Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) of the Italian Alpine region: is there a focus of autochthonous transmission?

摘要: Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus multilocularis, is a zoonosis with wider distribution area than described in past. Fox populations living Alpine regions Italy had been considered free from this parasite until 2002, when two infected foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were detected Bolzano province (Trentino Alto Adige region) near Austrian border. The aim work was to evaluate prevalence infection red fox five Italian regions. A modified nested PCR analysis used detect E. multilocularis DNA faecal samples. Amplicons confirmed sequencing. Of 500 samples shot Valle d'Aosta (n=57), Liguria (n=44), Lombardy (n=102), Veneto (n=56), and Trentino (n=241) regions, 24 animals, all region, found positive. Twenty-two positive animals originated Trento province. Several localities province, which detected, are same as those where alveolar echinococcosis humans second half 19th century, suggesting an old endemicity for investigated area, adjacent endemic areas Austria. Therefore, question arises if we observing increase expansion foci, or new records due more sensitive specific methods worm DNA.