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ECHINOCOCCUS MULTILOCULARIS IN NEW YORK WILDLIFE: DISTRIBUTION AND GENETIC DIVERSITY OF AN EMERGING PATHOGEN
The Journal of Parasitology
|December 19, 2024
Summary
A European variant of Echinococcus multilocularis is expanding in North America, with new detections in New York. This parasite poses a risk for alveolar echinococcosis in humans, necessitating active surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary parasitology
- Zoonotic disease epidemiology
- Molecular phylogenetics
Background:
- Echinococcus is a globally significant parasite genus.
- Two species, Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and Echinococcus multilocularis, are endemic to North America.
- Echinococcus multilocularis is causing an epidemiological shift in North America due to European variant introduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and genetic lineage of Echinococcus multilocularis in New York State.
- To assess the risk of zoonotic transmission and inform public health measures.
Main Methods:
- Parasite surveillance in definitive hosts in New York State (2019-2023).
- Phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial markers.
- Microsatellite genotyping (EmsB marker).
Main Results:
- Eight detections of Echinococcus multilocularis were found, with a sample prevalence of 8.3%.
- Phylogenetic analysis confirmed New York isolates belong to the European lineage, clustering with isolates from Slovakia and Poland.
- Multiple E. multilocularis genotypes were identified in New York, including one distinct from western North American isolates.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest one or more unique introductions of the European Echinococcus multilocularis variant into New York from Europe.
- The complex epidemiology in North America requires further surveillance to evaluate zoonotic transmission risks.
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