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1 July 2009 Morphology and Occurrence of Species of Toxocara in Wild Mammal Populations from Egypt
Nahla A. Radwan, Amal I. Khalil, Rasha A. El Mahi
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Abstract

Toxocara spp. are zoonotic helminths of domestic and wild mammals and have been implicated in serious human disease. The present study was undertaken to differentiate among various adult Toxocara spp. infecting some wild and stray mammals and to evaluate the frequency of infection by Toxocara in wild mammals that may serve as a potential source of Toxocara infection in humans. Infection by adult Toxocara canis (Warner, 1782) was found in 31 of 58 (53.4%) domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), 20 of 41 (48.8%) red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 27 of 43 (62.8%) grey wolves (Canis lupus); and 25 of 42 (59.5%) Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon); the grey wolf and the Egyptian mongoose are new host records for Egypt. Toxocara cati (Schrank, 1788) Brumpt, 1927, was found in 27 of 46 (58.7%) wild cats (Felis sylvestris). The mean intensity and abundance of T. canis was highest in grey wolves and lowest in red foxes. The prevalence, intensity, and abundance varied with host species, sex, and season. Prevalence of T. canis and T. cati was almost the same in both sexes in all of the examined hosts. However, intensity was significantly higher in females of red fox, gray wolf, and wild cat. Spring was the season of highest prevalence, intensity, and abundance of both T. canis and T. cati for most species examined. However, prevalence of T. canis in the red fox was highest in winter, whereas intensity was highest in the summer and spring, and the intensity and abundance of T. cati was highest in the autumn. Morphometric comparison between adults recovered from different hosts revealed significant variations. However, scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface features were similar, except for those recovered from grey wolves, which had inflated lips and papillae and variable cuticular ornamentation.

Nahla A. Radwan, Amal I. Khalil, and Rasha A. El Mahi "Morphology and Occurrence of Species of Toxocara in Wild Mammal Populations from Egypt," Comparative Parasitology 76(2), 273-282, (1 July 2009). https://doi.org/10.1654/4367.1
Published: 1 July 2009
KEYWORDS
domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
ecology
Egypt
Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon)
grey wolf (Canis lupus)
red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
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