The Tibetan hare Lepus oiostolus: a novel intermediate host for Echinococcus multilocularis

Parasitol Res. 2004 Mar;92(4):352-3. doi: 10.1007/s00436-003-1048-6. Epub 2004 Jan 14.

Abstract

Multicystic hydatids have been found in the livers of hares ( Lepus oiostolus) examined from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China. In this study, the causative species was definitively identified as Echinococcus multilocularis by mitochondrial DNA sequencing. This is the first confirmation of larval E. multilocularis from hares. The hydatids contained protoscolices, suggesting that the hare may contribute to the transmission of E. multilocularis on the Tibetan plateau.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Helminth / chemistry
  • DNA, Helminth / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / chemistry
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / isolation & purification
  • Echinococcosis / parasitology
  • Echinococcosis / pathology
  • Echinococcosis / transmission
  • Echinococcosis / veterinary*
  • Echinococcus / genetics*
  • Echinococcus / isolation & purification*
  • Hares / parasitology*
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Helminth
  • DNA, Mitochondrial