Fox and dog tapeworm

Fox tapeworm and dog tapeworm are two completely different diseases and are often confused with each other. Both diseases are parasitoses. These are infectious diseases caused by relatively highly developed organisms that parasitise other organisms, the so-called hosts. Parasites are often worms.

Fox tapeworm(alveolar echinococcosis) is caused by an infection with the larva of Echinococcus multilocularis. The main final hosts are foxes, but dogs that eat mice can also be infected, and rarely cats. Intermediate hosts are field mice and other small rodents.

The dog tapeworm (cystic echinococcosis) is caused by an infection with the larva of the dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus). The main definitive host is the dog. Possible intermediate hosts are sheep, cattle and other ungulates. Humans are a so-called false intermediate host.

Although these parasites are closely related, they cause different diseases in humans with distinctly different clinical and morphological findings. Careful differential diagnosis with consultation of experts is all the more important as both diseases require a fundamentally different approach to treatment and monitoring. In particular, alveolar echinococcosis that has not been diagnosed or has been misdiagnosed for years can have serious consequences for the patient.

If you require an outpatient appointment for the diagnosis and treatment of echinococcosis, please contact the Clinical Infectiology Section at the following link: Infectiology | Ulm University Hospital