Helminths of Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa) in the Calabrian Region of Southern Italy.

Abstract

In Calabria, as in other Italian regions, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) population has increased considerably in the last few years. The presence of this wild ungulate, a huntable species, was detected throughout this region. Wild boars are a host for many endoparasites, some of which are zoonotic. Our aim was to acquire data on the prevalence endoparasites in wild boar in the region of Calabria, Italy, where such information is limited. We used 60 wild boars culled during the 2014-15 hunting season. We used FLOTAC dual techniques for fecal microscopic exams, as well as qualitative and quantitative microscopic examination with a sensitivity level of 2 eggs/g of feces. The research has underlined the remarkable diffusion of gastrointestinal helminths, particularly Ascaris suum, in wild boar of the areas of Sila and Presila in the province of Catanzaro, Calabria.