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Echinococcus multilocularis
1Bioscience Research Institute and School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, M5 4WT, UK. p.s.craig@salford.ac.uk
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|September 23, 2003
Summary
Human alveolar echinococcosis, a severe liver disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, is a growing concern in Europe. New diagnostic tools and potential treatments are being developed to combat this parasitic zoonosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Echinococcus multilocularis is a fox tapeworm causing human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a serious liver disease.
- AE is a rare but potentially fatal zoonotic infection, endemic in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Radical liver resection is the only current cure, highlighting the need for improved interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and transmission of Echinococcus multilocularis.
- To address the increasing prevalence and distribution of E. multilocularis in European red foxes.
- To explore emerging diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for human alveolar echinococcosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on E. multilocularis pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and transmission.
- Analysis of retrospective data on human AE cases in Europe.
- Evaluation of new diagnostic tools (immunodiagnosis, coproantigen/DNA detection) and therapeutic approaches (in-vitro culture, vaccine candidates).
Main Results:
- E. multilocularis prevalence in foxes is increasing in Europe, with significant human AE cases reported in France, Germany, Switzerland, China, and Japan.
- Improved immunodiagnosis and in-vitro culture techniques enhance diagnostic accuracy and drug screening.
- Novel copro-detection tools and landscape ecology models aid epidemiological and transmission studies.
Conclusions:
- Human AE may emerge as a significant zoonotic threat in Europe and Eurasia.
- Advancements in diagnostics and treatments are under investigation.
- Controlling E. multilocularis in wild hosts is challenging, but local transmission may be reduced through anthelminthic baits and domestic dog treatment.