Trichinella infection in wild animals from endemic regions of Argentina

Abstract

Natural infection with Trichinella has been described in more than 150 mammalian species. However, few reports of Trichinella infection in wild animals have come from Argentina. In this study, muscle tissue was obtained from wild animals in Argentina with the aim of evaluating the presence of Trichinella. A total of 169 muscle samples were collected to determine the presence of Trichinella larvae by artificial digestion. The 169 muscle samples originated from 12 species including 36 opossums (Didelphis albiventris), 19 armadillos (Chaetophractus villosus), 9 capybaras (Hydrocaeris hydrocaeris), 1 puma (Puma concolor), 3 grey fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus), 6 coypus (Myocastor coypus), 6 skunks (Conepatus chinga), 2 ferrets (Galictis cuja), 66 rats (Rattus norvegicus), 6 mice (Mus musculus), 12 wild boars (Sus scrofa), and 3 wild cats (Felis geoffroyi). Trichinella infection was detected in 1 puma [2 larvae per gram (LPG)], 3 wild boars (8-420 LPG), 3 armadillos (0.04-0.08 LPG), and 9 rats (0.1 to 150 LPG). Only 3 Trichinella isolates, of 1 rat and 2 wild boars from Neuquén, were identified as Trichinella spiralis by nested PCR. The presence of Trichinella infection among wild animal populations suggests a sylvatic cycle of transmission in Argentina, which can serve as a reservoir for humans and domestic animals. Further, evidence of high prevalence in rats emphasizes the need to improve pig management, mainly in small individual farms without adequate technology, to enhance the quality of feeds, and to improve veterinary services to avoid exposure of pigs to Trichinella.

First report of Trichinella spiralis from the white-eared (Didelphis albiventris) and the thick-tailed opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata) in central Argentina

“…In Argentina, some studies looked for this infection in D. albiventris with negative results (Gómez Villafañe et al, 2004;Pérez Carusi et al, 2009;Ribicich et al, 2010). In contrast, in the USA, two opossums, D. marsupialis and D. virginiana, have been previously reported to be infected with Trichinella spp.…”

Trichinellosis in developing countries: is it neglected?

“…Responsible for human outbreaks affecting up to one thousand of individuals per year, T. spiralis has been found in both domestic and wild animals [6]. Wild animals identified to be infected with T. spiralis include wild boars (Sus scrofa), foxes (Pseudalopex gracilis) opossums (Didelphis albiventris), armadillos (Chaetophractus villosus), capybaras (Hydrocaeris hydrocaeris), grey fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) coypus (Myocastor coypus), skunks (Conepatus chinga), ferrets (Galictis cuja), wild cats (Felis geoffroyi) and pumas (Puma concolor) and in synanthropic brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) and mice (Mus musculus) [6,7]. Very recently, a new encapsulated isolate of muscle larvae of Trichinella, probably a new genotype (T12), was found in a mountain lion (Puma concolor) originating from the Patagonia region [8].…”

Efficacy of albendazole:β-cyclodextrin citrate in the parenteral stage of Trichinella spiralis infection

“…In Argentina, trichinellosis is mainly caused by Trichinella spiralis and is endemic in pigs, 49 the major source of human infection [1]. Transmission occurs after ingesting raw or 50 undercooked meat containing viable L1 infective larvae from pork and pork products 51 manufactured without the appropriate sanitary controls [2].…”