| dc.description.abstract | 1. Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus are nematode
parasites which all cause respiratory distress in domestic dogs and are maintained in wild
fox populations. Although they can be treated by anthelmintic drugs they can be difficult
to diagnose and treatment regimes remain under-evaluated, making it important for
veterinarians and pet owners to be aware of the potential for infection with these species.
The recent emergence of these species has seen a number of survey studies in Europe and
Canada, with varying results for prevalence and associations with fox age, sex, body
condition, seasonality and co-infections.
2. While C. vulpis and E. aerophilus are endemic in foxes across the UK, A. vasorum is
hypothesised to be spreading from current foci in the south of the country, warranting
repeated surveys of the fox population to monitor changes in distribution and prevalence.
3. In this study we aimed to assess the change in range of A. vasorum across the UK since
previous study which used foxes from 2005-2006. We also aimed to analyse any changes in
prevalence or associations with co-infection, fox condition and other factors since previous
study using general linear modelling. Hearts and lungs of 103 foxes from four regions of
the UK were examined for nematode parasites. 23 foxes were from the English-Scottish
border region where A. vasorum has not previously been found.
4. A. vasorum was not detected in the borders region, and had not significantly increased in
prevalence in known foci. E. aerophilus was still the most common species found and UKwide
prevalence was 62.5% higher in the present study than in previously study although it
remains within the range of other European studies. There were significant relationships
between fox body condition and E. aerophilus burden and A. vasorum presence, and
between season and E. aerophilus burden. Presence of E. aerophilus was significantly
associated with decreased A. vasorum burden. These results differ from previous work
from the UK.
5. Veterinarians should be aware of the potential for northwards spread A. vasorum, and the
risks of infection from all three species elsewhere in the country. E. aerophilus may be
emerging in the UK fox population, but future studies should confirm this using a
standardised methodology. Detailed study of fox density in different regions, and better
sampling of urban foxes would also benefit future studies, while sampling of foxes from the
border region should be repeated to monitor spread. | en_GB |
