1
|
Reinhardt NP, Wassermann M, Härle J, Romig T, Kurzrock L, Arnold J, Großmann E, Mackenstedt U, Straubinger RK. Helminths in Invasive Raccoons ( Procyon lotor) from Southwest Germany. Pathogens 2023; 12:919. [PMID: 37513766 PMCID: PMC10384161 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As hosts of numerous zoonotic pathogens, the role of raccoons needs to be considered in the One Health context. Raccoons progressively expand their range as invasive alien species in Europe. This study aimed to investigate the intestinal helminth fauna of raccoons in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, as no such screening had ever been conducted there. In total, we obtained 102 animals from hunters in 2019 and 2020. Intestinal helminths were retrieved using the SSCT (segmented sedimentation and counting technique) and identified morphologically and by PCR-based Sanger sequencing. Fecal samples were assessed using the ELISA PetChekTM IP assay (IDEXX, Germany) and flotation technique. The artificial digestion method was employed for analyzing muscle tissue. We detected species of four nematode genera (Baylisascaris procyonis, Toxocara canis, Capillaria spp., and Trichuris spp.), three cestode genera (Atriotaenia cf. incisa/procyonis, Taenia martis, and Mesocestoides spp.), and three trematode genera (Isthmiophora hortensis/melis, Plagiorchis muris, and Brachylaima spp.). Echinococcus spp. and Trichinella spp. were not found. The invasive behavior and synanthropic habits of raccoons may increase the infection risk with these helminths in wildlife, domestic and zoo animals, and humans by serving as a connecting link. Therefore, it is crucial to initiate additional studies assessing these risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nico P Reinhardt
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Marion Wassermann
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jessica Härle
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Romig
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Lina Kurzrock
- IDEXX Laboratories, Vet Med Labor GmbH, 70806 Kornwestheim, Germany
| | - Janosch Arnold
- Wildlife Research Unit, Agricultural Centre Baden-Wuerttemberg (LAZBW), 88326 Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Ernst Großmann
- Aulendorf State Veterinary Diagnostic Centre (STUA), 88326 Aulendorf, Germany
| | - Ute Mackenstedt
- Parasitology Unit, Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Reinhard K Straubinger
- Bacteriology and Mycology, Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Veronesi F, Deak G, Diakou A. Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020178. [PMID: 36839450 PMCID: PMC9964259 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesocarnivores are small- or mid-sized carnivore species that display a variety of ecologies and behaviours. In Europe, wild mesocarnivores are represented by the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), the Mustelidae of the genera Meles, Martes, Mustela, Lutra, the invasive species of raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and American mink (Neogale vison). These abundant animals thrive in various habitats and often develop their activity close to human settlements. Thus, they may play an important role in the introduction, maintenance, and transmission of major parasitic zoonoses and promote bridging infections with domestic animals. Against this background, this article reports and discusses some of the most important endoparasites of wild mesocarnivores living in Europe, on the basis of their actual role as reservoirs, spreaders, or sentinels. The data derived from epizootiological studies in different European countries, and the proven or speculated implications of the detected endoparasites in human and domestic animals' health, are discussed. Through older and recent literature review, the state-of-the-art knowledge on the occurrence and prevalence of the parasites under consideration is presented, showing further, warranted investigations and the need for surveillance and vigilance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizia Veronesi
- Parasitology Laboratory of the University Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06124 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (F.V.); (G.D.); (A.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
The urban myth: A lack of agreement between definitions of urban environments used in wildlife health research may contribute to inconsistent epidemiological findings. Urban Ecosyst 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-022-01213-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
4
|
French SK, Pearl DL, Sutton WB, Peregrine AS, Jardine CM. Environmental factors associated with Baylisascaris procyonis infection from a population of raccoons in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01177-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
5
|
French SK, Pearl DL, Peregrine AS, Jardine CM. Spatio-temporal clustering of Baylisascaris procyonis, a zoonotic parasite, in raccoons across different landscapes in southern Ontario. Spat Spatiotemporal Epidemiol 2020; 35:100371. [PMID: 33138952 DOI: 10.1016/j.sste.2020.100371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, is a parasite found throughout North America and parts of Europe. More than 150 species of mammals and birds including humans can develop neurological disease following infection with the larval stage of this parasite. To investigate whether B. procyonis infections in raccoons cluster in space, time, or space-time, we used data from 1353 Ontario raccoons submitted to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative between 2013 and 2016. We identified a significant spatial cluster of increased infection prevalence in southern Ontario centered over a major metropolitan area, as well as a significant cluster of decreased infection prevalence in a primarily agricultural region in southwestern Ontario. Furthermore, we identified statistically significant temporal clusters in the fall in annual scans of data from 2014, 2015 and 2016. Examination of both Bernoulli and space-time permutation models for space-time analysis suggested that the purely spatial and temporal clusters were not explained by relatively short and spatially discrete events in space-time. The identified annual temporal clusters are consistent with previous research on the seasonality of B. procyonis infection in raccoons. Recognition of the spatial infection clusters will help identify potential geographic and anthropogenic factors associated with the occurrence of B. procyonis infection in raccoons. Given the zoonotic potential of this parasite, identification of a cluster of high infection prevalence in a major metropolitan area has implications for public education and risk management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon K French
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - David L Pearl
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Andrew S Peregrine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Claire M Jardine
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Louis MM, Minter LJ, Flowers JR, Stoskopf MK, Kennedy-Stoskopf S. Raccoon roundworm prevalence ( Baylisascaris procyonis) at the North Carolina Zoo, USA. PeerJ 2020; 8:e9426. [PMID: 32742774 PMCID: PMC7377244 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Baylisascaris procyonis is an important zoonotic nematode of raccoons (Procyon lotor). Infection with this parasite has important health implications for humans, zoo animals, and free-ranging wildlife. As a large, natural habitat zoo, the North Carolina Zoo (NC Zoo) coexists with native wildlife. Raccoons are abundant at the NC Zoo and the prevalence of B. procyonis is unknown. Raccoon latrines were located through employee reporting and systematic searching throughout the zoo and sampled for B. procyonis in October and November of 2018 and 2019. Parasite prevalence, latrine location, substrate category and latrine persistence were recorded. Thirty-three latrines were located in 2018 and eight new latrines in 2019 while four latrines from the prior year were no longer available to be sampled. Of the 29 latrines sampled over the two years, 16 (55%) persisted for at least one year. The majority of the latrines were found on natural substrate with rock showing the highest preference. Just over half (n = 21 of 41 total) of the active latrines in the study were in or immediately adjacent to animal enclosures. Two latrines were found in public areas including one contaminating children’s play equipment. Additionally, fresh fecal samples were collected from five adult raccoons presented to the zoo’s veterinary clinic in 2018 and 2019. All fecal samples tested by centrifugal flotation for both years were negative for B. procyonis. The results of this study show the value of field sampling to properly assess risk and enable informed decision-making regarding public health and wildlife management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan M Louis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.,Environmental Medicine Consortium, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Larry J Minter
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.,Environmental Medicine Consortium, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.,Hanes Veterinary Medical Center, North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro, NC, United States of America
| | - James R Flowers
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Michael K Stoskopf
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.,Environmental Medicine Consortium, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.,Environmental Medicine Consortium, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|