Seroprevalence of <i>Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Francisella tularensis</i> and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in Zoonotic Diseases in European Hares (Lepus europaesus)

Abstract

Objective: European hares (Lepus europaeus) are among the most important animals that are connected with humans in many countries and natural life. Hares are important for public health, since they carry many zoonotic diseases, such as Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Francisella tularensis and Toxoplasma gondii. The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Francisella tularensis and T. gondii and the potential zoonotic risk posed by hares that live in provinces of Turkey.Methods: Blood samples were collected from hares during the official hunting season. Serum samples were examined serologically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for E. cuniculi, Sabin-Feldman dye test was used to examine T. gondii, while micro-agglutination test was used to examine F. tularensis. Results:Of the total of 42 hares examined, one (2.4%) was found positive for E. cuniculi, two (4.8%) were found positive for T. gondii and one (2.4%) was found positive for F. tularensis. Conclusion:Anti-T. gondii and anti-E. cuniculi antibodies were serologically detected in hares for the first time in Turkey. Furthermore, this is the first study reporting the seropositivity of F. tularensis infection in hares.

A multidisciplinary review about Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a One Health perspective

“…Wild species have been considered as potential reservoirs of infections to domestic animals and even humans, based on serological studies. Therefore, antibodies against E. cuniculi have been detected in several wild carnivores, such as the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) (Meredith et al 2015 ), the arctic/blue fox ( Alopex lagopus ) (Hersteinsson et al 1993 ; Akerstedt 2002 ), and the feral mink ( Mustela vison ) (Hersteinsson et al 1993 ), but also in wild lagomorphs like European hares ( Lepus europaeus ) (Bártová et al 2015 ; Özkan et al 2021 ). Given the epidemiological results of recent studies, seroprevalence appears to be higher in foxes (52.1%) (Meredith et al 2015 ) than in hares (0.47–2.9%) (Bártová et al 2015 ; Özkan et al 2021 ).…”

“…Therefore, antibodies against E. cuniculi have been detected in several wild carnivores, such as the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) (Meredith et al 2015 ), the arctic/blue fox ( Alopex lagopus ) (Hersteinsson et al 1993 ; Akerstedt 2002 ), and the feral mink ( Mustela vison ) (Hersteinsson et al 1993 ), but also in wild lagomorphs like European hares ( Lepus europaeus ) (Bártová et al 2015 ; Özkan et al 2021 ). Given the epidemiological results of recent studies, seroprevalence appears to be higher in foxes (52.1%) (Meredith et al 2015 ) than in hares (0.47–2.9%) (Bártová et al 2015 ; Özkan et al 2021 ). Most of these wild animals are asymptomatic carriers; however, cases of infected arctic/blue fox pups with neurological signs have been described (Hersteinsson et al 1993 ; Mathis et al 1996 ).…”