Spirocercosis in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a natural reserve located in a meso-Mediterranean area

Spirocerca lupi Rudolphi 1809 (Nematoda Spirocercidae) has an indirect cycle involving intermediate and paratenic hosts, having domestic or wild canids as the main definitive hosts. The most frequent pathology affecting dogs is a granulomatous tumor-like growth containing adults in the oesophagus and aorta. There are very few references about the presence of nodules in the stomach. There is scant information about the epidemiology of this disease in wild red foxes in meso-Mediterranean areas. In this work we report on the natural infection of wild red foxes by Spirocerca lupi and the damage produced in the stomach wall in an area where contact with other potential definitive hosts (canids) is very rare. From July 2015 to November 2016, 61 red foxes were sampled. 18.03% of the stomach walls examined had nodules containing Spirocerca lupi adults and eggs. The prevalence of infection was similar for young and adult groups (23.81 and 18.18%; χ2 = 0.25; df = 1; P = 0.6171) and it was higher in females than in males (25.81 versus 10.00%, χ² = 2.58; df = 1; P = 0.1082). The red fox population in the area seems to be well established judging from their age distribution and the fact that they could be captured all year round. It would appear that in the absence of other main definitive host S. lupi population is able to survive just parasitizing red foxes. Pathologic effects of this parasite on red foxes seems to show some differences related to domestic dogs. These results also indicates as predator control programs can maintain suitable host populations with reduced level of infection.