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International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife2023; 22; 80-83; doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.09.003

First report of infection with metacestode stages of Echinococcus multilocularis in a kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) from Slovakia.

Abstract: While the principle definitive host of the zoonotic cestode in Europe is the red fox, several rodent species act as main intermediate hosts. Among others, e.g., humans, dogs, and pigs, also horses have been described to act as aberrant hosts in highly endemic regions. Here, a case of an infection in a kulan () is described. The five years old kulan from a zoo in Slovakia was transported to an animal park in Germany. The animal had to be euthanized within a few weeks after the import due to its poor general state of health. The pathological examination revealed a nodular mass in the liver as an incidental finding. By histological examination of the mass, a pyogranulomatous and necrotizing inflammation and intralesional fragments of amorphous eosinophil layers were detected. The suspected diagnosis of infection was confirmed by PCR addressing parts of the genes 12S rRNA and the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, showing very high identities with isolates from France, Slovakia and the USA.
© 2023 The Authors.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-09 PubMed ID: 37736617PubMed Central: PMC10509565DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.09.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Research Overview

  • This study reports the first case of infection by the larval stage (metacestode) of the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis in a kulan, a wild equid species, from Slovakia.
  • The research describes pathological findings, molecular confirmation, and implications as kulans are considered aberrant hosts for this zoonotic parasite.

Background

  • Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm known to cause alveolar echinococcosis, a serious zoonotic disease affecting humans and some animals.
  • The parasite’s definitive host in Europe is primarily the red fox, where it completes its adult lifecycle in the intestines.
  • Intermediate hosts are usually small rodents, in which the larval stages develop in organs, mainly the liver.
  • Humans, dogs, pigs, and very rarely horses can act as aberrant hosts in highly endemic regions, meaning the parasite infects these species but does not usually complete its lifecycle within them.

Case Description

  • The infected animal was a 5-year-old kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) originally from a zoo in Slovakia.
  • This kulan was transported to an animal park in Germany but was euthanized soon after due to poor health.
  • During post-mortem examination, a nodular mass was found in the liver incidentally (meaning it was unexpected and not the primary cause of euthanasia).

Pathological Findings

  • Histological examination of the nodular mass showed:
    • Pyogranulomatous inflammation: A type of inflammation characterized by the presence of neutrophils (pus), macrophages, and lymphocytes.
    • Necrotizing inflammation: Tissue death in the affected area.
    • Presence of amorphous eosinophilic layers: These are typical of larval stages of Echinococcus spp. and indicate parasitic lesions.

Molecular Confirmation

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to confirm the parasite’s identity in the liver mass.
  • Gene targets included partial sequences of the 12S rRNA gene and the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (nad2) gene, both common markers for species identification in parasitology.
  • Sequencing results showed very high similarity to known Echinococcus multilocularis isolates from France, Slovakia, and the USA, confirming the parasite’s presence.

Significance and Implications

  • This is the first documented infection of E. multilocularis in a kulan, expanding the known potential host range.
  • Kulans are aberrant hosts, suggesting that while they can be infected, they are unlikely to contribute to parasite transmission cycles.
  • Finding the parasite in a kulan in Slovakia reflects the endemic presence of E. multilocularis in this region, with wider implications for animal health monitoring in zoos and wild populations.
  • The research underscores the importance of surveillance for zoonotic parasites in captive and wild equids to prevent potential health risks to animals and, indirectly, to humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Delling C, Helm C, Heinze P, Friedman M, Böttcher D. (2023). First report of infection with metacestode stages of Echinococcus multilocularis in a kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) from Slovakia. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl, 22, 80-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.09.003

Publication

International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife
ISSN: 2213-2244
NlmUniqueID: 101599824
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 22
Pages: 80-83

Researcher Affiliations

Delling, Cora
  • Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Helm, Christiane
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Heinze, Peggy
  • Tierpark Chemnitz, Nevoigtstraße 18, 09117, Chemnitz, Germany.
Friedman, Miroslava
  • Zoologická záhrada Košice, Ulica k Zoologickej záhrade 1, 040 01, Košice-Kavečany, Slovakia.
Böttcher, Denny
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, An den Tierkliniken 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

All authors concur with the submission and the material submitted is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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