TRICHINELLOSIS AND TOXOPLASMOSIS IN WILD BOARS (SUS SCROFA) OF NORTHERN PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

WINTER, M.; ABATE, S.; BIROCHIO, D.; PASQUALETTI, M.; FARIÑA, F.; ERCOLE, M.; ALONSO, B.; MARCOS, A.; VENERONI, M.; CASTILLO, M.; PARDINI, L.; MORÉ, G.; VENTURINI, M.C.; RIBICICH, M.

Duchonka

Jornada; 23rd Helminthological days; 2017

Trichinellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted by the consumption of raw or undercooked meat with infective forms of nematodes of the genus Trichinella. Currently, the genus is composed of three genotypes, six encapsulated species, and three non-encapsulated species. The wide range of hosts of the genus includes more than 100 species of mammals, birds and reptiles, with wild carnivores and omnivores holding the parasite's biomass. In Argentina, human outbreaks are mainly related to the domestic pig cycle. Toxoplasmosis is one of the major parasitic zoonosis worldwide, produced by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Felines are their definitive hosts and different species of domestic and wild birds and mammals, including humans act as intermediary hosts. Among them, the parasite has developed several transmission routes, emphasizing the ingestion of cysts, contained in muscles and animal viscera, as horizontal transmission route. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is an exotic ungulate introduced in Argentina as a major game in the early twentieth century, which represents the second source of human trichinellosis infection worldwide. Likewise, there are studies that show the presence of toxoplasmosis in wild boars of different countries. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the infection with Trichinella spp. and T. gondii in wild boars from the northern Patagonia of Argentina. Samples were obtained from specimens killed by hunting activity. For the diagnosis of trichinellosis, 150 diaphragm samples were analyzed by Artificial Digestion (AD) and 83 serum samples by ELISA using the commercial IDvet excretory-secretory (I/S) antigen kit. For T. gondii antibody detection, 36 serum samples were evaluated by Indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using as antigen tachyzoites of the RH reference strain. Of the sera analyzed, for trichinellosis, 2.41% (n = 2) was positive. The diaphragm samples were negative. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 5/36 serum (13.51%), two were positive at the dilution 1: 50 and three at ≥1: 200. The existence of specimens with positive serology recalls the importance of analyzing game pieces before consumption, of deepening health education actions in the exposed population and the relevance of maintaining epidemiological monitoring.