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Background <p>European hedgehogs (<i>Erinaceus europaeus</i>) are frequently infected with a variety of endoparasites. The hedgehogs’ synanthropic lifestyle results in frequent contact with pets and humans, posing the risk of parasite spillover from a One Health perspective.</p> Methods <p>The present study assessed the endoparasite fauna and excretion intensity of 531 European hedgehogs presented at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Germany. Faecal samples were examined by the combined sedimentation–flotation method, the Baermann technique and <i>FAST</i>est® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strips (MEGACOR Diagnostik GmbH) from July 2018 to May 2021. <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and <i>Giardia</i> spp. positive samples were further differentiated via amplification of the 60&#xa0;kDa glycoprotein gene and the β-giardin gene, respectively. In addition, molecular identification of adult intestinal <i>Capillaria</i> spp. and Acanthocephala spp. was achieved via the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (<i>cox-1</i>) gene.</p> Results <p>Endoparasite prevalence was 95.5% (507/531). The most frequently detected helminth species was <i>Crenosoma striatum</i> (77.6%, [412/531]), followed by <i>Capillaria erinacei</i> (68.2%, [362/531]), <i>Capillaria putorii</i> (68.2%, [362/531]), <i>Capillaria aerophila</i> (26.7%, [142/531]), <i>Brachylaemus erinacei</i> (5.1%, [27/531]), undetermined trematode eggs (0.2% [1/531]) and <i>Hymenolepis nana</i> (0.2%, [1/531]). Detected protozoans included coccidia (12.8%, [68/531]), <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. (11.9%, [63/531]) and <i>Giardia</i> spp. (1.3%, [7/531]). Acanthocephala spp. were present in 1.5% (8/531) of samples, and two examined specimens were molecularly identified as <i>Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus</i>. Infections with <i>C. aerophila</i> showed a significant seasonal pattern and a negative correlation with bodyweight. For the remaining parasites, no significant associations with age, bodyweight, survival or seasonality were observed. Molecular typing revealed the presence of <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> subtype IIa prevalence of 2.1%, [11/531]), IIc (0.9%, [5/531]) and IId (0.6%, [3/531]), <i>Cryptosporidium erinacei</i> subtype XIIIa (6.1%, [33/531]) and XIIIb (0.2%, [1/531]), and <i>Giardia duodenalis</i> (sub)assemblage A(1) (1.3%, [7/531]).</p> Conclusions <p>The hedgehogs showed high infection rates with pulmonary and gastrointestinal helminths. Molecular analysis clarified the species distribution of the gastrointestinal <i>Capillaria</i>, consisting of <i>C. erinacei</i> and <i>C. putorii</i>, disproving the existence of the previously described <i>Capillaria ovoreticulata</i>. Furthermore, molecular typing of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> and <i>Giardia</i> spp. revealed zoonotic subtypes and (sub)assemblages. In addition, <i>C. aerophila</i> and <i>H. nana</i> may infect humans. Therefore, precautionary measures should be taken when handling hedgehogs to mitigate the zoonotic risk.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Endoparasites of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Germany and their zoonotic potential: proposed Capillaria ovoreticulata genetically identified as Capillaria putorii

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月7日

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  • Karolin Schütte,
  • Andrea Springer,
  • Florian Brandes,
  • Maximilian Reuschel,
  • Michael Fehr,
  • Angela Kern,
  • Christina Strube

摘要

Background

European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are frequently infected with a variety of endoparasites. The hedgehogs’ synanthropic lifestyle results in frequent contact with pets and humans, posing the risk of parasite spillover from a One Health perspective.

Methods

The present study assessed the endoparasite fauna and excretion intensity of 531 European hedgehogs presented at wildlife rehabilitation centres in Germany. Faecal samples were examined by the combined sedimentation–flotation method, the Baermann technique and FASTest® CRYPTO-GIARDIA Strips (MEGACOR Diagnostik GmbH) from July 2018 to May 2021. Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. positive samples were further differentiated via amplification of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene and the β-giardin gene, respectively. In addition, molecular identification of adult intestinal Capillaria spp. and Acanthocephala spp. was achieved via the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox-1) gene.

Results

Endoparasite prevalence was 95.5% (507/531). The most frequently detected helminth species was Crenosoma striatum (77.6%, [412/531]), followed by Capillaria erinacei (68.2%, [362/531]), Capillaria putorii (68.2%, [362/531]), Capillaria aerophila (26.7%, [142/531]), Brachylaemus erinacei (5.1%, [27/531]), undetermined trematode eggs (0.2% [1/531]) and Hymenolepis nana (0.2%, [1/531]). Detected protozoans included coccidia (12.8%, [68/531]), Cryptosporidium spp. (11.9%, [63/531]) and Giardia spp. (1.3%, [7/531]). Acanthocephala spp. were present in 1.5% (8/531) of samples, and two examined specimens were molecularly identified as Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus. Infections with C. aerophila showed a significant seasonal pattern and a negative correlation with bodyweight. For the remaining parasites, no significant associations with age, bodyweight, survival or seasonality were observed. Molecular typing revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIa prevalence of 2.1%, [11/531]), IIc (0.9%, [5/531]) and IId (0.6%, [3/531]), Cryptosporidium erinacei subtype XIIIa (6.1%, [33/531]) and XIIIb (0.2%, [1/531]), and Giardia duodenalis (sub)assemblage A(1) (1.3%, [7/531]).

Conclusions

The hedgehogs showed high infection rates with pulmonary and gastrointestinal helminths. Molecular analysis clarified the species distribution of the gastrointestinal Capillaria, consisting of C. erinacei and C. putorii, disproving the existence of the previously described Capillaria ovoreticulata. Furthermore, molecular typing of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. revealed zoonotic subtypes and (sub)assemblages. In addition, C. aerophila and H. nana may infect humans. Therefore, precautionary measures should be taken when handling hedgehogs to mitigate the zoonotic risk.

Graphical Abstract