Case report: First report of potentially zoonoticin a free-living roe deer () in Slovenia.

Abstract

Adult female and malenematodes were found in the oesophagus of a free-living roe deer () in Slovenia during passive health surveillance of wildlife. The genuswas determined by light microscopy based on the genus-specific cuticular bosses in the anterior part of the parasite. Molecular methods were used to confirm the species, which has zoonotic potential. Althoughspecies are considered common and distributed worldwide, this is the first report ofin an animal on the territory of Slovenia and the first molecular report in a roe deer worldwide. The parasite is likely to be underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed or goes unnoticed as the animals show little or no clinical signs and minor pathological lesions. Slaughterhouse workers, hunters and veterinarians should be aware of this elusive parasite. Examination and evisceration of the upper digestive tract of animals should therefore be carried out more carefully.