Parasites of European carnivores

Section: Zoology

Responsible staff: Alain Frantz

Research strategy: Understanding and Preserving Nature, Society and Natural History

Various aspects of parasitology in Luxembourg’s wildlife are explored, combining approaches relevant to both public health and conservation.

A first component focuses on monitoring zoonotic pathogens, assessing their prevalence in different wild species from a “One Health” perspective.

Independently of this health aspect, the project also includes fundamental research on the role of parasites in host‑population dynamics, their potential influence on species’ conservation status, and the study of host–parasite interactions.

By using population‑genetics tools, the genetic structure of hosts and parasites is examined to better understand their co‑evolution.

This initiative is the result of collaboration between MNHNL teams, who provide analytical support, and scientific collaborators specialising in different parasitic groups.

Recent publications :

Heddergott, M., Müller, F., Steinbach, P., Jeschke, D., Stubbe, M., Frantz, A. C., ... & Osten-Sacken, N. (2022). First detection and low prevalence of Pearsonema spp. in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Central Europe. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 19, 243-247.

Frantz, A. C., Salazar, L. C., Müller, F., Steinbach, P., Wittische, J., & Heddergott, M. (2022). Interactions of cranial helminths in the European polecat (Mustela putorius): implications for host body condition. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 18, 273-282.

Heddergott, M., Steffen, C., Steinbach, P., & Frantz, A. C. (2021). First record of Troglotrema acutum (Trematoda, Troglotrematidae) in European polecats Mustela putorius from Luxembourg. Parasitology Research, 120(7), 2659-2663.

Heddergott, M., & Frantz, A. C. (2021). First Record of the Sinus Worm Skrjabingylus petrowi (Nematoda: Metastrongyloidea) in a pine marten Martes martes from Poland. Acta Parasitologica, 66(4), 1570-1573.

Solarczyk, P., Dabert, M., Frantz, A. C., Osten‐Sacken, N., Trzebny, A., Wojtkowiak‐Giera, A., & Heddergott, M. (2021). Zoonotic Giardia duodenalis sub‐assemblage BIV in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Germany and Luxembourg. Zoonoses and Public Health, 68(5), 538-543.

Heddergott, M., Frantz, A. C., Pohl, D., Osten-Sacken, N., & Steinbach, P. (2020). Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Luxembourg using an ELISA approach. Acta Parasitologica, 65, 985-989.

Image de : M. Heddergott