A cross-sectional study of Trichinella spp. infection in wolves (Canis lupus) reveals first evidence of T. spiralis in the species in Poland

Trichinella spp. is an important zoonotic nematode parasite which infects a variety of hosts, not only including omnivorous and carnivorous animals but also herbivores. The environment and wildlife play a crucial role in nematode circulation in Poland. Trichinella spp. are present in prey animals, and the growth in the wolf population makes them potentially one of the major reservoirs, spreaders and/or indicators of Trichinella presence in their prey. The main aims of the study were to demonstrate the prevalence of Trichinella spp. in wolves, identify the predilection sites, and evaluate the species diversity and possible risk factors.

Material and Methods

Forelimb, diaphragm and tongue muscle samples from 96 wolves from all over the country were examined by microscopy and molecular identification of parasitic isolates from them was made by multiplex PCR.

Results

A total of 43 wolves (44%) were infected with Trichinella spp. For the first time, T. spiralis was detected in these animals, being noted in almost half of the cases. Trichinella spiralis infections were clustered in the north-west of the country.

Conclusion

The high Trichinella prevalence in the apex predator suggests the wolf’s growing importance in the circulation and transmission of this food-borne parasite. This also indicates the importance of the disposal of carcasses to prevent the risks of animal and human exposure to this dangerous pathogen and the spread of Trichinella in a sylvatic environment.

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A cross-sectional study of Trichinella spp. infection in wolves (Canis lupus) reveals first evidence of T. spiralis in the species in Poland

Agnieszka Świątalska

Ewa Bilska-Zając

Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba

Aneta Bełcik

Michał Konrad Krzysiak

Magdalena Larska

Online veröffentlicht: 17. Sept. 2025

Eingereicht: 07. Feb. 2025

Akzeptiert: 02. Sept. 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2025-0046

Schlüsselwörterwolf, reservoir, Poland

© 2025 Agnieszka Świątalska et al., published by Sciendo

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

Introduction

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Schlüsselwörter
wolf, reservoir, Poland