Helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania

SUMMARYRed foxes and raccoon dogs are hosts for a wide range of parasites including important zoonotic helminths. The raccoon dog has recently invaded into Europe from the east. The contribution of this exotic species to the epidemiology of parasitic diseases, particularly parasitic zoonoses is unknown. The helminth fauna and the abundance of helminth infections were determined in 310 carcasses of hunted red foxes and 99 of raccoon dogs from Lithuania. Both species were highly infected with Alaria alata (94·8% and 96·5% respectively) and Trichinella spp. (46·6% and 29·3%). High and significantly different prevalences in foxes and raccoon dogs were found for Eucoleus aerophilus (97·1% and 30·2% respectively), Crenosoma vulpis (53·8% and 15·1%), Capillaria plica (93·3% and 11·3%), C. putorii (29·4% and 51·5%), Toxocara canis (40·5% and 17·6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (76·9% and 98·8%). The prevalences of the rodent-transmitted cestodes Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia polyacantha, T. crassiceps and Mesocestoides spp. were significantly higher in foxes than in raccoon dogs. The abundances of E. multilocularis, Mesocestoides, Taenia, C. plica and E. aerophilus were higher in foxes than those in raccoon dogs. A. alata, U. stenocephala, C. putorii and Echinostomatidae had higher abundances in raccoon dogs. The difference in prevalence and abundance of helminths in both animals may reflect differences in host ecology and susceptibility. The data are consistent with red foxes playing a more important role than raccoon dogs in the transmission of E. multilocularis in Lithuania.

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Predators in northern Germany are reservoirs for parasites of One Health concern

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-021-07073-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Waindok ◽

Katharina Raue ◽

Miguel L. Grilo ◽

Ursula Siebert ◽

Christina Strube

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

One Health ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Health Concern ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Northern Germany ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Predator Species ◽

Raccoon Dogs

AbstractUrbanisation and invasion of wildlife into urban areas as well as human leisure activities create diverse wildlife-domestic animal-human interfaces, increasing the risk of (zoonotic) parasite spillover from sylvatic to domestic and synanthropic cycles. This study investigated the endo- and ectoparasite fauna, emphasising on parasites of One Health Concern, of the most common predators in northern Germany between November 2013 and January 2016. Eighty red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 18 stone martens (Martes foina) and nine raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were available for the study. Overall, 79 (73.8%) of the examined predators (n=107) harboured at least one endoparasite. The most frequently detected endoparasites in red foxes were Toxocara canis (43.8% positive individuals), Capillaria spp. (36.3%), Alaria alata (25.0%), Echinococcus multilocularis (26.3%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (25.0%). Furthermore, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Taenia ssp., Mesocestoides spp. and coccidian oocysts were observed. The endoparasite species richness in raccoon dogs was comparable to red foxes, while in stone martens, only Capillaria spp. were found. Muscle digestion for detection of Trichinella spp. and antigen testing for Giardia spp. did not show positive results. Ectoparasite analyses revealed infestations with ticks species of the genus Ixodes as well as Dermacentor reticulatus. Scabies mites were not present in digested skin samples, while Demodex spp. mites were observed by faecal flotation in one red fox. Furthermore, fleas (Archaeopsylla erinacei and Chaetopsylla globiceps) were observed in the fur of red foxes, while lice were not present in any predator species. However, infestation frequency with ectoparasites was with 19.2% generally low in available predator skins (n=99). Overall, the present study showed that predators in northern Germany serve as reservoirs for parasites of One Health concern, with four of the five most frequent endoparasites being zoonotic, highlighting the need of parasite surveillance in wildlife predators in order to implement measures avoiding spillovers to domestic animals and humans.

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Natural and synthetic naphthoquinones as potential anti-infective agents

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026621666210915121348 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Eyra Ortiz-Pérez ◽

Karina Vázquez ◽

Gildardo Rivera ◽

Cristian O. Salas ◽

J. José Zarate-Ramos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Parasitic Diseases ◽

Antiprotozoal Activity ◽

Wide Range ◽

Leishmania Spp ◽

Natural And Synthetic

Background: Naphthoquinones are a class of aromatic compounds relevant for their chemical characteristics, structural properties, and biological activity. These compounds are found in nature with a wide range of effects, highlighting their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal properties. Additionally, naphthoquinones are used as a scaffold to obtain new derivatives with pharmacological potential, mainly compounds against parasitic diseases. Objective: The purpose of this work was to carry out a comprehensive review of naphthoquinones and their derivatives obtained from both natural and synthetic sources, also, to well as analyze their biological activity against Leishmania spp (Leishmaniasis), Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease), Plasmodium falciparum (Malaria), Toxoplasma gondii (Toxoplasmosis), and Toxocara canis (Toxocariasis). All of these agents are responsible for relevant diseases worldwide. Results : Natural naphthoquinones, such as plumbagin, diospyrin, burmanin, lapachol, lawsone and psychorubrin, show an antiprotozoal activity similar or enhanced antiprotozoal activity to reference drugs. Some naphthoquinones obtained by synthesis or semi-synthesis shown better biological activity or less toxic effects than natural compounds. Conclusion: In this review, natural and synthetic naphthoquinone showed antiparasitic activity, in the most cases with improved results than current drugs currently used in clinical trials. A modification of their structure with different functional groups can enhance their biological effects, improve solubility, and reduce undesirable side effects. Therefore, naphthoquinones are important molecules in the development of new chemotherapeutic agents against parasitic diseases.

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Trichinella spp. biomass has increased in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Estonia

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-017-2571-0 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Age Kärssin ◽

Liidia Häkkinen ◽

Enel Niin ◽

Katrin Peik ◽

Annika Vilem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Raccoon Dogs

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Molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in wild carnivores in north-eastern Poland

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-019-3734-y ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Tomasz Szewczyk ◽

Joanna Werszko ◽

Anna W. Myczka ◽

Zdzisław Laskowski ◽

Grzegorz Karbowiak

Keyword(s):

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽

Red Fox ◽

Animal Health ◽

Molecular Methods ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Raccoon Dog ◽

Wild Carnivores ◽

Blood Sucking ◽

Wide Range ◽

Raccoon Dogs

Abstract Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate parasitic intracellular bacterium. It is the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis, with effects on human and animal health. In Europe, the pathogen is mainly transmitted among a wide range of vertebrate hosts by blood-sucking arthropods. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of A. phagocytophilum in wild carnivores, viz raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), badgers (Meles meles), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), martens (Martes sp.) and European polecats (Mustela putorius), using molecular methods. Methods In the present study, 174 spleen samples were collected from adult, wild carnivores hunted in the years 2013–2016. A short fragment (383 bp) of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene partial sequence was used as a marker to identify A. phagocytophilum in spleen samples collected from carnivores using nested PCR. Results The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in wild carnivores was 31.61% (55/174). Seven sequences of A. phagocytophilum were generated from two raccoon dogs, two badgers, one marten, one red fox and one European polecat. Six identical nucleotide sequences were obtained from one raccoon dog, two badgers, one marten, one red fox and one European polecat (A. phagocytophilum sequences 1: MH328205–MH328209, MH328211), and these were identical to many A. phagocytophilum sequences in the GenBank database (100% similarity). The second sequence (A. phagocytophilum sequence 2: MH328210) obtained from the raccoon dog shared 99.74% identity with A. phagocytophilum sequence 1. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to use molecular methods to determine the presence of A. phagocytophilum in wild carnivores, viz raccoon dog, badger, marten and European polecat, in Poland. The detected A. phagocytophilum sequences (1 and 2) were closely related with those of A. phagocytophilum occurring in a wide range of wild and domestic animals and vectors.

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Helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania – CORRIGENDUM

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182012000224 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 139 (3) ◽

pp. 418-418

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Raccoon Dogs

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Comparative Analysis of Nutrient Digestibility and Nitrogen Retention in Wild and Farmed Canids

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.2478/aoas-2014-0002 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 307-314 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Andrzej Gugołek ◽

Janusz Strychalski ◽

Małgorzata Konstantynowicz ◽

Cezary Zwoliński

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Red Fox ◽

Nitrogen Retention ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Red Foxes ◽

The Common ◽

Raccoon Dogs

Abstract The aim of this study, conducted in November 2012, was to determine whether farming of common foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) leads to changes in nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention in comparison with their wild counterparts. Wild and farmed animals were compared within and between species. Each group consisted of five males and five females aged around eight months. Farmed silver foxes - a variety of the common red fox (group FSF) and farmed raccoon dogs (group FRD) were purchased from a breeding farm in southeastern Poland. Wild red foxes (group WRF) and wild raccoon dogs (group WRD) were trapped in the hunting grounds of the Polish Hunting Association (Olsztyn Division). The animals were placed in metabolism cages. The coefficients of nutrient and energy digestibility, and daily nitrogen balance and retention values were compared between groups. Farmed animals tended to have higher digestibility coefficients than their wild counterparts. No significant differences were noted within species. The coefficients of dry matter (P≤0.01), organic matter (P≤0.05, P≤0.05) and protein (only FSF vs. WRD - P≤0.05) digestibility were higher in foxes. Raccoon dogs were characterized by higher digestibility of carbohydrates - N-free extracts (P≤0.01). Nitrogen retention was higher in farmed animals. The highest and lowest levels of retained nitrogen were observed in groups FSF and WRD, respectively

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Molecular identification of Sarcocystis rileyi sporocysts in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania

Parasitology Research ◽

10.1007/s00436-015-4348-8 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 114 (5) ◽

pp. 1671-1676 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Petras Prakas ◽

Simona Liaugaudaitė ◽

Liuda Kutkienė ◽

Aniolas Sruoga ◽

Saulius Švažas

Keyword(s):

Molecular Identification ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Raccoon Dogs ◽

Sarcocystis Rileyi

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A helminthological survey of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the metropolitan area of Copenhagen

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x00015509 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 70 (3) ◽

pp. 259-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

A.L. Willingham ◽

N.W. Ockens ◽

C.M.O. Kapel ◽

J. Monrad

Keyword(s):

Metropolitan Area ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Trichinella Spiralis ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Angiostrongylus Vasorum ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽

Helminth Infections ◽

Baermann Method

AbstractSixty-eight red foxes were collected from the metropolitan area of Copenhagen and examined for helminth infections. Standard faecal flotations for intestinal parasites gave the following results: Strongyle eggs (75.0%), Capillaria eggs (36.8%), Toxocara eggs (23.5%), Taenia eggs (1.5%), and coccidia oocysts (2.9%). Gastrointestinal helminths were collected from 21 of the 68 foxes with the following specimens found: Uncinaria stenocephala (85.7%), Toxocara canis (81.0%), Taenia spp. (38.1%), Mesocestoides lineatus (23.8%) and Polymorphus spp. (9.5%). Faeces of 39 foxes were examined by the Baermann method for larvae of cardiopulmonary worms with 20 foxes (51.3%) being infected. Fourteen foxes (35.9%) were infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum, 11 (28.2%) were infected with Crenosoma vulpis, and 5 foxes (12.8%) were infected with both species. Muscle digestion of diaphragms from the 68 foxes indicated that none harboured larvae of Trichinella spiralis.

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Facilitative interactions between the Eurasian badger (Meles meles), the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and the invasive raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z08-127 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (12) ◽

pp. 1389-1396 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

R. Kowalczyk ◽

B. Jędrzejewska ◽

A. Zalewski ◽

W. Jędrzejewski

Keyword(s):

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Meles Meles ◽

Invasion Success ◽

Nyctereutes Procyonoides ◽

Raccoon Dog ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Primeval Forest ◽

Facilitative Interactions ◽

Raccoon Dogs ◽

Białowieża Primeval Forest

Based on radio-tracking of Eurasian badgers ( Meles meles (L., 1758)), red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes (L., 1758)), and raccoon dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides (Gray, 1834)) and observations at burrows conducted in Białowieża Primeval Forest (eastern Poland) in 1996–2002, we addressed the hypothesis that facilitative interactions between a native (badger) and an alien (raccoon dog) species contributed to the invasion success of the latter. In winter, 88% of badger setts were occupied by both badgers and raccoon dogs, 4% by badgers and red foxes, and 4% by all three species. In summer, only 20% of badger setts were cohabited by other carnivore species (10% by raccoon dogs and 10% by foxes). Duration of occupation of badger setts by raccoon dogs averaged 117 days (SE = 21 days). Seasonal variation in raccoon dog use of badger setts was explained by changes in ambient temperature: the lower was the temperature, the higher was the rate of sett occupation by raccoon dogs. When wintering in the same sett, badgers and raccoon dogs used different parts of the sett. We conclude that facilitation by badgers (through habitat amelioration and refuge from cold and predation) makes the realized niche of raccoon dogs larger than predicted from their fundamental niche. The facilitating role of badger is stronger in winter, which is a critical period for raccoon dog survival in the temperate and boreal zone.

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