Red Fox as Sentinel for Blastomyces dermatitidis, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Blastomyces dermatitidis, a fungus that can cause fatal infection in humans and other mammals, is not readily recoverable from soil, its environmental reservoir. Because of the red fox’s widespread distribution, susceptibility to B. dermatitidis, close association with soil, and well-defined home ranges, this animal has potential utility as a sentinel for this fungus.

Keywords

• Blastomyces dermatitidis
• blastomycosis
• fungal disease
• canid
• dog
• fungi