First detection of Trichinella spiralis in raccoon (Procyon lotor) in Germany

Evidence of predation pressure on sensitive species by raccoons based on parasitological studies

“…Compared to previous studies on the metazoan parasite fauna of raccoons from Germany ( Priemer and Lux, 1994 ; Lux and Priemer, 1995 ; Gey, 1998 ; Rentería-Solís, 2015 ; Michler, 2017 ), recent research shows that the parasite and pathogen diversity of raccoons is increasing ( Keller et al, 2022 ; Langner et al, 2022 ; Peter et al, 2023 ). Evidence of the expanding parasite fauna of raccoons is also confirmed by studies in the European context ( Karamon et al, 2014 ; Cybulska et al, 2018 ; Piróg et al, 2018 ; Duscher et al, 2020 ; Romeo et al, 2021 ; Lombardo et al, 2022 ).…”

From wildlife to humans: The global distribution of Trichinella species and genotypes in wildlife and wildlife-associated human trichinellosis

“…procyonoides ) PCR 24/1527 (1.6%) Mayer-Scholl et al (2016) Germany Country-wide Raccoon ( P . lotor ) Multiplex PCR 1/88 (1.1%) Langner et al (2022) Hungary Country-wide Red fox ( V . vulpes ) Multiplex PCR 4/2116 (0.2%) Szell et al (2008) Hungary Southern Hungary Golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) Multiplex PCR 1/11 (9.1%) Szell et al (2013) Republic of Ireland Country-wide Red fox ( V .…”

Detection of Spirocerca lupi and an unknown Trichinella-like nematode in raccoon (Procyon lotor)

“…It was hypothesized that the role of the raccoon in the sylvatic cycle of Trichinella spp. could be underestimated due to a lack of studies, as indicated by reports detecting antibodies in muscle juice samples from Germany ( Stope, 2019 ; Cybulska et al, 2020 ) and the finding of a positive one in a relatively small number of investigated animals ( Langner et al, 2022 ). Contrarily, the results of the present study contradict the above reports.…”

“…Trichinella spp. suspected larvae were sent to the German National Reference Laboratory for Trichinella for molecular investigation, which was performed as described previously ( Langner et al, 2022 ).…”

“…As the number of hunted individuals increases, the possibility to consume their meat is discussed ( German Hunting Association, 2020 ). Reports of restaurants offering this game species ( Langner et al, 2022 ) confirm this consumption of raccoon meat, which potentially represents a source of infection with several zoonotic pathogens. Among others, the raccoon can serve as host for different Trichinella species, as reported in invasive populations from Europe and Japan ( Kobayashi et al, 2007 ; Hill et al, 2008 ; Cybulska et al, 2018 ), with a single case report in Germany ( Langner et al, 2022 ).…”