Echinococcus multilocularis is a member of the Cyclophyllidea, which comprise the majority of tapeworms that are
of medical importance. The disease alveolar echinococcosis, which is caused by the larval stage of E.
multilocularis, is considered to be one of the most dangerous worm infections in the world. Larval stages of the
related tapeworms E. granulosus and Taenia solium cause the serious and life-threatening diseases cystic
echinococcosis and neurocysticercosis, respectively. While E. granulosus, T. solium and T.
saginata have a worldwide distribution E. multilocularis has a limited distribution within the Northern
Hemisphere. However, recent data indicate a spread of E. multilocularis in Europe, Japan, and North America to
areas that were previously free of the parasite leading to the classification of alveolar echinococcosis as an emerging
zoonosis.
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