Ricerc@Sapienza

The European distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis has been reported to be expanding east and north,
whereas its southern limits are deemed stable. During a study on Echinococcus granulosus s.l. infections in wolves
and dogs in the Italian Maritime Alps, we unexpectedly detected the presence of E. multilocularis eggs in four
fecal samples from at least two shepherd dogs, and in five wolf fecal samples. This finding, in an area about
130 km south of the southernmost E. multilocularis report in the Alps, may suggest a rapid expansion southward.

Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the larval stages of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (Leuckart, 1863), is of increasing concern in the northern hemisphere. Most cases of alveolar echinococcosis (excluding Alaska) appear to be linked with European and Asian genotypes that highlight the need for a more precise delimiting of their actual distribution and tracing historical episodes of their translocations and introductions into new areas. We have herein summarized previous available research studies, which mentioned firstly described geographic M1/M2 variants of E.

Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of human alveolar echinococcosis, is an important emerging parasite in the northern hemisphere. In epidemiological studies, the highest attention is being paid to foxes as the main reservoir hosts responsible for geographic expansion from multiple focal populations and the invasion of urban habitats, but little information is available on the parasite distribution in other carnivores. Hence, the study was designed to obtain updated information about the occurrence and genetic diversity of E.