Trichinellainfections in arctic foxes from Greenland: studies and reflections on predilection sites of muscle larvae

Abstract

AbstractStudies were carried out to determine the predilection sites ofTrichinella nativamuscle larvae in arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) caught in Greenland. The highest number of larvae per gram of tissue was found in the muscles of the eyes and the legs. With regard to predilection sites no significant differences were demonstrated either between age groups or between foxes with high and low total parasite burdens. Predilection sites were comparable with those recorded earlier in experimentally infected caged foxes and in other carnivorous species. Hypotheses on predilection sites ofTrichinellamuscle larvae are discussed.