European mustelids occupying pristine wetlands in the Danube Delta are infected with Trichinella likely derived from domesticated swine

J Wildl Dis. 2014 Oct;50(4):972-5. doi: 10.7589/2013-12-335. Epub 2014 Aug 14.

Abstract

Abstract We analyzed 32 specimens from nine species of Mustelidae for Trichinella; six infections from two Trichinella species were observed from three host species. This provides documentation of Trichinella in Mustela erminea and Martes foina in Romania and Trichinella spiralis in a mustelid host from Europe. Trichinella spiralis continues to be a public challenge characterized by a wide host range and geographical distribution ( Pozio 2007 ). During the past 20 yr, Romania has had the most reported human cases of trichinellosis in the world ( Blaga et al. 2007 ). Transmission occurs among domesticated swine, rats, and wild mammals that feed by scavenging or predation ( Pozio 2000 ). Trichinella transmission to humans may occur by consumption of meat of livestock infected after exposure to wildlife ( Pozio et al. 2009 ).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Mustelidae*
  • Trichinella / isolation & purification*
  • Trichinellosis / epidemiology
  • Trichinellosis / parasitology
  • Trichinellosis / veterinary*
  • Wetlands*