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12 January 2024 Survey of Common Infectious Diseases in Urban Foxes (Vulpes spp.) in Southeastern Iran
Baharak Akhtardanesh, Javad Khedri, Mahya Tokasi, Sina Salajegheh Tazerji, Nasim Shokrollahi, Balal Sadeghi, Mansour Poursina, Yashpal Singh Malik, Pouneh Hajipour
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Abstract

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one of the most common species of wild Canidae and is relatively abundant in Iran. Foxes (Vulpes spp.) transmit many zoonotic diseases, the most important of which are visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, hydatidosis, toxocariasis, and trichinellosis. In this study, visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, ectoparasites, canine gastrointestinal helminths, dermatophytosis, distemper, parvovirus infection, and heartworm infections were evaluated among live-trapped and rescued foxes injured by traffic road accidents referred to the teaching hospital of Kerman, Iran, veterinary faculty. Skin scraping and direct microscopic examination were used to detect ectoparasites and dermatophytosis. Immunochromatography rapid kits were used to detect dirofilariasis, parvovirus infection, and distemper. Necropsy was used to check for gastrointestinal parasites. Rabies and visceral leishmaniosis were screened for with direct fluorescent antibody test and ELISA methods, respectively. Gastrointestinal helminth infections, including Toxocara canis, Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoids, Toxascaris leonina, Taenia hydatigena, Echinococcus granulosus, Rictolaria spp., Oxynema spp., Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, and Physaloptera spp., were detected. Skin scrapings showed dermatophytosis and various ectoparasites, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis, and Sarcoptes scabiei, in foxes with dermal lesions. Distemper and parvovirus infection (26.66%) were the common viral diseases, and rabies infection rate was quite high (16.66%). Dirofilariasis and leishmaniasis were detected in 10% of the population. This study showed that urban foxes which often cohabit with humans and domestic animals are carriers of many different pathogens. This interaction may facilitate indirect cross-species transmission of zoonotic disease. Periodic health monitoring and multidisciplinary cooperation for the diagnosis, control, and prevention of these zoonoses is highly recommended.

Baharak Akhtardanesh, Javad Khedri, Mahya Tokasi, Sina Salajegheh Tazerji, Nasim Shokrollahi, Balal Sadeghi, Mansour Poursina, Yashpal Singh Malik, and Pouneh Hajipour "Survey of Common Infectious Diseases in Urban Foxes (Vulpes spp.) in Southeastern Iran," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 60(1), 77-85, (12 January 2024). https://doi.org/10.7589/JWD-D-23-00028
Received: 28 February 2023; Accepted: 22 September 2023; Published: 12 January 2024
KEYWORDS
infectious diseases
Iran
public health
urban fox
zoonosis
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