Browsing by Subject "Wolf"

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    Monitoring of pathogenic Leptospira infection in wolves (Canis lupus) from Spain and Italy
    (Elsevier, 2024-08-15) Cano Terriza, David; Moroni, Bárbara; Fayos, Manena; Martínez, Remigio; Oleaga, Alvaro; Robetto, Serena; Remesar, Susana; Orusa, Ricardo; Muñoz Hernández, Clara; Velarde, Roser; García Bocanegra, Ignacio; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Sin departamento asociado
    Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of worldwide distribution with relevant implications for animal and human health. Different large wild carnivore species can act as reservoirs of this zoonotic pathogen. This study aimed to evaluate the circulation of Leptospira spp. in free-ranging wolves (Canis lupus) from southern Europe. A total of 281 kidney samples of wolves from Spain and Italy were collected between 2017 and 2023. The presence of Leptospira DNA was analysed by real-time PCR and phylogenetic analyses were carried out using a Bayesian approach. The overall prevalence was 3.2 % (9/281; 95 %CI: 1.1–5.3). Leptospira DNA was detected in nine of the 180 wolves from Spain (5.0 %; 95 %CI: 1.8–8.2), but not in the Italian wolf population (0 %; 0/101). Molecular analyses revealed high homology between the sequences obtained in the present study and isolates of Leptospira interrogans and Leptospira borgpetersenii from different rodent and domestic ungulate species. Our results provide evidence of a low and spatially heterogeneous circulation of this pathogen in wolf populations of southern Europe. The detection of zoonotic Leptospira species in this survey supports the need to consider wolf populations in monitoring programs for leptospirosis with a One Health approach.
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    Wolf is back: a novel sensitive sentinel rejoins the Trichinella cycle in the western Alps
    (MDPI, 2023-03-09) Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Moroni, Barbara; García Garrigós, Anna; Robetto, Serena; Carella, Emanuele; Zoppi, Simona; Tizzani, Paolo; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Orusa, Riccardo; Rossi, Luca; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
    Trichinellosis is a foodborne disease caused by the nematode Trichinella. Human trichinellosis represents a public health hazard with a great socioeconomic impact in food safety, and it occurs by consumption of raw or undercooked infected meat. As apex predators, wolves may represent important actors in maintaining this parasite, although to date, there is a lack of information on Trichinella prevalence in the Western Alps where wolves have recently made return. The main aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Trichinella infection in grey wolves and discuss the epidemiological role played by this apex predator in the early phases of their return. During the period 2017–2022, we analyzed 130 muscle samples from individual wolves found dead in the Western Alps. Trichinella larvae were found in 15 wolves. Results suggest that, after recolonization of Northern Italy, the wolf has rejoined the Trichinella cycle and already plays a sensitive sentinel role for this zoonotic pathogen. The possible role played as new maintenance host is discussed and knowledge gaps are highlighted.