Echinococcus multilocularis in Svalbard, Norway
Author Information
Author(s): Fuglei Eva, Stien Audun, Yoccoz Nigel G., Ims Rolf A., Eide Nina E., Prestrud Pål, Deplazes Peter, Oksanen Antti
Primary Institution: Norwegian Polar Institute
Hypothesis
How does the restricted distribution of the intermediate host affect the spatial distribution of human risk for Echinococcus multilocularis infection?
Conclusion
The Grumant area is a high-risk zone for human infection due to the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis in arctic fox feces.
Supporting Evidence
- The proportion of E. multilocularis-positive feces was high in the core vole range.
- No E. multilocularis was found in feces from nearby and distant areas.
- The density of fox feces was significantly higher in Grumant compared to Adventdalen.
- Human infections are linked to the distribution of the intermediate host, the sibling vole.
Takeaway
In Svalbard, there are areas where a certain parasite can infect people, and we found that the risk is highest where the animals that carry it live.
Methodology
Feces were collected from arctic fox dens and tested for Echinococcus multilocularis using specific coproantigen ELISA.
Potential Biases
Possible false-positive results from fecal samples collected in distant areas.
Limitations
The study may not account for potential long-distance dispersal of infected foxes from the Grumant area.
Participant Demographics
The main Norwegian settlement, Longyearbyen, has a population of approximately 2,100.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.20
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.7–12.0
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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