Pathology of naturally acquired Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Angew Parasitol. 1991 Aug;32(3):121-6.

Abstract

199 out of 509 foxes culled in a rabies control scheme, were shown to be infected with the metastrongylid parasite Angiostrongylus vasorum. Pathological lesions associated with angiostrongylosis in the fox are described and compared to reported lesions of A. vasorum infection in the dog. The lesions observed in the foxes seemed to be less severe and mainly confined to the ventral parts of the lung lobes which showed granulomatous pneumonia. Right ventricular hypertrophy of the heart was present in all infected foxes. It is believed that the fox population represents an important reservoir of A. vasorum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiostrongylus / isolation & purification*
  • Animals
  • Foxes / parasitology*
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Lung / parasitology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology
  • Lung Diseases, Parasitic / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Parasitic / veterinary*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Nematode Infections / epidemiology
  • Nematode Infections / pathology
  • Nematode Infections / veterinary*
  • Pulmonary Artery / parasitology
  • Seasons