Retrospective Investigation of Echinococcus granulosus Emergence in Translocated Elk (Cervus canadensis) in Tennessee (USA) and Examination of Canid Definitive Hosts

Abstract

Background Few reports of Echinococcus granulosus have been described in the Unites States; however, the geographical distribution of Echinococcus spp. in wild hosts is increasing consequent to human activities. Methods We investigated the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. in re-established elk ( Cervus canadensis ) populations in the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park via a retrospective analysis of banked elk tissues and an examination of intestinal contents from 11 coyotes ( Canis latrans ) from the North Cumberland Wildlife Management Area. Results Four elk were PCR and sequence positive for E. canadensis . Each sequence had 98% or greater coverage and identity to multiple E. canadensis genotypes in Genbank. Adult Echinococcus spp. were not detected in any of the coyotes examined in this study. Conclusions Continued surveillance of this disease in susceptible species in these areas is warranted, and these data further underscore the risk of zoonotic pathogen introduction secondary to wildlife translocation.