Echinococcus multilocularis in European wolves (Canis lupus)

Nested PCR was used as a diagnostic tool to investigate the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm in protected species of carnivores in Slovakia. Twenty-three faecal samples from wolves, four samples from bears and three samples from lynx from the Muránska Planina mountains and eight samples from wolves from the Bukovské Vrchy mountains were examined. E. multilocularis DNA was detected in two samples of wolves' faeces from the Muránska Planina mountains and one sample from the Bukovské Vrchy mountains. Examination of bears' and lynx faecal samples gave negative results. The detection of E. multilocularis in wolves has extended the range of its known definitive hosts in Europe.     

Echinococcus multilocularis in a swamp beaver (Myocaster coypus)

Larval Echinococcus multilocularis was found in a nutria (Myocastor coypus) on a fur farm situated south of the Thuringian Forest near the border the Federal Republic of Germany. This finding is of epidemiological importance. Investigations of 67 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) originating from this area and the whole Erfurt Region (Thuringia) did not reveal the presence of adult E. multilocularis.     

Echinococcus multilocularis in two lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla)

An unusual presentation of alveolar echinococcosis was observed in two lowland gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla). Clinical signs included progressive abdominal enlargement, apathy and anorexia. Macroscopical changes consisted of severe peritonitis and foci of hepatic necrosis with large cavities replacing most of the normal tissue. Additionally, a few structures resembling hydatid cysts were present. Histologically, some necrotic areas contained fragments of a laminated wall characteristic of echinococcal metacestodes. Only a few areas showed the multiloculated architecture typical of Echinococcus multilocularis. Serum antibodies against E. multilocularis antigen were detected in both animals, and granulomatous and necrotizing hepatitis with severe peritonitis due to E. multilocularis was diagnosed. The pathological changes in alveolar echinococcosis in gorillas appear to resemble more closely those found in human beings than those in other non-human primates.     

Glycosphingolipids of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes

Neutral and acid glycosphingolipids of Echinococcus multilocularis metacestodes that were obtained after intraperitoneal infection of Meriones unguiculatus have been analyzed by thin layer chromatography. Neutral and acid glycosphingolipids accounted for 95% and 5% of total glycosphingolipids, respectively. 12 different fractions were observed in the neutral glycosphingolipids extracts of the parasite. The most important was a monohexosylceramide fraction accounting for 56.4% of neutral glycosphingolipids. 9 different fractions were detected in gangliosides (acid glycosphingolipids). The fact that these glycosphingolipids were specific to the parasite was established by the analysis of different cell populations of the host. Glycosphingolipids were purified from control and parasite-infected gerbil blood cells as well as from peritoneal exudate cells of healthy gerbils after a non-specific immunostimulation. The chromatograms obtained with these extracts were totally different from the parasite. In addition, parasitosis was found to have no effect on the host blood cell glycosphingolipids.     

First detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in Croatia

Parasitology Research - Echinococcus multilocularis has been spreading through Europe but has not yet been reported in Croatia. We report the results of a surveillance programme to detect E....     

Rasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen der Cysten von Echinococcus multilocularis

Zusammenfassung Es wird über morphologische Untersuchungen bei der experimentellen Echinokokkose berichtet. Nach i.p. Infektion von Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) mit Echinococcus multilocularis—Larven konnte die Entwicklung der Cysten in den inneren Organen der Versuchstiere rasterelektronenmikroskopisch in allen Einzelheiten beobachtet werden.

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Scanning electron microscope studies of Echinococcus multilocularis cysts

Summary In the present paper, morphologic studies on experimental echinococcosis are reported. Following i.p. infection of gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) with Echinococcus multilocularis scolices, the development of cysts within the internal organs of the experimental animals could be readily visualized by scanning electron microscopy.

     

Genetic typing of Echinococcus granulosus in Romania

In Romania, cystic echinococcosis is endemic and affects, besides humans, various animal species including sheep, cattle, and swine. As yet, no molecular-genetic typing has been carried out to clearly identify the putative strains being transmitted there. Parasite samples (protoscoleces or germinal layers) were collected from infected intermediate hosts and subsequently analyzed by comparing the PCR-amplified DNA sequences of three targets: one nuclear (BG1/3) and two mitochondrial (cox1 and nadI). Three strains were identified with the mitochondrial sequences: (i) the common sheep strain (G1) which circulates between sheep and cattle and is infective for humans, (ii) the Tasmanian sheep strain (G2) infecting sheep and cattle, and (iii) the pig strain (G7) predominantly found in swine. To our knowledge, this is the first report which demonstrates the occurrence of the Tasmanian sheep strain in cattle and the sympatric occurrence of these three strains (G1, G2, and G7) in Europe.     

Occurrence of Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Western Ukraine

Echinococcus multilocularis was found for the first time in red foxes in the L’vivska and Volynska regions (Western Ukraine). Prevalence was 36% and intensity was 11–731 parasites. The material was identified as E. multilocularis on morphological characters. It is presumed that this infection of foxes with E. multilocularis occurred locally and, probably, can be considered as a consequence of the expansion of the range of the parasite.     

Echinococcus multilocularis infection presenting clinically as cholangiocarcinoma

Cases of alveolar echinococcosis (liver cyst) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis are rare in the UK, but are increasing secondary to migration and travel. We report a case of alveolar echinococcosis that presented clinically as a cholangiocarcinoma. At histology, vesicles unusually contained protoscoleces, a feature more commonly seen in cases of Echinococcus granulosus. PCR confirmed the organism as E. multilocularis, avoiding misdiagnosis and subsequent mismanagement.     

Modified cellular immune responses in dogs infected with Echinococcus multilocularis

Parasite-specific antigen responses and lymphocyte blastogenesis in dogs orally inoculated with Echinococcus multilocuralis metacestodes were examined. Serum IgG1 (Th2-oriented) and IgG2 (Th 1-oriented) levels against somatic and excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of protoscoleces and adult worms increased from 7 days post-infection (DPI), with the highest responses against protoscolex excretory-secretory antigen (PES). Specific blastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) against the parasite antigens was not observed during the 21-day infection period, but Peyers patches cells from one out of two dogs at 21 DPI showed blastogenesis against PES (stimulation index: 4.65). Interestingly, only at 7 DPI were concanavalin A (ConA)-induce proliferative responses of PBMC reduced. Moreover, ConA-induced proliferative responses of lymphocytes from various origins were suppressed by the addition of parasite antigens, especially with PES. These data suggest that although both Th1- and Th2-oriented humoral immune responses were observed in E. multilocularis infected dogs, the parasite antigens, especially PES, may have incompletely suppressed lymphocyte responses in these dogs.     

Echinococcus multilocularis: antigenic variance between different parasite isolates

Dedicated to Prof. Dr. J. Eckert (Zürich) on occasion of his 60th anniversaries     

Immunoprophylaxis with BCG of experimental Echinococcus multilocularis infections.

Previous studies have demonstrated that prophylactic treatment with BCG protects cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) against experimental infections with Echinococcus multilocularis; this treatment can, however, induce granulomatous reactions. In an attempt to identify a minimum prophylactic dose of BCG which would not induce granulomas, cotton rats were treated intraperitoneally with various doses of BCG (10(1) to 10(7) colony-forming units [CFU]) and then inoculated intraperitoneally with one brood capsule of the parasite. Consistent and complete protection was obtained by the inoculation of as few as 10(3) CFU of BCG. A dose of 10(1) CFU gave no protection whatsoever, and 10(2) CFU gave only partial protection. Doses larger than 10(3) (10(5), 10(7) CFU) also afforded complete protection but gave rise to granulomatous lesions. At the time of the inoculation of the parasite, protection coincided with a general elevation of leukocytes, especially cells of the monocyte/macrophage series. It is proposed that these results support evidence for the macrophage being the principal potential effector cell in hydatid disease.