Methods. Samples of muscle tissue from the tongue, masseter, and foreleg of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were subjected to artificial digestion and to multiplex-PCR analysis for identifying Trichinella larvae at the species level.
Results. Four of 454 examined foxes were positive for larvae (overall prevalence 0.9 % ). The positive foxes had been collected in Donegal County (one fox; prevalence of 7.7 % ), Cork County (two foxes; 3.1 % ), and Waterford County (one fox; 4.2 % ). All larvae were identified as Trichinella spiralis.
Conclusions. The detection of Trichinella-positive foxes in Ireland is an example of how the lack of infections among domestic animals and humans does not suffice for establishing Trichinella-free status. The results also confirm that the sylvatic cycle can last for tens of years, independently of the existence of a domestic cycle.