OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis environmental contamination in an urban fringe-the Nopporo forest park of Sapporo city, Hokkaido, Japan. A secondary aim was to determine possible transmission risks areas by associating percentage occurrence of E. multilocularis-positive faeces with the different land-use classes.

METHODSWild fox faeces collected from the environment were examined by intravital methods, such as the taeniid egg sucrose floatation technique, E. multilocularis coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis and DNA test of taeniid eggs by PCR. Geospatial maps produced by the Global Positioning System and Landsat data were analysed using geographic information system software to determine the association between percentage occurrences of E. multilocularis-positive fox faeces and land-use classes.

RESULTSOur findings showed high prevalence rates in both E. multilocularis egg and coproantigen-positive faeces (16 and 49%, respectively) in the investigated urban fringe forest park. Data revealed that percentage occurrence of E. multilocularis-positive fox faeces was associated with land-use classes, such as forest and open field (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWe conclude that Nopporo forest park in the urban fringe of Sapporo city, Hokkaido is a reservoir with a high prevalence of zoonotic infective agents for alveolar echinococcosis. Our findings suggest that interface habitats between forests or woodlands and open fields are indispensable for continued maintenance of the life-cycle of E. multilocularis and, as such, constitute high risk areas for echinococcosis transmission.