Abstract
BackgroundTrichinellosis is a zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. It is caused by several species of nematodes in the genus Trichinella. Trichinella spp. are transmitted through predation or carrion consumption and occur in domestic and sylvatic cycles. In humans trichinellosis occurs due to the consumption of raw or undercooked, infected meat and is mainly associated with the household slaughter of pigs or the consumption of game animals without veterinary inspection, a cultural practice that is difficult to resolve. Therefore, knowledge of this parasite’s reservoir is relevant for better implementing public health strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Trichinella sp. in several carnivore and omnivore vertebrates in central-southern Chile.MethodsWe collected muscle tissue from a total of 53 animals from 15 species and were digested to detect Trichinella larvae which were further identified to species level using molecular techniques.ResultsWe detected Trichinella larvae in Leopardus guigna (Felidae) and Galictis cuja (Mustelidae). We identified the larvae collected from L. guigna as Trichinella spiralis, but we were unable to molecularly characterize the larvae from G. cuja. This is the first record of Trichinella in a native mustelid of South America and the first record of T. spiralis in L. guigna. This study identified two novel hosts; however, further work is needed to identify the role that these and other hosts play in the cycle of Trichinella in Chile.
Highlights
Trichinellosis is a disease that is distributed worldwide and is caused by nematodes in the genus Trichinella (Korhonen et al, 2016)
We were able to amplify a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of 173 bp from the güiña which is consistent with our T. spiralis positive control (Fig. 2) and the size described for this species (Pozio & Zarlenga, 2019)
Detecting Trichinella infection is a challenge in wild fauna of Chile because most carnivore vertebrates are protected by law (SAG, 2012)
Summary
Trichinellosis is a disease that is distributed worldwide and is caused by nematodes in the genus Trichinella (Korhonen et al, 2016). Trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution It is caused by several species of nematodes in the genus Trichinella. In humans trichinellosis occurs due to the consumption of raw or undercooked, infected meat and is mainly associated with the household slaughter of pigs or the consumption of game animals without veterinary inspection, a cultural practice that is difficult to resolve. Knowledge of this parasite’s reservoir is relevant for better implementing public health strategies. This study identified two novel hosts; further work is needed to identify the role that these and other hosts play in the cycle of Trichinella in Chile
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