Abstract
BackgroundEchinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are tapeworm parasites of major medical and veterinary importance, causing cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. Both diseases are listed among the most severe parasitic diseases in humans, representing 2 of the 17 neglected diseases prioritised by the World Health Organisation. However, little is known about the role of urban animals in transmission of both parasite species.FindingsA sensitive non-invasive genetic method was used to monitor E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infection among dog faecal samples collected from an urban area in Estonia in 2012–13. Out of 181 dog faecal samples analysed, 2.2% tested positive for E. granulosus, determined by sequencing as genotype G1. None of the samples tested positive for E. multilocularis.ConclusionsWe report contamination of an urban environment with highly pathogenic E. granulosus G1 disseminated by dogs, and a potential risk to human health.
Highlights
Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are tapeworm parasites of major medical and veterinary importance, causing cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, respectively
We report contamination of an urban environment with highly pathogenic E. granulosus G1 disseminated by dogs, and a potential risk to human health
We collected 102 dog scat samples that were deep frozen at −80°C for at least one week to avoid the risk of Echinococcus infection [5], since both E. multilocularis [9,14] and E. granulosus [15,16] have recently been found in Estonia and have elsewhere been found to infect dogs [17,18,19]
Summary
The aim of this study was to monitor urban dog faecal samples for contamination with E. granulosus and E. multilocularis eggs using non-invasive genetics
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