Echinococcosis in Northern Scandinavia

Abstract

In Fenno-Scandia, echinococcosis occurs endemicaily only in the North where reindeer are herded. The Scandinavian strain of Echinococcus granulosus runs its life cycle almost entirely in dogs and reindeer.

In February 1971, in connection with tuberculosis control in Kautokeino, Norway, 586 persons, mainly Lapps, were tested for immediate skin reactions and antibodies to Echinococcus. In 13 Lapps, lung or liver cysts were detected at this or earlier x-ray controls.

In a few cases, high-level specific IgE was found without demonstrable antibody response in other immunoglobulin classes. However, with the exception of this finding, immune response was found to be weak or nondemonstrable in the Lappish population. In contrast, immigrants from Southeast Europe with Echinococcus cysts had high antibody titers when tested with the same antigens and methods.

The possible role of host and strain factors for the greatly differing immune response in these two populations is discussed.