ASCARIS SUUM INFECTION IN A FREE-RANGE FEMALE WILD BOAR (SUS SCROFA SCROFA) AND ITS ASSOCIATED PATHOLOGY: A CASE REPORT

Ascaris suum is a common nematode of domestic and wild pigs whose migration and maturation cause distinctive lesions in the liver and small intestine. This article describes the morphological identification and pathology of Ascaris suum infection in a wild boar. Four nematodes were recovered from the lumen of small intestine during postmortem. Based on morphology, two worms were identified as males and two as females. The worms were yellowish white, with males being smaller and had curved tails with spicules, while females were larger with straight, pointed tails and both had triradiate lips anteriorly. The liver exhibited severe congestion, while the small intestine contained adult worms and showed catarrhal enteritis, and inflammatory infiltrates. The lungs were congested, haemorrhagic with frothy exudate and pleural adhesions. The heart showed epicardial haemorrhage while splenic and gastric congestion, petechiae in the kidneys were observed. The combined lesions reflect both migratory and intestinal stages of A. suum. The overall findings confirm the presence of Ascaris suum infection in wild boar and highlight the pathological impact on various organs emphasizing the need of continuous surveillance in wild animal populations.