Molecular identification of Trypanosoma theileri complex in Eurasian moose Alces alces (L.)

• Published in: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
• Main Authors: Katarzyna Filip-Hutsch, Magdalena Świsłocka, Grzegorz Karbowiak, Anna W. Myczka, Aleksander W. Demiaszkiewicz, Joanna Werszko
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2022
• Subjects: Trypanosoma spp; Vector-borne pathogens; Epidemiology; Wild cervids; Zoology; QL1-991; Alces alces
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.11.008; https://doaj.org/article/444ccc9113304a0bbfb2ad54951a8c7b

Although the significance of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) as hosts and their role in the circulation of vector-borne pathogens in Europe is well described, the trypanosomes of moose (Alces alces) are poorly known. As heat sensitive ungulates, moose might be especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the associated rise in parasite pressure. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of trypanosomes in moose in Poland, this being one of the largest populations in Central Europe since the 2001 hunting ban. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of Megatrypanum trypanosomes in almost half of the studied moose. As the population of moose in Central Europe has been recently growing, it is crucial to determine their role in the circulation of vector-borne pathogens in environment. This is the first study of the detection and molecular identification of Trypanosoma theileri complex in moose in central Europe.