HYDATID ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN A ZOO-BORN DROM EDARY FROM THE TIERPARK BERLIN-FRIEDRICHSFELDE, GERMANY

In Germany, the threat to human health by the small fox tapeworm (Echi nococcus multltilocularis) has been increasingly discussed in the last few years. On the other hand, the hydatid worm of the dog (Echinococc us granulosus) became more and mere rare in Germany and was often decl ared to be eradicated. This paper presents a case of hydatid infection of the lung in an adult dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), which was bo rn and kept all its life at Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde. Questions connected with E. granulosus infection are discussed from an ecologic al point of view: history, urbanisation, biology, clinical signs, pote ntial threat to man, prophylaxis and treatment. In view of the extensi ve and sometimes uncontrolled dog keeping in urban households it must be stressed that careful documentation and surveillance of this life-t hreatening zoonosis, which was the main reason for its decline in the past, has not yet lost its importance.