Trichinella pseudospiralis in the Iberian peninsula

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Zoonotic Disease Epidemiology
• Wildlife Health

Background:

• Nematode worms of the genus Trichinella are significant zoonotic parasites found globally, including Europe.
• Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella britovi are prevalent in Spanish wildlife but rare in domestic pigs.
• Previous studies in Portugal documented T. britovi in wild carnivores.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the initial identification of Trichinella pseudospiralis in the Iberian Peninsula.
• To investigate the distribution and implications of this novel Trichinella species detection in European wildlife.

Main Methods:

• Larval isolation and identification from muscle samples of wild boars (Sus scrofa).
• Detection of Trichinella spp. through artificial digestion of muscle tissue.
• Geographical and species-specific analysis of parasite findings.

Main Results:

• Trichinella spp. larvae were identified as T. spiralis or T. britovi in pigs and wild boars in Spain (2006-2013).
• In 2014, Trichinella pseudospiralis was isolated from a wild boar in Gerona province, Spain, marking its first detection in the Iberian Peninsula.
• T. pseudospiralis larvae do not encapsulate in muscle, requiring artificial digestion for detection and uniquely infects both mammals and birds.

Conclusions:

• The presence of T. pseudospiralis in Spain indicates a broader distribution of this zoonotic nematode across Europe.
• The ability of T. pseudospiralis to infect birds facilitates long-distance dispersal, potentially introducing the parasite to new, low-risk areas.
• Enhanced surveillance and diagnostic methods are crucial for detecting T. pseudospiralis due to its unique biological characteristics.