DOMESTIC PETS AS RISK-FACTORS FOR ALVEOLAR HYDATID-DISEASE IN AUSTRIA

To identify the risk of pet ownership (i.e., cats and dogs) for alveol ar echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, the habits an d activities of 21 patients (histologic confirmation or positive serol ogy with corresponding evidence on an ultrasonogram, radiograph, or co mputed tomography scan) in Austria during the period 1967-1997 were co mpared with the habits and activities of 84 controls matched by sex, a ge, and residence. Cat ownership (odds ratio (OR) = 6.47, 95% confiden ce interval (CI) 1.54-27.29) and hunting (OR = 7.83, 95% CI 1.16-52.77 ) were independent risk factors associated with alveolar hydatid disea se. The study is not in agreement with the hypothesis that eating mush rooms or certain wild berries which grow near the ground are the main risk factors for acquiring this disease. No other behavior patterns or activities studied were identified as risk factors.