scholarly journals Red foxes harbor two genetically distinct, spatially separated Echinococcus multilocularis clusters in Brandenburg, Germany

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Herzig ◽  
Pavlo Maksimov ◽  
Christoph Staubach ◽  
Thomas Romig ◽  
Jenny Knapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fragment Length ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Mitochondrial Markers ◽  
Nuclear Microsatellite ◽  
European Haplotype

Abstract Background Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a clinically serious zoonosis caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. We studied the diversity and the distribution of genotypes of E. multilocularis isolated from foxes in Brandenburg, Germany, and in comparison to a hunting ground in North Rhine-Westphalia. Methods Echinococcus multilocularis specimens from 101 foxes, 91 derived from Brandenburg and 10 derived from North Rhine-Westphalia, were examined. To detect potential mixed infections with different genotypes of E. multilocularis, five worms per fox were analyzed. For genotyping, three mitochondrial markers, namely cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (Nad1), and ATP synthase subunit 6 (ATP6), and the nuclear microsatellite marker EmsB were used. To identify nucleotide polymorphisms, the mitochondrial markers were sequenced and the data were compared, including with published sequences from other regions. EmsB fragment length profiles were determined and confirmed by Kohonen network analysis and grouping of Sammon’s nonlinear mapping with k-means clustering. The spatial distribution of genotypes was analyzed by SaTScan for the EmsB profiles found in Brandenburg. Results With both the mitochondrial makers and the EmsB microsatellite fragment length profile analyses, mixed infections with different E. multilocularis genotypes were detected in foxes from Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. Genotyping using the mitochondrial markers showed that the examined parasite specimens belong to the European haplotype of E. multilocularis, but a detailed spatial analysis was not possible due to the limited heterogeneity of these markers in the parasite population. Four (D, E, G, and H) out of the five EmsB profiles described in Europe so far were detected in the samples from Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia. The EmsB profile G was the most common. A spatial cluster of the E. multilocularis genotype with the EmsB profile G was found in northeastern Brandenburg, and a cluster of profile D was found in southern parts of this state. Conclusions Genotyping of E. multilocularis showed that individual foxes may harbor different genotypes of the parasite. EmsB profiles allowed the identification of spatial clusters, which may help in understanding the distribution and spread of the infection in wildlife, and in relatively small endemic areas. Graphical Abstract

Echinococcus multilocularis in carnivores from the Klatovy district of the Czech Republic

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Martínek ◽  
L. Kolárová ◽  
J. Cervený
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Meles Meles ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Human Case ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Faecal Samples

A unique human case of alveolar echinococcosis was described in 1979 from the Klatovy district of the Czech Republic. However, there were no previous epidemiological studies in this area focusing on detection of the source of infection –Echinococcus multilocularisadults producing eggs. During the period June 1997 to April 1999, 29 out of a total of 46 (63.3%) red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Klatovy district and one of four foxes (25.0%) in the Pilsen South district were found to be infected with adult worms ofE. multilocularis. NoE. multilocularisadults were found in other animals from the Klatovy district (i.e. three specimens ofMartes martes, twoMartes foina, oneMustela erminea, twoMeles melesand oneFelis catusf.domestica). An examination of faecal samples from 55 dogs (Canis familiaris) from the Klatovy district resulted in the detection ofE. multilocularisDNA in one (1.8%) sample. The present results support the possibility that human alveolar echinococcosis previously described in the Czech Republic had the character of an autochthonous infection. There are also indications of a potential risk of infection to humans.

Occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes from the Carpathian regions of Slovakia and Poland

2006 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarína Reiterová ◽  
Ewa Dziemian ◽  
Martina Miterpáková ◽  
Daniela Antolová ◽  
Marta Kołodziej-Sobocińska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Intestine ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Worm Burden ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Border Regions ◽  
Faecal Samples

AbstractThe extensive distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis cestode from endemic alpine areas to the parts of Central Europe has been recorded in recent years. The first confirmed finding of E. multilocularis in Slovakia was recorded in 1999 in the area adjacent to the Polish border. At present, this serious zoonosis occurs almost across the whole territory of Slovakia. The occurrence of these tapeworms in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) at the border regions of Slovakia and Poland has been monitored. In these districts, out of 152 faecal samples examined, 36.2% were positive for the coproantigen-ELISA. With the sedimentation and counting technique the prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes was up to 38.8%. The examination of foxes from neighbouring districts revealed worm burden ranging from 1–15,000 specimens, but the majority of animals harboured medium number of tapeworms. In the Small Carpathian and Sub-Carpathian regions of Poland, out of 65 samples examined, 13.8% were coproantigen positive. Using the small intestine scraping method only 6.1% prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes was determined, mostly with a high worm burdens over 1,000 specimens. The results suggest possible transborder transmission of E. multilocularis, the causative agent of serious alveolar echinococcosis.

First identification of Echinococcus multilocularis in golden jackals in Croatia

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 654-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Sindičić ◽  
Miljenko Bujanić ◽  
Iva Štimac ◽  
Franjo Martinković ◽  
Nikolina Tuškan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Identification ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Emerging Disease ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Grey Wolf ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Distribution In Europe

Abstract Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the world’s most dangerous zoonosis and an emerging disease with growing incidence in humans. The disease has been reported in new areas and host species in the last two decades, and the primary hosts of the parasite – red fox, golden jackal and grey wolf – are expanding their distribution in Europe. Here we report the morphological and molecular identification of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworms in one of 29 carcasses of adult golden jackals in Croatia, where the only previous report of the parasite was in red foxes in 2016. These results suggest that alveolar echinococcosis should be treated as an emerging disease in Croatia.

scholarly journals Fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) in Slovakia — summarizing the long-term monitoring

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Miterpáková ◽  
P. Dubinský
Keyword(s):  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Worm Burden ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Counting Method ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring

AbstractDetailed epidemiological survey on distribution of fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis was carried out in the territory of Slovakia between 2000 and 2010. A total of 4 761 red foxes from all districts of Slovakia were investigated using modified sedimentation and counting method. E. multilocularis was found in small intestines of 1 441 animals that represent an overall prevalence of 30.3 %. The number of tapeworms found in individual foxes varied between 1 and 245 000 specimens with mean worm burden of 1 777. The results of decennial epizootological research confirmed the existence of highly endemic localities with E. multilocularis occurrence in northern regions of Slovakia. Till today, 16 human cases of alveolar echinococcosis were registered whereas 14 of them were diagnosed in patients living in endemic localities.

Alveolar echinococcosis in a dog; analysis of clinical and histological findings and molecular identification of Echinococcus multilocularis

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 486-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Antolová ◽  
Bronislava Víchová ◽  
Júlia Jarošová ◽  
Viliam Gál ◽  
Branislav Bajužík
Keyword(s):  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Veterinary Clinic ◽  
Left Liver Lobe ◽  
Veterinary Importance

Abstract Echinococcus multilocularis is a zoonotic tapeworm of medical and veterinary importance that occasionally infects accidental intermediate hosts causing severe disease or even death. In dogs, alveolar echinococcosis has been reported mainly in central Europe and Canada. The paper presents clinical, biochemical and histological signs of alveolar echinococcosis in a dog from Slovakia and the results of mitochondrial nad1 gene analysis. In 2016, 11-years old Siberian husky female suffering from inappetence was presented to the Veterinary Clinic in Žilina. Biochemical blood examination and blood count showed only minor changes, but abdominal ultrasonography showed the hepatomegaly and the presence of nonhomogeneous hypodense lobulated formation in the left liver lobe. Histological and molecular examinations of excided tissue confirmed the diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis of the liver. BLAST analysis of E. multilocularis nad1 gene revealed that the nucleotide sequence did not exactly match the previously identified M1 (AJ237639) and/or M2 genotype (AJ237640). In total, two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occurred within overlapping region of nad1 gene. In the discussion, clinical and laboratory findings of the infection in other dog patients are compared and the possibilities of diagnosis and therapy of the disease are discussed.

scholarly journals Deep amplicon sequencing highlights low intra-host genetic variability of Echinococcus multilocularis and high prevalence of the European-type haplotypes in coyotes and red foxes in Alberta, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e0009428
Author(s):  
Maria A. Santa ◽  
Andrew M. Rezansoff ◽  
Rebecca Chen ◽  
John S. Gilleard ◽  
Marco Musiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Population Expansion ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Intraspecific Diversity ◽  
Mixed Infections ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
The North

Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) is a zoonotic parasite considered a global emergent pathogen. Recent findings indicate that the parasite is expanding its range in North America and that European-type haplotypes are circulating in western Canada. However, genetic analyses are usually conducted only on a few parasites out of thousands of individuals within each definitive host, likely underestimating the prevalence of less common haplotypes. Moreover, mixed infections with several mtDNA haplotypes in the same host have been reported, but their relative abundance within the host was never estimated. We aimed to 1) estimate the frequency of co-infections of different Em haplotypes in coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from western Canada and their relative abundance within the definitive hosts, 2) detect less prevalent haplotypes by sampling a larger proportion of the parasite subpopulation per host, and 3) investigate differences in the distribution of Em haplotypes in these main definitive hosts; foxes and coyotes. We extracted DNA from ~10% of the worm subpopulation per host (20 foxes and 47 coyotes) and used deep amplicon sequencing (NGS technology) on four loci, targeting the most polymorphic regions from the mitochondrial genes cox1 (814 bp), nad1 (344 bp), and cob (387 bp). We detected the presence of mixed infections with multiple Em haplotypes and with different Echinococcus species including Em and E. granulosus s.l. genotypes G8/G10, low intraspecific diversity of Em, and a higher abundance of the European-type haplotypes in both hosts. Our results suggest a population expansion of the European over the North American strain in Alberta and a limited distribution of some European-type haplotypes. Our findings indicate that deep amplicon sequencing represents a valuable tool to characterize Em in multiple hosts, to assess the current distribution and possible origins of the European strain in North America. The potential use of next-generation sequencing technologies is particularly important to understand the patterns of geographic expansion of this parasite.

Surgical treatment of alveolar echinococcosis: a single centre experience and systematic review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-173
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽  
Lymphatic System ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Safety Margin ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Single Centre Experience ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures

Introduction: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. AE is primarily localised in the liver. Echinococcus multilocularis imitates tumour-like behaviour. It can metastasise through blood or lymphatic system to distant organs. Echinococcosis often remains asymptomatic due to its long incubation period and indistinct symptoms. Clinical symptoms are determined by the parasite’s location. Diagnosis of echinococcosis is based on medical history, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, serology results, imaging methods and final histology findings. Surgical removal of the cyst with a safety margin, followed by chemotherapy is the therapeutic method of choice. Case report: We present a case report of alveolar echinococcosis in a thirty-year-old female patient in whom we surgically removed multiple liver foci of alveolar echinococcosis. The disease recurred after two years and required another surgical intervention. Conclusions: Alveolar echinococcosis is a disease with a high potential for a complete cure provided that it is diagnosed early and that the recommended therapeutic procedures are strictly adhered to.

Potential remedy against Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes using baits with anthelmintic distributed around fox breeding dens in Hokkaido, Japan

Parasitology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. TSUKADA ◽  
K. HAMAZAKI ◽  
S. GANZORIG ◽  
T. IWAKI ◽  
K. KONNO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Clethrionomys Rufocanus ◽  
Efficient Control ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Potential Remedy ◽  
Patent Infection

The effect of bait-delivered anthelmintic to reduce the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes was evaluated in Koshimizu, in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. The study area (200 km2) was divided into baited and non-baited sections. The anthelmintic baits were distributed around fox den sites in the baited section every month for 13 months. After 1 year of the anthelmintic bait distribution, the prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes, evaluated either by the parasite egg examination (from 27.1 to 5.6%) or coproantigen ELISA (from 59.6 to 29.7%), decreased in the baited section contrasting to that in the non-baited section (parasite egg: from 18.8 to 24.2%; ELISA: from 41.9 to 45.8%). The prevalence of E. multilocularis in grey red-backed vole Clethrionomys rufocanus, caught around fox dens, born after bait distribution also decreased and was significantly lower than that in non-baited section. However, within the study periods, the coproantigen-positive rate in fox faeces sporadically increased, while egg-positive rate constantly decreased. Since coproantigen ELISA can detect pre-patent infection, this observation indicates that reinfection pressure in the baited section was still high even after the 13 months of anthelmintic bait distribution. Therefore, the bait distribution longer than our study period is required for the efficient control of E. multilocularis in wild red fox population.

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