1. Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) on Prince Edward Island, Canada.
- Author
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Robbins WT, Galeuzzi O, Graham K, Greenwood SJ, Jones MEB, Buote M, and Conboy GA
- Subjects
- Animals, Dogs, Foxes parasitology, Horses, Humans, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Swine, Dog Diseases, Echinococcosis epidemiology, Echinococcosis parasitology, Echinococcosis veterinary, Echinococcus multilocularis genetics, Horse Diseases, Swine Diseases
- Abstract
Objective: Molecular identification of small cestodes, morphologically consistent with Echinococcus multilocularis , recovered at necropsy from the gastrointestinal tract contents of a red fox, was accomplished by PCR using published species-specific n ad1 primers and methods., Animal: Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) ., Procedure: Small cestodes recovered from intestinal contents of a red fox trapped on Prince Edward Island in December 2020 (frozen at -20°C before being processed for parasite recovery in June 2021) were morphologically identified. Species identity confirmation and haplotyping of the cestodes were done via PCR and DNA sequencing of the n ad1, nad2 , and cob genes., Results: Small cestodes morphologically consistent with E. multilocularis were detected in the gastrointestinal tract contents of a red fox trapped near Montague, PEI. The species identity was confirmed via PCR. Haplotyping revealed that they were of the European E1 haplotype., Conclusion: In Canada, E. multilocularis has been reported as far east as Québec, with most reports being in central and western provinces and territories. This is the first report of E. multilocularis infection in a canid host east of Ontario, Canada and illustrates the need for regular wildlife disease surveillance to enhance our understanding of emerging pathogens of veterinary and medical importance., Clinical Relevance: Echinococcus multilocularis is a highly pathogenic zoonotic cestode from the family Taeniidae that can cause alveolar echinococcosis (AE) when rodents, dogs, horses, pigs, non-human primates, or humans ingest its eggs. Alveolar echinococcosis is challenging to treat, and survival rates for untreated individuals are low., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)
- Published
- 2022