Vulpes vulpes: A Possible Wild Reservoir for Zoonotic Filariae
Abstract
Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes , n = 132) killed during the hunting seasons 2005–2006 in Central Italy (Tuscany region) were examined in order to investigate the possible importance of this animal as a wild reservoir for zoonotic filariae. In each specimen adult worms of Dirofilaria immitis and hematic microfilariae were searched for. Species identification was performed by morphology, morphometry, the Barka staining technique applied to pulmonary and splenic blood smears, and, finally, by molecular diagnostics—polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Twenty-three subjects (17.4%) proved to be positive for filarial parasites. Infection by Acanthocheilonema was more widespread than by Dirofilaria . Briefly, 8 foxes harbored mature adults of D. immitis ; two of them (25%) also had microfilariae that in one case were mixed with the microfilariae of D. repens . Twelve subjects had microfilariae of Acanthocheilonema reconditum , and 3 harbored microfilariae of A. dracunculoides . Molecular diagnostics confirmed all results. Our findings, drawn by the examination of a few microliters of blood obtained from foxes approximately <2 years of age, support the hypothesis that this animal may be an abundant source of infection for ticks that transmit Acanthocheilonema parasites and for mosquitoes that act as vectors for dirofilarial nematodes. Therefore foxes, contributing to the parasite circulation in areas where dogs usually undergo prophylactic treatment, have to be considered an important wild reservoir for filarial parasites that can be transmitted to companion animals and people.
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Wild animals in which Dirofilaria infections were identified were predominantly canids like red foxes, golden jackals, and grey wolves.
“Furthermore, there are some wild animals in which Dirofilaria infections were identified, predominantly in canids like red foxes [4, 5, 51–62], golden jackals [52–55, 63, 64], and grey wolves [2, 3, 51, 52, 55, 65, 66].”
From Vectors, host range, and spatial distribution of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens in Europe: a systematic review (2025) · cites this paper as [57]
The only comprehensive study on wild carnivores from Italy showed that the red fox can be considered a wild reservoir for zoonotic filarioids.
“The only comprehensive study on wild carnivores from Italy showed that the red fox can be considered a wild reservoir for zoonotic filarioids (Magi et al., 2008).”
From First records of Dirofilaria repens in wild canids from the region of Central Balkan (2014) · cites this paper as Magi et al., 2008
In that Italian study, 23 out of 132 specimens (17.4%) proved to be positive for microfilariae.
“In that study, 23 out of 132 specimens (17.4%) proved to be positive for microfilariae.”
From First records of Dirofilaria repens in wild canids from the region of Central Balkan (2014) · cites this paper as Magi et al., 2008
Several studies suggest that red foxes are not suitable reservoir hosts for D. immitis or D. repens in some epidemiological settings.
“Similarly, several studies suggest that red foxes are not suitable reservoir hosts for D. immitis or D. repens in some epidemiological settings [25, 49, 58–60].”
From Role of golden jackals (Canis aureus) as natural reservoirs of Dirofilaria spp. in Romania (2016) · cites this paper as [25]
Foxes infected with both D. immitis and D. repens in Italy and foxes and jackals infected with D. immitis in Bulgaria have been found.
“Foxes infected with both D. immitis and D. repens in Italy (247, 254) and foxes and jackals infected with D. immitis in Bulgaria (reviewed in reference 261) have been found.”
From Human and animal dirofilariasis: The emergence of a zoonotic mosaic (2012) · cites this paper as [247]
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- Authors
- Magi, M., Calderini, P., Gabrielli, S., Dell'Omodarme, M., Macchioni, F., Prati, M. C., & Cancrini, G.
- Affiliations
- University of Pisa (IT)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana (IT)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
- Scuola Normale Superiore (IT)
- Venue
- Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2008-04
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 249-252
- ISSN
- 1530-3667 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7759
- OpenAlex
- W2030404427
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- CINECA IRIS Institutial research information system (University of Pisa) (submittedVersion)
- IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Keywords
- red fox, wildlife reservoirs, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Acanthocheilonema reconditum, microfilariae, canine heartworm disease, Ancylostoma caninum, ticks, mosquitoes, parasite circulation, Tuscany
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Dirofilaria, Dirofilariasis, Disease Reservoirs, Female, Foxes, Male, Zoonoses
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