First report of infection in the crested porcupine ( L., 1758).

Italy is the only European country where the crested porcupine () lives. A parasitological investigation was performed on faecal samples, aimed to evaluate and other parasites in a free-ranging crested porcupine population in Central Italy. Samples were collected from captured and road-killed individuals as well as from feeding areas and pathways. Collected faecal samples were examined by the Mini-FLOTAC technique and a rapid immunoassay for the search of and spp. faecal antigens. For the identification of species and genotypes, molecular analysis was performed on -positive samples, by using PCR protocols able to amplify glutamate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase and a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. A total of 52 crested porcupine faecal samples were collected and analysed. At microscopical examination, 39 out of 52 samples were found positive for at least a single parasite species and six different parasite taxa were identified. Forty-eight percent (25/52) of faecal samples were positive for spp. and 1.9% (1/52) for spp. at the immunoassay. Among 12 faecal samples belonging to different individuals, 33.3% (4/12) were positive for spp. By using the Mini-FLOTAC technique, positivity for spp. (32.7%, 17/52), gastrointestinal strongyles (32.7%, 17/52), capillariid eggs (3.8%, 2/52) and coccidian oocysts (1.9%; 1/52) was also evidenced. Molecular analysis was performed on 17 out of 25 -positive isolates. At the locus, expected bands were achieved for 12 out of 17 isolates and all samples were assigned to assemblage B. Sequencing at locus revealed potentially zoonotic assemblage AII (two isolates) and assemblage BIV (one isolate). The present study provides the first report of infection in . More in depth studies are needed on the impact and epidemiology of and other identified parasites in crested porcupines.