Wild boars meat as a potential source of human trichinellosis in Poland: current data

Trichinellosis is an epidemiological problem with a global distribution. In Poland a substantial increase of the wild boar population has been observed since 2010, together with an increased incidence of trichinellosis after ingestion of raw or undercooked wild boar products containing Trichinella spp. larvae. However, the actual number of human cases remains particularly difficult to determine. The aim of the present study was to determine the current prevalence and spread of these parasites within wild boars. The diaphragm pillars and tongue from 833 wild boars were collected from 2010 to 2014, as well as one wild boar meat sausage known to be a source of infection. The samples were tested for Trichinella spp. using pepsin digestion. Recovered larvae were identified at species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR). The overall prevalence in all examined samples was found to be 2.0% (17/833). Recovered larvae were identified as T. spiralis and T. britovi (9/18 and 5/18, respectively). T. spiralis larvae were isolated from the sausage. Mixed infection was confirmed only once. Three isolates were not identified. The results of our study confirm that the wild boar plays a key role in the maintenance of Trichinella nematodes through the sylvatic cycle.