Pathogen screening in the red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) from Lithuania

Abstract

Vytautas Magnus University, K. Donelaičio St. 58, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania The aim of this study was to screen free-ranging red foxes from Lithuania for the presence of different vector-borne pathogens. A total of 31 red foxes from three districts of Lithuania were molecularly tested for the presence of pathogens. Five different pathogens were detected in 83.9% of red foxes: Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrellia spp. and Babesia spp. The presence of Mycoplasma spp. and Dirofilaria spp. was not detected in our study.