Detection of Dirofilaria immitis in golden jackals (Canis aureus L.) but not in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes L.) and European badgers (Meles meles L.) in Croatia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dirofilariosis is a parasitic mosquito-borne disease caused by members of the genus Dirofilaria, which includes Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. Surveillance studies in Europe have revealed that D. immitis can also be detected in a range of wild carnivores, raising questions over the impact of infections on wild carnivore animal health but also whether these populations may act as a reservoir for infection of other species, including domestic dogs and humans.

Methods

In the current study, we conducted surveillance for the presence of D. immitis in several wild carnivore species, including golden jackals (Canis aureus; n = 77), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes; n = 326), and European badgers (Meles meles; n = 28), collected during an annual rabies surveillance a

SUBMITTER: Naletilic S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11600906 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature