The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis
Red foxes play a crucial role in the life cycle and transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including Toxocara canis; however, comprehensive information on the prevalence of T. canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) is lacking. In this meta-analysis we aimed to evaluate the global and regional prevalence of...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224424000804 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850246996763344896 |
|---|---|
| author | Celia V. Holland Zahra Geraili Afra Soghra Valizadeh Maryam Ebrahimi Ali Rostami |
| author_facet | Celia V. Holland Zahra Geraili Afra Soghra Valizadeh Maryam Ebrahimi Ali Rostami |
| author_sort | Celia V. Holland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Red foxes play a crucial role in the life cycle and transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including Toxocara canis; however, comprehensive information on the prevalence of T. canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) is lacking. In this meta-analysis we aimed to evaluate the global and regional prevalence of T. canis among red foxes. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies reporting prevalence of T. canis in red foxes up to April 1, 2024. Using a random-effects model, we estimated pooled prevalences at global, regional, and national levels and assessed heterogeneity through subgroup and meta-regression analyses. The overall pooled global prevalence of T. canis infection in red foxes was 32.1% (95% CI, 28.5–35.6%), with the highest prevalence in Europe (34.6%, 30.9–38.3%) and the lowest in the Eastern Mediterranean (20.0%, 11.0–29.0%). In other regions, prevalences of Toxocara were as follows: Central Asia (33.1%, 26.8–39.4%), North America (23.6%, 10.6–36.6%), Western Pacific (21.3%, 5.2–37.4%), and Eastern Mediterranean & North Africa (20.0%, 11.0–29.0%). However, data from certain geographical regions are very limited (for example Greece, Austria, China and North Africa). Prevalence rates showed a decreasing trend over time. Subgroup analyses indicated higher prevalences in male red foxes (54.1%, 41.4–66.7%) compared to females (37.5%, 29.9–45.1%), and in juvenile red foxes (56.2%, 39.1–73.3%) compared to adults (33.4%, 23.2–43.6%). T. canis worm burdens were generally low, not exceeding an average of 4 worms per fox in most studies. Our findings reveal a substantial prevalence of T. canis infection in red fox populations worldwide (32.1%), highlighting their potentially significant role in perpetuating the transmission of infection to both companion animals and humans. Continued surveillance is essential to mitigate the risk of Toxocara transmission to companion animals and humans. However, a major remaining challenge is to assess the relative importance of the red fox as a contributor to environmental contamination with Toxocara ova. Further research is also needed to address study limitations and provide a complete global picture of T. canis epidemiology in red foxes and other wild animals, especially in underrepresented regions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-58f47e0d9de24a6e8c19d2cf1aecb980 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2213-2244 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
| spelling | doaj-art-58f47e0d9de24a6e8c19d2cf1aecb9802025-08-20T01:59:03ZengElsevierInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife2213-22442024-12-012510098410.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100984The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysisCelia V. Holland0Zahra Geraili Afra1Soghra Valizadeh2Maryam Ebrahimi3Ali Rostami4Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, Dublin, 2, Ireland; Corresponding author.Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IranDepartment of Food Hygiene and Aquatic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranInfectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, IranRed foxes play a crucial role in the life cycle and transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including Toxocara canis; however, comprehensive information on the prevalence of T. canis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) is lacking. In this meta-analysis we aimed to evaluate the global and regional prevalence of T. canis among red foxes. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies reporting prevalence of T. canis in red foxes up to April 1, 2024. Using a random-effects model, we estimated pooled prevalences at global, regional, and national levels and assessed heterogeneity through subgroup and meta-regression analyses. The overall pooled global prevalence of T. canis infection in red foxes was 32.1% (95% CI, 28.5–35.6%), with the highest prevalence in Europe (34.6%, 30.9–38.3%) and the lowest in the Eastern Mediterranean (20.0%, 11.0–29.0%). In other regions, prevalences of Toxocara were as follows: Central Asia (33.1%, 26.8–39.4%), North America (23.6%, 10.6–36.6%), Western Pacific (21.3%, 5.2–37.4%), and Eastern Mediterranean & North Africa (20.0%, 11.0–29.0%). However, data from certain geographical regions are very limited (for example Greece, Austria, China and North Africa). Prevalence rates showed a decreasing trend over time. Subgroup analyses indicated higher prevalences in male red foxes (54.1%, 41.4–66.7%) compared to females (37.5%, 29.9–45.1%), and in juvenile red foxes (56.2%, 39.1–73.3%) compared to adults (33.4%, 23.2–43.6%). T. canis worm burdens were generally low, not exceeding an average of 4 worms per fox in most studies. Our findings reveal a substantial prevalence of T. canis infection in red fox populations worldwide (32.1%), highlighting their potentially significant role in perpetuating the transmission of infection to both companion animals and humans. Continued surveillance is essential to mitigate the risk of Toxocara transmission to companion animals and humans. However, a major remaining challenge is to assess the relative importance of the red fox as a contributor to environmental contamination with Toxocara ova. Further research is also needed to address study limitations and provide a complete global picture of T. canis epidemiology in red foxes and other wild animals, especially in underrepresented regions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224424000804Toxocara canisRed foxesPrevalenceMeta-analysisAbundance |
| spellingShingle | Celia V. Holland Zahra Geraili Afra Soghra Valizadeh Maryam Ebrahimi Ali Rostami The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife Toxocara canis Red foxes Prevalence Meta-analysis Abundance |
| title | The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | The global prevalence of Toxocara canis among red foxes (Vulpes vulpes): A systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | global prevalence of toxocara canis among red foxes vulpes vulpes a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Toxocara canis Red foxes Prevalence Meta-analysis Abundance |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213224424000804 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT celiavholland theglobalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT zahragerailiafra theglobalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT soghravalizadeh theglobalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT maryamebrahimi theglobalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT alirostami theglobalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT celiavholland globalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT zahragerailiafra globalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT soghravalizadeh globalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT maryamebrahimi globalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis AT alirostami globalprevalenceoftoxocaracanisamongredfoxesvulpesvulpesasystematicreviewandmetaanalysis |