Molecular detection of Echinococcus multilocularis in faecal samples of wild carnivores from an endemic region of Türkiye

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in fresh faecal samples of wild carnivores from an endemic region of Türkiye and to molecularly confirm its presence. Fresh faecal samples were collected from 38 injured wild carnivores admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Kars province, Eastern Anatolia. Samples were processed using a sequential sieving and flotation technique and examined microscopically for taeniid-type eggs. Genomic DNA was extracted from faecal material and analysed by species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting E. multilocularis . Positive PCR products were sequenced and compared with reference sequences available in GenBank. Taeniid-type eggs were detected microscopically in 7.8% (3/38) of the faecal samples. Molecular analysis confirmed E. multilocularis DNA in 2.6% (1/38) of the samples, which originated from a red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ). Sequence analysis revealed 100% identity with previously reported E. multilocularis isolates deposited in GenBank. The present study provides molecular evidence for the presence of E. multilocularis in wild carnivores from Kars province, an endemic area for human alveolar echinococcosis in Türkiye. Although the detected prevalence was low, the confirmation of E. multilocularis in a definitive host indicates ongoing environmental contamination and a potential risk for human exposure. These findings highlight the value of molecular methods for reliable surveillance of E. multilocularis in wildlife populations.