A cross-sectional study of intestinal parasitic infections of the European badgers in Woodchester Park, South West England.

Tuberculosis and helminthiosis often coincide geographically. So, question arises whether helminthes can modulate the host immune response and affect tuberculosis. Knowledge of the specific interactions between both enables better understanding of pathogenesis and potential controls. The study evaluated the hypothesis that badgers with a high parasitosis exhibit more susceptibility to tuberculosis compared to those with low or no parasitic infection. Faecal specimens from 28 badgers were examined by using standardised protocols. Fourteen different parasitic species were recovered; nine helminth species and five protozoa species. This diversity indicates that parasites are abundant in UK badgers. Results were compared with regards to age and sex. Parasitic prevalence tended to be higher in males than females and in cubs than adults. Two significant findings were obtained; (1) males had heavier infections with Strongyle nematode L1 larvae than females; (2) cubs showed both higher prevalence and intensity of infection with coccidian oocysts compared to adults. In the sampled population, no significant correlation was found between TB status and diversity or intensity of parasitic infection. This refutes the hypothesis that parasitism exacerbates TB status. Studies encompassing larger numbers of badgers are needed for confirmation of the present finding.