[Natural infestation of domestic cats (Felis catus L.) by Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863 (Cestoda): first case in France detected in peri-urban area].

A minute specimen of a tapeworm from the small intestine of a domestic cat is related to Echinococcus multilocularis. The natural infestation of the cat by this species of cestode is demonstrated in France for the first time. The cat was captured in the field around buildings of the neighbourhood of Annemasse (Haute-Savoie). This case illustrates the possibility of an urban life cycle extension of alveolar echinococcosis in the permanent endemic areas of the zoonosis in France and also the eventual risks of contamination for urban dwellers by parasite eggs laying on the ground or on the carnivorous domestic animal furs.