First molecular detection of Neospora caninum in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) brain sample in Turkiye

The red fox is the wild carnivore with the widest distribution in the world. Thus, this animal acts as intermediate and final host for many parasite species. Neospora caninum is one of the most important protozoan agents causing abortion in cattle, sheep and goats in the world. The final hosts of N. caninum are domestic dogs and wild canids such as wolves and coyotes, while its intermediate hosts are domestic ruminants and many warm-blooded animals, including red foxes. The aim of this study was to research N. caninum in brain samples of three red foxes obtained from wildlife in Turkiye by using PCR. At the end of the study N. caninum DNA was detected in one of three brain samples. To the best of our knowledge, with this study, N. caninum was detected for the first time in a red fox brain sample in Turkiye.