Echinococcus multilocularis in Denmark 2012-2015: high local prevalence in red foxes

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Wildlife Epidemiology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) is a significant zoonotic parasite with a sylvatic lifecycle in Western Europe.
• Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are primary definitive hosts, and small mammals serve as intermediate hosts.
• Understanding the parasite's distribution in wildlife is crucial for public health surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis in Danish wildlife.
• To identify specific geographic hotspots of E. multilocularis infection in South Jutland.
• To assess the role of red foxes and raccoon dogs as definitive hosts in the region.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year surveillance study (2012-2015) examined 1345 red foxes and raccoon dogs for E. multilocularis.
• Rodents and insectivores (n=134) were examined for metacestode presence.
• E. multilocularis identification used sedimentation-counting techniques and 12S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

Main Results:

• Echinococcus multilocularis infection was confirmed in 19 red foxes and 2 raccoon dogs, exclusively from Højer and Grindsted areas in South Jutland.
• Annual prevalence in red foxes from Højer reached 28.5%, with infections detected consistently from 2012-2015.
• No metacestodes were found in examined insectivores and rodents, suggesting limited intermediate host involvement in these specific samples.

Conclusions:

• Echinococcus multilocularis is locally endemic in South Jutland, Denmark.
• Højer exhibits a high local prevalence of E. multilocularis in red fox populations.
• The findings highlight the importance of targeted surveillance in identified endemic areas.