Prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Belgium

Losson, Bertrand; Kervyn, Thierry; Detry, J.; Pastoret, Paul-Pierre; Mignon, Bernard; Brochier, Bernard

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2003.08.003

Cited by 35 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…data). This figure is very close to the results of a previous survey (Losson et al, 2003), which indicated a global prevalence of 20.2% in Wallonia (southern Belgium) and 33.1% in the Ardenne area. Taking into account that the red fox is very common in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe and that other carnivores such as the dog and the cat play a minor role in Europe in the maintenance of the life cycle (Delattre et al, 1985), one can postulate that the musk rat is probably infected through the consumption of plant material contaminated by the fox' feces.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The carriage of E. multilocularis by the musk rat varied along the Ourthe River, the upper part of the basin having a significantly higher prevalence than the lower part. The spring of the Ourthe River is located in the Ardenne area, which together with the Belgian Lorraine, is a highly endemic region for E. multilocularis (Losson et al, 2003;Hanosset et al, 2004). The geoclimatic conditions prevailing in these two areas are suitable for the maintenance of the E. multilocularis life cycle (Hanosset et al, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some areas of Belgium, prevalence of E. multilocularis in its final host can be very high (up to 33%; Losson et al, 2003), but the potential intermediate hosts are not well known (Hanosset et al, 2008). The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of the larval form of E. multilocularis in a musk rat population trapped along the Ourthe River and its tributaries (eastern Belgium).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Carriage of Larval Echinococcus Multilocularis and Other Cestodes by the Musk Rat (Ondatra Zibethicus) Along the Ourthe River and Its Tributaries (Belgium)

Mathy

Hanosset

Adant³

et al. 2009

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:In Belgium, the carriage of Echinococcus multilocularis by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) can be very high in some areas. This study was designed to evaluate the carriage of the larval form of E. multilocularis and other cestodes in a musk rat (Ondatra zibethicus) population trapped along the Ourthe River (southeastern Belgium). Six hundred fifty-seven musk rats were necropsied, and the larval cestodes of the abdominal and pleural cavities were identified. For E. multilocularis, the fertility of the cysts was verified in 58 liver samples. The following species were found: Taenia taeniaeformis (65.8%), Taenia martis (22.2%), E. multilocularis (22.1%), Taenia polyacantha (2.6%), and Taenia crassiceps (0.9%). Results were analyzed according to the site of capture (upper, middle, and lower Ourthe). There was a highly significant relationship between the carriage of E. multilocularis and the site of capture (the prevalence being higher in the upper part of the river). This difference could be due to different geoclimatic conditions. All but one hepatic lesion were found to contain protoscoleces of E. multilocularis (98.8%). The musk rat is probably infected through the consumption of plant material contaminated by the fox's feces. The red fox can occasionally prey on musk rats, but the musk rat cadavers that are left on the river banks by the trappers are probably also consumed. This could favor the maintenance of E. multilocularis life cycle. In conclusion, the musk rat seems to be highly susceptible to E. multilocularis and in Belgium could play the role of reservoir; when present this species could represent an inexpensive and sensitive bioindicator for the study and monitoring of the zoonosis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Carriage of Larval Echinococcus Multilocularis and Other Cestodes by the Musk Rat (Ondatra Zibethicus) Along the Ourthe River and Its Tributaries (Belgium)

Mathy

Hanosset

Adant³

et al. 2009

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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“…En Belgique, des études récentes indiquent clairement que la prévalence du parasitisme chez le renard roux décroît d'Est en Ouest en fonction du relief et des conditions climatiques (pluviométrie, températures moyennes). En Ardenne, la préva-lence avoisine les 50 % alors qu'elle ne dépasse pas 1 % dans les Flandres (LOSSON et al, 2003.,). L'épidémiologie de l'échinococcose multiloculaire fait intervenir des facteurs liés aux différents chaînons du cycle biologique.…”

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Épidémiologie de l'échinococcose multiloculaire en Europe

Losson¹,

Hanosset²

2004

bavf

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Echinococcus multilocularis utilise essentiellement, en Europe, un cycle sylvatique reposant sur des carnivores sauvages (surtout le renard roux, Vulpes vulpes) qui jouent le rôle d’hôtes définitifs et sur des petits mammifères (essentiellement des Arvicolidae et Cricetidae) qui sont les hôtes intermédiaires. Le chien et le chat peuvent être impliqués dans un cycle synanthropique. De nombreuses études suggèrent que, dans la plupart des régions d’endémie, le cycle sylvatique représente la principale source de contamination pour l’homme et les autres hôtes aberrants. La distribution géographique de cette parasitose semble beaucoup plus étendue que celle initialement décrite il y a deux ou trois décennies. La dynamique de transmission est influencée par de nombreux facteurs qui sont décrits dans la présente communication. En particulier, la forte augmentation des populations vulpines en régions périurbaine et urbaine doit retenir l’attention des pouvoirs publics.

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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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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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Prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Belgium

Cited by 35 publications

References 4 publications

The Carriage of Larval Echinococcus Multilocularis and Other Cestodes by the Musk Rat (Ondatra Zibethicus) Along the Ourthe River and Its Tributaries (Belgium)

The Carriage of Larval Echinococcus Multilocularis and Other Cestodes by the Musk Rat (Ondatra Zibethicus) Along the Ourthe River and Its Tributaries (Belgium)

Épidémiologie de l'échinococcose multiloculaire en Europe

Fatal Alveolar Echinococcosis of the Lumbar Spine

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