1. GASTRIC NODULE CAUSED BY SPIROCERCA LUPI IN A RED FOX (VULPES VULPES) A. Diakou 1, E. Karamanavi 2, E. Kaldrimidou 2 1 Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, 2 Clinic of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

2. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) The largest species within the genus Vulpes, living in a wide range of habitats Solitary animals that do not form packs Essentially omnivores, mostly eat rodents, eastern cottontail rabbits, insects, fruit They help to control populations of their prey animals

3. Case report Adult red fox (V. vulpes) for post mortem examination Nodule (2 x 3 cm) on the gastric wall (fundus)

4. Thick-walled cystic granuloma in the submucosa of the gastric wall

5. Incision of the gastric nodule revealing a number of nematodes (The cause of death of the fox was determined as poisoning)

6. Nematodes Nematodes - Bright red, thick - Males <4 cm, females <7.5 cm - Mouth opening surrounded by six lobes - Spirally coiled hind end of male - Bursa with unequal spicules - Vulva close to hind end of the oesophagus - Uterus with characteristic eggs Spirocerca lupi Spirocerca lupi 30-37 x 11-15 μm

8. Spirocerca lupi Order: Spirurida Family: Spirocercidae Male: 3-5.4 cm Female: 5.4-8 cm Cosmopolitan Lesions: esophageal or gastric granulomas, aortic scars and aneurysms

9. Spirocerca lupi Life cycle

10. Greece: S. lupi in 2-24% of the dogs The first case of a gastric nodule caused by S. lupi in a red fox in Greece Epidemiological significance: cross infection between wild and domesticated animals is possible