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Serum or body fluid samples of 1,006 foxes were investigated in an ELISA for antibodies against a highly sensitive and specific antigen (Em2-antigen) of Echinococcus multilocularis. Parasitological examinations of the intestines and simultaneous serological examinations were carried out in 505 foxes: A group of 98 blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Norwegian fox farms did not contain intestinal stages of E. multiloculuris and was clearly sero-negative in Em2-ELISA. O n the other hand in red foxes [Vulpes vulpes) originating from European areas known to be endemic for E . multilocularis the following average prevalence rates were found: 244 foxes from Southern Germany, E . multilocularis prevalence 55 % and sero-prevalence 60 %; 139 foxes from Austria, E. multilocularis prevalence 4 %" and sero-prevalence 12 Yo. Serological identification of individual foxes with or without intestinal E. multilocularis infection was not possible. Only serological (no parasitological) examination in 402 foxes originating from endemic areas in Switzerland resulted in a sero-prevalence rate of 37%. Seroprevalence was only 6 "k, and 4 "/o in 54 and 26 other foxes, respectively, originating from Swiss and German areas where E. multilocularis has not yet been reported. Negative control Norwegian (farmed) silver foxes (n = 43) were all sero-negative. The specificity of the Em2-ELISA was confirmed by negative Em2-serologies with sera from dogs infected with intestinal and tissue dwelling helminth species (with the exception of two from 24 dogs infected with E. granulosus). The results indicate that, although a diagnosis of intestinal E. multilocularis infection in individual foxes is not feasible by serological examination, the Em2-ELISA might be of value for the identification and discrimination of fox populations with or without E. multilocularis infection, reflecting a relative parasite prevalence rate in such populations.

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Dermatosparaxis is a genetic defect found in humans and animals, which affects the conversion of procollagen to collagen and aminopropeptides . Under cell culture conditions a reduction of the release of aminopropeptides is paralleled by an increased synthesis of collagens type I and III. This fact provides further evidence for a regulatory involvement of aminopropeptides in the biosynthesis of collagen.