Diseases are natural regulating factors of wildlife populations, but some pathogens may become an important threat in wildlife conservation, especially for endangered species. The presence of domestic animals may foster the spread of diseases in natural population, although their role in the dynamic of infections in wildlife is not clear. In this study, we investigated the presence and prevalence of a range of multi-host pathogens in wild species (red fox, Eurasian badger, beech marten, pine marten, stoat for a total of 89 carcasses analysed) and domestic animals (n = 52 shepherd and n = 25 companion dogs) living in a protected area of the Alps (the Gran Paradiso National Park) and discussed the role of domestic dogs as possible source of infection for wild species. Our results showed that domestic dogs are potential shedder of three important pathogens: Canine distemper virus, Toxoplasma sp. and Neospora caninum. In particular, shepherd dogs seem to represent a threat for wildlife as they are exposed to multiple pathogens because of free-roaming, scavenging lifestyles and close proximity to livestock. However, also companion dogs more subject to veterinary care may foster the spread of pathogens. Our results highlight the importance of regulating the access of domestic dogs to protected areas that aim at preserving biodiversity and enhancing the conservation of endangered species.

疾病是野生动物种群的自然调节因素，但一些病原体可能成为野生动物保护的重要威胁，特别是对于濒临灭绝的物种。家畜的存在可能会促进疾病在自然群体中的传播，尽管它们在野生动物感染动态中的作用尚不清楚。在这项研究中，我们调查了野生物种（红狐、欧亚獾、山毛榉貂、松貂、白鼬，总共分析了 89 具尸体）和家养动物（ n = 52）中一系列多宿主病原体的存在和流行情况。牧羊犬和n = 25 只伴侣犬）生活在阿尔卑斯山的保护区（大帕拉迪索国家公园），并讨论了家犬作为野生物种可能的感染源的作用。我们的结果表明，家犬是三种重要病原体的潜在传播者：犬瘟热病毒、弓形虫。和犬新孢子虫。特别是牧羊犬似乎对野生动物构成了威胁，因为它们由于自由漫游、食腐生活方式和与牲畜近距离接触而暴露于多种病原体。然而，更多接受兽医护理的伴侣犬也可能促进病原体的传播。我们的研究结果强调了规范家犬进入保护区的重要性，以保护生物多样性和加强对濒危物种的保护。