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Purpose The European wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a popular game animal species. Its meat, however, can represent a reservoir of dangerous foodborne diseases and can play an important role in the transmission of many pathogens, including Toxoplasma gondii, in humans and animals worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of antibodies to T. gondii in the serum of hunted wild boars in Poland. Methods Using the commercial direct agglutination test, 398 serum samples collected during the hunting season 2009/2010 were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies, and the titre of 40 was considered indicative of T. gondii infection in analysed samples. Results It was found that nationwide, 37.7% were seropositive to T. gondii, although seroprevalence varied from 11.6 to 50% depending on the Voivodeship. Significant differences were observed between the Great Poland and Lubusz Voivodeships and between Great Poland and Warmian-Masurian. Conclusion Serological test indicated widespread exposure to T. gondii by wild boar; therefore, consumption of raw or undercooked game meat of infected animals can carry a significant risk of T. gondii infection.

Toxoplasma gondii, a coccidian parasite known to infect almost all warm-blooded animals, is the cause of one of the most common zoonotic parasitic diseases. The aim of the study is to determine whether the 529 bp fragment or the TGR1E gene is more useful target for PCR identification ofT. gondii, for common use. The brains of 221 carnivores and omnivores collected between 2013 and 2015 from north-eastern Poland were examined for the presence of this parasite. The DNA was extracted and then amplified using specific primers. Positive results were obtained in 24% of brain samples using the TGR1E target and 19% using the 529 bp sequence. The results demonstrate that both TGR1E and 529 bp repeat element are suitable for detectingT. gondiiDNA in wildlife animals, and the combination of two methods is necessary to obtain reliable results.

Trichinellosis is an epidemiological problem with a global distribution. In Poland a substantial increase of the wild boar population has been observed since 2010, together with an increased incidence of trichinellosis after ingestion of raw or undercooked wild boar products containing Trichinella spp. larvae. However, the actual number of human cases remains particularly difficult to determine. The aim of the present study was to determine the current prevalence and spread of these parasites within wild boars. The diaphragm pillars and tongue from 833 wild boars were collected from 2010 to 2014, as well as one wild boar meat sausage known to be a source of infection. The samples were tested for Trichinella spp. using pepsin digestion. Recovered larvae were identified at species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (multiplex PCR). The overall prevalence in all examined samples was found to be 2.0% (17/833). Recovered larvae were identified as T. spiralis and T. britovi (9/18 and 5/18, respectively). T. spiralis larvae were isolated from the sausage. Mixed infection was confirmed only once. Three isolates were not identified. The results of our study confirm that the wild boar plays a key role in the maintenance of Trichinella nematodes through the sylvatic cycle.