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

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. Article title: Kindly check and confirm the edit made in the article title. The article title has been checked and the edit made is confirmed.

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.