Endoparasite Infections of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Central Italy

Abstract

The European hedgehog is a synanthropic mammal, widely distributed in Europe. This species usually inhabits the edges of deciduous or mixed woods, but it is also very common in private gardens and public parks. Despite its popularity and frequency of contacts both with humans and with wild and domestic animals, few studies have examined the endoparasitic fauna of the hedgehog in Italy. In the present study, endoparasites of naturally deceased hedgehogs (n = 40) from central Italy (Latium and Tuscany regions) were investigated, along with concurrent gross and histopathological lesions. The most prevalent identified endoparasites were Crenosoma striatum (45%), Capillaria erinacei (42.5%) and Brachylaemus erinacei (22.5%), in accordance with previous reports from hedgehogs in southern Italy. In few subjects, Physaloptera clausa, Acanthocephalans and Cystoisospora rastegaeivae coccidia were also identified. The infection by the lungworm C. striatum was found to be significantly associated (p < 0.01) with bronchial hyperplasia and peribronchiolitis upon histopathological examination. Awareness of the most common parasitic infections in the hedgehog and of their effects on the health of these animals is extremely important, especially in wildlife rescue centers, where European hedgehog represents the most frequently hospitalized mammal species.

Verminous pneumonia in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

“…There are numerous hedgehog care centers where injured or diseased patients are treated mainly based on acquired personal experience due to the lack of empirical data on hedgehog anatomy, diseases, and treatment. 4,7,8 There has been anecdotal and empirical evidence (eg, loud coughing, "you hear the hedgehog before you see it") that hedgehogs often suffer from verminous pneumonia, 8,10,20 and there are publications highlighting it as a relevant disease in this species. 1,8,20 Parasitic pneumonia was diagnosed in 91% of the cases in a recent study on 35 wild hedgehogs in France that had died naturally or had been euthanized due to medical reasons.…”

Hematology, Biochemistry, and Protein Electrophoresis Reference Intervals of Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) from a Rehabilitation Center in Northern Portugal

“…The species E. europaeus is on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal (LVVP) red list, as being “least concern” because it is common and abundant throughout its wide range [ 5 , 6 ]. However, in the last decades, there are registers of a decrease in the number of individuals of this species [ 7 ] which can be justified by several factors: the Western European hedgehog has some natural predators that pose a threat to the survival of the species (badgers ( Meles meles ) are the most significant ones) [ 8 , 9 ]; as the hedgehog occupies agricultural areas, it is frequently exposed to poisoning by pesticides and rodenticides [ 10 ]; the transformation and fragmentation of its habitat, as well as climate changes, affect its survival [ 11 ]; they are one of the vertebrates that frequently suffer mortality owing to road traffic [ 7 ]; and finally, they harbor a wide variety of different parasites and pathogens [ 8 , 12 , 13 ].…”

The effectiveness of Flubendazole in Capillaria spp. infections in female European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in a hedgehog rescue centre in the Netherlands

“…When the animal survives, it might be taken to a wildlife rescue centre. Specialised hedgehog rescue centres are found throughout Europe (Mariacher et al, 2021;Egelopvang, 2022). Other hedgehogs taken to rescue centres are orphaned hoglets, sick and dehydrated hedgehogs and individuals subject to malnutrition.…”

“…eas and ticks as well as fungi (Roundworm). Endoparasites are worms (Nematoda, Trematoda, Cestoda and Acanthocephala) and unicellular parasites (Protozoa) (Mariacher et al, 2021). Common endoparasitic worms are lungworm (Crenosoma striatum), lung threadworm (Capillaria aerophila) and intestinal threadworm species (Capillaria erinacei and C. ovoreticulata) (British Hedgehog Preservation Society, NY).…”

“…The European hedgehog is a nocturnal native animal in Europe. Its natural habitats are the edges of woods and areas with su cient undergrowth, but the hedgehog is also found in the gardens and parks of urban areas (Mariacher et al, 2021;Zoogdiervereniging, 2022). They are common in the Netherlands, but there are declines in hedgehog populations (Zoogdiervereniging, 2022).…”