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Purpose <p>Despite increasing interest in hedgehog parasitology across Europe, the endoparasitic fauna of the northern white-breasted hedgehog (<i>Erinaceus roumanicus</i>) in Romania remains insufficiently documented. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and diversity of endoparasitic infections and evaluate the influence of age, sex, and habitat on infection patterns.</p> Methods <p>Between March 2021 and June 2022, data and samples were collected from 135 hedgehogs across Romania, primarily from the Bucharest Metropolitan Area (90/135). Coprological analysis was performed on 97 live individuals admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, using a flotation technique with hyper-saturated sodium chloride solution and the Baermann method. Necropsies were conducted on 38 deceased individuals. Parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol and identified using morphological keys.</p> Results <p>Endoparasites were detected in 82.47% (80/97) of hedgehogs examined by coproscopy, with mixed infections in 40.21% (39/97). Six parasite species were identified: <i>Crenosoma striatum</i> (61.86%), <i>Capillaria</i> spp. (23.71%), <i>Eucoleus aerophilus</i> (15.46%), <i>Hymenolepis erinacei</i> (14.43%), <i>Brachylaemus erinacei</i> (2.06%), and <i>Cystoisospora rastegaievae</i> (26.80%). Necropsy revealed a helminth prevalence of 76.3% (29/38), with <i>Physaloptera clausa</i> (55.26%) and <i>Nephridiacanthus major</i> (5.26%) found exclusively post-mortem. Statistical analysis of coprological data showed significantly higher <i>C. striatum</i> prevalence in adults (73.68%) compared to juveniles (31.82%), and in males (71.74%) versus females (52.94%) (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05).</p> Conclusion <p>This study provides the first comprehensive overview of endoparasites in <i>E. roumanicus</i> in Romania, highlighting notable infection rates and species richness. Results emphasize the influence of age and sex on infection trends, the need for zoonotic risk monitoring, and further research on the potential long-term impacts of parasitism on urban hedgehog populations.</p>

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New Data on the Endoparasitic Fauna of the Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus Barett-Hamilton 1900, in Romania

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月16日

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  • Oana Cristiana Vasiliu,
  • Ioan Liviu Mitrea,
  • Tiberiu C. Sahlean,
  • Mariana Ionita

摘要

Purpose

Despite increasing interest in hedgehog parasitology across Europe, the endoparasitic fauna of the northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) in Romania remains insufficiently documented. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and diversity of endoparasitic infections and evaluate the influence of age, sex, and habitat on infection patterns.

Methods

Between March 2021 and June 2022, data and samples were collected from 135 hedgehogs across Romania, primarily from the Bucharest Metropolitan Area (90/135). Coprological analysis was performed on 97 live individuals admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre, using a flotation technique with hyper-saturated sodium chloride solution and the Baermann method. Necropsies were conducted on 38 deceased individuals. Parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol and identified using morphological keys.

Results

Endoparasites were detected in 82.47% (80/97) of hedgehogs examined by coproscopy, with mixed infections in 40.21% (39/97). Six parasite species were identified: Crenosoma striatum (61.86%), Capillaria spp. (23.71%), Eucoleus aerophilus (15.46%), Hymenolepis erinacei (14.43%), Brachylaemus erinacei (2.06%), and Cystoisospora rastegaievae (26.80%). Necropsy revealed a helminth prevalence of 76.3% (29/38), with Physaloptera clausa (55.26%) and Nephridiacanthus major (5.26%) found exclusively post-mortem. Statistical analysis of coprological data showed significantly higher C. striatum prevalence in adults (73.68%) compared to juveniles (31.82%), and in males (71.74%) versus females (52.94%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study provides the first comprehensive overview of endoparasites in E. roumanicus in Romania, highlighting notable infection rates and species richness. Results emphasize the influence of age and sex on infection trends, the need for zoonotic risk monitoring, and further research on the potential long-term impacts of parasitism on urban hedgehog populations.