<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> The genus Trichinella is widespread in all continents but Antarctica. The only way to identify the species/genotypes is through molecular analyses. In Chile, only one study has reported Trichinella larvae in a cougar, but the species of Trichinella was not identified. In this work, the finding of Trichinella larvae in a cougar, together with their genotypic identification, is the first documentation of such in Chile. The cougar was found run over by a vehicle in the Biobío Region. Larvae were isolated following artificial digestion of the diaphragm and analyzed by means of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A PCR product of 173 base pairs allowed for the classification of the larvae as T. spiralis. It is the first record of the species in Chilean wildlife. This finding in Chile is interesting in terms of human health, suggesting a possible role of the cougar as a reservoir for this parasite.</p></abstract>

The genus Trichinella is widespread in all continents but Antarctica. The only way to identify the species/genotypes is through molecular analyses. In Chile, only one study has reported Trichinella larvae in a cougar, but the species of Trichinella was not identified. In this work, the finding of Trichinella larvae in a cougar, together with their genotypic identification, is the first documentation of such in Chile. The cougar was found run over by a vehicle in the Biobío Region. Larvae were isolated following artificial digestion of the diaphragm and analyzed by means of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A PCR product of 173 base pairs allowed for the classification of the larvae as T. spiralis. It is the first record of the species in Chilean wildlife. This finding in Chile is interesting in terms of human health, suggesting a possible role of the cougar as a reservoir for this parasite.

Research Note. Trichinella spiralis parasitizing Puma concolor: first record in wildlife in Chile

Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción. Vicente Méndez 595, Casilla 537, Chillán, Chile

Departamento de Parasitología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán”. Av. Vélez Sarsfield 563, 1281 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Programa de Mastría en Biología Molecular Médica, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Junín 956 (1113) Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Helminthologia

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The genus Trichinella is widespread in all continents but Antarctica. The only way to identify the species/genotypes is through molecular analyses. In Chile,...

Research Note. Trichinella spiralis parasitizing Puma concolor: first record in wildlife in Chile

Published Online: Nov 26, 2015

Page range: 360 - 363

Received: Mar 18, 2015

Accepted: Apr 09, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/helmin-2015-0057

Keywords
Trichinellosis, native, wild, mammal, cougar

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Research Note. Trichinella spiralis parasitizing Puma concolor: first record in wildlife in Chile

Published Online: Nov 26, 2015

Page range: 360 - 363

Received: Mar 18, 2015

Accepted: Apr 09, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/helmin-2015-0057

KeywordsTrichinellosis, native, wild, mammal, cougar

© 2015

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
Trichinellosis, native, wild, mammal, cougar