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Pilarczyk B, Tomza-Marciniak A, Pilarczyk R, Bąkowska M, Rząd I, Stapf A, Felska-Błaszczyk L, Tylkowska A, Seremak B. Echinococcus multilocularis and Other Intestinal Parasites of the Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes) from the Pomerania Region, Northern Poland. Pathogens 2024; 13:490. [PMID: 38921788 PMCID: PMC11207094 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13060490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the species composition of the intestinal parasite fauna of foxes from the Pomerania region, with a particular emphasis on helminth species considered dangerous to humans, and to determine their prevalence and intensity of infection. In total, 165 digestive systems from foxes inhabiting the Pomeranian region were examined. The prevalence of intestinal parasites among the studied foxes was 61.8%. Our findings confirm that foxes in Pomerania carry various parasites, some of which pose a direct threat to human health. As such, constant monitoring of their infestation is essential. Particular attention should be paid to parasite species with potential for transmission to humans, such as Echinococcus multilocularis, Alaria alata and Toxocara canis, whose respective prevalence was found to be 10.9%, 17.6% and 28.5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogumiła Pilarczyk
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland; (B.P.); (A.T.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland; (B.P.); (A.T.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Renata Pilarczyk
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Bąkowska
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland; (B.P.); (A.T.-M.); (B.S.)
| | - Izabella Rząd
- Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Centre, Faculty of Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Agata Stapf
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Physical Culture in Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poznan University of Physical Education, Estkowskiego 13, 66-400 Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland;
| | - Lidia Felska-Błaszczyk
- Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 33, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Tylkowska
- Department of Animal Environment Biology, Faculty of Animal Breeding, Bioengineering and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Beata Seremak
- Department of Animal Reproduction Biotechnology and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Biotechnology and Animal Husbandry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland; (B.P.); (A.T.-M.); (B.S.)
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Kwiedor I, Kratzer W, Schlingeloff P, Schmidberger J. [Spread and Development of Alveolar Echinococcosis in Germany, 1992-2018]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 85:258-265. [PMID: 34872118 PMCID: PMC11248785 DOI: 10.1055/a-1670-7485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
GOAL OF THE STUDY Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a rare parasitosis caused by the pathogen Echinococcus multilocularis. There is an increase in the number of cases in many countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the current prevalence and the change in the geographical distribution pattern. METHODOLOGY Data were collected retrospectively for the period 1992-2018 using the registered cases in the national disease register for AE in Germany. Statistical analysis was performed using the SAS statistical analysis system version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, N.C., USA). RESULTS The study population of n=569 patients included n=322 (56,59%) women and n=247 (43,40%) men. The mean average age of patients with alveolar echinococcosis at first presentation was 53,90±17,54 years (median: 56,00 years). The Moran's I test statistic showed a positive spatial autocorrelation for the period 1992-2018 corresponding to a heterogeneous distribution of disease cases in Germany (I=0,4165; Z=10,9591, p=0,001). An increase in age- and sex-specific prevalence could be determined for the entire study period (1992-2018). The overall prevalence in the period 1992-2018 was 0,71 cases per 100,000 population. The determination of the prevalence for the period 1992-2018 resulted in 0,31 cases for men and 0,40 cases for women per 100,000 population. In the period 1992-1996, no AE cases had been registered in 11/16 (68,8%) federal states (Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein und Thüringen). The evaluation recently shows an increased occurrence of cases in the federal states of Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz and Nordrhein-Westfalen. CONCLUSIONS The analysis shows a rise in prevalence and an increasing number of cases outside the classic endemic areas of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Kwiedor
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Ulm,
Ulm, Deutschland
| | - Wolfgang Kratzer
- Klinik für Innere Medizin I, Universitätsklinikum Ulm,
Ulm, Deutschland
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Herzig M, Maksimov P, Staubach C, Romig T, Knapp J, Gottstein B, Conraths FJ. Red foxes harbor two genetically distinct, spatially separated Echinococcus multilocularis clusters in Brandenburg, Germany. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:535. [PMID: 34649615 PMCID: PMC8518320 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05038-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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 ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05038-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Herzig
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Pavlo Maksimov
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Christoph Staubach
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Romig
- Universität Hohenheim, Institut Für Biologie, Fachgebiet Parasitologie, Emil-Wolff-Straße 34, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jenny Knapp
- UMR CNRS 6249 Laboratoire Chrono-Environnement, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 Route de Gray, 25030, Besançon, France.,Department of Parasitology-Mycology, National Reference Centre for Echinococcoses, University Hospital of Besançon, 25030, Besançon, France
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Berne, 3001, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Franz J Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Emerging human alveolar echinococcosis in Hungary (2003-2018): a retrospective case series analysis from a multi-centre study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:168. [PMID: 33568075 PMCID: PMC7877032 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-05859-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis is an underreported, often misdiagnosed and mistreated parasitic disease mainly due to its low incidence. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human AE patients in Hungary for the first time. Method Between 2003 and 2018, epidemiological and clinical data of suspected AE patients were collected retrospectively from health database management systems. Results This case series included a total of 16 AE patients. The mean age of patients was 53 years (range: 24–78 years). The sex ratio was 1:1. Four patients (25%) revealed no recurrence after radical surgery and adjuvant albendazole (ABZ) therapy. For five patients (31.3%) with unresectable lesions, a stabilization of lesions with ABZ treatment was achieved. In seven patients (43.8%), progression of AE was documented. The mean diagnostic delay was 33 months (range: 1–122 months). Three AE related deaths (fatality rate 18.8%) were recorded. Conclusions AE is an emerging infectious disease in Hungary with a high fatality rate since based on our results, almost every fifth AE patient died in the study period. Differential diagnosis and appropriate surgical and medical therapy for AE is an urging challenge for clinicians in Hungary, as well as in some other European countries where E. multilocularis is prevalent.
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Karamon J, Dąbrowska J, Kochanowski M, Samorek-Pieróg M, Sroka J, Różycki M, Bilska-Zając E, Zdybel J, Cencek T. Prevalence of intestinal helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Europe (Poland): a significant zoonotic threat. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:436. [PMID: 30055657 PMCID: PMC6064108 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3021-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is widely distributed in the world; in central Europe, it is the most numerous wild species of the family Canidae. It can play the role of a definitive host for many intestinal parasites, including zoonotic helminths. Poland, with its geographical location (central Europe), is an interesting area for parasitological investigations of this species. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of intestinal helminths in red foxes in different regions of Poland. METHODS Intestines of 473 red foxes from four different regions were examined using the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). In addition, 344 samples of faeces were examined using flotation. RESULTS Overall, intestinal helminths were found in 98.9% of red foxes. The average prevalence of detected parasites was as follows: Mesocestoides spp. (84.1%); hookworms (67.9%); Alaria alata (61.5%); Toxocara/Toxascaris (49.5%); Taenia spp. (42.5%); Echinococcus multilocularis (25.6%); and Trichuris vulpis (2.3%). The prevalence of the majority of parasite species was similar in each region. Significant differences between regions were observed in the case of E. multilocularis: a low prevalence in the south-western and northern regions (0% and 0.9%, respectively) and a high prevalence in the south-east and northeast (39.3% and 42.7%, respectively). In the case of A. alata, important differences were found between northern (96.5% and 93.7% in northern and northeast regions, respectively) and southern regions (15.2% and 24.7% for south-western and south-east regions, respectively). The percentage of positive samples obtained with coproscopic examination (except for Trichuris) was significantly lower than that obtained with SCT. Analysis of the prevalence estimated in individual regions with the use of both methods (flotation and SCT) showed a high correlation for all parasite species (except for Mesocestoides spp.). The flotation method also allowed us to detect the eggs of the lung nematode Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) (76.2% of positive foxes). CONCLUSIONS This study showed a very high percentage of red foxes infected with intestinal helminths in different parts of Poland. Depending on the location, some differences were observed regarding the prevalence of dangerous zoonotic parasites, which should be considered in the assessment of infection risk for humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Karamon
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland.
| | - Joanna Dąbrowska
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Maciej Kochanowski
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | | | - Jacek Sroka
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Mirosław Różycki
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Jolanta Zdybel
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- National Veterinary Research Institute, al. Partyzantow 57, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland
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Petersen HH, Al-Sabi MNS, Enemark HL, Kapel CMO, Jørgensen JA, Chriél M. Echinococcus multilocularis in Denmark 2012-2015: high local prevalence in red foxes. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2577-2584. [PMID: 29858941 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5947-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In Western Europe, the Echinococcus multilocularis lifecycle is predominantly sylvatic, typically involving red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) as the main definitive hosts with Microtus spp. and Arvicola spp. as intermediate hosts. During a 4-year surveillance study (2012-2015), Danish red foxes and raccoon dogs (n = 1345) were examined for E. multilocularis. Moreover, 134 insectivores and rodents collected in South Jutland during spring and summer 2016 were examined for the presence of metacestodes. The sedimentation and counting technique and molecular typing were used to identify E. multilocularis infections in the carnivores, while the rodent livers were examined macro- and microscopically for parasite lesions. Following morphological identification of E. multilocularis adult worms, the identity was verified by sequence analysis of the 12S rRNA gene in most cases (n = 13). Echinococcus multilocularis infection was demonstrated in 19 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) originating from only two specific areas of South Jutland, namely Højer and Grindsted, and in two raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), originating from Højer. In Højer, 28.5% (CI 95% 11.7-45.3) of the examined red foxes were E. multilocularis positive per year. Moreover, positive red foxes were identified each year from 2012 to 2015, while E. multilocularis positive red foxes were only identified in Grindsted in 2013 (4.0%) and 2014 (6.4%). In contrast, all collected rodents were negative for E. multilocularis. We conclude that E. multilocularis is locally endemic in South Jutland with a high local prevalence in Højer.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Petersen
- Section for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - M N S Al-Sabi
- Section for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Queen Alia Airport St. 594, P.O. Box 130, 11733, Amman, Jordan
| | - H L Enemark
- Section for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Department of Animal Health and Food Safety, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750, Sentrum, 0106, Oslo, Norway
| | - C M O Kapel
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Section for Organismal Biology, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - J A Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Section for Organismal Biology, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - M Chriél
- Section for Diagnostics and Scientific Advice, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, DK-2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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Lempp C, Jungwirth N, Grilo ML, Reckendorf A, Ulrich A, van Neer A, Bodewes R, Pfankuche VM, Bauer C, Osterhaus ADME, Baumgärtner W, Siebert U. Pathological findings in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), stone marten (Martes foina) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), with special emphasis on infectious and zoonotic agents in Northern Germany. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175469. [PMID: 28399176 PMCID: PMC5388480 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic landscape changes contributed to the reduction of availability of habitats to wild animals. Hence, the presence of wild terrestrial carnivores in urban and peri-urban sites has increased considerably over the years implying an increased risk of interspecies spillover of infectious diseases and the transmission of zoonoses. The present study provides a detailed characterisation of the health status of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), stone marten (Martes foina) and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in their natural rural and peri-urban habitats in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany between November 2013 and January 2016 with focus on zoonoses and infectious diseases that are potentially threatening to other wildlife or domestic animal species. 79 red foxes, 17 stone martens and 10 raccoon dogs were collected from traps or hunts. In order to detect morphological changes and potential infectious diseases, necropsy and pathohistological work-up was performed. Additionally, in selected animals immunohistochemistry (influenza A virus, parvovirus, feline leukemia virus, Borna disease virus, tick-borne encephalitis, canine adenovirus, Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii and Listeria monocytogenes), next-generation sequencing, polymerase chain reaction (fox circovirus) and serum-neutralisation analysis (canine distemper virus) were performed. Furthermore, all animals were screened for fox rabies virus (immunofluorescence), canine distemper virus (immunohistochemistry) and Aujeszky's disease (virus cultivation). The most important findings included encephalitis (n = 16) and pneumonia (n = 20). None of the investigations revealed a specific cause for the observed morphological alterations except for one animal with an elevated serum titer of 1:160 for canine distemper. Animals displayed macroscopically and/or histopathologically detectable infections with parasites, including Taenia sp., Toxocara sp. and Alaria alata. In summary, wildlife predators carry zoonotic parasitic disease and suffer from inflammatory diseases of yet unknown etiology, possibly bearing infectious potential for other animal species and humans. This study highlights the value of monitoring terrestrial wildlife following the "One Health" notion, to estimate the incidence and the possible spread of zoonotic pathogens and to avoid animal to animal spillover as well as transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lempp
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Nicole Jungwirth
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Miguel L. Grilo
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Anja Reckendorf
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Arlena Ulrich
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Abbo van Neer
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
| | - Rogier Bodewes
- Department of Viroscience, The Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vanessa M. Pfankuche
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christian Bauer
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
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Krücken J, Blümke J, Maaz D, Demeler J, Ramünke S, Antolová D, Schaper R, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. Small rodents as paratenic or intermediate hosts of carnivore parasites in Berlin, Germany. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172829. [PMID: 28278269 PMCID: PMC5344343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodents are important intermediate and paratenic hosts for carnivore parasites, including the important zoonotic agents Toxoplasma, Echinococcus and Toxocara. Monitoring of such parasites in rodents can be used to detect increasing risks for human and veterinary public health. Rodents were trapped at four sites in Berlin, two near the city center, two at the periphery. PCRs were conducted to detect Coccidia (target ITS-1) and specifically Toxoplasma gondii (repetitive element) in brain and ascarids (ITS-2) in muscle or brain tissue. During necropsies, metacestodes were collected and identified using ITS-2 and 12S rRNA PCRs. An ELISA to detect antibodies against Toxocara canis ES antigens was performed. Within the 257 examined rodents, the most frequently observed parasite was Frenkelia glareoli predominantly found in Myodes glareolus. T. gondii was only detected in 12 rodents and Microtus spp. (although strongly underrepresented) had a significantly increased chance of being positive. Neither Echinococcus nor typical Taenia parasites of dogs and cats were found but Mesocestoides litteratus and Taenia martis metacestodes were identified which can cause severe peritoneal or ocular cysticercosis in dogs, primates and humans. Using PCR, the ascarids T. canis (n = 8), Toxocara cati (4) and Parascaris sp. (1) were detected predominantly in muscles. Seroprevalence of T. canis was 14.2% and ELISA was thus more sensitive than PCR to detect infection with this parasite. Non-parametric multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis revealed that parasite communities could be grouped into an urban and a peri-urban cluster with high frequency of ascarid-positive rodents in urban and high frequency of F. glareoli in peri-urban sites. Prevalence rates of parasites in rodents with potential impact for human or veterinary public health are considerable and the monitoring of transmission cycles of carnivore parasites in intermediate rodent hosts is recommended to estimate the health risks arising from wild and domesticated carnivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Blümke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Denny Maaz
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina Demeler
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabrina Ramünke
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Antolová
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovak Republic
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Oksanen A, Siles-Lucas M, Karamon J, Possenti A, Conraths FJ, Romig T, Wysocki P, Mannocci A, Mipatrini D, La Torre G, Boufana B, Casulli A. The geographical distribution and prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in animals in the European Union and adjacent countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:519. [PMID: 27682156 PMCID: PMC5039905 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1746-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to provide a systematic review on the geographical distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis in definitive and intermediate hosts in the European Union (EU) and adjacent countries (AC). The relative importance of the different host species in the life-cycle of this parasite was highlighted and gaps in our knowledge regarding these hosts were identified. METHODS Six databases were searched for primary research studies published from 1900 to 2015. From a total of 2,805 identified scientific papers, 244 publications were used for meta-analyses. RESULTS Studies in 21 countries reported the presence of E. multilocularis in red foxes, with the following pooled prevalence (PP): low (≤ 1 %; Denmark, Slovenia and Sweden); medium (> 1 % to < 10 %; Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and the Ukraine); and high (> 10 %; Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). Studies from Finland, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Norway reported the absence of E. multilocularis in red foxes. However, E. multilocularis was detected in Arctic foxes from the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in Norway. CONCLUSIONS Raccoon dogs (PP 2.2 %), golden jackals (PP 4.7 %) and wolves (PP 1.4 %) showed a higher E. multilocularis PP than dogs (PP 0.3 %) and cats (PP 0.5 %). High E. multilocularis PP in raccoon dogs and golden jackals correlated with high PP in foxes. For intermediate hosts (IHs), muskrats (PP 4.2 %) and arvicolids (PP 6.0 %) showed similar E. multilocularis PP as sylvatic definitive hosts (DHs), excluding foxes. Nutrias (PP 1.0 %) and murids (PP 1.1 %) could play a role in the life-cycle of E. multilocularis in areas with medium to high PP in red foxes. In areas with low PP in foxes, no other DH was found infected with E. multilocularis. When fox E. multilocularis PP was >3 %, raccoon dogs and golden jackals could play a similar role as foxes. In areas with high E. multilocularis fox PP, the wolf emerged as a potentially important DH. Dogs and cats could be irrelevant in the life-cycle of the parasite in Europe, although dogs could be important for parasite introduction into non-endemic areas. Muskrats and arvicolids are important IHs. Swine, insectivores, murids and nutrias seem to play a minor or no role in the life-cycle of the parasite within the EU and ACs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Oksanen
- Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira (FINPAR), Elektroniikkatie 3, FI-90590 Oulu, Finland
| | - Mar Siles-Lucas
- Department of Parasitic Zoonoses, IRNASA, CSIC, Cordel de Merinas, 40-52, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 57 Partyzantów Avenue, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Alessia Possenti
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- European Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP), Rome, Italy
| | - Franz J. Conraths
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Thomas Romig
- Universität Hohenheim, FG Parasitologie 220 B, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Patrick Wysocki
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Südufer 10, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Alice Mannocci
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza University of Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Mipatrini
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza University of Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe La Torre
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, Sapienza University of Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Belgees Boufana
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- European Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP), Rome, Italy
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology, Detection and Control of Cystic and Alveolar echinococcosis (in humans and animals), Rome, Italy
| | - Adriano Casulli
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
- European Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP), Rome, Italy
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Epidemiology, Detection and Control of Cystic and Alveolar echinococcosis (in humans and animals), Rome, Italy
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Retrospective analyses of fox feces by real-time PCR to identify new endemic areas of Echinococcus multilocularis in France. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4437-4441. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5220-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Conraths FJ, Deplazes P. Echinococcus multilocularis: Epidemiology, surveillance and state-of-the-art diagnostics from a veterinary public health perspective. Vet Parasitol 2015; 213:149-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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Umhang G, Knapp J, Hormaz V, Raoul F, Boué F. Using the genetics of Echinococcus multilocularis to trace the history of expansion from an endemic area. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2014; 22:142-9. [PMID: 24468327 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, is the most serious parasitic disease for humans in Europe, with a sylvatic life cycle generally between small rodents and red foxes. General expansion of the range of E. multilocularis has been observed across Europe over the last 15years. In France, a westward spread of the known endemic areas of the parasite was described recently. For genotyping, the microsatellite EmsB was used to trace expansion in five French areas. A total of 22 EmsB profiles were identified, with five similar to those previously described in other parts of Europe. An imbalance of genetic diversity was observed between the five areas which also revealed their interconnection with the presence of common profiles, notably the two main profiles both present in all regions except one in the North. These two findings are similar to those described at the European level, highlighting transmission of the parasite by a mainland-island system. A spatio-temporal scenario of the expansion of E. multilocularis can be proposed with spread from the French historical focus in eastern France to the Lorraine, the Champagne-Ardenne and finally the North, while simultaneously another expansion has occurred from the historical focus into the West. The colonization by the parasite into the West and North areas from the historical focus was probably due to the migration of foxes several decades ago. Recent detection of the parasite in new endemic "départements" may be due to more active research rather than a recent spread of the parasite. Regarding the numerous data obtained by the different EmsB analyses, principally across Europe, centralization of all the profiles described in a public databank appears necessary in order to obtain a precise understanding of transmission of the parasite from one country to another.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Umhang
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Wildlife Eco-epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, 54220 Malzéville, France.
| | - J Knapp
- Chrono-environment Laboratory, UMR UFC/CNRS 6249 usc INRA, University of Franche-Comte, Place Leclerc, 25030 Besancon Cedex, France
| | - V Hormaz
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Wildlife Eco-epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, 54220 Malzéville, France
| | - F Raoul
- Chrono-environment Laboratory, UMR UFC/CNRS 6249 usc INRA, University of Franche-Comte, Place Leclerc, 25030 Besancon Cedex, France
| | - F Boué
- ANSES, Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, National Reference Laboratory for Echinococcus spp., Wildlife Eco-epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, 54220 Malzéville, France
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The prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in Poland--current results (2009-2013). Parasitol Res 2013; 113:317-22. [PMID: 24221887 PMCID: PMC3898514 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-013-3657-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Poland. Overall, 1,546 intestinal samples from 15 of the 16 provinces in Poland were examined by the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT). The mean prevalence of E. multilocularis in Poland was 16.5% and was found in 14 of the 15 examined provinces. The mean intensity of infection was 2,807 tapeworms per intestine. Distinct differences in prevalence were observed between regions. In some provinces of eastern and southern Poland, the level of prevalence was 50.0% (Warmińsko-Mazurskie), 47.2% (Podkarpackie), 30.4% (Podlaskie) and 28.6% (Małopolskie), while in other provinces (west and south-west), only a few percent was found: 2.0% (Dolnośląskie), 2.5% (Wielkopolskie) and 0.0% (in Opolskie). The border between areas with higher and lower prevalence seems to coincide with a north-south line running through the middle of Poland, with prevalence from 17.5 to 50.0% in the eastern half and from 0.0 to 11.8% in the western half. The dynamic situation observed in the prevalence of this tapeworm indicated the necessity of continuing to monitor the situation concerning E. multilocularis in red foxes in Poland.
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