Identification and epidemiological analysis of Perostrongylus falciformis infestation in Irish badgers.

Authors :: Oc Byrne J
Byrne AW
Zintl A
Jankowska K
Coulange E
de Waal T
McCarthy G
O'Keeffe J
Hamnes IS
Fogarty U
Source :: Irish veterinary journal [Ir Vet J] 2019 Jul 09; Vol. 72, pp. 7. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jul 09 (Print Publication: 2019).
Publication Year :: 2019
Abstract: Background: The lungworm, Perostrongylus falciformis (fomerly known as Aelurostrongylus falciformis ) has been identified in badgers ( Meles meles ) in Britain, the Russian Federation, Italy, Norway, Poland, Ukraine, Bosnia Herzegovina and Romania, while Aelurostrongylus pridhami has been reported from badgers in Spain.<br />Results: Pulmonary tissue from 1580 Irish badgers was examined and an estimated prevalence of 32.09% (95% CI: 29.79-34.45%) of this parasite was detected. Confirmation of its occurrence was made by PCR analysis on a subset of the population.<br />Conclusion: Infestation was widely distributed throughout the Republic of Ireland, with a trend towards higher infestation risk in western versus eastern counties. In addition males were at a higher risk of infestation than females and juveniles were at a significantly higher risk than adult badgers.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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