(Cestoda) in captive exotic animals and wild beech marten () from the Czech Republic.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies focusing on the larval stages ofremain limited compared with other taeniid species; however, its repeated detection over the past decade highlights its significance for human and animal health, emphasizing the need for further infection-focused research. METHODS: Data from 32 dead animals, including nine common gundis (), 19 Cuban hutias (), one Himalayan striped squirrel (), and three ring-tailed lemurs (), which were examined for cysticercosis following necropsy, are presented. RESULTS: In 10 cases, animals (including four gundis, one squirrel, four hutias, and one lemur) were found positive, with infection intensities ranging from a single larval cyst in the liver to two and 10 metacestodes in the pleural and/or peritoneal cavities. Additionally, one beech marten () was found positive for adult cestode, which was molecularly identified as.for the first time from this definitive host in the Czech Republic. CONCLUSION: Molecular tools were employed for accurate species- and haplotype-level identification through characterization of the cytochromeoxidase subunit 1 () mtDNA gene, revealing new and multiple haplotypes, the prevalence ofin the studied rodent species, and its first recorded occurrence inin the Czech Republic. Notably, epidemiological and molecular data on these parasites in exotic animals under human care remain limited.