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.
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1 July 2002
Echinococcus multilocularis in a European Beaver from Switzerland
Martin Janovsky,
Luca Bacciarini,
Heinz Sager,
Andrea Gröne,
Bruno Gottstein

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
Vol. 38 • No. 3
July 2002
Vol. 38 • No. 3
July 2002
case report
Castor fiber
Echinococcus multilocularis
European beaver
liver
parasite
Switzerland