A novel intermediate host for Taenia serialis (Gervais, 1847): The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L. 1758) from the Monti Sibillini National Park (MSNP), Italy

Abstract

Taeniids are multi-host parasites with an indirect life cycle that strictly depends on a predator-prey relationship. Parasites with a complex life cycle may exhibit different degrees of host-specificity at each life stage. Knowing the host breadth is a fundamental concept of the biology and epidemiology of these multi-host parasites. Morphological identification of tapeworms is challenging and occasionally may produce misdiagnosis. Thus, molecular investigations were carried out for the identification of parasitic cysts detected from muscle tissues in a male roe deer necropsied at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” (Central Italy). Sanger sequencing showed 99% query cover, 2e-109 e-value, and 100% identity with Taenia serialis . The exact definitive host was not revealed in this report, but red foxes and Italian wolves may play a significant role as being widespread within the area. Wildlife surveillance is crucial to monitor for human and animal health since global distribution and flexibility in intermediate hosts of many and even more critical taeniids species may enlarge their host range.

Identification and phylogenetic analysis of Taenia spp. parasites found in wildlife in the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy (2017–2022)

“…In particular, our data suggest that the main cycle of T. serialis (the most frequently isolated species) in the Emilia-Romagna region mainly involves wolves as definitive hosts and roe deer as intermediate hosts. Such a sylvatic cycle has already been hypothesized in the article presented by Morandi et al (2021) , who studied a case of neurocenurosis in a roe deer from central Italy, in an area bordering the Emilia-Romagna region, with similar geographical characteristics. The trophic transmission from roe deer to wolves is supported by studies that question the common feeding behaviour of wolves in Europe.…”

Evaluating noninvasive methods for estimating cestode prevalence in a wild carnivore population

“…The Echinococcus strain we detected most commonly in this study (E. canadensis) is associated with cervid intermediate hosts [87][88][89], and because elk are the primary prey species of Yellowstone wolves [90], it is probable they are also the primary intermediate host. The intermediate hosts for T. serialis are rabbits and hares (but see [91] who identified a novel cervid intermediate host), yet these hosts are known to be uncommon [92] and are rarely detected using carcass-search methods employed in Yellowstone National Park as wolves will consume the entire carcass [93]. This could explain the low number of detections of T. serialis in this study.…”

“…The intermediate hosts for T . serialis are rabbits and hares (but see [ 91 ] who identified a novel cervid intermediate host), yet these hosts are known to be uncommon [ 92 ] and are rarely detected using carcass-search methods employed in Yellowstone National Park as wolves will consume the entire carcass [ 93 ]. This could explain the low number of detections of T .…”

Molecular Screening of Echinococcus spp. and Other Cestodes in Wild Carnivores from Central Italy

“…According to Craig and Craig [ 57 ] T. hydatigena is the most prevalent tapeworm of wolves in the boreal biome. Recent reports of T. serialis in an European roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus Linnaeus, 1758) [ 58 ], and in Apennine wolves from Central Italy [ 59 ] highlight how even wild ungulates, which are the main prey items for Apennine wolves, can be intermediate hosts for T. serialis and, therefore, play a role in wolf infection.…”