Species composition of Trichinella in domestic and wild animals in Bulgaria

Abstract

Four Trichinella species cause trichinellosis in Europe: Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nativа and Trichinella pseudospiralis. The aim of our study was to determine the prepon-derance of Trichinella species in Bulgaria. The research covered the period 2010–2016. Molecular analysis was performed with 120 Trichinella isolates. Two species were discovered: Trichinella britovi and Trichinella spiralis. T. britovi predominated over T. spiralis – 113 isolates (94.17%) and 7 (5.83%) respectively. Both species were identified in domestic pigs and wild boars, with T. bri-tovi:T.spiralis ratios in 45:1 in wild boars and 1:1 in domestic pigs. T. britovi was the geographically more widespread species. It was found in samples from domestic and wild animals from all over the country, while T. spiralis has only been found in several areas.

Keywords

• bear
• badger
• domestic pig
• fox
• jackal
• Trichinella britovi
• Trichinella spiralis
• wild boar
• wolf