Wild Boars (Sus scrofa, L. 1758) from Castile and Leon Region (Spain): A Histopathology Survey

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Eurasian wild boars (Sus scrofa) are species of interest to continuously study and monitor diseases due to their abundance, consumption, and their role as zoonotic disease reservoirs. To the authors’ knowledge, there is a lack of health assessments in this particular area of Spain, which represented an opportunity for this assessment. This study aims to report and interpret some histopathological findings (from the lung, liver, and kidney) in wild boars from different areas of Castile and León (Spain) to evaluate the health status of this population. Parasitic pneumonia (34.7%) in the lungs and cellular alterations (33.3%) in the liver are some of the most common and relevant lesions found. Further research and other diagnostic tests are needed to have definitive diagnoses or to estimate zoonotic disease prevalence. ABSTRACT: Wild boars are wild ungulates with a wide distribution in Europe, with a relevant role in wildlife and public health. In Spain, high (and sometimes artificial) densities of wild boars are responsible for several health problems. Regular surveys, with hunters’ collaboration, are crucial to monitor these diseases. Histological analyses were performed for lung, liver, and kidneys from 72 wild boars (58 from Zamora, 16 from Palencia). Lungs were the most affected organs, mainly revealing parasitic pneumonia (34.7%). Hydropic, vacuolar, and other cellular changes (33.3%) and congestion (16.7%) were found in the liver, and only 30.6% of the wild boars presented no alterations in this organ. Regarding the kidney, non-purulent nephritis (22.2%) was the most common lesion. This study gives an overview of the health status of wild boar populations in Castile and León. Other laboratory analyses are needed to obtain definitive diagnoses of these lesions, reach other conclusions, or apply any mitigation strategies to protect animals’ or consumers’ health.