Molecular Occurrence, Co-infections and Genetic Characterization of Sarcocystis miescheriana, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Türkiye.

PURPOSE: Wild boars (Sus scrofa) play a pivotal role in the sylvatic cycle of tissue cyst-forming apicomplexan parasites. However, molecular epidemiological data from Turkish populations is limited. The objective of this study was to ascertain the molecular prevalence, genetic diversity, and co-infection patterns of Sarcocystis spp., Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum in wild boars from the Central Black Sea Region of Türkiye.

METHODS

A total of 100 muscle tissue samples were collected from hunted wild boars. The samples were then subjected to artificial digestion and histopathological examination. In addition, a series of PCR assays were performed, including a multiplex PCR targeting the cox1 gene and a conventional PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene for Sarcocystis spp. The study also included specific PCRs for the 529 bp repetitive element of T. gondii and the NC5 region of N. caninum. Age- and sex-adjusted associations for T. gondii and N. caninum infection were further examined using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Sarcocystis miescheriana was detected in 92% of the animals, whereas the zoonotic S. suihominis was not found. Phylogenetic analysis of cox1 sequences placed the obtained isolate close to European strains. T. gondii DNA was present in 50% of the wild boars and N. caninum DNA in 38%. Mixed infections were frequent: 56% of the animals harboured at least two parasite species and 28% carried all three. In multivariable analysis, adult age was significantly associated with T. gondii infection (adjusted OR = 3.77, P = 0.022), with a similar but non-significant trend for N. caninum (adjusted OR = 3.21, P = 0.055); sex was not a significant predictor for either parasite. Triple infection was numerically more common in older animals, consistent with cumulative environmental exposure over time, although this trend did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.129).

CONCLUSION

These results update the molecular epidemiology of tissue cyst-forming apicomplexans in Turkish wild boars and reinforce the importance of sustained One Health surveillance at the wildlife-livestock-human interface.