@article{fdi:010079945,
  title = {{M}olecular investigation of vector-borne pathogens in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) from southern {F}rance},
  author = {{M}edkour, {H}. and {L}aidoudi, {Y}. and {M}arie, {J}. {L}. and {F}enollar, {F}. and {D}avoust, {B}. and {M}ediannikov, {O}leg},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ecause of their free-ranging nature, the probability of wild animals being exposed to vector-borne pathogens is likely higher than that of humans and pets. {R}ecently, the red fox ({V}ulpes vulpes) has been suspected as being a reservoir or host of several pathogens of veterinary and public health importance. {W}e conducted a molecular survey on 93 red foxes hunted in 2008-18, in the departments of {B}ouches-du-{R}hone and {V}ar, in southeastern {F}rance, for pathogens including {L}eishmania infantum, {P}iroplasmida, {H}epatozoon spp., nematodes, {C}oxiella burnetii, {B}orrelia spp., {R}ickettsia spp., and {A}naplasmataceae. {S}pleen samples were screened for the presence of vector-borne pathogens by {PCR} followed by sequencing. {P}athogens were detected in 94% (87/93) of red foxes, and coinfections were identified in 24% (22/93) of foxes. {W}e identified {DNA} from {H}epatozoon canis, {L}. infantum, and {B}abesia vogeli in 92% (86/93), 15% (14/93), and 3% (3/93) of red foxes, respectively. {W}e also found {DNA} of nematodes in 3% (3/93) of foxes; {S}pirocerca vulpis was identified in one fox and {D}irofilaria immitis in the two others. {I}nterestingly, {C}. burnetii genotype 3, previously described in humans from the same region, was identified in 3% (3/93) of foxes and {A}naplasma platys in 2% (2/93) of foxes. {W}e did not detect {DNA} of {B}orrelia spp., {B}artonella spp., or {R}ickettsia spp. {I}n our study, the prevalence of pathogens did not vary by fox origin, sex, or tick carriage. {M}olecular evidence of {B}. vogeli, {H}. canis, {S}. vulpis, {D}. immitis, {C}. burnetii, and {A}. platys in red foxes has not previously, to our knowledge, been reported from southern {F}rance. {W}e propose that red foxes are potential reservoirs for several pathogens, including major zoonotic agents such as {L}. infantum. {T}hey could be incidental hosts for pathogens, such {C}. burnetii. {T}he high prevalence for {H}. canis suggests an important role of foxes in domestic dog ({C}anis lupus familiaris) infection. {T}hese animals may pose a threat to human and animal health.},
  keywords = {{C}oxiella burnetii ; {D}irofilaria immitis ; {F}rance ; {H}epatozoon canis ; {L}eishmania infantum ; red fox ; {S}pirocerca vulpis ; vector-borne pathogens ; {FRANCE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {W}ildlife {D}iseases},
  volume = {56},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {837--850},
  ISSN = {0090-3558},
  year = {2020},
  DOI = {10.7589/2019-09-234},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010079945},
}