First report of Dicrocoelium sp. In hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus lund 1842) (carnivora: canidae) feces

Authors

  • Thales Augusto Barçante Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2506-4065
  • Joziana Muniz de Paiva Barçante Núcleo de Pesquisa Biomédica, Departamento de Medicina, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7963-5775
  • Josiliene Nascimento Seixas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, Estados Unidos da América https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8902-9699
  • Tarcísio de Freitas Milagres Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7397-1612
  • Juliano Vogas Peixoto Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8912-6149
  • Donato Traversa Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3411-1326
  • Walter dos Santos Lima Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1059-3589

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/rpt.v53i3.80008

Abstract

The hoary fox (Pseudalopex vetulus), endemic to Brazil's Cerrado region, is a wild canid species facing ecological pressures from urbanization and habitat fragmentation. These pressures increase the risk of pathogen transmission between wild and domestic animals, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. This study reports the first instance of Dicrocoelium sp. and Hepatozoon spp. infections in a wild female hoary fox in Southeast Brazil. The fox, presented with neurological disorders, dehydration, and poor nutritional condition, was hospitalized and subjected to a series of parasitological and clinical tests. Blood smears and fecal examinations revealed the presence of Hepatozoon sp. gametocytes and a significant number of Dicrocoelium eggs. The fox received treatment with albendazole, enrofloxacin, and N-acetylcysteine, showing progressive improvement before being reintroduced to its habitat. This study highlights the significance of parasitic infections in wild canids, emphasizing the need for further research on the ecological and health impacts of such infections. It also underscores the importance of comprehensive fecal and hematological examinations in the clinical assessment of wild fauna and raises awareness about the potential of wild canids as reservoirs for zoonotic parasites.

KEY WORDS: Zoonosis; one health; canids.

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Published

2024-10-29

How to Cite

BARÇANTE, T. A.; MUNIZ DE PAIVA BARÇANTE, J.; NASCIMENTO SEIXAS , J.; DE FREITAS MILAGRES, T.; VOGAS PEIXOTO, J.; TRAVERSA, D.; DOS SANTOS LIMA , W. First report of Dicrocoelium sp. In hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus lund 1842) (carnivora: canidae) feces. Revista de Patologia Tropical / Journal of Tropical Pathology, Goiânia, v. 53, n. 3, p. 223–229, 2024. DOI: 10.5216/rpt.v53i3.80008. Disponível em: https://revistas.ufg.br/iptsp/article/view/80008. Acesso em: 20 nov. 2024.

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 3 (2024)

Section

SHORT COMMUNICATION

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