Assessing individual patterns of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in urban coyotes: non-invasive genetic sampling as an epidemiological tool

摘要: Summary In epidemiological studies of wildlife parasites, faecal genotyping has been introduced to prevent bias in estimates parasite prevalence from samples collected the field. Such an approach could be particularly relevant study Echinococcus multilocularis transmission urban settings, where and patterns infection wild canid hosts are key parameters used zoonotic risk assessment management. However, no previous evaluated reliability E. multilocularis prevalence, individual definitive remain poorly understood. We as tool, using coyotes Canis latrans our system. Combining parasitological analysis multilocus coyote faeces, we compared with obtained genotyped samples. Furthermore, assessed infection, such re-infection rates phenology egg excretion. Of 425 faeces five sites, 142 (33·4%) corresponding 60 unique coyotes. Number per ranged between 1 10 (mean = 2·3). Genotypes were at 4–6 microsatellite loci had a mean 0·9975. Faecal was 25·0%, similar results previously non-genotyped faeces. Faecal allowed estimating rate 57·1% observe temporal that not detected faeces. Synthesis applications. If independent data through post-mortem examination, suggest reliable overall host populations can efficiently well-designed field collection traditional analysis. allows assessing dynamics infections, which otherwise only estimated by invasive techniques. parasitology great potential areas, well advancing ecology, disease ecology conservation.