Echinococcus multilocularis in musk rat (Ondatra zibethicus): The first finding of the parasite in naturally infected rodent in the Slovak Republic

Abstract

Infection with the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis was diagnosed in musk rat (Ondatra zibethicus) in the Slovak Republic. At necropsy, massively enlarged liver with numbers of abscess-like lesions up to 1.5 cm in diameter was found. Histological examination shoved the presence of typical multivesicular cysts with multiple protoscoleces and typical laminated layer. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis. According to our knowledge, this is the first documentation of Echinococcus multilocularis in naturally infected rodent in territory of the Slovak Republic.