title: [Detection of the eggs of Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863, in the feces of the fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) by the polymerase chain reaction].
abstract: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to the identification of eggs of Echinococcus multilocularis in faeces from foxes. The test was positive in three of six faeces samples from foxes which were harbouring adult worms, and in one of four samples from foxes in which no adult E. multilocularis was found in the intestines. These initial results show that it is possible to use PCR to identify E. multilocularis eggs in faeces. PCR can be used to complement examination of intestinal contents, showing that the distribution of eggs in faeces is uneven. The sensitivity of the test was estimated to be 50 eggs in 5 g of faeces. Further work is needed to confirm these initial results before the test can be used more widely.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de parasitologie, Faculté de Médecine, Créteil, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bretagne
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Guillou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Houin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D004247:DNA
vernacular_title: Détection des oeufs d'Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863 dans les fèces de renard (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) par amplification en chaîne par polymérase.