Tiny Worms – Big Trouble. 1: Echinococcosis multilocularis

In this first of two articles, the small fox tapeworm (E. multilocularis) is described. It is the subject of a lively debate among the general public – particularly during the wild berry harvesting season. The disease is of great medical significance because it often has an insidious course and the potential for severe organ involvement.

What kind of pathogen is the fox tapeworm?

The fox tapeworm (E. multilocularis) is a little tapeworm (Cestoda), just 2–4 mm long, which lives in the small intestine of foxes. It typically has 5 segments (proglottids). The worm has a uterus with lateral pouches, which may contain up to 2,000 eggs. Intermediate and accidental hosts become infected via oral ingestion of the eggs. Almost always, the liver is targeted by the larva, leading to infiltrative…