The occurrence of nematodes of the genus Trichinella in wolves (Canis lupus) from the Bieszczady Mountains and Augustowska Forest in Poland

Veterinary Parasitology

Available online 14 April 2016

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• Justyna Bień^a,
• Bożena Moskwa^a,
• Katarzyna Goździk^a,
• Aleksandra Cybulska^a,
• Aleksandra Kornacka^a,
• Mirosław Welc^b,
• Marcin Popiołek^c,
• Władysław Cabaj^{a, ,}

 

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.010

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Highlights

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We investigated the prevalence of Trichinella infection in wolves during 1999–2015 in two regions of Poland, Augustowska Forest and Bieszczady Mouintains.

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The high prevalence of Trichinella britovi infection suggests that wolves are important element in the sylvatic cycle of this nematode species in Poland.

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Wolves are a significant reservoir of Trichinella species in the sylvatic cycle in Poland.

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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.

Keywords

• Trichinella species;
• Wolf (Canis lupus);
• Poland

Corresponding author.

© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.