[Alveolar echinococcosis in a cynomolgus monkey]

Cysts of Echinococcus multilocularis were found in the massively enlarged liver of an 18 month old Crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) at post mortem examination. The infection was diagnosed by macroscopic inspection, histological examination and the shape of the hooks of the protoscolices. This is the first description of a fox tapeworm infection in an Old World monkey. The animal had lived in a recreational park situated in an E. multilocularis endemic region. The special epidemiology of this case is discussed.