A molecular survey of vector-borne pathogens in red foxes ( XXXX ) from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

@entity1 @entity4209 @entity2199 @entity235 @entity13616 @entity14991 @entity743
BACKGROUND: Red foxes ( @entity13616 ) have recently been recognized as potential reservoirs of several vector-borne pathogens and a source of infection for domestic @entity235 and @entity1 , mostly due to their close vicinity to urban areas and frequent exposure to different arthropod vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and distribution of @entity743 spp., Hepatozoon canis, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis', @entity4209 , Rickettsia spp. and blood filaroid @entity2199 in free-ranging red foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: Spleen samples from a total of 119 red foxes, shot during the hunting season between October 2013 and April 2014 throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, were examined for the presence of blood vector-borne pathogens by conventional PCRs and sequencing. RESULTS: In the present study, three species of apicomplexan parasites were molecularly identified in 73 red foxes from the entire sample area, with an overall prevalence of 60.8%. The DNA of @entity14991 , B. cf. microti and @entity14991 was found in 1 (0.8%), 38 (31.9%) and 46 (38.6%) spleen samples, respectively. In 11 samples (9.2%) co-infections with B. cf. microti and @entity14991 were detected and one fox harboured all three parasites (0.8%). There were no statistically significant differences between geographical region, sex or age of the host in the infection prevalence of B. cf. microti, although females (52.9%; 18/34) were significantly more infected with @entity14991 than males (32.9%; 28/85). The presence of vector-borne bacteria and filaroid @entity2199 was not detected in our study. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of @entity14991 , B. cf. microti and @entity14991 parasites in foxes from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the data presented here provide a first insight into the distribution of these pathogens among the red fox population. Moreover, the relatively high prevalence of B. cf. microti and @entity14991 reinforces the assumption that this wild canid species might be a possible reservoir and source of infection for domestic @entity235 .
