Alariosis in Mustelidae in the Kirov Region

Abstract

Alariasis is a zoonosis wide-spread both in our country and near and far-abroad countries caused by the trematode Alaria alata. An analysis was carried out for the infection of the Mustelidae by the Alaria alata mesocercaria in the Kirov Region from 1997 to 2023. Using the method of complete helminthological dissections and compressor trichinelloscopy, more than 400 Mustelid representatives of 9 species were studied, namely, the pine marten, the European polecat, the common weasel, the least weasel, the American mink, the Asian and European badgers, the wolverine, and the Eurasian otter. Localization sites of A. alata mesocercariae were identified in skeletal muscles, connective tissue of internal organs (kidneys, lungs, heart, uterus, esophagus, and trachea), diaphragm muscles, intermuscular adipose tissue, and on the walls of blood vessels. Representatives of the family Mustelidae actively participate in the Alaria alata life cycle being paratenic or reservoir hosts. High prevalence and infection intensity rates were recorded for the European polecat, 57.1% (5-33 specimens); the pine marten, 48.3-52.0% (1-104 specimens); and the American mink, 50.9-52.8% (1-44 specimens). Lower rates were in the common weasel, 28.6% (12-16 specimens); the least weasel, 25% (16 specimens); the badger, 18.2% (3-8 specimens); and the Eurasian otter, 3.6% (1 specimen). A. alata poses epizootological and epidemiological danger.