Emerging alveolar echinococcosis (AE) in humans and high prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes and raccoon dogs in Lithuania

Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm exploiting mainly wild animals with the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) being the crucial definitive host in Europe [ 1 ]. Dogs and raccoon dogs are also highly susceptible definitive hosts of E. multilocularis , while reproduction of this parasite is significantly lower in cats as shown by experimental infections [ 2 ]. Humans may get infected by uptake of eggs, and the tumor-like growth of the metacestode stage mainly in the liver may lead to a serious disease – alveolar echinococcosis (AE).