The role of foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) in the epizootiology and epidemiology of nematode parasitic zoonoses

Abstract

A large number of foxes, known to carry various parasites, live in the vicinity of Belgrade. Therefore we conducted a postmortem parasitological (pathoanatomic) examination of a total of 357 adult and 102 juveniles hunted in the Belgrade area. Nine species of nematodes were found, namely: Toxocara canis, Toxocara mystax, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Spirocerca lupi, Capillaria plica, Trichinella spiralis and Trichuris vulpis. Comparing these results with those found in stray dogs, we concluded that many nematode species were found in both populations. This is of great epizootiological and epidemiological significance in terms of expansion of helminthoses, because of possible urban environmental contamination and subsequent human infection, particularly with Ascaridae and Ancylostomidae species.