<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Parasitic diseases of wild animals represent an important area of research. In addition to the significant impact on wildlife health and fitness, many parasitic diseases have zoonotic implications. Due to limited scientific information, this research aimed to investigate parasitic diseases in wildlife in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&amp;H), focusing on the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&amp;H), emphasizing zoonotic species. In the period from April 2020 to November 2022, we conducted research on 9 wildlife species. We analyzed fecal samples to detect and identify diagnostic stages (eggs, larvae, cysts, and oocysts) of various animal endoparasites using coprological methods, such as sedimentation, flotation, and the Baermann technique. The MERIFLUOR® <italic>Cryptosporidium/Giardia</italic> test was also used for the detection of <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> oocysts and <italic>Giardia</italic> cysts. In the case of red foxes, intestinal samples were examined using the intestinal scraping technique to detect adult helminths. All collected muscle samples were subjected to the artificial digestion method for <italic>Trichinella</italic> detection. From 1,278 samples, 70.9% were positive. Parasitic infections were confirmed in 15.9% (11/69) of bears; 83.7% (262/313) of red foxes; 67.6% (44/65) of wolves; 25% (1/4) of wildcats; 20% (1/5) of badger; 43.7% (7/16) of martens; 39.7% (76/191) of wild boars; 84.5% (350/414) of deer, and 77.1% (155/201) of hares. The finding of zoonotic parasites (<italic>Toxocara canis</italic>, <italic>Uncinaria</italic> spp., <italic>Trichinella</italic> spp., <italic>Echinococcus</italic> spp. etc.) is particularly important due to their potential detrimental effects on human health, which highlights the need for further investigations.</p>
</abstract>

Parasitic diseases of wild animals represent an important area of research. In addition to the significant impact on wildlife health and fitness, many parasitic diseases have zoonotic implications. Due to limited scientific information, this research aimed to investigate parasitic diseases in wildlife in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), focusing on the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), emphasizing zoonotic species. In the period from April 2020 to November 2022, we conducted research on 9 wildlife species. We analyzed fecal samples to detect and identify diagnostic stages (eggs, larvae, cysts, and oocysts) of various animal endoparasites using coprological methods, such as sedimentation, flotation, and the Baermann technique. The MERIFLUOR® Cryptosporidium/Giardia test was also used for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. In the case of red foxes, intestinal samples were examined using the intestinal scraping technique to detect adult helminths. All collected muscle samples were subjected to the artificial digestion method for Trichinella detection. From 1,278 samples, 70.9% were positive. Parasitic infections were confirmed in 15.9% (11/69) of bears; 83.7% (262/313) of red foxes; 67.6% (44/65) of wolves; 25% (1/4) of wildcats; 20% (1/5) of badger; 43.7% (7/16) of martens; 39.7% (76/191) of wild boars; 84.5% (350/414) of deer, and 77.1% (155/201) of hares. The finding of zoonotic parasites (Toxocara canis, Uncinaria spp., Trichinella spp., Echinococcus spp. etc.) is particularly important due to their potential detrimental effects on human health, which highlights the need for further investigations.

Parasites in Wildlife in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Macedonian Veterinary Review

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Parasites in Wildlife in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina"}

Parasitic diseases of wild animals represent an important area of research. In addition to the significant impact on wildlife health and fitness, many...

Parasites in Wildlife in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Published Online: Mar 27, 2024

Page range: 71 - 79

Received: Jan 10, 2024

Accepted: Feb 22, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2024-0017

Keywords
mammals, parasite, parasitic diseases, wildlife, zoonotic

© 2023 Jasmin Omeragić et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Parasites in Wildlife in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Published Online: Mar 27, 2024

Page range: 71 - 79

Received: Jan 10, 2024

Accepted: Feb 22, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2024-0017

Keywordsmammals, parasite, parasitic diseases, wildlife, zoonotic

© 2023 Jasmin Omeragić et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
mammals, parasite, parasitic diseases, wildlife, zoonotic