Identification and phylogenetic analysis of spp. parasites found in wildlife in the Emilia-Romagna region, northern Italy (2017-2022).

The recent expansion of the habitat of several wildlife species, comprising anthropized areas, is a relevant risk factor for many zoonotic diseases and should be considered in national and regional sanitary monitoring systems. We evaluated adult intestinal spp. parasites isolated from wild carnivores and cystic larval forms isolated from wild mammals analysed at the (IZSLER) as part of the regional wildlife sanitary surveillance plan. Then, we assessed parasite species through molecular analysis (multiplex PCR followed by ribosomal 12S subunit gene sequencing) in order to update the epidemiological situation on Taeniids infection in the Emilia-Romagna wildlife, reporting the prevalence of each isolated species. The most commonly isolated species was , which we detected in both wolves and foxes as definitive hosts and in roe deer as intermediate host. More attention on the distribution of Taeniids in wildlife should be paid, considering their potential zoonotic role: several spp. (, , , , ) are known for causing coenurosis in humans, with possible severe or fatal outcomes.