First detection and low prevalence of Pearsonema spp. in wild raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Central Europe

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Mike Heddergott - , Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle (Author)
  • Franz Müller - , Justus Liebig University Giessen (Author)
  • Peter Steinbach - , Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle, University of Göttingen (Author)
  • Diana Jeschke - , Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (Author)
  • Michael Stubbe - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Alain C. Frantz - , Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle (Author)
  • Annegret Stubbe - , Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Author)
  • Hermann Ansorge - , Chair of Special Zoology (Vertebrates) (g.B. Senckenberg), Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz (Author)
  • Natalia Osten-Sacken - , Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (Author)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)243-247
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
Volume19
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Bladderworm, Pearsonema, Procyon lotor, Raccoon, Reservoir host, Wildlife