Liver fluke (Opisthorchiidae) findings in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the eastern part of the Federal State Brandenburg, Germany – a contribution to the epidemiology of opisthorchiidosis

Abstract

Parasitological examination of 677 livers from red foxes shot in connection with a rabies control programme were carried out in the eastern districts of the Federal State Brandenburg/Germany in 1996. Of the foxes, 32.5% were positive for opisthorchiid flukes. Metorchis bilis, the most frequently occurring fluke was found in 28.1% of foxes with numbers between 1 and 185. Opisthorchis felineus was found in 6.7% of fox livers. A maximum of 169 specimens was removed from one animal. Pseudamphistomum truncatum was present in only 2 foxes. The percentage of positive foxes in different districts varied between 15.8 and 43.3%. Significant differences in fluke prevalence were found between districts with a high share of surface water compared with a district with a low percentage of surface water. No sex-dependent differences in opisthorchiid prevalence were established.