Pathology of Wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Liguria, Italy, between 1989 and 1992

Abstract

During the hunting season of four years (1989 - 1992), organs and whole bodies of wild boars have been examined following a routinary investigation concerning trichinellosis and the presence of pathological lesions. The following lesions have been detected: 1 (0.01%) case of trichinellosis out of 7,282 examined samples; 17 (4.3%) cases of tuberculosis and 55 (13.9%) cases of tuberculous-like lesions out of 395 examined samples; 5 cases (2.9%) of localizations of Cysticercus tenuicollis in the liver and 1 (0.6%) case of hydatidosis with localization of the cyst in the lung out of 172 examined samples; 86 (36.9%) cases of verminous bronchopneumonia out of 233 examined samples; 2 (3.2%) cases of hydrometra and 1 (1.6%) case of subperimetrial cysts out of 62 examined samples. Four cases of Sarcoptic mange have also been diagnosed. The examination, in the same period of time, of 24 wild boars found dead revealed the presence of bronchopneumonia in 6 (25%) subjects, gastroenteritis in 4 (16.7%) subjectsand injuries in 16 (66.7%) subjects. The relationship of the examined diseases with the human health along with the importance of the veterinary control in order to assure the food safety for the human consumption are discussed.