Serological and molecular screening for zoonotic pathogens among wild hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from urban areas of Poland

Wild European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) can carry various pathogens potentially harmful to humans. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of selected zoonotic pathogens in European hedgehogs from urban areas of central-western Poland.

Material and Methods

Sixty-nine samples (43 of sera and 26 spleens) were collected from 54 hedgehogs brought to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Poznań, Poland, between June 2020 and September 2023. Antibodies against Coxiella burnetii, hepatitis E virus genotype 3, Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp. in serum samples were determined using commercial ELISA tests. A PCR was used to evaluate the prevalence of Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Leptospira spp. genetic material in spleens.

Results

The genetic material of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found in 18 out of 26 spleens (69.23%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 50.01–83.50), and the genetic material of Rickettsia helvetica in 4 out of these 26 (15.38 %; 95% CI: 6.15–33.53). All Rickettsia-positive spleens were also positive for Anaplasma spp. None of the other pathogens or antibodies against them were detected.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the prevalence of some zoonotic pathogens in urban hedgehog populations and their potential impact on public health and urban biodiversity.

Idioma:: Inglés

Calendario de la edición:: 4 veces al año
Temas de la revista:: Ciencias de la vida, Biología molecular, Microbiología y virología, Ciencias de la vida, otros, Medicina, Medicina veterinaria

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Serological and molecular screening for zoonotic pathogens among wild hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from urban areas of Poland

Hanna Turlewicz-Podbielska

Jakub Jędrzej Ruszkowski

Maria Pisarek

Łukasz Adaszek

Małgorzata Pomorska-Mól

Publicado en línea: 04 abr 2025

Páginas: 219 - 226

Recibido: 05 sept 2024

Aceptado: 25 mar 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2025-0022

Palabras clavespp., hedgehogs, spp., synurbic species, zoonotic pathogens

© 2025 Hanna Turlewicz-Podbielska et al., published by Sciendo

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

Introduction

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Palabras clave
spp., hedgehogs, spp., synurbic species, zoonotic pathogens