Trichinella surveillance program in wild birds, Emilia-Romagna (northern Italy), 2006–2021. First report of Trichinella pseudospiralis in western marsh harrier (Circus aeruginosus) in Italy

Abstract

The nematode Trichinella pseudospiralis is a cosmopolitan parasite capable of infecting both birds and mammals including humans. T. pseudospiralis has a limited zoonotic importance in comparison to that of the other Trichinella species. However, it has been recognized as the etiological agent of two outbreaks of trichinellosis due to the consumption of wild boar meat. The role played by birds in the epidemiology of T. pseudospiralis is still unclear and needs to be deepened. The aim of our work was to show the results of an extensive wild bird surveillance carried out in the Emilia-Romagna (E-R) region, northern Italy, over the last 16 years. As part of the regional wildlife surveillance program, 14,933 raptors and carrion-eating birds’ carcasses were necropsied from 2006 to 2021 and tested for the presence of Trichinella spp. larvae with only one positive result, an adult female of western marsh harrier. The larvae load (LPG) was evaluated on breast (100 LPG), wings (3.6 LPG), shoulder (2 LPG), head (4.5 LPG), thighs (8 LPG), lower legs (2 LPG) and tongue (0.77 LPG). The results of the present study confirm that also in northern Italy T. pseudospiralis has a low prevalence comparing to that of other Trichinella species. However, this study demonstrates that T. pseudospiralis can reach a high parasitic load in infested birds. The large distribution range, probably facilitated by its ability to infest birds, suggests the need for a continuous monitoring program.

Keywords

• Trichinella pseudospiralis
• Western marsh harrier
• Birds
• Trichinella surveillance
• Italy