Prevalence of Eucoleus garfiai in Wild Boars Hunted at Different Altitudes in the Campania and Latium Regions (Italy)

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Recent findings of the nematode Eucoleus garfiai in wild boars across different countries, and more lately in southern Italy, have brought up the need for collecting epidemiological data on this parasite. In the present study, the prevalence of E. garfiai was analyzed in relation to altitude in different provinces of the Campania and Latium regions located, respectively, in southern and central Italy. Results showed that the parasite is more often found at altitudes higher than 900 m above sea level. Some species of earthworms are intermediate hosts of E. garfiai and it is well known that earthworms are more present in high quality soils, which are more likely found at high altitudes where anthropogenic interventions are less frequent. Therefore, we can suggest that the higher prevalence of E. garfiai above 900 m above sea level is probably linked to a higher presence of earthworms in the soil, due to its higher quality in these areas. ABSTRACT: Recent reports of Eucoleus garfiai in wild boars in southern Italy have highlighted the need for collecting epidemiological data on the presence of this parasite and understanding the role of possible interactions between wild boars, E. garfiai, and the environment. This study analyses, using histopathological and biomolecular techniques, the presence of E. garfiai in tongue samples of wild boars hunted in four provinces of the Campania and Latium regions (Italy), in areas located above and below 900 m above sea level (asl). Histopathological examinations revealed the presence of adults and eggs of nematodes, which were subsequently identified as E. garfiai by biomolecular analysis, in the tongue epithelium. The detection of the parasite was more frequent in samples collected from hunting areas located above 900 m asl than in those collected from areas located below 900 m asl (66.67% vs. 38.09%; p < 0.01). Some species of earthworms are intermediate hosts of E. garfiai and it is well known that earthworms are more present in high quality soils. Therefore, we can suggest that the higher prevalence of E. garfiai at higher altitudes is probably linked to a greater presence of earthworms in the soil, due to its higher quality in these areas.