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Echinococcus multilocularis infection in horses in Poland
Krzysztof Tomczuk1, Jörg Hirzmann2, Kernt Köhler3
1Sub-Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Veterinary Faculty, University of Life Sciences, 20-950 Lublin, Poland.
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional Studies and Reports
|December 14, 2020
Summary
This study investigated Echinococcus multilocularis infection in Polish slaughter horses. Alveolar echinococcosis was detected in 4.7–14.8% of horses, highlighting their role as sentinel animals for environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
- One Health
Background:
- Poland has a high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes.
- Data on Echinococcus multilocularis infection in Polish horses is lacking.
- Horses can be exposed to Echinococcus multilocularis eggs in the environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in slaughter horses from Poland.
- To assess the potential of horses as sentinel animals for Echinococcus multilocularis environmental contamination.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 365 horse livers from central, eastern, and southern Poland.
- Morphological examination of liver lesions for characteristic Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes.
- Molecular detection of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA using nested PCR in hepatic lesions.
Main Results:
- Nodular lesions suggestive of Echinococcus multilocularis infection were found in 54 of 365 (14.8%) examined livers.
- Histopathology revealed granulomatous inflammation and characteristic metacestode structures.
- Echinococcus multilocularis DNA was detected in 6 of 19 (31.6%) lesions analyzed by PCR.
- Estimated overall prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis ranged from 4.7% to 14.8%.
Conclusions:
- Horses in Poland are infected with Echinococcus multilocularis.
- The prevalence of alveolar echinococcosis in the studied horse population is significant.
- Horses can serve as valuable sentinel animals for monitoring environmental Echinococcus multilocularis contamination.
