Cercopithifilaria sp. II in Vulpes vulpes: new host affiliation for an enigmatic canine filarioid

Carla Maia, María Casero, Giada Annoscia, Maria Stefania Latrofa, Vito Colella, André Pereira, Fábia M Pinto Azevedo, Domenico Otranto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cercopithifilaria bainae and Cercopithifilaria grassii (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) are filarioids inhabiting the skin of dogs worldwide. The microfilariae of a third species namely, Cercopithifilaria sp. II sensu Otranto et al. 2013, have been morphologically and molecularly characterized but scientific knowledge of this parasite is minimal. The first case of infection of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with the filarioid Cercopithifilaria sp. II is herein described in Castro Marim, Portugal. Microfilariae from skin sediment of the fox's ear were morphological characterized, and the identification was confirmed molecularly in samples from skin sediment, skin samples, and from Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks collected from the animal (99% homology with Cercopithifilaria sp. II). Studies should evaluate if red foxes might play a role in the maintenance and distribution of Cercopithifilaria sp. II infection in dog populations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)441-443
Number of pages3
JournalParasitology Research
Volume116
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Cercopithifilaria sp. II
  • Portugal
  • Vulpes vulpes

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