Prevalence and distribution of <i>Echinococcus</i> species in domestic dogs and wild canids in Pennsylvania: KeyScreen® GI Parasite PCR testing of fecal samples.

ABSTRACT: Echinococcus species are zoonotic cestodes found worldwide, posing a risk to humans and animals. Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) are both a concern in North America. Wild and domestic canids are definitive hosts, while rodents and ruminants are intermediate hosts for E. multilocularis and E. granulosus s.l., respectively. Humans can be alternative intermediate hosts for both Echinococcus species, and domestic dogs can serve as intermediate hosts for E. multilocularis. Recent Echinococcus detections in the eastern United States and Canada indicate a need for surveillance for these parasites. In total, we tested 27,293 fecal samples: pet dogs (n = 26,979), hunting dogs (n = 52), and wild can

SUBMITTER: Garrett KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12818080 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature