The grey wolf (Canis lupus) as a host of Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus s.l. and other helminths – a new zoonotic threat in Poland

Overall, 74 samples of wolf faeces were examined with a multiplex PCR and a system of real-time quantitative PCR methods to detect and identify Echinococcus spp. The faeces were additionally examined microscopically. Also, 20 samples of wolf intestines were examined with a sedimentation and counting technique (SCT).

Results

Echinococcus multilocularis DNA was detected in 6.8% and E. granulosus s.l. (identified as E. ortleppi) in 4.1% of faeces samples. Taenia spp. DNA was found in 43.2% and Mesocestoides in 4.1%. Examination of the intestines by SCT showed E. multilocularis worms in 10%, E. granulosus s.l. (E. ortleppi) in10%, Taenia spp. in 100%, hookworms in 30%, Alaria alata in 20%, Mesocestoides sp. in 10%, Trichuris vulpis in 15%, Molineus sp. in 5% and Euryhelmis sp. in 5%. By coproscopy, Capillariidae eggs were found in 59% of faeces samples. Genetic analysis of E. multilocularis worms showed the presence of two European haplotypes previously described in Poland in red foxes and pigs. Sequences of nad1 obtained from E. ortleppi worms shared full identity with a sequence from a human case in Poland.

Conclusion

The study showed the presence of E. multilocularis in wolves for the first time in Poland and confirmed our earlier observations on E. ortleppi. This double threat from Echinococcus in this wolf population should be taken into account when assessing the epidemiological risk. The study enriched the knowledge of other helminths found in wolves, also those (Euryhelmis) that were recorded for the first time in this species.

Language:: English

Publication timeframe:: 4 times per year
Journal Subjects:: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Virology, Life Sciences, other, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine

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The grey wolf (Canis lupus) as a host of Echinococcus multilocularis, E. granulosus s.l. and other helminths – a new zoonotic threat in Poland

Jacek Karamon

Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg

Ewa Bilska-Zając

Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba

Jacek Sroka

Jolanta Zdybel

Tomasz Cencek

Published Online: Nov 06, 2024

Page range: 539 - 549

Received: May 29, 2024

Accepted: Oct 23, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2024-0060

Keywordshelminths, wolf, Poland

© 2024 Jacek Karamon et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keywords
helminths, wolf, Poland