Wild arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) from Greenland were tested for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a carbon immunoassay. Of 230 tested foxes none was seropositive. This finding contrasts with observations from other arctic areas and absence of rodents in the diet of these arctic foxes is the most likely explanation for absence of E. cuniculi.

Alopex lagopus, arctic fox, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Greenland, microsporidia, parasitic zoonosis, survey
© Wildlife Disease Association 2003
2003