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Transient Transduction of the Strobilated Forms of Echinococcus granulosus
Published on: September 16, 2022
Echinococcosis: an emerging or re-emerging zoonosis?
J Eckert1, F J Conraths, K Tackmann
1Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurer Strasse 266a, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland. eje@isi.ch
International Journal for Parasitology
|December 13, 2000
Summary
Echinococcosis, a serious parasitic infection, is spreading due to factors like increased fox populations and urban encroachment. International collaboration is crucial for countermeasures against alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE).
Area of Science:
- Zoonotic diseases
- Parasitology
- Public health
Background:
- Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe human infection caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, primarily hosted by foxes.
- Echinococcus multilocularis has expanded its geographical range in foxes across Europe, North America, and Asia.
- Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, remains a persistent and re-emerging global health issue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically discuss factors contributing to the persistence and emergence of human echinococcosis.
- To highlight the expanding distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis and its implications for public health.
- To review the current status and control challenges of both AE and CE.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and survey data on echinococcosis distribution and incidence.
- Analysis of ecological and epidemiological factors influencing parasite transmission.
- Discussion of potential future risks and control strategies.
Main Results:
- Echinococcus multilocularis is spreading in fox populations, with increased detection in central Europe and evidence of spread in North America and Japan.
- Factors such as rising fox populations, urbanization, and parasite spill-over to domestic animals increase human infection risk.
- Human CE continues to affect many countries, with notable increases in cases reported from Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, and China.
Conclusions:
- Internationally coordinated countermeasures are essential to manage the risks associated with AE.
- Increased prioritization of echinococcosis by health authorities and the use of modern control options, including vaccination, are needed to combat CE.
- Effective control requires a multi-faceted approach addressing parasite ecology, host-parasite interactions, and public health interventions.
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