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The invasive raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an abundant carnivore and considered as an important potential vector of infectious diseases and parasites in Europe. Raccoons show a broad, opportunistic, omnivorous food spectrum. Food supply and habitat quality in urban areas are very attractive for the generalist raccoon. This inevitably leads to increase...
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... September 2017 and November 2021 234 free-ranging raccoons (Procyon lotor) were captured in an area of about 1100 km 2 in Central Germany (federal states of Hesse and Bavaria). The location where the animals were captured was provided by the hunters at postcode level. A total number of 20 postcode areas were covered (Fig. 1). The raccoons were hunted or trapped. The selection of the trapping sites was based on reports of raccoon sightings from foresters, private hunters, and house owners. Sampling was carried out in accordance with the applicable legal regulations. Throughout the study area no special permits (other than a general hunting license) were ...
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... et al., 2003;Kazacos 2001) (Fig. 3). The final host shows almost no signs of disease when infected with this roundworm, while any intermediate or accidental hosts may suffer organ damage (Blizzard et al., 2010). The raccoon roundworm B. procyonis is currently considered a serious zoonotic agent in Germany (Bauer, 2013;French et al., 2019) and a causative agent of human baylisascariosis. ...
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The present study was undertaken to assess the farmers’ knowledge and awareness of milkborne zoonoses in Bhaghabarighat Milk Shed Areas of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was carried out in randomly selected 270 dairy farmers in Pabna and Sirajgonj district. A pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect information from respondents r...
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... For the ectoparasitological examination of the animals, the fur was first systematically divided into the subareas head, forechest, back and belly. The search of the fur was performed according to Peter et al. (2023), immediately before the beginning of the dissection. The ectoparasites were stored in a 1.5 ml Eppendorf tube for morphological determination in 70% EtOH. ...
... The resulting disease is called alariasis and may have respiratory and cutaneous effects (Bialasiewicz, 2000;Möhl et al., 2009;Zajac and Conboy, 2012). In addition to the raccoon dog, foxes and raccoons are also known as final hosts in Europe (Bružinskaitė-Schmidhalter et al., 2012;Al-Sabi et al., 2013;Duscher et al., 2017;Lempp et al., 2017;Korpysa-Dzirba et al., 2021;Pilarczyk et al., 2022;Peter et al., 2023). The stomach content analyses of this study revealed that amphibians are food organisms for the raccoon dog, including the grass frog R. temporaria, which serves as a second intermediate host for A. alata. ...
Originally from Asia, the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides is an invasive alien species in Europe, listed since 2019 on the List of invasive alien species of Union concern. The raccoon dog is considered to have negative impact on native biodiversity, as well as a crucial role in hosting and transmitting diverse parasites and pathogens of human and veterinary importance. In the present study, stomach content analyses and parasitological examinations were performed on 73 raccoon dogs from Germany. In addition, fecal samples were analyzed. The results of the study confirm the assumption that the examined raccoon dogs were infested with a various ecto- and endoparasite fauna. A total of 9 ecto- and 11 endoparasites were detected, with 6 of the endoparasites having human pathogenic potential. Trichodectes canis (P = 53.42%), Toxocara canis (P = 50.68%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (P = 68.49%) were the most abundant parasite species. The stomach contents consisted of approximately one-third vegetable and two-thirds animal components, composed of various species of amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and birds. Among them were specially protected or endangered species such as the grass frog Rana temporaria. The study shows that the raccoon dog exerts predation pressure on native species due to its omnivorous diet and, as a carrier of various parasites, poses a potential risk of infection to wild, domestic and farm animals and humans.
... Baylisascaris procyonis was found in 28.7% of 101 examined raccoons, making it the second most prevalent helminth species in this study. Previously reported prevalence values for B. procyonis in Germany vary significantly, ranging from 0% to 95% depending on the geographical region [10,16,25,49,50]. Raccoon populations in central Germany, including urban areas, especially exhibit remarkably high prevalence rates [10,25,49]. ...
... Previously reported prevalence values for B. procyonis in Germany vary significantly, ranging from 0% to 95% depending on the geographical region [10,16,25,49,50]. Raccoon populations in central Germany, including urban areas, especially exhibit remarkably high prevalence rates [10,25,49]. Prevalence rates in neighboring countries show considerable differences but tend to be lower than those in Germany [18,47,51,52]. ...
... A total of 64.3% of the 28 raccoons that tested positive in the visual examinations and SSCT showed a mild infestation, 32.1% had a moderate infestation, and a heavy infection was observed in only 3.7% of the raccoons (Figure 2). These results contradict previous studies from Germany, which often reported heavy or moderate infestations [10,25]. However, it should be noted that the categorization criteria for infestation severity may differ between studies. ...
Citation: Reinhardt, N.P.; Wassermann, M.; Härle, J.; Romig, T.; Kurzrock, L.; Arnold, J.; Großmann, E.; Mackenstedt, U.; Straubinger, R.K. Helminths in Invasive Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Southwest Germany. Pathogens 2023, 12, 919.
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 PetChek TM 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.
... Page 2 of 11 Beltrán-Beck et al. 2012;Duscher et al. 2017;Lombardo et al. 2022). Of particular importance is the raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis, which originated from North America and can be found with a similarly high prevalence in some introduced ranges (Duscher 2020;Peter et al. 2023). ...
The raccoon is listed among the invasive alien species of EU concern requiring management actions. Projections of its global distribution have been mainly based on climatic variables so far. In this study, we aim to address the impact of land cover (LC) on the raccoon distribution in North America and Europe. First, we identified the LC types in which the observation sites are predominantly located to derive preferred LC types. Second, we used an ecological niche modelling (ENM) approach to evaluate the predictive power of climatic and LC information on the current distribution patterns of raccoons in both ranges. Raccoons seem to be more often associated to forested areas and mixed landscapes, including cropland and urban areas, but underrepresented in vegetation-poor areas, with patterns largely coinciding in both ranges. In order to compare the predictive power of climate variables and land cover variables, we conducted principal component analyses of all variables in the respective variable sets (climate variables and land cover variables) and used all PC variables that together explain 90% of the total variance in the respective set as predictors. Land cover only models resulted in patchy patterns in the projected habitat suitabilities and showed a higher performance compared to the climate only models in both ranges. In Europe, the land cover habitat suitability seems to exceed the current observed occurrences, which could indicate a further spread potential of the raccoon in Europe. We conclude that information on land cover types are important drivers, which explain well the spatial patterns of the raccoon. Consideration of land cover could benefit efforts to control invasive carnivores and contribute to better management of biodiversity, but also human and animal health.
... In accordance with the previous literature, the results of this parasitological investigation confirm the role of the raccoon as a host for several species of endoparasites, both Protozoa [27] and Helminths [28][29][30][31]. Among protozoal infections, cryptosporidiosis of raccoons has been documented in several countries: Illinois and Virginia, USA [18,32,33], Luxembourg [34], Poland [35], Germany [36], Iran [37], and Japan [27]. ...
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.
Zoonoses are diseases and infections that can be transmitted naturally between animals and humans. Direct and indirect contact of humans with wildlife occur during hunting activities, when diseased wildlife is found and treated, and in shared fields, forests, parks, gardens, and homes. Zoonoses can only be understood and controlled when ecosystems, animals, and humans are considered holistically.
This paper presents important zoonotic pathogens that are currently present in wild mammals as reservoirs in Germany.
The literature was searched to determine the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens currently occurring in wild mammals.
Viral zoonotic agents currently present in free-ranging, mammalian animals in Germany as reservoirs of natural origin are bornaviruses, lyssaviruses, hepatitis E virus genotype 3, and Puumala orthohantavirus. Bacterial zoonotic agents beyond typical wound and foodborne pathogens include Brucella suis Biovar 2, Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica, Leptospira interrogans sensu latu, Mycobacterium caprae, and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. In particular, parasitic zoonotic agents common in wildlife are Alaria alata, Baylisascaris procyonis, Echinococcus multilocularis, Sacoptes scabei, and Trichinella spp.
The presence of zoonotic infectious agents of risk groups 2 and 3 has to be regularly expected in numerous endemic wildlife species, especially canines, small bears, rodents, insectivores, and bats. Animal caretakers, hunters, veterinarians, and human health professionals should be aware of this risk and take protective measures appropriate to the situation.
Fur farming involves the captive-breeding, rearing, and killing of between 85 – 100 million animals annually for their pelts. The purpose of this report is to summarise key areas of significance and concern regarding fur farming, and discuss these matters and their one-health considerations. We conducted primary literature searches using Google Scholar and PubMed that focused on issues of animal welfare, zoonoses and public health, and environmental impacts of fur farming, and examined 280 reports. We identified that at least 15 species are farmed for fur across at least 19 countries. We found 16 categories of animal welfare concern (e.g., deprivation, stress, abnormal behaviours, insanitary conditions, forced obesity, and high morbidity and mortality), 18 reported endemic pathogens and diseases with confirmed or potential zoonotic and cross-species implications (e.g., bacterial n = 6, viral n = 5, and parasitic n = 7), and four main categories of environmental concern (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, invasive alien species, toxic chemicals, and eutrophication) associated with fur farming. Despite numerous efforts to systematically monitor and control animal welfare at fur farms, practices continue to fail to meet normal scientific principles and models used in other animal welfare situations. In our view, limited available data does not currently indicate that fur farms are major sources of zoonotic epidemics and pandemics. The environmental problems caused by fur farming are significant, and relate mainly to invasive species, toxic chemical release and eutrophication of water bodies. We offer some recommendations for monitoring and controlling particular fur farming practices, in line with many governments and other investigators we conclude that inherent problems are essentially unresolvable and advocate complete prohibitions on the sector.
Invasive wild mammals are present in all continents, with Europe, North America and the Asian-Pacific region having the largest number of established species. In particular, Europe has been the continent with the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals. These invasive species may represent a major threat for the conservation of native ecosystems and may enter in the transmission cycle of native parasites, or act as spreaders of exotic parasites. Here, we review the role of invasive wild mammals as spreaders of zoonotic parasites presenting important examples from Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Finally, we emphasize the need for more research on these mammals and their parasites, especially in areas where their monitoring is scantly performed.
