Echinococcus multilocularis in a European beaver from Switzerland.
Infection with the larval stage of the cestode parasite Echinococcus multilocularis was diagnosed in a European beaver (Castor fiber) in central Switzerland. The animal was hit, run over by a car, and died of trauma. It was in normal body condition and no signs of disease were seen. At necropsy, multiple cystic structures up to 1 cm in diameter were found in the liver adjacent to the hilus. Within the parasite vesicles, multiple protoscolices were visible. The species was determined to be Echinococcus multilocularis by upon polymerase chain reaction and direct immunofluorescence with MAbG11-FITC. This is the first report of Echinococcus multilocularis in European beaver.
Janovsky
Martin
M
Center for Fish and Wildlife Health, Institute of Animal Pathology, Länggassstrasse 122, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland. m.janovsky@tirol.gv.at
Bacciarini
Luca
L
Sager
Heinz
H
Gröne
Andrea
A
Gottstein
Bruno
B
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000818:Animals; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology*; D013557:Switzerland