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Echinococcus multilocuraris –first recorded case of Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) in Poland
 
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1
University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland
 
2
Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Pulawy, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Krzysztof Tomczuk   

University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 12, 20-033, Lublin, Poland
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2019;26(4):674-676
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Echinococcus multilocularis is a very dangerous zoonotic parasite threatening human health. The red fox is the main definitive host, and cats and dogs less commonly. Rats can be intermediate hosts.

Objective:
The aim of the study was to determine the parasitofauna of Norway rats and some cats and dogs living on a farm near a forest.

Material and Methods:
A parasitological section on 15 Norway rats was conducted. The internal organs were examined by means of macroscopic and microscopic methods. For molecular examination, a QIAmp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) was used.

Results:
Based on necropsy, parasitological and molecular examinations, of the 15 examined rats, 1 was found to have larvae of E. multilocularis, while 3 others had eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta, H. nana and Syphacia obvelata. The faeces of the pets did not contain any developmental forms of parasites.

Conclusions:
This is the first case of Echinococcus multilocularis infestation in a rat in Poland.

 
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