Introduction: Echinococcus multilocularis is a very dangerous zoonotic parasite threatening human health. The red fox is the main definitive host, and cats and dogs less commonly. Rats can be intermediate hosts.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the parasitofauna of Norway rats and some cats and dogs living on a farm near a forest.
Material and methods: A parasitological section on 15 Norway rats was conducted. The internal organs were examined by means of macroscopic and microscopic methods. For molecular examination, a QIAmp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen) was used.
Results: Based on necropsy, parasitological and molecular examinations, of the 15 examined rats, 1 was found to have larvae of E. multilocularis, while 3 others had eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta, H. nana and Syphacia obvelata. The faeces of the pets did not contain any developmental forms of parasites.
Conclusions: This is the first case of Echinococcus multilocularis infestation in a rat in Poland.
Keywords: Echinococcus multilocuralis; Poland; Rattus norvegicus; intermediate host; rodent.