. Identification of Sarcocystis and Trichinella Species in Muscles of Gray Wolf ( Canis lupus) from Lithuania. Vet Sci 2024; 11:85. [PMID: 38393103 PMCID: PMC10892562 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11020085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Apicomplexan Sarcocystis and Trichinella nematodes are food-borne parasites whose life cycle is carried-out in various wildlife and domestic animals. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is an apex predator acting as an ecosystem engineer. This study aimed to identify the species of Sarcocystis and Trichinella found in the muscles of gray wolves in Lithuania. During the 2017-2022 period, diaphragm, heart, and hind leg samples of 15 animals were examined. Microscopical analysis showed the presence of two types of Sarcocystis parasites in 26.7% of the analyzed muscle samples. Based on the sequencing of five loci, nuclear 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, ITS1, mitochondrial cox1, and apicoplast rpoB, S. arctica, and S. svanai were identified. The current work presents the first report of S. svanai in gray wolf. Phylogenetically, S. svanai clustered together with S. lutrae, infecting various carnivorans, and S. arctica was most closely related to S. felis from domestic cats. Trichinella spp. were found in 12 gray wolves (80%). For the first time, Trichinella species were molecularly identified in gray wolves from Lithuania. Trichinella britovi was confirmed in all of the isolated Trichinella larvae using a multiplex PCR. Gray wolves in Lithuania may serve as a major source of zoonotic pathogens due to the presence of these parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Muza Kirjušina
- Department of Ecology, Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils University, Parādes 1, 5401 Daugavpils, Latvia
| | - Petras Prakas
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Vaitkevičiūtė
- Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentų 11, Akademija, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Jolanta Stankevičiūtė
- Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentų 11, Akademija, 53361 Kaunas, Lithuania
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Martínez-Carrasco C, Moroni B, García-Garrigós A, Robetto S, Carella E, Zoppi S, Tizzani P, Gonzálvez M, Orusa R, Rossi L. Wolf Is Back: A Novel Sensitive Sentinel Rejoins the Trichinella Cycle in the Western Alps. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10030206. [PMID: 36977245 PMCID: PMC10055899 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10030206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichinella is a foodborne parasite whose wildlife reservoirs are represented by carnivores and omnivores with predatory and scavenger behavior. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Trichinella infection in grey wolves (Canis lupus) that recolonized the Western Alps from the end of the past century, and discuss the epidemiological role played by this apex predator in the early phases of its return. During the period 2017–2022, diaphragm samples were obtained from 130 individuals collected in the frame of a wolf mortality survey. Trichinella larvae were found in 15 wolves (11.53%) with a parasite intensity of 11.74 larvae per gram. Trichinella britovi was the only species identified. This is the first prevalence survey of Trichinella in wolves recolonizing the Alps. Results suggest that, in this particular biotope, the wolf has rejoined the Trichinella cycle and has the potential to play an increasingly important role as maintenance host. Arguments in favor and against this perspective are discussed and knowledge gaps highlighted. The calculated Trichinella larval biomass in the estimated wolf population roaming in Northwest Italy will serve as baseline value to explore possible shifts in the relative importance of wolves as Trichinella reservoir within the regional carnivore community. Finally, wolves re-colonizing the Alps already appear as sensitive sentinels to monitor the risk of Trichinella zoonotic transmission by infected wild boar meat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Barbara Moroni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: (B.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Anna García-Garrigós
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Serena Robetto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Centro di Referenza Nazionale Malattie Animali Selvatici (CERMAS), Località Amerique 7G, 11020 Quart, Italy
| | - Emanuele Carella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
- Correspondence: (B.M.); (E.C.)
| | - Simona Zoppi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Via Bologna 148, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Paolo Tizzani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Moisés Gonzálvez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Regional “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Riccardo Orusa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta, Centro di Referenza Nazionale Malattie Animali Selvatici (CERMAS), Località Amerique 7G, 11020 Quart, Italy
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
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Trichinella infection in Serbia from 2011 to 2020: a success story in the field of One Health. Epidemiol Infect 2023; 151:e20. [PMID: 36655706 PMCID: PMC9990384 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268823000109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In Serbia, modern pork production systems with implemented control measures, including the detection of Trichinella larvae in meat (ISO18743), have eliminated farmed pork from pigs slaughtered at abattoirs as a source of trichinellosis. Epidemiological data from 2011 to 2020 indicate that the number of human cases and the number of infected domestic pigs has decreased significantly. Over the years, pork was the most frequent source of human infection. Cases generally occurred in small family outbreaks, and the infection was linked to consumption of raw or undercooked pork from backyard pigs. In most of the outbreaks, T. spiralis was the aetiological agent of infection, but in 2016, a large outbreak was caused by consumption of uninspected wild boar meat containing T. britovi larvae. To achieve safe pork, it is important that consumers of pork from animals raised in backyard smallholdings and of wild game meat are properly educated about the risks associated with consumption of untested meat. Laboratories conducting Trichinella testing should have a functional quality assurance system to ensure competency of analysts and that accurate and repeatable results are achieved. Regular participation in proficiency testing is needed.
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Marucci G, Tonanzi D, Interisano M, Vatta P, Galati F, La Rosa G. The International Trichinella Reference Centre database. Report on thirty-three years of activity and future perspectives. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2022; 27:e00156. [PMID: 35498549 PMCID: PMC9046644 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2022.e00156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Trichinella Reference Centre (ITRC) is the official laboratory of the International Commission on Trichinellosis, of the World Organization for Animal Health and of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites. The ITRC was established in 1988 as a repository of Trichinella strains and a source of reference materials and information for international scientific research. To date, more than 8000 Trichinella isolates collected throughout the world have been identified at the species or genotype level by the ITRC staff and the information has been stored in a freely accessible database providing the largest collection of data available for scientists involved in the systematics and epidemiology of this parasite. This paper presents a summary of the data collected over 33 years of activity and describes the database functionalities. It finally advocates the potential of the database to improve knowledge of the epidemiology and taxonomy of Trichinella, which in turn may help the international surveillance of Trichinella species.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. Marucci
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - D. Tonanzi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - M. Interisano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - P. Vatta
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - F. Galati
- DG-INF, Servizio di Informatica, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - G. La Rosa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, Rome 00161, Italy
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Ricchiuti L, Petrini A, Interisano M, Ruberto A, Salucci S, Marino L, Del Riccio A, Cocco A, Badagliacca P, Pozio E. First report of Trichinella pseudospiralis in a wolf (Canis lupus italicus). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2021; 15:195-198. [PMID: 34136345 PMCID: PMC8182262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Within the genus Trichinella, Trichinella pseudospiralis is the only recognized non-encapsulated species known to infect mammals and birds. In October 2020, larvae recovered from muscle tissues of a wolf (Canis lupus italicus) originating from Molise Region, Central Italy, were molecularly confirmed as those of Trichinella britovi and T. pseudospiralis. This is the first detection of T. pseudospiralis from a wolf. In Italy, this zoonotic nematode was detected in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes), three birds (Strix aluco, Athene noctua, Milvus milvus) and five wild boars (Sus scrofa), and was also identified as the etiological agent of a human outbreak of trichinellosis in 2015. Since T. pseudospiralis is rarely reported from carnivore mammals in comparison to the encapsulated species frequently detected in these hosts, this finding opens the question of the role of carnivores as reservoirs for this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano Ricchiuti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Petrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Maria Interisano
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Addolorato Ruberto
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Stefania Salucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Lucio Marino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Angela Del Riccio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cocco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Pietro Badagliacca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise, Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Edoardo Pozio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Uzelac A, Klun I, Ćirović D, Penezić A, Ćirković V, Djurković-Djaković O. Detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild canids in Serbia. Parasitol Int 2019; 73:101973. [PMID: 31404655 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
To gain insight into the population structure of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in wildlife in Serbia, multiplex nested PCR- RFLP was performed on T. gondii DNA positive samples of heart tissue of three wild canid species, including red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), golden jackals (Canis aureus) and grey wolves (Canis lupus). Out of 110 samples (28 red foxes, 72 golden jackals, 10 wolves), 30 (27.3%) were positive for T. gondii DNA, of which 24 were genotyped (nine red foxes, 13 golden jackals and two wolves). The results showed a large dominance of lineage II (n = 20, 83.4%) over lineage III (n = 4, 16.7%) strains. Lineage II comprised four archetypes, 14 variants and one which remained undetermined, while within lineage III there were three archetypes and one variant strain. However, a notable difference in diversity was observed among the examined canids, with eight (88.9%) of the nine strains detected in red foxes distinct, vs. six (46.1%) distinct strains of the 13 detected in golden jackals. Since anthropogenic food sources are a major reservoir of archetypal lineage II and III T. gondii strains, the results suggest that the golden jackal may be outcompeting the red fox, forcing it to hunt wild mammals and birds for sustenance, thereby increasing its chances of infection with variant strains. In addition to presenting the first data on the T. gondii population structure in wild canids in Serbia, this is the first report ever on T. gondii genotypes in golden jackals, a species with an increasing presence in Europe and another important reservoir of domestically circulating T. gondii strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Uzelac
- Center of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11129, Serbia
| | - Ivana Klun
- Center of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11129, Serbia
| | - Duško Ćirović
- Department for Animal Ecology and Zoogeography, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Penezić
- Department for Animal Ecology and Zoogeography, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11000, Serbia
| | - Vladimir Ćirković
- Center of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11129, Serbia
| | - Olgica Djurković-Djaković
- Center of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 11129, Serbia.
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Klun I, Ćosić N, Ćirović D, Vasilev D, Teodorović V, Djurković-Djaković O. Trichinella spp. in wild mesocarnivores in an endemic setting. Acta Vet Hung 2019; 67:34-39. [PMID: 30922087 DOI: 10.1556/004.2019.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Human trichinellosis and Trichinella infection in pigs are both still endemic in the Balkans, including Serbia. Because of the flow between the sylvatic and the domestic cycle of Trichinella spp., monitoring wildlife has been recommended for the risk assessment of Trichinella spp. infection in swine. We have previously shown the presence of Trichinella infection in wild carnivores including the wolf and the golden jackal, and here we report on Trichinella infection in several other mesocarnivore species. From a total of 469 animals collected between 1994 and 2013, Trichinella larvae were detected in 29 (6.2%, 95% CI = 4.0-8.4) animals, including 14 red foxes (4.7%), 7 wild cats (35%), 5 beech martens (4.8%), 2 pine martens (16.7%), and 1 European badger (6.25%). No Trichinella larvae were detected in the examined specimens of European polecats, steppe polecats and European otters. Species identification of the Trichinella larvae performed for 18 positive samples revealed T. spiralis in 77.8% and T. britovi in 22.2% of the isolates. Both species were detected in red foxes and wild cats. The predominance of T. spiralis in wildlife in Serbia indicates the (past or present) spillover of this pathogen from domestic to wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Klun
- 1 National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 4, P.O. Box 102, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nada Ćosić
- 2 Institute for Biological Research ‘Siniša Stanković’, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Duško Ćirović
- 3 Department for Animal Ecology and Zoogeography, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Vasilev
- 4 Department for Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vlado Teodorović
- 4 Department for Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Olgica Djurković-Djaković
- 1 National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Centre of Excellence for Food- and Vector-borne Zoonoses, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Dr. Subotica 4, P.O. Box 102, 11129 Belgrade, Serbia
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9
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TRICHINELLA INFECTIONS IN RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES) AND GOLDEN JACKALS (CANIS AUREUS) IN SIX DISTRICTS OF SERBIA. J Zoo Wildl Med 2017; 48:703-707. [DOI: 10.1638/2016-0169.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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10
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Badagliacca P, Di Sabatino D, Salucci S, Romeo G, Cipriani M, Sulli N, Dall'Acqua F, Ruggieri M, Calistri P, Morelli D. The role of the wolf in endemic sylvatic Trichinella britovi infection in the Abruzzi region of Central Italy. Vet Parasitol 2016; 231:124-127. [PMID: 27522469 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
During the period 2004-2014 in the Abruzzi region (Central Italy), muscle samples gathered from hunted wild boars (n=16,323) and retrieved from carcasses of other susceptible wild mammals (n=838) and birds (n=438) were tested for Trichinella larvae according to European Union regulations. Although no positive samples were found from wild birds, 91 wild mammals tested positive. Six species were found to harbor Trichinella spp. infections, namely wolf (Canis lupus, 59 positive samples out of 218), red fox (Vulpes vulpes, 24/480), wild boar (Sus scrofa, 3/16,323), stone marten (Martes foina, 2/27), pine marten (Martes martes, 2/6) and wildcat (Felis silvestris, 1/8). All isolates tested for species attribution belonged to Trichinella britovi. The overall prevalence was 0.52% (IC 95%: 0.4-0.6). The higher frequency of positive samples in wolf, compared to red fox, was statistically significant (p=0.001). In spite of the limited geographical area of investigation and the random nature of sampling, this study provides new data on the circulation of T. britovi in Italy. In particular, the highest prevalence being found among wolves allows us to consider this species as a sentinel for T. britovi infection in the investigated area, and probably also in other apennine regions, which is different from the alpine regions where the red fox was reputed as the primary reservoir of Trichinella spp. infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Badagliacca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Daria Di Sabatino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Stefania Salucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Micaela Cipriani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Nadia Sulli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesca Dall'Acqua
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Marco Ruggieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Paolo Calistri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Daniela Morelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Campo Boario, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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11
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Bień J, Moskwa B, Goździk K, Cybulska A, Kornacka A, Welc M, Popiołek M, Cabaj W. The occurrence of nematodes of the genus Trichinella in wolves (Canis lupus) from the Bieszczady Mountains and Augustowska Forest in Poland. Vet Parasitol 2016; 231:115-117. [PMID: 27103397 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2015] [Revised: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Trichinella infection in wolves (Canis lupus) in two regions in Poland. Muscle samples were collected from 21 wolves between 1999 and 2015 and processed by artificial digestion. In two cases, the muscle larvae (ML) were obtained and stored in alcohol. ML were detected in 12 wolves and genotyped by multiplex PCR. Trichinella britovi was confirmed in 12 wolves (54.5%). The larval burdens in infected animals ranged from 0.009 to 27 larvae per gram. The high prevalence of Trichinella infection in wolves might suggest that this predator is a significant reservoir of Trichinella species in the sylvatic cycle in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Bień
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bożena Moskwa
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Goździk
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Cybulska
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Kornacka
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mirosław Welc
- The Provincial Veterinary Inspectorate, Ks. Piotra Ściegiennego 6A, 38-400 Krosno, Poland
| | - Marcin Popiołek
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Wrocław University, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Władysław Cabaj
- Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences; Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw, Poland.
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Ćirović D, Teodorović V, Vasilev D, Marković M, Ćosić N, Dimitrijević M, Klun I, Djurković-Djaković O. A large-scale study of the Trichinella genus in the golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) population in Serbia. Vet Parasitol 2015; 212:253-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 07/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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