Sylvatic trichinosis in Ontario, Canada

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Wildlife Epidemiology
• Mammalian Ecology

Background:

• Trichinella spiralis is a globally significant zoonotic parasite.
• Wild mammals serve as reservoirs for Trichinella, posing risks to wildlife and humans.
• Understanding parasite prevalence in wildlife is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and intensity of Trichinella infections in wild mammals from Ontario.
• To investigate the role of fisher (Martes pennanti) and marten (Martes americana) as hosts for Trichinella.
• To assess the long-term establishment and potential transmission dynamics of Trichinella in the Algonquin region.

Main Methods:

• Muscle samples from 4,773 wild mammals across 18 species were examined for Trichinella.
• Prevalence and intensity of Trichinella infections were quantified in fisher and marten.
• Data were analyzed to determine infection rates over a 10-year period and by host age.

Main Results:

• Trichinella spiralis was detected in mink (Mustela vison), fisher, and marten.
• Prevalence in fisher ranged from 0.9-9.2% and in marten from 1.3-8.7% over the study period.
• Infection prevalence increased with age in both fisher and marten, with intensities varying significantly between species.

Conclusions:

• Fisher and marten are established hosts for Trichinella in the Algonquin region.
• Age is a significant factor in Trichinella prevalence for these species.
• Further research is needed to clarify transmission dynamics, potentially involving rodents or carrion-feeding.