Prevalence of Trichinella nativa in lynx (Felis lynx) from Alaska, 1988-1993.

Abstract

Lynx (Felis lynx) carcasses were collected during the 1989 to 1990 through 1992 to 1993 trapping seasons in Alaska (USA). Seven areas were represented. Tongue samples were removed from 1,065 carcasses. Specimens were examined for the presence of Trichinella nativa larvae by means of enzymatic digestion. Overall prevalence was 21%. Both prevalence and number of larvae per gram of host tissue were directly related to age of the host. Age-specific prevalence ranged from 4% for kittens up to 59% for lynx 5 yr of age and older. For infected lynx, intensity ranged from 0.27 larvae per gram of host tissue for kittens up to 2.35 larvae per gram for lynx 3 yr of age and older. Location-specific prevalence ranged from 19% to 27%. Year-specific prevalence ranged from 13% to 26%. Prevalence in both males and females was 21%.