Distribution of opisthorchiid liver flukes in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in western Brandenburg

226 (= 43.9%) out of 515 red foxes originating from the western districts of the Federal State Brandenburg were positive for opisthorchiid flukes. Metorchis bilis, Opisthorchis felineus and Pseudamphistomum truncatum occurred in prevalences of 36.9, 8.9 and 0.2% respectively. Although low fluke burden were predominant the maximum number of each fluke species isolated was 419, 46, and 78 respectively. No clear relations were found between the liver fluke prevalence and the proportion of surface waters of the different administrative districts. However, most positive foxes originated from municipalities closely situated to rivers, canals, and lakes.