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Echinococcus multilocularis in a Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Turkey
Hamza Avcioglu1, Esin Guven1, Ibrahim Balkaya1
1Department of Parasitology,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Atatürk University,Erzurum,Turkey.
Parasitology
|February 8, 2018
Summary
Echinococcus multilocularis, a parasite causing alveolar echinococcosis, was found in a Eurasian lynx in Turkey. This marks the first detection of this zoonotic parasite in lynx within the region.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- Wildlife Health
Background:
- Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a significant zoonotic disease in Eurasia.
- Human AE is prevalent in Turkey's Erzurum region, yet the parasite's status in host animals remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis in wildlife hosts in the Erzurum region of Turkey.
- To identify the definitive host of E. multilocularis in this area.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and parasitological examination of a deceased Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx).
- Sedimentation and Counting Technique (SCT) for worm burden assessment.
- DNA isolation, species-specific PCR, and 12S rRNA gene sequencing for parasite identification.
Main Results:
- The Eurasian lynx harbored a moderate infection of 745 Echinococcus multilocularis worms.
- Molecular analysis confirmed the identity of the parasite as E. multilocularis.
- This is the first documented instance of E. multilocularis infection in a Eurasian lynx in Turkey.
Conclusions:
- Eurasian lynx can act as a definitive host for Echinococcus multilocularis in Turkey.
- This finding highlights the potential role of lynx in the parasite's life cycle and transmission in the region.
- Further surveillance of wildlife is recommended to understand the epidemiology of alveolar echinococcosis in Turkey.
