First surveillance and molecular identification of the Cryptosporidium skunk genotype and Cryptosporidium parvum in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Osaka, Japan

Comprehensive molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium species in Japan

Cryptosporidium species, causing diarrheal illnesses in humans and animals worldwide, are under investigation for their molecular epidemiology in Japan. The study focuses on detecting Cryptosporidium species in humans, animals, water, and the environment, revealing three species in people: C. parvum, C. meleagridis, and C. hominis. Subtype IIa of the C. parvum gp60 gene is prevalent, indicating potential zoonotic transmission. Animal studies identified sixteen species, mainly cattle and pets, with C. parvum (subtype IIa) common in cattle and C. canis and C. felis prevalent in pets. Additionally, C. bovis and C. ryanae were found in cattle and sika deer. Knowledge gaps exist, particularly in water and environmental source typing, with limited research revealing five species and five genotypes, suggesting a significant role of water in transmission. Further research is needed to understand the molecular diversity and transmission dynamics across humans, animals, water, and the environment in Japan.

Detection of Endoparasites in Non-Native Raccoons from Central Italy

The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a carnivore native to North and Central America, gradually introduced into Asia and Europe, including Italy. It is an important carrier of multiple endoparasites, both Protozoa and Helminths, some of them being zoonotic. The aim of this study was to investigate the endoparasites of the non-native raccoon population of Central Italy. Sixty-two raccoons were collected by local competent authorities (sixty trapped and euthanized, two found dead) and subjected to necroscopic examination. Carcasses underwent a broad parasitological investigation, including coprological techniques (macroscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, trachea, and heart, Flotac^®, Baermann test, and immunofluorescence for Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp.), research on respiratory/urinary capillariosis and artificial digestion for Trichinella spp. larvae, and a histopathological examination of the ileum. Ascarid parasites were further identified at the species level using a next-generation sequencing-based amplicon sequencing approach. The results showed the presence of different Protozoa and Nematodes: Baylisascaris procyonis (26/62; 41.9%), Pearsonema sp. (6/62; 9.6%), Capillariidae (6/62; 9.6%), Eimeria sp. (2/62; 3.2%), Cryptosporidium sp. (2/62; 3.2%), and Ancylostomatidae (2/62; 3.2%). B. procyonis is an emerging helminthic zoonotic agent considered a serious concern for public and animal health, given the possibility of its transmission to paratenic hosts, including humans and pets. The demonstrated role of the raccoon as a multi-parasite carrier should be an incentive to continuing the eradication/control of this alien species, and supports the need to implement related disease surveillance programs.

The Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild-Living Carnivores in Poland-A Question Concerning Its Host Specificity

Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that primarily infects the gastrointestinal epithelium in humans and domestic and wild animals. The majority of studies have been focused on human, livestock, and pet infections. Hence, Cryptosporidium spp. in wildlife, including wild carnivores, remained neglected. There are several studies reporting the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild foxes, but these are only a few molecular surveys; no data is available concerning the occurrence of this parasite in raccoon dogs and martens in Europe, and to the best of our knowledge to date, only one study has reported Cryptosporidium from badgers in Spain. Therefore, we used molecular analyses to identify and genotype Cryptosporidium spp. in wild-living mesocarnivores in Poland. A total of 322 individual fecal samples from six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine, and beech martens were collected and then analyzed for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using the nested PCR method. The appearance of PCR products in the reaction with Cryptosporidium-specific primers against the 18S rRNA and actin genes demonstrated that Cryptosporidium spp. occurred in 23.0% of all examined species of animals. Performed sequence analyses showed the presence of the Cryptosporidium skunk genotype, Cryptosporidium vole genotype II, Cryptosporidium canis dog and fox genotypes, as well as Cryptosporidium erinacei, Cryptosporidium ditrichi, Cryptosporidium suis, and Cryptosporidium alticolis, in these hosts. Molecular data presented here indicate that examined mesocarnivores may be a significant reservoir of specific and non-specific Cryptosporidium species, including those with zoonotic potential. Most studies of carnivores have described the presence of non-specific Cryptosporidium spp. in carnivore hosts, and this is probably the result of the transfer of these parasites from prey species through the digestive tract or the transfer of the parasite from a contaminated environment.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium skunk genotype in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Iran: concern for zoonotic transmission

Cryptosporidium spp. are significant zoonotic parasites in humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among raccoon (Procyon lotor) in north of Iran. The fecal samples (n = 30) were collected from raccoons. After DNA extraction, all samples were examined by nested PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. From 30 raccoon samples, 4 (13.3%) were positive, and the isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium skunk genotype based on sequence analysis. The large distribution of raccoons in northern provinces of Iran and their potency for carrying some human-infecting parasites like Cryptosporidium spp. propose this mammalian as a source for zoonotic parasites.

Prevalence of Escherichia albertii in Raccoons (Procyon lotor), Japan

Natural reservoirs of Escherichia albertii remain unclear. In this study, we detected E. albertii by PCR in 248 (57.7%) of 430 raccoons from Osaka, Japan, and isolated 143 E. albertii strains from the 62 PCR-positive samples. These data indicate that raccoons could be a natural reservoir of E. albertii in Japan.

Pathology of cryptosporidiosis in raccoons: case series and retrospective analysis, 1990-2019

Cryptosporidiosis is an intestinal protozoal disease of public health importance caused by Cryptosporidium spp. Despite the high synanthropism of raccoons, studies describing the pathology of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in this species are lacking. Therefore, we characterized the pathology of cryptosporidiosis in 2 juvenile raccoons. In addition, we conducted a retrospective search of the database of the California Animal Health and Food Safety laboratory for 1990-2019 and found 6 additional cases of cryptosporidiosis in raccoons. Sequencing of cryptosporidia was performed in one autopsied raccoon, and PCR on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues in archived cases. The Cryptosporidium skunk genotype (CSkG), a strain of zoonotic relevance, was detected in 6 of 8 cases (75%). Frequently, cryptosporidiosis was associated with enteritis, eosinophilic infiltrates, villus atrophy or blunting and/or fusion, and crypt abscesses or necrosis. In 7 of the 8 cases, there was confirmed concurrent coinfection with canine distemper virus; 1 case was coinfected with canine parvovirus. Although crypt necrosis is considered a classic lesion of canine parvoviral infection in mesocarnivores and not a hallmark of cryptosporidiosis, results suggest that canine distemper virus is capable of mimicking such lesions in combination with cryptosporidia and immunosuppression.

Cryptosporidium myocastoris n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae), the Species Adapted to the Nutria (Myocastor coypus)

Cryptosporidium spp., common parasites of vertebrates, remain poorly studied in wildlife. This study describes the novel Cryptosporidium species adapted to nutrias (Myocastor coypus). A total of 150 faecal samples of feral nutria were collected from locations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and examined for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and specific DNA at the SSU, actin, HSP70, and gp60 loci. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of C. parvum (n = 1), C. ubiquitum subtype family XIId (n = 5) and Cryptosporidium myocastoris n. sp. XXIIa (n = 2), and XXIIb (n = 3). Only nutrias positive for C. myocastoris shed microscopically detectable oocysts, which measured 4.8-5.2 × 4.7-5.0 µm, and oocysts were infectious for experimentally infected nutrias with a prepatent period of 5-6 days, although not for mice, gerbils, or chickens. The infection was localised in jejunum and ileum without observable macroscopic changes. The microvilli adjacent to attached stages responded by elongating. Clinical signs were not observed in naturally or experimentally infected nutrias. Phylogenetic analyses at SSU, actin, and HSP70 loci demonstrated that C. myocastoris n. sp. is distinct from other valid Cryptosporidium species.

Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. Infection in Wild Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Luxembourg Using an ELISA Approach

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoan parasites that cause enteric infection in a wide range of mammals, including humans. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an invasive species in many parts of the world and studies have shown that they can be infected with Cryptosporidium spp. both outside and in their original distribution area. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. antigens in the faeces of raccoons in Luxembourg.

METHODS

Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we tested 81 faeces samples, collected between 2014 and 2018, for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. coproantigens. Samples with an optical density equal to or greater than 0.15% were considered positive.

RESULTS

Antigens were detected in 12.35% (10/81; 95% CI 6.68-21.26) of the tested samples. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection between the sexes and age categories. Cryptosporidium spp.-positive raccoons were found in 7 of the 12 Luxembourg administrative districts (Clervaux, Diekirch, Echternach, Mersch, Remich, Vianden and Wiltz).

CONCLUSION

The results show that Cryptosporidium infections are not uncommon in Luxembourg raccoons and suggest possible transmission of Cryptosporidium by raccoons.

Cryptosporidium sp. skunk genotype in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) naturally infected with Baylisascaris procyonis from Central Germany

Cryptosporidium spp. are apicomplexan parasites of public health concern. They are one of the main causes of intestinal diseases in humans and animals. Contaminated water is among the main sources of infection for humans and mammals. Raccoons are an introduced species in Germany. They are anthropogenic adapters with a natural affinity for water bodies. We collected samples from wild raccoons in the Federal States of Saxony and Thuringia, Central Germany. Through molecular genotyping, we found Cryptosporidium sp. skunk genotype in one raccoon from Saxony (1/24) and in one animal from Thuringia (1/27). Both raccoons were also infected with the zoonotic nematode Baylisascaris procyonis. This is the first report of co-infection with these two parasites in raccoons from Germany. Our study highlights the potential of these animals as carriers of zoonotic pathogens. Since raccoons can thrive in human settlements, this study provides data that can be used as a baseline for preventive programs.

Cryptosporidium species and cryptosporidiosis in Japan: a literature review and insights into the role played by animals in its transmission

Cryptosporidium species infect domestic animals, livestock, and humans. These protozoan parasites are frequently reported as major environmental contaminants in many countries despite their differing climatic, socioeconomic, and demographic factors. This review focuses on the research findings that relate to Cryptosporidium epidemiology, genetic diversity, and associated risk factors relating to animals, contaminated water sources, and humans in Japan. Adequate knowledge of these factors is essential for understanding the economic and public health importance of cryptosporidiosis in Japan so that effective control strategies against it are implemented. Cryptosporidium infections are highly prevalent in animals in Japan. Among the different animal species, cattle infections stand out because of their economic importance and zoonotic potential. Living circumstances in Japan restrain Cryptosporidium transmission between humans, but there is evidence to suggest that animals, especially those in close contact with humans, can be potential sources of human infections. Water sampling studies have provided clues about how environmental contamination with Cryptosporidium oocysts can cause infections in livestock and wild animals. There is some evidence of person-to-person transmission of cryptosporidiosis, but only occasionally and under certain circumstances. By identifying the major role played by animals in Cryptosporidium transmission to people in Japan, we highlight the urgent need for disease control against this pathogen.