Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in Norway

Abstract

Angiostrongylus vasorum, which is commonly called French heartworm, is a highly pathogenic parasite of dogs. The clinical signs can be ranging from subclinical disease to sudden death. The parasite uses gastropods as intermediate host. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the major reservoir host of A. vasorum in Europe. The geographic range of A. vasorum is expanding and the parasite is spreading to the north. In the latter years, the parasite has got increased media attention in Norway. In March 2016 the parasite was for the first time reported in Norway. It was detected in a red fox in the southern part of Norway. The goal of this thesis was to learn more about the epidemiology of A. vasorum and its potential distribution in Norway. It is composed of a review of the literature of A. vasorum, and a limited scope field study of the infection in Norway. My own investigations consist of a search for A. vasorum in my hometown Levanger, which is situated in the middle part of Norway. 115 fecal samples from dogs were examined by the help of Baermann technique.