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Title: Trichinella murrelli in scavenging mammals from south-central Wisconsin, USA

Author
item Hill, Dolores
item SAMUEL, M - USDA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
item NOLDEN, C - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item SUNDAR, N - USDA ARS BELTSVILLE MD
item Zarlenga, Dante
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2007
Publication Date: 7/15/2008
Citation: Hill, D.E., Samuel, M.D., Nolden, C.A., Sundar, N., Zarlenga, D.S., Dubey, J.P. 2008. Trichinella murrelli in scavenging mammals from south-central Wisconsin, USA. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 44(3):629-635.

Interpretive Summary: Sylvatic isolates of the genus Trichinella are widespread in the environment due to an expansive host range and worldwide geographic distribution. Though Trichinella spiralis is virtually absent from the U.S. pig population (NAHMS, 2000, unpublished), sylvatic isolates pose a risk for zoonotic transmission when wildlife has access to pig barns or when pigs are managed in non-confinement systems. In addition, game animals serve as hosts for Trichinella species that can cause human disease if meats are not properly prepared.

Technical Abstract: Tissues and serum from 59 raccoons, 42 coyotes, and 7 skunks trapped in Dane and Iowa Counties, Wisconsin, USA, between October 2005 and March, 2006 were microscopically and serologically examined for the presence of Trichinella spp. Encapsulated larvae were found on compression slides prepared from tongue tissues from some animals, and complete tissue digestion of tongues from each animal revealed that 18.64% raccoons, 26.19% of coyotes, and none of the 7 skunks tested were infected with Trichinella spp. Multiplex PCR using isolated muscle larvae from examined animals demonstrated two distinct bands migrating at 127 bp and 316 bp which together are diagnostic for T. murrelli; the isolates were assigned the ISS codes ISS1656 through ISS1667, and ISS1708 through ISS1710 by the International Trichinella Reference Centre.