Trichinella britovi in wild boar meat from Italy, 2015–2021: A citizen science approach to surveillance

: As a result of the increase of game meat intended for human consumption through Europe, a plethora of food-borne diseases, including trichinellosis, may occur in consumers, posing a relevant public health threat. Thus, this study aims to a citizen science approach to monitor the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, evaluating the risk of infection for consumers. Following the European Regulation 2015/1375 (laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat), from 2015 to 2021, hunters (n = 478) were involved to collect diaphragm pillar samples of wild boars from mainland southern Italy, which were tested for Trichinella spp. L1 larvae via HCl-pepsin digestion and Multiplex PCR. Overall, 139,160 animals were collected (average of 19,880 per year), being 14 (i.e., 0.01%) tested positive to Trichinella britovi by the combined biochemical and molecular approach. An average larval burden of 28.4 L1 per gram of meat was found (minimum 3.2 - maximum 132.6). A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence according to hunting seasons (p < 0.01, with higher values in 2016 and 2021) and regions of the study area (p < 0.01). No statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of T. britovi throughout the study period was found (p = 0.51), except in Apulia region (p < 0.01). These findings revealed a stable prevalence of T. britovi in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, suggesting a risk of infection for consumers, especially hunters and local markets users. Citizen science surveillance models could be promoted to improve trichinellosis control and prevention in a One Health perspective

Double flap technique to reconstruct the anal canal after concurrent surgery for fistulae, abscesses and haemorrhoids

Benign anorectal conditions, such as abscess, fistulas and haemorrhoids may occur in the same patients, requiring wide excision of the diseased tissues. This may result in a large de-epithelized area of the anal canal, and removal of perianal skin, eventually leading to a stricture. A rectal mucosal advancement sutured to the apex of a skin rotation flap has been successfully used in four patients to partially reconstruct the anal canal and prevent the formation of an anal stenosis. Complex anal fistulas may be associated with haemorrhoids requiring a wide local excision

Additional file 1: Table S1. of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs: an increasing concern for Baltic countries

Prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs, mean density of animals, hunting bags and ratio of sampled animals out of hunted during 2010–2014 on a scale of game administrative units in Latvia. (DOCX 24 kb