Short Communication
PARASITES IN WILDLIFE IN THE FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Parasitic diseases of wild animals represent an important area of research. In addition to the significant impact on wildlife health and fitness, many parasitic diseases have zoonotic implications. Due to limited scientific information, this research aimed to investigate parasitic diseases in wildlife in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), focusing on the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), emphasizing zoonotic species. In the period from April 2020 to November 2022, we conducted research on 9 wildlife species. We analyzed fecal samples to detect and identify diagnostic stages (eggs, larvae, cysts, and oocysts) of various animal endoparasites using coprological methods, such as sedimentation, flotation, and the Baermann technique. The MERIFLUOR® Cryptosporidium/Giardia test was also used for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. In the case of red foxes, intestinal samples were examined using the intestinal scraping technique to detect adult helminths. All collected muscle samples were subjected to the artificial digestion method for Trichinella detection. From 1,278 samples, 70.9% were positive. Parasitic infections were confirmed in 15.9% (11/69) of bears; 83.7% (262/313) of red foxes; 67.6% (44/65) of wolves; 25% (1/4) of wildcats; 20% (1/5) of badger; 43.7% (7/16) of martens; 39.7% (76/191) of wild boars; 84.5% (350/414) of deer, and 77.1% (155/201) of hares. The finding of zoonotic parasites (Toxocara canis, Uncinaria spp., Trichinella spp., Echinococcus spp. etc.) is particularly important due to their potential detrimental effects on human health, which highlights the need for further investigations.
https://macvetrev.mk/LoadArticlePdf/385
2024-3-15
71
79
https://doi.org/10.2478/macvetrev-2024-0017
mammals
parasite
parasitic diseases
wildlife
zoonotic
Jasmin
Omeragić
false
1
Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
AUTHOR
Naida
Kapo
naida.kapo@vfs.unsa.ba
false
2
Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
LEAD_AUTHOR
Vedad
Škapur
false
3
Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 8, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
AUTHOR
Adis
Softić
false
4
1Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
AUTHOR
Šejla
Goletić
false
5
Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
AUTHOR
Ermin
Šaljić
false
6
Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
AUTHOR
Teufik
Goletić
false
7
Veterinary Faculty, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
AUTHOR
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