Molecular survey of Leishmania infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from southern and central Italy

The aim of this study was to investigate on the prevalence of L. infantum infection in foxes living in two distinct areas of southern and central Italy. Sixty eight carcasses of foxes were subjected to PCR analysis. At external examination no clinical signs of leishmaniasis were recorded. Ten foxes were found to be positive by Leishmania nested-PCR, of which 4 in spleen, 2 in lymph nodes and 4 in both organs. Our results show that in southern and central Italy foxes may me subclinically infected by Leishmania, but their importance as reservoirs for the maintenance of the infection remains to be determined.