Medycyna Wet. 65 (1), 33-35, 2009
| Borecka A., Gawor J., Malczewska M., Malczewski A. |
| Prevalence of zoonotic helminth parasites of the small intestine in red foxes from central Poland |
| The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of helminth parasites of red foxes from central Poland (Mazowieckie voivodeship). The analysis of intestinal tracts of 639 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) collected in the Mazowieckie voivodeship (central Poland) during game seasons in 2005-2007 revealed 8 species composing the helminth community. The intestinal scraping technique (IST) was used to detect helminths specimens. The material was then examined under a stereoscopic microscope. Among foxes examined 604 (94.5%) were found infected. The component species were Alaria alata (56.7%), Mesocestoides spp. (71.2%), Uncinaria stenocephala (35.8%), Taenia spp. (29.7%), Toxocara canis (19.1%), Echinococcus multilocularis (13.9%), Echinostoma revolutum (0.9%) and Capillaria aerophila (0.3%). Two of the enumerated species, i.e. Toxocara canis and E. multilocularis, have zoonotic importance for humans leading to toxocariasis and alveolar echinococcosis. Therefore, monitoring of parasitic fauna in wildlife is necessary to recognize the scale of foxes potential to spread zoonoses in various regions of Poland. |
| Keywords: red fox, helminth, prevalence |