SURVEY OF EMERGING FOOD-BORNE TREMATODE PARASITE AMONG WILD ANIMALS IN EASTERN CROATIA

摘要

The presence of mesocercarial stage of a trematode Alaria alata (Goeze, 1782) in wild boar meat represents the possible human health risk. The parasitological monitoring was done in the period 2006-2011, with an aim to determine the presence of A. alata mesocercariae in wild boars and water frogs. The survey area comprised three hunting grounds in eastern Croatia: Spacva, Podunavlje-Podravlje and Breznica, characterised with different orographic, hydrological and habitat conditions. The muscle tissue samples, collected from 761 wild boars and 43 water frogs, were examined. Prevalence of A. alata mesocercariae in wild boar was 42% (Spacva); 7% (Podunavlje-Podravlje) and 1% (Breznica). The average number of mesocercariae ranged 2.4-6.5 per 30 g of meat. Prevalence in water frogs was 11% (Spacva); 56% (Podunavlje-Podravlje), and 0% (Breznica). The presence of mesocercariae was higher in animals living in the lowland, periodically flooded areas with mixed forests and wetland habitats. From the viewpoint of food safety and consumer exposure to this potential food-borne hazard, further monitoring is required to assess the infestation rate and propose measures for the parasite reduction.