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The species of the genus Trichinella are etiological agents distributed all over the world and are able to infect mammals, birds, and reptiles. Trichinella spiralis is the species most adapted to domestic and wild pigs and is also the most important etiological agent of trichinellosis. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a nocturnal omnivorous mammal belonging to the Suidae family. S. scrofa has a great appetite and its diet includes a variety of small prey such as mice, rats, and other rodents, as well as carcasses of larger animals. The aim of this study was the identification and the molecular characterization of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscle tissue of S. scrofa specimens collected in different counties of Romania. The muscle samples were examined by artificial digestion and the larvae identified at the species level by multiplex PCR. T. spiralis, a species that is able to infect a considerable number of different host species including humans, was identified. In Romania, S. scrofa is an important reservoir species for T. spiralis and plays an important role in linking the domestic and the wild cycle of Trichinella, with serious repercussions for human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichinella spp. are etiological zoonotic agents that spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles. Within this genus, Trichinella pseudospiralis is the only recognized non-encapsulated species known to infect mammals and birds. This species has been reported in the majority of European countries, and the real epidemiological scenario of this species remains to be defined because its detection in mammals is much lower than that of the capsulated species. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscles of a jackal from the hunting fund of 36 Murfatlar, Constanta County, Romania. The muscle samples were examined by artificial digestion, and the larvae were identified at the species level by multiplex PCR. The presence of larvae belonging to T. pseudospiralis, a species more frequently reported in carnivorous birds, was observed. This study describes the first identification of T. pseudospiralis in a jackal. The results suggest that there is an urgent need to investigate which species of mammals and/or birds act as reservoirs for this zoonotic nematode in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichinella spp. are etiological zoonotic agents spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles; they evolve via two cycles: domestic and sylvatic. Martes martes is a carnivorous nocturnal mammal from the family Mustelidae. In Romania, this host is widespread in all forests of the country. Martes martes has an extremely voracious appetite, feeding on fruit and also on a variety of small animals, including rodents such as mice and rats. The aim of this study was the identification and molecular characterization of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscle tissue of Martes martes collected in different counties of Romania. The muscle samples were examined via artificial digestion, and the larvae were identified at the species level via multiplex PCR. The presence of larvae belonging to Trichinella britovi, a species frequently identified in wild carnivores in temperate zones, was observed. Although T. britovi has been already reported in several host species in Romania, this is the first time this species has been observed in a Martes martes specimen. This finding contributes to our knowledge about the host species involved in the maintenance of the Trichinella sylvatic cycle in Romania, and it confirms that this parasite is consistently present in the wild fauna of this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some Southeastern European (SEE) countries, like Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria, trichinellosis is one of the most important foodborne zoonotic diseases. In those countries, EU regulation and local authorities require the staff of laboratories performing official controls on meat to be properly trained and to check their competence by participating regularly in proficiency testing (PT). PTs are organized by National Reference Laboratories for Trichinella of each country and involve all official laboratories testing meat. In Romania and Bulgaria, the organization of PT for the detection of Trichinella larvae in meat by Magnetic Stirrer Method (MSM) started in 2012. In Croatia and Serbia PT was first organized in 2015 and 2017, respectively. This study presents data on the performance obtained by official laboratories of SEE countries that organize PT at national level and compares the performance obtained by laboratories belonging to different countries. Results suggest that the constant participation in PT leads to an increase in the performance of participating laboratories by positively affecting the staff accuracy in sample testing by MSM. Since the percentage of recovered larvae was in some cases suboptimal (<80%) and occasionally very poor (<40%), there is room for improvement. The regular participation in PT by laboratories involved in official controls on meat intended for human consumption is fundamental to guarantee consumer safety. • In some SEE countries, trichinellosis is an important foodborne zoonotic disease. • The National Reference Laboratory of each country organizes proficiency tests (PTs). • The laboratories performing official controls on meat participate in PTs. • Regular participation in PTs leads to better laboratory performance. • This is fundamental to guarantee consumer safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]