Red fox as a reservoir of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis in urban and natural areas

Abstract text

Introduction: Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a major host for various intestinal parasites, however its role in spreading protists from the genera Cryptosporidium and Giardia is poorly understood, especially in urban environment.

Objectives: Main aim of presented study was to compare prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis infection in foxes from natural habitats and Warsaw parks.

Materials & methods: fecal samples obtained from 88 foxes (44 obtained during the hunting season 2016-2018 and 44 from Warsaw parks) were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis presence. For the detection of both intestinal parasites, the commercial immunofluorescent assay MeriFluor Cryptosporidium/Giardia was used. For Cryptosporidium detection modified Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining of faecal smears and PCR amplification and sequencing of 18S rDNA and 60kDa glycoprotein gene (GP60) were used. For Giardia detection, PCR amplification and sequencing of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and the SSU-rRNA genes were conducted.

Results: Our results showed differences between prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium among foxes from natural and urban areas. There species of Cryptosporidium (C. hominis, C. parvum, C. canis) and Cryptosporidium sp. rodent genotype were identified in foxes. Prevalence of G. intestinalis was much lower than prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp.

Conclusion: The obtained results expand the knowledge on zoonotic reservoir of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in two environments, which might help to determine public health threat associated with these protists.

Acknowledgements: The study was financially supported by National Science Centre (NCN) Preludium grant no 2019/35/N/NZ7/01772 (DDS)