TABLE 1.

PCR results for fecal samples (rectal contents) from wild foxes positive for E. multilocularis by necropsy

No. of worms seen at necropsy	Mature eggsa			No mature eggsb			Total
	No. examinedc	No. positived	Sensitivity (%)e	No. examined	No. positive	Sensitivity (%)	No. examined	No. positive	Sensitivity (%)
>1,000	14	14	100	5	5	100	19	19	100
101–1,000	30	29	97	13	12	92	43	41	95
11–100	22	22	100	22	16	73	44	38	86
1–10	13	12	92	23	16	70	36	28	78
Total	79	77	97	63	49	78	142	126	89

^aWorms containing eggs which appeared mature at microscopic examination (the presence of eggs in feces is likely). 

^bWorms containing no eggs or eggs appearing immature (the presence of eggs in feces is unlikely). 

^cTotal number of fecal samples (from individual foxes) examined by PCR. 

^dNumber of fecal samples positive by PCR. 

^eSensitivity of the PCR method with fecal samples from foxes with different worm counts at necropsy.