Passive monitoring on cystic echinococcosis in Italy [Islustva pasivnog monitoringa cistične ehinokokoze u Italiji]

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) due to Echinococcus granulosus is still the main parasitic zoonoses, typical of the Mediterranean basin (Eckert et al, 2001). recent updating of the italian situation (Garippa, 2006) shows different prevalence level that led to divide the territory in sporadic (north) endemic (center) and hyperendemic (south and islands). With the aim to have more epidemiological information on sporadic and endemic areas this paper reports the results of passive monitoring of CE arising from the analysis of the slaughter data of a small abattoir in Tuscany. For the better definition of the circulating strains, the collection of some specimens in order to perform biomolecular analysis completed the work. The results highlight the CE diffusion with high prevalence levels everywere sheep are bred, independently of the socioeconomic developementof the area and the number of sheep raised. G1 and G3 strains were identified.