Infections with cardiopulmonary and intestinal helminths and sarcoptic mange in red foxes from two different localities in Denmark

Abstract

Monitoring parasitic infections in the red fox is essential for obtaining baseline knowledge on the spread of diseases of veterinary and medical importance. In this study, screening for cardiopulmonary and intestinal helminths and sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) was done on 118 foxes originating from two distinct localities in Denmark, (Copenhagen) greater area and southern Jutland. Fifteen parasite species were recorded in 116 foxes (98.3%), nine parasitic species are of zoonotic potential. Parasite diversity was greater in foxes of Copenhagen in terms of overall parasite species richness and species richness of all helminth groups individually: trematodes; cestodes; and nematodes. Six parasite species were recovered from foxes of Copenhagen, but not from foxes of Southern Jutland: Echinochasmus perfoliatus; Echinostoma sp.; Pseudamphistomum truncatum; Dipylidium caninum; Angiostrongylus vasorum; and Sarcoptes scabiei, but Toxascaris leonina was only recorded in foxes of southern Jutland. A high prevalence and abundance of A. vasorum in foxes of Copenhagen was observed. The prevalence of four nematode species; Eucoleus (Capillaria) aerophilus, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, and Crenosoma vulpis, in foxes of both localities were comparable and ranging from 22.9% to 89%. The prevalence of Mesocestoides sp. was significantly higher in foxes of Copenhagen. Taenia spp. were detected using morphological and molecular analysis, which revealed the dominance of T. polyacantha in foxes of both localities. Infections with sarcoptic mange were evident only among foxes of Copenhagen (44.9%), which significantly affected the average weight of the infected animals. Further remarks on the zoonotic and veterinary implications of the parasites recovered are given.

Helminth parasites of the red foxVulpes vulpes(L., 1758) and the wolfCanis lupus italicusAltobello, 1921 in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

“…Differently from Soldati et al (1976), Magi et al (2009Magi et al ( , 2016 and Capelli et al (2003), we couldn't find any Toxascaris leonina. This actually agrees with most studies on helminths of foxes, in which a higher prevalence of T. canis was usually reported (LoosFrank & Zeyhle 1982;Richards et al 1995;Vervaeke et al 2005;Al-Sabi et al 2014). Only one wolf was infected with T. canis and at an extremely low intensity (i.e.…”

“…Dipylidium caninum (Linnaeus, 1758), a fleatransmitted tapeworm, has often shown low levels of prevalence in European countries (Loos-Frank & Zeyhle 1982;Richards et al 1995;Vervaeke et al 2005;Al-Sabi et al 2014). In our research we found a prevalence of 3.5% (Table I), which is consistent with previous studies in Emilia-Romagna (Guberti & Poglayen 1991: 2.6% of 153 foxes; Capelli et al…”

“…Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884) is one of the most prevalent intestinal nematodes of red foxes in Europe (Loos-Frank & Zeyhle 1982;Richards et al 1995;Vervaeke et al 2005;Al-Sabi et al 2014). They are mainly infected by ingestion of third-stage larvae, but active cutaneous penetration is also possible (Gibb 1961; Urquhart et al, 1996).…”

“…Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) is another common nematode of red foxes in Europe (Loos-Frank & Zeyhle 1982;Richards et al 1995;Vervaeke et al 2005;Al-Sabi et al 2014). Canids usually become infected by ingesting embryonated eggs or paratenic hosts (e.g.…”

Detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Brandenburg, Germany

“…The occurrence of helminth infections in red foxes from Denmark has been well studied, showing prevalences of A. vasorum of 48.6 % (n = 1040) in Northern Zealand, an endemic area within Denmark (Saeed et al 2006). A recent study showed that A. vasorum is abundant in foxes (n = 70) from the Copenhagen area with a prevalence of 80 %, but not in foxes (n = 48) from Southern Jutland (Al-Sabi et al 2014). A lot of research is also done in the UK, which harbours some highly endemic foci and where A. vasorum has spread beyond traditional endemic areas (Blehaut et al 2014;Kirk et al 2014).…”