Echinococcus multilocuraris –first recorded case of Norway rat ( Rattus norvegicus ) in Poland

INTRODUCTION: Echinococcus multilocularis is a very dangerous zoonotic parasite threatening human health. The red fox is the main definitive host, and cats and dogs less commonly. Rats can be intermediate hosts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the parasitofauna of Norway rats and some cats and dogs living on a farm near a forest. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A parasitological section on 15 Norway rats was conducted. The internal organs were examined by means of macroscopic and microscopic methods. For molecular examination, a QIAmp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) was used. RESULTS: Based on necropsy, parasitological and molecular examinations, of the 15 examined rats, 1 was found to have larvae of E. multilocularis, while 3 others had eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta, H. nana and Syphacia obvelata. The faeces of the pets did not contain any developmental forms of parasites. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of Echinococcus multilocularis infestation in a rat in Poland.