First detection and low prevalence of Pearsonema spp. in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Central Europe
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
The urinary bladder and lower urinary tract of domestic and wild carnivores can be parasitised by filamentous nematodes from the genus Pearsonema (syn. Capillaria). Infestations are often asymptomatic, but severe courses in dogs and cats have been described. Hosts are infested through the ingestion of earthworms (Lumbricidae) which act as intermediate hosts. Epidemiological studies of Pearsonema in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in North America are scarce and previous studies of urinary bladder parasites of European raccoons did not provide evidence of infestation. We examined urine sediment or rinse water from urinary bladders of 499 wild raccoons from Luxembourg, Poland and five study sites in Germany. Pearsonema eggs were found in the urine sediment of 31 (6.2%) raccoons. Infested animals were found in all study areas with prevalence values ranging from 3.7% to 8.7%. No significant difference in prevalence was found either between animals in urban and rural areas or between sexes and age classes. Based on their morphology, the eggs were likely to be P. plica. Considering their increasing density in Central Europe, raccoons may play a previously overlooked role in environmental contamination with Personema eggs.
Details
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 243-247 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife |
Volume | 19 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2022 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goals
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- Bladderworm, Pearsonema, Procyon lotor, Raccoon, Reservoir host, Wildlife