Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northern Belgium

Vervaeke, Muriel; Dorny, Pierre; Vercammen, Francis; Geerts, S.; Brandt, J.; Berge, Koen Van Den; Verhagen, Ron

doi:10.1016/s0304-4017(03)00212-7

Cited by 23 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Population densities of the various animals (mammalian and avian) that predate on M. glareolus are not well known, but – apart from population density increases of birds of prey species (Robinson and Sutherland, 2002), Population densities of Mustelidae (weasels) and foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) are on the rise since the 1980s in accordance with bank vole population fluctuations (Vervaeke et al, 2003). …”

Section: The Hantavirus Situation In Belgiummentioning

confidence: 99%

In Search for Factors that Drive Hantavirus Epidemics

Heyman¹,

Thoma²,

Marié³

et al. 2012

Front. Physio.

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In Europe, hantaviruses (Bunyaviridae) are small mammal-associated zoonotic and emerging pathogens that can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Puumala virus, the main etiological agent carried by the bank vole Myodes glareolus is responsible for a mild form of HFRS while Dobrava virus induces less frequent but more severe cases of HFRS. Since 2000 in Europe, more than 3000 cases of HFRS have been recorded, in average, each year, which is nearly double compared to the previous decade. In addition to this upside long-term trend, significant oscillations occur. Epidemic years appear, usually every 2–4 years, with an increased incidence, generally in localized hot spots. Moreover, the virus has been identified in new areas in the recent years. A great number of surveys have been carried out in order to assess the prevalence of the infection in the reservoir host and to identify links with different biotic and abiotic factors. The factors that drive the infections are related to the density and diversity of bank vole populations, prevalence of infection in the reservoir host, viral excretion in the environment, survival of the virus outside its host, and human behavior, which affect the main transmission virus route through inhalation of infected rodent excreta. At the scale of a rodent population, the prevalence of the infection increases with the age of the individuals but also other parameters, such as sex and genetic variability, interfere. The contamination of the environment may be correlated to the number of newly infected rodents, which heavily excrete the virus. The interactions between these different parameters add to the complexity of the situation and explain the absence of reliable tools to predict epidemics. In this review, the factors that drive the epidemics of hantaviruses in Middle Europe are discussed through a panorama of the epidemiological situation in Belgium, France, and Germany.

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Section: The Hantavirus Situation In Belgiummentioning

confidence: 99%

In Search for Factors that Drive Hantavirus Epidemics

Heyman¹,

Thoma²,

Marié³

et al. 2012

Front. Physio.

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show abstract

“…Although the confidence interval of sensitivity was generally not given in other studies, these figures were calculated and included in Table IV. Based on these calculations, the sensitivity of the method was almost identical with that of intestinal scraping technique (IST) (Table IV), which is frequently used in postmortem surveys (van der Giessen et al 1999, Losson et al 2003, Vervaeke et al 2003, Duscher et al 2006, Berke et al 2008, Staubach et al 2011. As the 95% CI of sensitivity of the majority of tests is wide, the differences of sensitivities are most likely not significant in most cases (Table IV).…”

Section: Depending On Prevalence Of Infectionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Evaluation of faecal flotation methods followed by species-specific PCR for detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in the definitive hosts

Széll

Sréter-Lancz

Sréter

2014

Acta Parasitologica

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Echinococcus multilocularis is one of the most pathogenic zoonotic parasites in the temperate and arctic region of the Northern Hemisphere. For estimating the potential risk of human infection in endemic areas, reliable antemortem methods are needed to detect the parasite in carnivore definitive hosts. The sensitivity of routine flotation techniques for detection of E. multilocularis eggs was found to be low (3-33%) depending on the flotation solution used (specific gravities = 1.3-1.4). An improved faecal flotation followed by a species-specific PCR is described with a sensitivity of 74% (95% CI = 62-84%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI = 94-100%). These parameters are similar to those of the intestinal scraping technique (sensitivity = 78%, specificity = 100%). The sensitivity of the improved flotation was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than that of routine flotation techniques. The costs of the method are similar or lower than those of other antemortem diagnostic methods. Based on these data, the method is suitable for surveys of domesticated and wild carnivores.

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“…Until now, Belgium was considered to be a low-risk country for this parasitic infection. However, autopsy studies have highlighted the high rate of infection among foxes living in southern Belgium (50%), contrasting with a much lower percentage (1.7%) observed in the northern part (7,8). Furthermore, since the first clinical case of AE was reported in southern Belgium in 2002 (9), three other case reports have been published in the same geographical area (10).…”

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confidence: 96%

Fatal Alveolar Echinococcosis of the Lumbar Spine

et al. 2013

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For the last 10 years, the southern part of Belgium has been recognized as a low-risk area of endemicity for alveolar echinococcosis. This infection, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, usually induces a severe liver condition and can sometimes spread to other organs. However, alveolar echinococcosis involving bones has been described only very rarely. Here, a fatal case of spondylodiscitis due to E. multilocularis contracted in southern Belgium is reported. CASE REPORTA 75-year-old man, a former legionnaire living in the southern part of Belgium, was referred to our institution because of deterioration in his condition despite several treatment attempts. His medical history included alcoholic liver cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus type II, and the presence of numerous nonevolutionary lung nodules, thought to be aftereffects of tuberculosis.The patient initially came for a hospital consultation because he had been suffering from a severe pain in the lower back for a few weeks. Laboratory investigations revealed pathological values for hemoglobin (12.4 g/dl; normal values [NV], 13.3 to 17.2 g/dl), platelet count (102 ϫ 10 9 /liter; NV, 150 ϫ 10 9 /liter to 450 ϫ 10 9 /liter), C-reactive protein (40 mg/liter; NV, Յ6 mg/liter), alkaline phosphatase (137 IU/liter; NV, 40 to 124 IU/liter), gammaglutamyl transferase (66 IU/liter; NV, 5 to 50 IU/liter), gamma globulins (34%; NV, 11.1 to 18.8%), and total IgE (2,005 IU/ml; NV, 0 to 105 IU/ml). The patient's eosinophil count was within the normal range. A radiological examination confirmed the presence of an osteitis and a paravertebral abscess in the L5 region. A transbronchial biopsy of the pulmonary nodules was performed using a thin needle, and a histological examination revealed numerous necrotic granulomatous lesions, suggestive of tubercles. Thin-needle biopsies of the lumbar lesions also demonstrated the presence of several necrotic granulomas on histological examination. Bacteriological cultures including a specific medium for the growth of mycobacteria (MB/BacT system; bioMérieux, France) were performed on the pulmonary and lumbar biopsy specimens but proved negative, as did direct examination for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). A PCR specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RealAccurate M. tuberculosis kit; Pathofinder, The Netherlands) was also performed on the lumbar biopsy specimens but was noninterpretable because of the presence of amplification inhibitors. In an attempt to confirm the suspected tuberculosis, chirurgical biopsies were performed on the L5 vertebrae and the paravertebral abscess. Histological examination again revealed the presence of granulomas, and all bacteriological cultures and microscopic examinations, including the detection of mycobacteria, remained negative. M. tuberculosis PCR performed on the biopsy specimens was negative (using the same method as used in the thin-needle biopsies).However, despite the lack of laboratory evidence, an antituberculosis treatment combining isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and moxifloxacin was i...

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Echinococcus multilocularis (Cestoda, Taeniidae) in Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in northern Belgium

Cited by 23 publications

References 8 publications

In Search for Factors that Drive Hantavirus Epidemics

In Search for Factors that Drive Hantavirus Epidemics

Evaluation of faecal flotation methods followed by species-specific PCR for detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in the definitive hosts

Fatal Alveolar Echinococcosis of the Lumbar Spine

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