Sylvatic trichinosis - role of wild animals in cycle of spread of trichinosis in Serbia

Abstract

Trichinosis is a parasitic zoonosis that is caused by parasitic larvae of the genus Trichinella. Serbia is among the countries in which T. spiralis is present, in addition to domestic animals, also in synanthropic and sylvatic animals. This paper presents the results of investigations of the spread of trichinosis among certain species of sylvatic and synanthropic animals, with the aim to establish the role of wild animals in the natural cycle of trichinosis in this country. A total of 155 samples of wild boar, foxes, jackals, and rats were analysed. The samples were investigated through the artificial digestion method using a magnetic stirrer in keeping with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2075/2005. The isolated muscle larvae were determined using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The investigations established a relatively high prevalence of trichinosis in foxes (5%) and jackals (8.33%) in the territory of Vojvodina. The degree of infestation among carnivora in Serbia (10-30 larvae/10g) is much higher than in countries where there is no trichinosis among domestic animals. The prevalence of trichinosis among wild boar is not high, 0.82%, but a very high degree of infestation was established in these animals (1100 larvae/g). According to our results, the prevalence of trichinosis and the degree of infestation in rats collected from pig farms with established trichinosis is extremely high, the prevalence is higher than 80% with a degree of infestation of 900 larvae/g. The isolated muscle larvae were determined as belonging to the species T. spiralis. The spread of trichinosis is affected to a large degree by poor socioeconomic conditions, inadequate education of breeders, the absence of or unsatisfactory veterinary control, irregular animal carcass removal. Trichinosis of domestic swine is widespread in Serbia and it poses a significant risk to human health. The presented data indicate that it is necessary to include measures for preventing the spread of trichinosis from domestic swine to sylvatic animals among the measures that are being implemented to cut down trichinosis among domestic animals.