Oana Cristiana Vasiliu, Ioan Liviu Mitrea, Tiberiu C Sahlean, Mariana Ionita
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: Despite increasing interest in hedgehog parasitology across Europe, the endoparasitic fauna of the northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) in Romania remains insufficiently documented. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and diversity of endoparasitic infections and evaluate the influence of age, sex, and habitat on infection patterns.
Methods: Between March 2021 and June 2022, data and samples were collected from 135 hedgehogs across Romania, primarily from the Bucharest Metropolitan Area (90/135). Coprological analysis was performed on 97 live individuals admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, using a flotation technique with hyper-saturated sodium chloride solution and the Baermann method. Necropsies were conducted on 38 deceased individuals. Parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol and identified using morphological keys.
Results: Endoparasites were detected in 82.47% (80/97) of hedgehogs examined by coproscopy, with mixed infections in 40.21% (39/97). Six parasite species were identified: Crenosoma striatum (61.86%), Capillaria spp. (23.71%), Eucoleus aerophilus (15.46%), Hymenolepis erinacei (14.43%), Brachylaemus erinacei (2.06%), and Cystoisospora rastegaievae (26.80%). Necropsy revealed a helminth prevalence of 76.3% (29/38), with Physaloptera clausa (55.26%) and Nephridiacanthus major (5.26%) found exclusively post-mortem. Statistical analysis of coprological data showed significantly higher C. striatum prevalence in adults (73.68%) compared to juveniles (31.82%), and in males (71.74%) versus females (52.94%) (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive overview of endoparasites in E. roumanicus in Romania, highlighting notable infection rates and species richness. Results emphasize the influence of age and sex on infection trends, the need for zoonotic risk monitoring, and further research on the potential long-term impacts of parasitism on urban hedgehog populations.
期刊介绍：
Acta Parasitologica is an international journal covering the latest advances in the subject.
Acta Parasitologica publishes original papers on all aspects of parasitology and host-parasite relationships, including the latest discoveries in biochemical and molecular biology of parasites, their physiology, morphology, taxonomy and ecology, as well as original research papers on immunology, pathology, and epidemiology of parasitic diseases in the context of medical, veterinary and biological sciences. The journal also publishes short research notes, invited review articles, book reviews.
The journal was founded in 1953 as "Acta Parasitologica Polonica" by the Polish Parasitological Society and since 1954 has been published by W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw. Since 1992 in has appeared as Acta Parasitologica in four issues per year.
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