Echinococcus multilocularis chez le renard et les carnivores domestiques: vers une nouvelle donne épidémiologique?

Franck Boué (1) , Benoît Combes (2) , Patrick Giraudoux (3) , Umhang Gérald (1)

1 LERPAS - Laboratoire de la rage et pathologie des animaux sauvages
2 ERZ - Entente Rage et Zoonoses
3 LCE - Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249)

Echinococcus multilocularis is a cestode responsible for a rare zoonosis, alveolar echinococcosis. The lifecycle of the parasite is based on the predator/prey relationship between definitive hosts (mainly foxes) and intermediate hosts (rodents in Europe), and on the survival of the free stage of the parasite (the oncosphere) in the environment. A geographical extension of the distribution range of the parasite has been reported in Europe, simultaneously with the increase of fox populations. Moreover Em prevalence in foxes has also increased in historically endemic areas. In France, studies show an extension of the parasite range to the west of the country with positive cases in the Manche and Calvados departments. The recent presence of foxes in urban areas makes the setting up of Echinococcus multilocularis in town possible. Nevertheless, Em prevalences observed in cities are very low compared to rural areas.

Domaines: Santé publique et épidémiologie; Santé

Franck Boué, Benoît Combes, Patrick Giraudoux, Umhang Gérald. Echinococcus multilocularis chez le renard et les carnivores domestiques: vers une nouvelle donne épidémiologique?. Bulletin épidémiologique, 2010, 38, pp.24-26. ⟨hal-00521575⟩