First record of Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879, muscle cysts in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Carinthia, Austria

The present report describes the first record of the tapeworm Taenia krabbei Moniez, 1879, represented by its larval stage, in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from two hunting districts in Carinthia, Austria. The cysticerci of T. krabbei were found during gross meat inspection and isolated from the muscle. The specific identification was based on molecular analysis of a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The definitive host was not identified in this report. Grey wolves (Canis lupus lupus) are suspected to be the definitive host, as they are reported to be resettling in the area. The finding of muscle cysts of T. krabbei raises concerns for hunters and producers of venison, as affected carcasses are often rejected based on visual inspection criteria. Consequently, systematic assessment of the distribution of T. krabbei across both intermediate and definitive host populations is warranted. In parallel, targeted sanitary education initiatives for hunters are essential to discourage practices that may facilitate transmission and perpetuation of the parasite's life cycle.

Institut für Lebensmittelsicherheit, Veterinärmedizin und Umwelt des Landes Kärnten