A Unique Case of Fatal Coinfection Caused by <i>Leptospira</i> spp. and <i>Hepatozoon canis</i> in a Red Fox Cub (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>)

Red foxes are the most abundant wild carnivore species in Europe commonly exposed to pathogenic <i>Leptospira</i> and <i>Hepatozoon canis</i>. Despite high seroprevalence, the clinical disease caused by these pathogens in red foxes has never been reported. Herein, we report t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Amer Alić, Jovana Šupić, Teufik Goletić, Emina Rešidbegović, Ismar Lutvikadić, Adnan Hodžić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/1/11
Description
Summary:Red foxes are the most abundant wild carnivore species in Europe commonly exposed to pathogenic <i>Leptospira</i> and <i>Hepatozoon canis</i>. Despite high seroprevalence, the clinical disease caused by these pathogens in red foxes has never been reported. Herein, we report the first-ever case of a fatal <i>Leptospira</i> spp. and <i>H. canis</i> coinfection in a two-month-old red fox cub with acute haemolytic anaemia, mild bronchopneumonia, intraalveolar haemorrhage, and tubulonephrosis. The presence of pathogenic <i>Leptospira</i> spp. DNA was detected in the kidney and lung tissues of the infected animal. In contrast to our previous knowledge, we believe that such fatal cases due to concomitant infection by <i>Leptospira</i> spp. and <i>H. canis</i>, especially in young animals, may commonly occur in nature. However, further studies are required to identify other factors that possibly contribute to the severity and the pathogenic effect of <i>Leptospira</i> spp. and <i>H. canis</i> infections in red foxes.
ISSN:2076-0817