Report of the first finding of puma (Puma concolor puma) infected with Trichinella sp. in Chile

Abstract

Currently, Trichinella spiralis is the only species that has been identified in Chile as an agent of trichinellosis in both domestic and wild hosts. Preliminary studies have not identified the infection in animals native to Chile. We report the first finding of Trichinella sp. isolated in diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle of a puma (Puma concolor puma)found dead by telemetry tracking and subjected to necropsy on the mountain range of Región de La Araucanía, Chile. The diagnosis was made by trichinoscopy and artificial digestion. This finding demonstrates the presence of Trichinella sp. in chilean wild carnivorous animals.