The occurrence of Alaria alata mesocercariae in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in north-eastern Poland

Occurrence of Alaria alata in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Poland and detection of genetic variability between isolates

“…Therefore, the difference in prevalence between regions most likely reflects differences in the type of environment. This is supported by the lack of significant statistical differences between seasonality prevalence and sex prevalence in our and Strokowska et al ( 2020 ) studies. In our opinion, the landscape composition is a significant point to take into consideration in a prevalence study on a parasite like A. alata , whose life cycle involves two water-associated hosts.…”

“…The study of Renteria-Solis et al ( 2018 ) showed only one infected wild boar (7.14%) over a total of fourteen animals hunted in Białowieża forest (Podlaskie province). A very recent study involving 221 wild boars hunted in five Polish provinces showed an A. alata prevalence ranging from 23.3 to 65.5% and an overall prevalence of 44.3% (Strokowska et al 2020 ). The overall prevalence values shown in our study (4.2%) as well as the prevalence by province (from 0 to 60%) are very different from that reported by Strokowska et al ( 2020 ).…”

“…A very recent study involving 221 wild boars hunted in five Polish provinces showed an A. alata prevalence ranging from 23.3 to 65.5% and an overall prevalence of 44.3% (Strokowska et al 2020 ). The overall prevalence values shown in our study (4.2%) as well as the prevalence by province (from 0 to 60%) are very different from that reported by Strokowska et al ( 2020 ). However, the area of sample collection in the two studies does not overlap, except in three provinces (Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, and Pomorskie) where the number of animals sampled in our study was extremely low (one to seven wild boars) (Fig.…”

“…Consequently, a direct comparison of results obtained in the two studies is not possible. Strokowska et al ( 2020 ) emphasize that the regions from which their samples derive are rich in lakes, marshes, and rivers. This is an ideal habitat for intermediate hosts, such as water snails and frogs, as well as the wild boars.…”

“…Recently, DMS has been more frequently found in meat of wild boars during official Trichinella inspections using artificial digestion (Commission regulation (EC) no 2015/1375). A very recent study using mesocercariae migration technique (AMT) indicated that in some regions of Poland, prevalence of A. alata in wild boars exceeds 65% (Strokowska et al 2020 ).…”