Helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania

Red foxes and raccoon dogs are hosts for a wide range of parasites including important zoonotic helminths. The raccoon dog has recently invaded into Europe from the east. The contribution of this exotic species to the epidemiology of parasitic diseases, particularly parasitic zoonoses is unknown. The helminth fauna and the abundance of helminth infections were determined in 310 carcasses of hunted red foxes and 99 of raccoon dogs from Lithuania. Both species were highly infected with Alaria alata (94·8% and 96·5% respectively) and Trichinella spp. (46·6% and 29·3%). High and significantly different prevalences in foxes and raccoon dogs were found for Eucoleus aerophilus (97·1% and 30·2% respectively), Crenosoma vulpis (53·8% and 15·1%), Capillaria plica (93·3% and 11·3%), C. putorii (29·4% and 51·5%), Toxocara canis (40·5% and 17·6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (76·9% and 98·8%). The prevalences of the rodent-transmitted cestodes Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia polyacantha, T. crassiceps and Mesocestoides spp. were significantly higher in foxes than in raccoon dogs. The abundances of E. multilocularis, Mesocestoides, Taenia, C. plica and E. aerophilus were higher in foxes than those in raccoon dogs. A. alata, U. stenocephala, C. putorii and Echinostomatidae had higher abundances in raccoon dogs. The difference in prevalence and abundance of helminths in both animals may reflect differences in host ecology and susceptibility. The data are consistent with red foxes playing a more important role than raccoon dogs in the transmission of E. multilocularis in Lithuani

Epidemiology of echinococcus species with reference to helminths of red foxes (vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania

Red foxes and raccoon dogs as well as domestic dogs are transmitters of few important zoonotic helminths such as E. multilocularis, E. granulosus, Trichinella spp. and Toxocara canis that can cause AE, CE, trichinellosis and toxocarosis respectively. Although a rare disease in humans, AE is of considerable public health importance because it can be lethal. Human CE is less pathogenic than AE however, is more widespread and in endemic areas annual incidemce rates for CE reach up to 8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Published data on both Echinococcus species is missing in Lithuania. No information is available on the prevalence and the risks for transmission of E. multilocularis in Lithuania – the most dangerous zoonotic helminth species. E. multilocularis is of great concern in many European countries including the neighboring countries Poland, Belarus and Estonia where these species have already been detected in red foxes. The last study on E. granulosus was performed in 1964 by Danilevičius E. Since then, the agriculture has changed significantly in Lithuania. Large industrial pig and cattle farms collapsed after the independence and new small farms started to build up. Since Lithuania became a member of EU pig farms started to enlarge. However, recently 36% of pigs are still reared in small family farms (Department of Statistics) were home slaughtering for local consumption of pork is traditional. Additionally, no information is available on E. granulosus strains in Lithuania, which is an important epidemiological aspect. Therefore it is an important task to perform epidemiological studies for E. multilocularis and E. granulosus as well as to examine the prevalence of the other helminth species in red foxes and raccoon dogs in Lithuania. This study will help to understand better the main epidemiological aspects of Echinococcus spp. and will serve as a basis for the design of future, control strategies against these zoonoses in Lithuania

Alveolar echinococcosis, Lithuania

Alveolar Echniococcosis, Lithuani