First record of wild boar infected with Trichinella pseudospiralis in Poland

Abstract

Introduction: The paper describes identification of Trichinella species isolated from wild boars (Sus scrofa) in the most popular hunting region of the West Pomeranian Province of Poland. Material and Methods: The Trichinella larvae were identified by digestion method. For species identification of the larvae, multiplex PCR was used according to the European Reference Laboratory for Parasites Multiplex PCR protocol. The results were confirmed by molecular amplification of 5S rDNA gene and sequence analysis. Results: Prevalence of 0.54% Trichinella-positive wild boars in the West Pomeranian Province was recorded. Examination of the larvae showed the occurrence of T. spiralis in 79 %, T. britovi in 16.5 %, mixed infection with T. spiralis/T. britovi in 3.5%, and T. pseudospiralis in 1.0% of the boars. Conclusion: This is the first record of wild boar infected with non-encapsulated larvae of T. pseudospiralis in Poland. The species is very difficult to determine, especially using trichinoscopic method. The discovery of the larvae in the animals which may be intended for human consumption confirms that digestion technique should be the only method used for the inspection of meat, especially that from wild boars..

Trichinellosis in Slovakia – epidemiological situation in humans and animals (2009–2018)

“…In 2012 the first two cases of T. pseudospiralis were documented. The parasite was detected in a wild boar from West Pomeranian Province situated in the north-west of Poland [34], and in a red fox hunted in the south of the country, in the area bordering Slovakia [35], only 100 km air distance from the locality where T. pseudospiralis positive wild boar was hunted in Slovakia. While in Poland T. spiralis predominates over T. britovi and both species occur throughout the country [33]; in Slovakia the occurrence of T. spiralis is less frequent and limited only to its eastern areas.…”

First case of Trichinella nativa infection in wild boar in Central Europe—molecular characterization of the parasite

“…These characters influence the risk assessment in humans and may affect the development of new sanitary and veterinary regulations. For example, discovery of the T. pseudospiralis in wild boars in Poland (Bilska-Zajac et al 2016 ) resulted in the limitation of the compressor method use in endemic regions. Information on Trichinella species occurring in the country is also important for veterinary services of third countries in the supervision of imports of food of animal origin.…”

“…Up to 2012, only two species: T. spiralis and T. britovi were discovered in wild boars in Poland (Bilska-Zając et al 2013 ). Since 2012, a few cases of T. pseudospiralis were also detected (Bilska-Zajac et al 2016 ). However, to date, T. nativa discovered in few Northeastern European countries, was never detected in wild boars in Poland.…”

Epizootic and epidemiological situation of Trichinella sp. infection in Poland in 2006–2015 in view of wild boar population dynamics

“…Trichinella pseudospiralis has been recognised recently in sylvatic habitats, predominantly in foxes in Poland and other countries ( 12 , 22 ). In Poland, the parasite was recovered for the first time from a wild boar which was harvested in the Pomeranian region ( 3 ). The detection of Trichinella pseudospiralis is challenging as it is the only species identified in Europe with non-encapsulated larvae in host muscle tissue, and so it requires implementation of the artificial digestion assay and is not detected through the use of the compression method ( 12 ).…”