Prevalence survey on lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Eucoleus aerophilus) infections of wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Germany

• DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2672-4
• Publication Date: 2018-02-06T13:25:12Z
• Authors: Kathrin Schug; Friederike Krämer; Roland Schaper; Jörg Hirzmann; Klaus Failing; Carlos Hermosilla; Anja Taubert
• Keywords: Lungworm

Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus are a source of increasing concern, potentially causing significant pulmonary severe cardiac/systemic diseases in domestic dogs wild canids, especially red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). To investigate the prevalence geographical distribution these parasites central Germany, total 569 were examined by dissection. Pluck (heart lung) faecal samples collected from three regions Germany. Lungs, hearts adjacent vessels processed for adult nematode detection. Parasitological diagnoses performed SAF technique, Giardia- Cryptosporidium-Coproantigen-ELISAs duplex copro-PCR detection A. vasorum C. DNA. Foxes originated Federal States Germany: Thuringia (n = 359); Rhineland-Palatinate 121) Hesse 89). High prevalences all nematodes detected, with E. (69.4%; 395/569), followed (32.3%; 184/569) (14.1%; 80/569). In case varied significantly between States, highest 27.3% Rhineland-Palatinate, 19.1% 8.4% Thuringia, respectively. The presence fox populations showed rather patchy distribution, north-eastern to south-western regions. Analyses on revealed 35.1%, 30.3% 25.6% (Thuringia, respectively). most prevalent lungworm was aerophilus, 75.2%, 71.9% 66.9% (Rhineland-Palatinate, respectively) an almost area-wide equal distribution. Significant differences single parasite within could be detected whilst no correlation age or gender occurrence estimated. Weak seasonality winter months stronger spring late summer any season detected. method dissection higher sensitivity when compared results copro-PCR. A sylvatic cycle confirmed area. some recorded so far German foxes. data suggest that might spreading parts