Sparganosis is a relatively neglected food- and waterborne disease caused by species of the tapeworm genus Spirometra the global distribution of which has not been sufficiently recognised. Known mainly as a zoonosis of East Asia, its species are native to all inhabited continents including Europe. Spirometra has been reported from numerous wildlife species from 17 European countries and a critical review confirmed 17 autochthonous and 8 imported human clinical cases. We present the first molecular evidence of the coincident presence of two species in Europe and review the current distribution to raise awareness of the parasite in this region. Spirometra erinaceieuropaei is restricted to Europe and S. mansoni represents a lineage distributed mainly across Asia and Oceania that reaches Europe. The parasite is common in Eastern Europe and its distribution has potential to expand along with its invasive or migrating mammal hosts, spreading the risks of human infection.

There are many different factors involved in parasitism. The general concept of Bfilters^proposed by Combes includes Bencounter filters^(behavior, biodiversity) and Bcompatibility filters^(resources, defense) to explain mechanisms responsible for the formation of host-parasite coexistence. However, researches explaining the reasons for the spread and dynamics of parasites in populations of wild terrestrial mammals in Europe and the specific factors affecting prevalence and intensity of parasitosis are limited. Many factors, ecological, biological, and anthropogenic, form a complex network of interdependencies that shape this pattern. Here, I summarize the current state of knowledge on the factors affecting parasitic diseases in wild mammals inhabiting the European continent. It indicates the need to further development, not only for academic reasons, but also for the benefit of use in management of wild mammal species and disease control in nature.

Sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a highly contagious worldwide mite infection responsible for epizootic skin disease in populations of wild and domestic mammals. It causes skin disorders that may lead to severe generalized skin disease (mange). We investigated the spread and dynamics of sarcoptic mange in one of the best preserved carnivore communities in the Białowie_ za Primeval Forest over the last 20 years. Sarcoptic mange was found in 6 of 10 investigated species. The highest percentage of infected individuals was recorded in red foxes (19 %), European badgers (9 %), grey wolves (7 %), raccoon dogs (6 %), and stone martens (5 %). Other species were not infected (least weasel, American mink, European polecat, pine marten) or infected sporadically (Eurasian lynx--1 case). Rate of infection was correlated with the sum of ecological and behavioral features, which may increase the spread of infection. Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange occurred simultaneously in several species of carnivores, which indicates the occurrence of between species transmission. We found that the source of investigated individuals (trapped, culled and found dead) may influence the results of the analysis. Our study shows that in carnivore communities such as in Białowie_ za Forest, numerous species may serve as a reservoir of the pathogen and favor its persistence in the environment. This study indicates that sociality and use of den sites are important factors affecting sarcoptic mange spread and prevalence in wild populations of carnivores.