The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widely distributed and adaptable carnivore in the world including Egypt. In light of free living in wild, rural, and urbanized communities, red fox acts as a potential source of diseases transmission to animals and human of different regions. Parasitic infections are regarded as a large and hazardous clade of infectious diseases threatening both animals and human. Very few studies have investigated the incidence and health effect of parasitic infection on red fox not only in Egypt but also worldwide. The current study was conducted on 44 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) living in Egyptian wilderness to investigate incidence and heath impact of ecto- and endo-parasites. Red foxes of different ages, sexes, localities of Egypt (Giza, Sohag, and Qena governorates), and periods were involved in this study. Among all tested foxes, 19/44 (43.2%) was infected by either endo- or ectoparasites or both and 25/44 (56.8%) were non-infected. Regarding gastrointestinal parasitic infection in red fox, our data demonstrated the high existence of Toxocara canis (27.3%), Toxascaris leoninae (18.2%), and Trematode spp. (4.5%). Also, different species of fleas were recorded in examined foxes as Ctenocephalidis canis (25%), Ct. felis (18.2%), Pulex irritans (6.8%), and Echidnophaga gallinacea (4.5%). In addition, a number of investigated foxes showed Rippecephalus sangumatus (13.6%) suggesting their role in tick-borne diseases transmission. Various clinical and biochemical variables were tested to assess the effect of parasitic infection in red foxes. Marked decrease in total protein and albumin levels in infected foxes than non-infected group was the paramount findings indicating nutritional disturbances. In addition, alteration in hematological parameters and cellular immune response was observed among infected (endo- or ectoparasites) and non-infected groups. Marked increase in total leucocytic count and granulocytes percentage and high decrease in hemoglobin level were observed in infected than non-infected animals. This study provides valuable additions on the parasitic diseases epidemiology because red fox is regarded as a pivotal player in various Egyptian ecological systems.
Key words: Red fox; Egypt; Tick; Parasite; Hematology; Nematode
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