Infestation of water voles (Arvicola terrestris) with metacestodes of Echinococcus multilocularis in the canton Freiburg (Switzerland)
Schmitt, M.; Saucy, F.; Wyborn, S.; Gottstein, B.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 139(2): 84-93
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 9381111 Document Number: 472811
The results of an investigation on Echinococcus multilocularis-metacestodes in European water voles (Arvicola terrestris) are shown. The investigation materials were 28 water voles captured in Schermann-traps on a meadow in the canton of Fribourg and subsequently maintained in laboratory cages. The animals were patho-anatomically and histo-pathologically examined, a part of them additionally with an E. multilocularis-specific direct immunofluorescence-assay and/or a polymerase-chain-reaction. Radiographs were obtained from one animal, showing typical calcifications as they often occur with alveolar echinococcosis. Alltogether 11 out of 28 (39%) animals proved to be infected with E. multilocularis. As far as we know this represents the highest percentage of infestated intermediate hosts ascertained in Europe. However, fertile, i.e. able to infect, protoscolices were detected in only two cases. In spite of this small number of protoscolices it can be shown that A. terrestris is able to maintain the lifecicle of this cestode at least spatially and temporally limited. In conclusion the possible measures for reducing the infection risk of the people in the affected community are shortly discussed.