Endoparasites of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the Slovak Republic with the emphasis on zoonotic species Echinococcus multilocularis and Trichinella spp.

AbstractDue to specific geographical localization, climatic and geomorphologic conditions, several serious parasitic diseases circulate in the territory of the Slovak Republic that makes this area an ideal model territory of the central European red fox system. The red fox is an important reservoir host of parasites, which can be spread to another animals and humans. Our study was aimed at determining the current prevalence of certain parasites in red foxes from the entire territory of the Slovak Republic and identifies some ecological factors influencing their epidemiology. Within the first systematic investigation of red foxes carried out between the years 2000 and 2006 in total 4026 foxes were examined for Echinococcus multilocularis (prevalence 31.1 %) and 4699 foxes were investigated for the presence of Trichinella spp. larvae (10.4 % infected). The results of the next separate study revealed that 83.3 % of 1198 red foxes in the Slovak Republic had coccidian oocysts and helminth eggs in their faeces. Fifteen helminth species including two trematode, four cestode and nine nematode species were detected by coprological examination. Nine of these parasite taxa have zoonotic potential: Capillaria spp. (prevalence 22.4 %), Ancylostoma caninum (18.1 %), Toxocara canis (12.5 %), Taenia spp. (12.2 %), Mesocestoides spp. (5.8 %), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.6 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.6 %), Dipylidium caninum (0.4 %) and Opisthorchis felineus (0.3 %). Toxascaris leonina was the most common helminth species found in this survey (42.9 %).

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Helminthes intestinaux du Renard commun (Vulpes vulpes L.) dans le Massif central (France)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z88-228 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 66 (7) ◽

pp. 1562-1569 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

S. Deblock ◽

A. F. Pétavy ◽

B. Gilot

Keyword(s):

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Massif Central ◽

Alveolar Hydatid Disease ◽

First Time ◽

Toxascaris Leonina

In the course of an epidemiological survey of Echinococcus multilocularis (Leuckart, 1863), causative agent of alveolar hydatid disease, the autopsy of 154 red foxes, Vulpes vulpes (L.), captured in the Department of Cantal between November 1984 and February 1985 disclosed 144 cases of intestinal helminthiases. Helminths consisted of cestodes and nematodes; no trematodes were found. Multiple infestations were very frequent. Cestoda recorded consisted of the following species: Mesocestoides litteratus (Batsch, 1786) (40 cases; 26%), Taenia crassiceps (Zeder, 1800) (36 cases, 24%), Echinococcus multilocularis Leuckart, 1863 (23 cases, 14.9%), Taenia polyacantha Leuckart, 1856 (17 cases, 11.4%), Amoebotaenia paradoxa (Rudolphi, 1802) (8 cases, 5.2%), and Taenia pisiformis (Bloch, 1780) (2 cases, 1.3%). The following Nematoda were recovered: Uncinaria stenocephala (Railliet, 1884) (90 cases, 58.4%), Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) (79 cases, 51.3%), Toxascaris leonina (Linstow, 1902) (39 cases, 25.3%), Trichuris vulpis (Froelich, 1789) (25 cases, 16%), Pterygodermatites affinis (Jaegerskioeld, 1904) (6 cases, 4%), and undetermined Trichostrongylidae (4 cases, 2.7%). Hosts were not examined for Trichinella sp. The cartography of each helminthiase revealed propitious areas of maintenance of the parasite. Echinococcus multilocularis had a very limited distribution compared with other taeniid species with a near-identical life cycle. Unknown ecological factors may have an adverse effect on the free stage (egg) of the cestode. The nematode Pterygodermatites affinis is reported here for the first time in France.

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Potential remedy against Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes using baits with anthelmintic distributed around fox breeding dens in Hokkaido, Japan

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s0031182002001968 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 125 (2) ◽

pp. 119-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

H. TSUKADA ◽

K. HAMAZAKI ◽

S. GANZORIG ◽

T. IWAKI ◽

K. KONNO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Red Fox ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Clethrionomys Rufocanus ◽

Efficient Control ◽

Positive Rate ◽

Potential Remedy ◽

Patent Infection

The effect of bait-delivered anthelmintic to reduce the prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in wild red foxes was evaluated in Koshimizu, in the eastern part of Hokkaido, Japan. The study area (200 km2) was divided into baited and non-baited sections. The anthelmintic baits were distributed around fox den sites in the baited section every month for 13 months. After 1 year of the anthelmintic bait distribution, the prevalence of E. multilocularis in foxes, evaluated either by the parasite egg examination (from 27.1 to 5.6%) or coproantigen ELISA (from 59.6 to 29.7%), decreased in the baited section contrasting to that in the non-baited section (parasite egg: from 18.8 to 24.2%; ELISA: from 41.9 to 45.8%). The prevalence of E. multilocularis in grey red-backed vole Clethrionomys rufocanus, caught around fox dens, born after bait distribution also decreased and was significantly lower than that in non-baited section. However, within the study periods, the coproantigen-positive rate in fox faeces sporadically increased, while egg-positive rate constantly decreased. Since coproantigen ELISA can detect pre-patent infection, this observation indicates that reinfection pressure in the baited section was still high even after the 13 months of anthelmintic bait distribution. Therefore, the bait distribution longer than our study period is required for the efficient control of E. multilocularis in wild red fox population.

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Helminth communities in murid rodents from southern and northern localities in Lao PDR: the role of habitat and season

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x13000187 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 88 (3) ◽

pp. 302-309 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

N. Pakdeenarong ◽

P. Siribat ◽

K. Chaisiri ◽

B. Douangboupha ◽

A. Ribas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Lao Pdr ◽

Nematode Species ◽

Helminth Species ◽

Hymenolepis Diminuta ◽

Wet Season ◽

South East Asian Region ◽

Helminth Communities ◽

Murid Rodents

AbstractThe helminth communities of wild murid rodents were investigated in Luang Prabang and Champasak province, Lao PDR. Thirteen species of rodents (404 individuals) were infected by 19 species of parasites (2 trematode, 3 cestode, 14 nematode species). Four of the recorded helminth species (Echinostoma malayanum,Raillietinasp.,Hymenolepis diminutaandH. nana)are known to cause potential zoonotic helminthiases of medical importance in the South-East Asian region. Individual helminth infection was significantly higher in the wet season. Habitat significantly influenced individual helminth species richness and individual helminth abudance, with a decrease of individual helminth species richness and individual helminth abundance from forest habitat to agricultural and human settlement habitats. The reduction of helminth diversity and abundance is discussed in relation to the ongoing increase of human influence on habitats in Lao PDR.

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Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Scandinavia: Implications for the Potential Future Spread of Echinococcus multilocularis Tapeworm

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app9245289 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (24) ◽

pp. 5289

Author(s):

Mari Hagenlund ◽

Arne Linløkken ◽

Kjartan Østbye ◽

Zea Walton ◽

Morten Odden ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Population Ecology ◽

Wildlife Management ◽

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Vulpes Vulpes ◽

Red Fox ◽

Emerging Diseases ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Genetic Structuring ◽

High Level

Knowledge about the dispersal and gene flow patterns in wild animals are important for our understanding of population ecology and the connectedness of populations. It is also important for management relating to disease control and the transmission of new and emerging diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the genetic structuring among comparative samples of red foxes in a small part of Scandinavia and to estimate the gene flow and potential directionality in the movements of foxes using an optimized set of microsatellite markers. We compared genetic samples of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from two areas in Sweden and two areas in Norway, including red fox samples from areas where the occurrence of the cyclophyllic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis has been documented, and areas without known occurrence of the parasite. Our results show a high level of gene flow over considerable distances and substantiates migration from areas affected with E. multilocularis into Norway where the parasite is not yet detected. The results allow us to better understand the gene flow and directionality in the movement patterns of red foxes, which is important for wildlife management authorities regarding the spread of E. multilocularis.

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Wild carnivores as source of zoonotic helminths in north-eastern Italy

Helminthologia ◽

10.2478/s11687-008-0002-7 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 13-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

A. Cerbo ◽

M. Manfredi ◽

M. Bregoli ◽

N. Milone ◽

M. Cova

Keyword(s):

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Toxocara Canis ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Wild Carnivores ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

North Eastern ◽

Zoonotic Parasites ◽

Trichuris Vulpis

AbstractTwo hundreds and sixty red foxes, eighteen badgers and eight stone martens from north-eastern Italy were examined for zoonotic parasites by SCT, with particular attention to Trichinella sp. and Echinococcus multilocularis. No adult worms of E. multilocularis were observed in the intestine of red foxes or mustelids. Out of 223 fox faecal samples analysed by a commercial CA-ELISA, 5.8 % was positive to Echinococcus coproantigens. Trichinella sp. was detected by digestion of muscle in 1.2 % of examined foxes (2/172), but not in mustelids (0/11). Toxocara canis, responsible for human toxocarosis, resulted to be common in fox population (48.5 %). This parasite was found both in young (53.3 % of cubs and 61.9 % of sub-adults) and in adult animals (42.7 %). Other zoonotic parasites as Uncinaria stenocephala (52.3 %) and Trichuris vulpis (0.4 %) were detected in fox populations.

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Echinococcus Multilocularis and other Cestodes in Red Foxes (Vulpes Vulpes) of Northeast Italy, 2012-2018

10.21203/rs.3.rs-40601/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

CARLO CITTERIO ◽

FEDERICA OBBER ◽

Karin Trevisiol ◽

DEBORA DELLAMARIA ◽

ROBERTO CELVA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Faecal Samples ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

Domestic Carnivores ◽

Future Work ◽

Pcr Targeting ◽

Filtration Technique

Abstract Background Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm affecting wild and domestic carnivores and voles in a typical prey-predator life cycle. In Italy, a focus of E. multilocularis has been in existence since 1997 in the northern Italian Alps, later confirmed in foxes collected from 2001 to 2005. In this study, we report the results of seven years of monitoring on E. multilocularis and other cestodes and describe the changes occurred over time and among areas showing different environmental and ecological features (eco-regions). Methods Eggs of cestodes were isolated from faeces of 2,872 foxes with a sedimentation/filtration technique. The cestode species was determined through multiplex PCR, targeting and sequencing ND1 and 12S genes. Results Overall, 217 (7.55%) samples resulted positive for cestode eggs at coproscopy, with differences of prevalence according to year and sampling area. Eight species of cestodes were identified, with Taenia crassiceps (2.6%), Taenia polyacantha (2%) and E. multilocularis (1%) as the species most represented. The other species, Mesocestoides litteratus, Taenia krabbei, T. serialis, T. taeniaeformis and Dipylidium caninum, accounted for less than 1% altogether. Echinococcus multilocularis was identified in foxes from two out of six eco-regions, in 30 faecal samples, accounting for 1.4% within the cestode positives at coproscopy. All E. multilocularis isolates came from Bolzano province. Prevalence of cestodes, both collectively and for each of the three most represented species (T. crassiceps, T. polyacantha and E. multilocularis) varied based on the sampling year, and for E. multilocularis an apparent increasing trend across the last few years was evidenced. Conclusions Our study confirms the presence of a low prevalence focus of E. multilocularis in red foxes of northeast Italy. Although this focus seems still spatially limited, given its persistence and apparent increasing prevalence through the years, we recommend that future work deepen the ecological factors allowing persistence of this zoonotic species at a smaller scale. On the same scale, we recommend an informative campaign on how to behave to avoid contamination, targeted at people living in the area, especially hunters, dog owners, forestry workers and other categories at risk.

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Presence of tapeworms (Cestoda) in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in north-western Poland, with particular emphasis on Echinococcus multilocularis

Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.2478/jvetres-2019-0005 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

pp. 71-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Agnieszka Tylkowska ◽

Bogumiła Pilarczyk ◽

Renata Pilarczyk ◽

Michał Zyśko ◽

Agnieszka Tomza-Marciniak

Keyword(s):

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Red Fox ◽

Domestic Animals ◽

Parasite Transmission ◽

Host Organism ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Dipylidium Caninum ◽

Single Host ◽

North Western

Abstract Introduction: Foxes are a reservoir of parasites that are dangerous to humans. The aim of the study was to determine the parameters associated with the occurrence of tapeworms in red foxes in north-western Poland. Material and Methods: Parasitological sections were taken from 620 red foxes using IST and SCT methods in 18 districts of West Pomerania Province. Results: The extensity of fox infection with tapeworms was 61%. Echinococcus multilocularis, Mesocestoides spp., Dipylidium caninum, and specimens of the genus Taenia were identified. E. multilocularis was found in 11 districts. Mesocestoides spp. demonstrated the highest prevalence (41.3%), while E. multilocularis demonstrated the lowest prevalence (2.9%); however, it infected foxes with the greatest mean intensity (235.6 tapeworms per fox). The most common co-occurrence in a single host organism was observed for Mesocestoides spp. and tapeworms of the genus Taenia; however, no examples were found of coinfection by E. multilocularis and D. caninum. Conclusion: The occurrence of tapeworms in foxes was high in West Pomerania Province and was often higher than observed in previous years. For this reason, the risk of parasite transmission to humans and domestic animals is mounting. The risk of infection is also amplifying due to the growth of the fox population.

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Dynamics of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in red fox populations with high and low prevalence of this parasite in Poland (2007–2014)

Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy ◽

10.1515/bvip-2015-0032 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 213-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jacek Karamon ◽

Maciej Kochanowski ◽

Joanna Dąbrowska ◽

Jacek Sroka ◽

Mirosław Różycki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Statistical Analysis ◽

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Red Fox ◽

Current Situation ◽

Red Foxes ◽

South Eastern ◽

Current Prevalence ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Low Prevalence ◽

Stable Degree

Abstract The aim of the study was to estimate the current prevalence of E. multilocularis in selected populations of red foxes in Poland and to evaluate the changes in prevalence of this parasite by comparison with the results obtained in the same area during earlier surveillance. The investigations were performed in the area of four Polish provinces: 2 eastern/south-eastern (Lubelskie and Podkarpackie) and 2 south-western (Śląskie and Opolskie). Five hundred red foxes coming from the investigated areas were examined between 2013 and 2014 to estimate the current situation in selected provinces. Moreover, 550 red foxes from the same areas examined between 2007 and 2013 were used for comparison of differences in E. multilocularis prevalences in time. Intestines were examined with the use of the sedimentation and counting technique. Among 500 foxes examined in the current study, 118 were positive for E. multilocularis. There were differences in prevalence between individual provinces: Podkarpackie Province - 54.6%, Lubelskie Province - 18.9%, Śląskie Province - 11.7%, and Opolskie Province - 3.9%. Statistical analysis demonstrated that in most cases there were no differences in prevalence between the current results and the results from previous studies. Only in Opolskie Province was a statistically significant increase observed between 2010 and 2014. A stable degree of infection in the region with high prevalence of this parasite was demonstrated. However, a significant increase in the region with very low prevalence of E. multilocularis points out the necessity to monitor this infection during the coming years to control the progress of the disease

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Echinococcus multilocularis and other cestodes in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) of northeast Italy, 2012–2018

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04520-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Carlo Vittorio Citterio ◽

Federica Obber ◽

Karin Trevisiol ◽

Debora Dellamaria ◽

Roberto Celva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Large Scale ◽

Ecological Factors ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Ecological Features ◽

Increasing Trend ◽

Domestic Carnivores ◽

Pcr Targeting ◽

Typical Prey ◽

Filtration Technique

Abstract Background Echinococcus multilocularis is a small tapeworm affecting wild and domestic carnivores and voles in a typical prey-predator life cycle. In Italy, there has been a focus of E. multilocularis since 1997 in the northern Italian Alps, later confirmed in red foxes collected from 2001 to 2005. In this study, we report the results of seven years of monitoring on E. multilocularis and other cestodes in foxes and describe the changes that occurred over time and among areas (eco-regions) showing different environmental and ecological features on a large scale. Methods Eggs of cestodes were isolated from feces of 2872 foxes with a sedimentation/filtration technique. The cestode species was determined through multiplex PCR, targeting and sequencing ND1 and 12S genes. Analyses were aimed to highlight variations among different eco-regions and trends in prevalence across the study years. Results Out of 2872 foxes, 217 (7.55%) samples resulted positive for cestode eggs at coproscopy, with differences of prevalence according to year, sampling area and age class. Eight species of cestodes were identified, with Taenia crassiceps (2.65%), Taenia polyacantha (1.98%) and E. multilocularis (1.04%) as the most represented. The other species, Mesocestoides litteratus, Taenia krabbei, T. serialis, T. taeniaeformis and Dipylidium caninum, accounted for < 1% altogether. Echinococcus multilocularis was identified in foxes from two out of six eco-regions, in 30 fecal samples, accounting for 1.04% within the cestode positives at coproscopy. All E. multilocularis isolates came from Bolzano province. Prevalence of cestodes, both collectively and for each of the three most represented species (T. crassiceps, T. polyacantha and E. multilocularis), varied based on the sampling year, and for E. multilocularis an apparent increasing trend across the last few years was evidenced. Conclusions Our study confirms the presence of a focus of E. multilocularis in red foxes of northeast Italy. Although this focus seems still spatially limited, given its persistence and apparent increasing prevalence through the years, we recommend research to be conducted in the future on the ecological factors that, on a smaller scale, allow this zoonotic species to persist. On the same scale, we recommend a health education campaign to inform on the measures to prevent this zoonosis, targeted at people living in the area, especially hunters, dog owners, forestry workers and other potentially exposed categories.

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First identification of Echinococcus multilocularis in golden jackals in Croatia

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.1515/ap-2018-0076 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 654-656 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Magda Sindičić ◽

Miljenko Bujanić ◽

Iva Štimac ◽

Franjo Martinković ◽

Nikolina Tuškan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Identification ◽

Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽

Host Species ◽

Alveolar Echinococcosis ◽

Red Fox ◽

Emerging Disease ◽

Golden Jackal ◽

Grey Wolf ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Distribution In Europe

Abstract Alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is one of the world’s most dangerous zoonosis and an emerging disease with growing incidence in humans. The disease has been reported in new areas and host species in the last two decades, and the primary hosts of the parasite – red fox, golden jackal and grey wolf – are expanding their distribution in Europe. Here we report the morphological and molecular identification of Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworms in one of 29 carcasses of adult golden jackals in Croatia, where the only previous report of the parasite was in red foxes in 2016. These results suggest that alveolar echinococcosis should be treated as an emerging disease in Croatia.

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