The subnivium, a haven for Trichinella larvae in host carcasses

Abstract

Parasite nematodes of the genus Trichinella are transmitted from one host to another through the ingestion of larvae present in striated muscles. The longer the survival of muscle larvae in host carcasses, the higher the probability of being ingested by a scavenging host. Thereby, these nematodes developed an anaerobic metabolism favouring their survival in decaying tissues. In addition, muscle larvae of three taxa, namely Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi and Trichinella T6, can survive freezing for several months to several years depending on the taxon. The aim of the present work was to investigate the survival time of T. britovi larvae in naturally infected host carcasses preserved beneath or above the snow. Fox and raccoon dog carcasses naturally infected with T. britovi larvae were preserved beneath or above the snow in a cold mountainous area. Temperature and relative humidity were recorded. Every 14 days, muscle samples collected from each carcass, were digested and larvae were counted and given per os to laboratory mice to evaluate their reproductive capacity index (RCI). The RCI of larvae in carcasses preserved beneath the snow (the subnivium) ranged from 23 to 25 at day 0, to 12-18 after 112 days. In contrast, the RCI of larvae in carcasses preserved above the snow ranged from 22 to 27 at day 0, to 0.0 after 112 days. The difference between the RCIs of larvae beneath the snow and above the snow was statistically significant (P < 0.01). These data corroborate the hypothesis that the subnivium with its environmental stability favours the survival of Trichinella larvae in host muscles, increasing the probability of their transmission to other hosts. On the other hand, the environment above the snow, characterized by sudden temperature variations, causes strong environmental stress for larvae in host carrions causing their death.

Keywords: Freezing; Relative humidity; Snow; Subnivium; Temperature; Trichinella britovi.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Box containing the animal carcasses beneath and above the snow.

Fig. 2

Reproductive Capacity index (RCI) of Trichinella britovi larvae, minimum and maximum temperature and relative humidity of fox and raccoon dog carcasses stored beneath and above the snow during the study period. Panel A, RCI of T. britovi larvae present in muscles of fox carcasses stored below (red line) or above (green line) the snow and of the raccoon dog carcasses stored below (violet line) or above (light blue line) the snow. Panel B, minimum (green line) and maximum (violet line) temperature below the snow and minimum (light blue line) and maximum (red line) daily temperature above the snow. Panel C, daily relative humidity (%) of carcasses above the snow. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Fig. 3

Fox carcasses preserved above the snow (on the left) and beneath the snow (on the right) after 112 days.