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Epidemiology of Toxocara canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from urban areas of Bristol

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

D. T. Richards ,
S. Harris  and
J. W. Lewis
D. T. Richards
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
S. Harris
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, Avon BS8 1 UG
J. W. Lewis
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX
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Summary

A descriptive epidemiological survey was undertaken of the ascarid nematode Toxocara canis in 521 red foxes (vulpes, vulpes) during the period January 1986 to July 1990. Age–prevalence and age–intensity profiles show that worm are significantly higher in cubs than in subadult or adult foxes and higher in subadult than in adult foxes. variations in worm burdens occur, with the highest prevalences and intensities being found during the spring, when are born, and in the summer months. Prevalences and intensities then decrease during the autumn and winter months both subadult and adult foxes, but, during this period, prevalences are significantly higher in male than in female Variations in worm burdens in the fox population are likely to be related to the reproductive cycle of the fox, with proportion of cubs becoming infected in utero. The role of the fox in the transmission of T. canis in the urban environment is discussed.

Keywords

Toxocarafoxepidemiology
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 107 , Issue 2 , August 1993 , pp. 167 - 173
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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