Trichinella pseudospiralis foci in Sweden

Abstract

In Sweden, the prevalence of Trichinella infection in domestic pigs has greatly decreased since the 1970s, with no reports in the past 4 years. However, infected wild animals continue to be found. The objective of the present study was to identify the species of Trichinella present in animals of Sweden, so as to contribute to the knowledge on the distribution area and hosts useful for the prevention and control of this zoonosis. In the period 1985–2003, Trichinella larvae were detected in the muscles of 81/1800 (4.5%) red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes), 1/6 (16.7%) arctic fox ( Alopex lagopus), 1/7 (14.3%) wolf ( Canis lupus), 10/200 (5.0%) lynxes ( Lynx lynx), 4/8000 (0.05%) wild boars ( Sus scrofa), and 27/66 × 10 6 (0.000041%) domestic pigs. All four Trichinella species previously found in Europe were detected ( Trichinella spiralis, T. nativa, T. britovi and T. pseudospiralis). The non-encapsulated species T. pseudospiralis was detected in three wild boars from Hölö (Stockholm area) and in one lynx from Frösö (Östersund area), suggesting that this species is widespread in Sweden. These findings are consistent with those of a study from Finland, both for the unexpected presence of T. pseudospiralis infection and the presence of the same four Trichinella species, suggesting that this epidemiological situation is present in the entire Scandinavian region. The widespread diffusion of T. pseudospiralis in the Scandinavian region is also important in terms of it potential impact on public health, given that human infection can occur and the difficulties to detect it by the trichinelloscopic examination.