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Background <p>Monitoring parasitic infections in wildlife is essential for assessing ecosystem health and pathogen dynamics, particularly in apex predators like the wolf (<i>Canis lupus</i>). As top-level carnivores with wide-ranging habitats and diverse interactions with prey, wolves can serve as effective sentinels for the circulation of parasitic agents within ecosystems. The present study aimed at monitoring parasitic infections, particularly those of zoonotic importance, in wolves from central Italy.</p> Methods <p>The study was conducted on 169 wolf carcasses recovered between 2018 and 2024. <i>Leishmania</i> spp. and <i>Trichinella</i> spp. infections were evaluated using molecular techniques (on 169 spleen and 150 striated muscle samples, respectively), while intestinal and extra-intestinal parasites were investigated using flotation and Baermann tests (147 fecal samples).</p> Results <p>Of the 169 wolves included in the study, 89 (52.66%) were males and 131 (77.51%) were adults. Of all analyzed carcasses, 135 (80%) tested positive for ≥ 1 parasite. <i>Leishmania</i> spp. were detected in 12 of 169 (7.1%) wolves and <i>Trichinella</i> spp. were detected in 43 of 150 (28.7%) wolves. Copromicroscopic examinations revealed infections with nematodes belonging to family<i> Ancylostomatidae</i> (62%), <i>Trichuris vulpis</i> (32%), <i>Capillaria</i> spp. (20.4%), helminths from Class Cestoda (8.8%), <i>Angiostrongylus vasorum</i> (7.5%), coccidian oocysts (4.8%), <i>Crenosoma vulpis</i> (2.7%) and <i>Toxocara canis</i> (2%).</p> Conclusions <p>The present study included the largest number of wolves when compared with previous similar parasitological surveys conducted in Europe. High parasite circulation shared by dogs and humans within the wolf population can be surmised, highlighting the potential role of wolves in pathogen transmission. Given their position at the wildlife/domestic animal/human interface, continuous parasitological surveillance is important not only for conservation efforts but also for protecting public and veterinary health.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Parasitic surveillance in wolves of central Italy: a focus on the Abruzzo region

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月21日

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  • Sabrina Vanessa Patrizia Defourny,
  • Mariasole Colombo,
  • Gianluca D’Amico,
  • Stefania Salucci,
  • Antonio Cocco,
  • Maria Chiara Cantelmi,
  • Daniela Averaimo,
  • Marco Rulli,
  • Gianfranco Romeo,
  • Susanna Tora,
  • Marina Baffoni,
  • Nicola De Dominicis,
  • Nicola D’Alterio,
  • Antonio Petrini

摘要

Background

Monitoring parasitic infections in wildlife is essential for assessing ecosystem health and pathogen dynamics, particularly in apex predators like the wolf (Canis lupus). As top-level carnivores with wide-ranging habitats and diverse interactions with prey, wolves can serve as effective sentinels for the circulation of parasitic agents within ecosystems. The present study aimed at monitoring parasitic infections, particularly those of zoonotic importance, in wolves from central Italy.

Methods

The study was conducted on 169 wolf carcasses recovered between 2018 and 2024. Leishmania spp. and Trichinella spp. infections were evaluated using molecular techniques (on 169 spleen and 150 striated muscle samples, respectively), while intestinal and extra-intestinal parasites were investigated using flotation and Baermann tests (147 fecal samples).

Results

Of the 169 wolves included in the study, 89 (52.66%) were males and 131 (77.51%) were adults. Of all analyzed carcasses, 135 (80%) tested positive for ≥ 1 parasite. Leishmania spp. were detected in 12 of 169 (7.1%) wolves and Trichinella spp. were detected in 43 of 150 (28.7%) wolves. Copromicroscopic examinations revealed infections with nematodes belonging to family Ancylostomatidae (62%), Trichuris vulpis (32%), Capillaria spp. (20.4%), helminths from Class Cestoda (8.8%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (7.5%), coccidian oocysts (4.8%), Crenosoma vulpis (2.7%) and Toxocara canis (2%).

Conclusions

The present study included the largest number of wolves when compared with previous similar parasitological surveys conducted in Europe. High parasite circulation shared by dogs and humans within the wolf population can be surmised, highlighting the potential role of wolves in pathogen transmission. Given their position at the wildlife/domestic animal/human interface, continuous parasitological surveillance is important not only for conservation efforts but also for protecting public and veterinary health.

Graphical abstract