Invasive mammalian wildlife and the risk of zoonotic parasites

A walk on the wild side: A review of the epidemiology of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati in wild hosts

“…In Australia, the red fox is an invasive species ( Bezerra-Santos et al, 2023 ) that was introduced for sport and to control rabbits ( Mackenstedt et al, 2015 ). Australian red foxes are now known to be infected with T .…”

“…canis in domestic dogs is more effectively controlled in Australia ( Thompson, 2023 ) and environmental contamination is low (see Massetti et al, 2022 ). The red fox is now considered to be a potentially important reservoir that may contribute to spillover of infection to both domestic dogs and humans ( Bezerra-Santos et al, 2023 ).…”

Wildlife parasitology: sample collection and processing, diagnostic constraints, and methodological challenges in terrestrial carnivores

“…Together with the movement and migration of wild animals, they have contributed and facilitated the spread of some parasites to new geographical areas [ 11 – 13 ]. The situation becomes more dire through the illegal trade of wild animals and the introduction of invasive wild mammals to regions where they contribute to zoonotic parasite transmission [ 14 – 16 ]. Such spillover events were observed for the lungworms Angiostrongylus vasorum, whose geographical expansion directly correlates to its main canid host, the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ) [ 12 ] and Crenosoma vulpis, , which was recently reported in northern Africa and associated with the expansion of red foxes in the African continent [ 17 ].…”

Detection of Spirocerca lupi and an unknown Trichinella-like nematode in raccoon (Procyon lotor)

“…The raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) is a carnivore species from North America which has been introduced to Europe during the last century ( Bezerra-Santos et al, 2023 ). Nowadays this procyonid is well established in Europe ( Biedrzycka et al, 2014 ; Fischer et al, 2015a ; Salgado, 2018 ), with the highest density of population in Germany and the neighboring countries ( Beltrán-Beck et al, 2012 ).…”

“…The raccoon is carrier of a wide spectrum of pathogens, which were either introduced with it (e.g., raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis ) ( Rentería-Solís et al, 2018 ) or are native to Europe (e.g., Alaria alata and Toxoplasma gondii ) ( Rentería-Solís et al, 2013 ; Kornacka et al, 2018 ) as reported in several countries ( Matoba et al, 2006 ; Azizova, 2015 ; Sharifdini et al, 2020 ). Under the above circumstances, raccoons can be a threat to public health due to carrying zoonotic agents ( Matoba et al, 2006 ; Beltrán-Beck et al, 2012 ; Stope, 2019 ; Bezerra-Santos et al, 2023 ). As the number of hunted individuals increases, the possibility to consume their meat is discussed ( German Hunting Association, 2020 ).…”