Trichinella britovi in wild boar meat from Italy, 2015–2021: A citizen science approach to surveillance

• Published in: One health Vol. 16; p. 100480
• Main Authors: Sgroi, Giovanni, D'Alessio, Nicola, Marucci, Gianluca, Pacifico, Laura, Buono, Francesco, Deak, Georgiana, Anastasio, Aniello, Interisano, Maria, Fraulo, Pasquale, Pesce, Antonella, Toscano, Valerio, Romano, Antonella Cristina, Toce, Mariateresa, Palazzo, Lucia, De Carlo, Esterina, Fioretti, Alessandro, Veneziano, Vincenzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Citizen science; Food safety; Game meat; Public health; Research Paper; Trichinella britovi; Wild boar; Food safety; Game meat; Citizen science; Trichinella britovi; Public health; Wild boar
• ISSN: 2352-7714; 2352-7714
• DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100480

As a result of the increase of game meat intended for human consumption through Europe, a plethora of food-borne diseases, including trichinellosis, may occur in consumers, posing a relevant public health threat. Thus, this study aims to a citizen science approach to monitor the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, evaluating the risk of infection for consumers. Following the European Regulation 2015/1375 (laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat), from 2015 to 2021, hunters (n = 478) were involved to collect diaphragm pillar samples of wild boars from mainland southern Italy, which were tested for Trichinella spp. L1 larvae via HCl-pepsin digestion and Multiplex PCR. Overall, 139,160 animals were collected (average of 19,880 per year), being 14 (i.e., 0.01%) tested positive to Trichinella britovi by the combined biochemical and molecular approach. An average larval burden of 28.4 L1 per gram of meat was found (minimum 3.2 - maximum 132.6). A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence according to hunting seasons (p < 0.01, with higher values in 2016 and 2021) and regions of the study area (p < 0.01). No statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of T. britovi throughout the study period was found (p = 0.51), except in Apulia region (p < 0.01). These findings revealed a stable prevalence of T. britovi in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, suggesting a risk of infection for consumers, especially hunters and local markets users. Citizen science surveillance models could be promoted to improve trichinellosis control and prevention in a One Health perspective. •The citizen science is technically sound for obtaining data of public health interest.•The occurrence of Trichinella britovi in boars of Italy poses a risk to consumers.•A high parasitic burden (i.e., 28.4 larvae per gram of meat) was found in wild boars.