Noninvasive detection of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm in urban area, Estonia.

John Davison,Liina Kinkar,Urmas Saarma,Jaana Abner,Epp Moks,Marju Keis,Ragne Oja,Peeter Anijalg,Jaanus Remm,Maris Hindrikson,Liivi Plumer,Leidi Laurimaa,Karmen Süld,Teivi Laurimäe

doi:10.3201/eid2101.140136

Abstract

Noninvasive detection of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm in urban area, Estonia.

Highlights

To the Editor: Alveolar echinococcosis, which is caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is an emerging disease in Europe that shows a high mortality rate [1]
Numbers of red foxes have increased in many countries in Europe in recent decades, and the E. multilocularis tapeworm has expanded its range
Because ≈30% of foxes are infected with the E. multilocularis tapeworm in natural habitats in Estonia [4], it is essential to monitor parasite spillover into urban areas, where it could become a serious public health risk

Summary

Introduction

To the Editor: Alveolar echinococcosis, which is caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is an emerging disease in Europe that shows a high mortality rate [1]. Because ≈30% of foxes are infected with the E. multilocularis tapeworm in natural habitats in Estonia [4], it is essential to monitor parasite spillover into urban areas, where it could become a serious public health risk. Immunologic [2] and genetic methods [5,6,7] are available for identifying Echinococcus spp. parasites, a sensitive molecular diagnostic method that detects tapeworms and identifies their host species from degraded fecal samples would be useful.

Results

Conclusion