[Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes in Saxony-Anhalt: identification of areas of increased risk of infestation and association of the infestation probability with the average annual maximum temperature].
Between 1998 and 2004 1341 Red Foxes from 611 locations were examined parasitologically for Echinococcus multilocularis at the State Office of Consumer Protection Saxony-Anhalt. Examination was carried out in parallel to rabies monitoring. A period-prevalence of 9.2% of infestation was found. Employing a Scan Statistic a large area in the southwest of the federal state and two smaller areas of increased risk with respect to infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis were identified. The hypothesis of a negative association of the probability of infestation with the average annual maximum temperature of the location where the foxes were shot was supported by logistic regression analysis. A decreased probability of inactivation of Echinococcus multilocularis-oncospheres through heat and desiccation in areas of lower average annual maximum temperature seems to be likely.Thus, the infection pressure increases with reduced temperatures.
Denzin
Nicolai
N
Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz Sachsen-Anhalt, Fachbereich 4, Veterinärmedizin, Stendal. Nicolai.Denzin@sdl.lav.ms.lsa-net.de
Schliephake
Annette
A
Ewert
Benno
B
D000818:Animals; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D048210:Echinococcus multilocularis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D005858:Germany; D016015:Logistic Models; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013696:Temperature