Epidemiologic Study of Lung Parasites (Metastrongylus spp.) in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Southwestern Spain

• Published in: Journal of wildlife diseases Vol. 49; no. 1; pp. 157 - 162
• Main Authors: García-González, Ángela María, Pérez-Martín, Juan Enrique, Gamito-Santos, José Antonio, Calero-Bernal, Rafael, Alonso, María Alcaide, Carrión, Eva María Frontera
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wildlife Disease Association 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Age Factors; Altitude; Animals; Female; Helminths; Lung Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology; Lung Diseases, Parasitic - veterinary; Male; Metastrongyloidea - isolation & purification; Metastrongylus; Prevalence; Rain; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; SHORT COMMUNICATIONS; southwestern Spain; Spain - epidemiology; Strongylida Infections - epidemiology; Strongylida Infections - veterinary; Sus scrofa - parasitology; Swine; Swine Diseases - epidemiology; wild boar; Spain
• ISSN: 0090-3558; 1943-3700
• DOI: 10.7589/2011-07-217

We analyzed 927 wild boars (Sus scrofa) in southwestern Spain during the hunting seasons of 2004/2005 to 2008/2009. Respiratory tracts were examined for lung nematodes (Metastrongylus spp.). The prevalence of Metastrongylus spp. was 41.1%. The most frequently isolated species were Metastrongylus apri (71.4%), Metastrongylus pudendotectus (28.0%), and Metastrongylus salmi (0.6%). Prevalence and infection intensity were greater in young animals (<1 yr old) than in older animals. There were no significant differences in prevalence between sexes. Prevalence and intensity of infection were higher in areas of high altitude and high rainfall.