Helminthes in Feral Raccoon (Procyon lotor) as an Alien Species in Iran
-
Meysam SHARIFDINI
,
Omar M. AMIN
,
Keyhan ASHRAFI
,
Nader KARAMZADEH
,
Iraj MOBEDI
,
Behnaz RAHMATI
,
Zahra HESARI
Abstract
Background: The raccoon, Procyon lotor Linn. (Procyonidae) is native to North and Central America but has been introduced in several European and Asian countries including Japan, Germany and Iran. Objective of this study was to determine frequency of gastrointestinal and tissue helminthes from feral raccoons in Iran.
Methods: During 2015-2017, 30 feral raccoons including 12 males and 18 females were collected from Guilan Province, northern Iran (the only region in Iran where raccoons are found). The gastrointestinal tracts and tissues such as lung, liver and muscles were examined for presence of helminthes.
Results: Twenty raccoons (66.7%) were found infected with five intestinal helminth species. The prevalence of infection with Strongyloides procyonis Little, 1966 (Nematoda) was 63.3%, Plagiorchis koreanus Ogata, 1938 (Trematoda) (13.3%), Centrorhynchus sp. Lühe, 1911 (Acanthocephala) (10.0%), Camerostrongylus didelphis Wolfgang, 1951 (Nematoda) (3.3%), and Spirocerca lupi Rudolphi, 1809 (Nematoda) (3.3%). No larvae or adult worms were found in other tissues of the examined raccoons.
Conclusion: Most of the raccoons were infected with S. procyonis. The public health importance of zoonotic parasites transmittable through raccoons, the rapid control and decrease of raccoon populations and their distribution in Iran are also discussed.
1. Bartoszewicz M, Okarma H, Zalewski A, et al. Ecology of raccoon (Procyon lotor) from western Poland. Ann Zool Fennici. 2008;45(4):291–298.
2. Lutz W. The introduced raccoon Procyon lotor population in Germany. Wildl Biol. 1996;2(3):228.
3. Beltrán-Beck B, Garcia FJ, Gortázar C. Raccoons in Europe: disease hazards due to the establishment of an invasive species. Eur J Wildl Res. 2012;58(1):5–15.
4. Vos A, Ortmann S, Kretzschmar AS, et al. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) as potential rabies reservoir species in Germany: a risk assessment. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2012;125(5-6):228-235.
5. Aliev FF, Sanderson GC. Distribution and status of the raccoon in Soviet Union. J Wildl Manage. 1966;30(3):497–502.
6. Farashi A, Kaboli M, Karami M. Predicting range expansion of invasive raccoons in northern Iran using ENFA model at two different scales. Ecol Inform. 2013;1(15):96–102.
7. Javanmard E, Nemati S, Sharifdini M, et al. The first report and molecular analysis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from raccoon (Procyon lotor) in north of Iran. J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2020;67(3):359-368.
8. Jordan HE, Hayes FA. Gastrointestinal helminths of raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Ossabaw Island, Georgia. J Parasitol. 1959;45(3):249-252.
9. Kresta AE, Henke SE, Pence DB. Gastrointestinal helminths in raccoons in Texas. J Wildl Dis. 2009;45(1):1-13.
10. Sato H, Suzuki K. Gastrointestinal helminths of feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. J Vet Med Sci. 2006;68(4):311-318.
11. Sapp SG, Rascoe LN, Wilkins PP,et al. Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm seroprevalence among wildlife rehabilitators, United States and Canada, 2012-2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016; 22(12):2128-31.
12. Kazemi Rad L, Mohammadi H. Climate Change Assessment in Gilan province, Iran. J Agri Crop Sci. 2015;8(2), 86-93.
13. Yamaguti S. Systema Helminthum. 1 st ed: Vol. I-IV. New York, Interscience Publishers, 1958-1963.
14. Anderson, R.C. Nematode Parasites of Vertebrates: Their Development and Transmission, 2nd ed. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, 2000.
15. Torchin ME, Lafferty KD, Dobson AP, et al. Introduced species and their missing parasites. Nature. 2003;421 (6923):628-630.
16. Torchin ME, Mitchell CE. Parasites, pathogens, and invasions by plants and animals. Front Ecol Environ. 2004;2(4):183–190.
17. Karamon J, Kochanowski M, Cencek T, et al. Gastrointestinal helminths of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in western Poland (Lubuskie province) with particular regard to Baylisascaris procyonis. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy. 2014;58(4):547-552.
18. Gavin PJ, Shulman ST. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003;22(7):651-652.
19. Matoba Y, Yamada D, Asano M,et al. Parasitic helminths from feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Japan. Helminthologia. 2006;43(3):139–146.
20. Miyashita M. Prevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis in raccoons in Japan and experimental infections of the worm in laboratory animals. Seikatsueisei. 1993;37(3):137–51
21. Little MD. Dermatitis in a human volunteer infected with Strongyloides of nutria and raccoon. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1965;14(6):1007-1009.
22. Little MD. Seven new species of Strongyloides (Nematoda) from Louisiana. J Parasitol. 1966;52(1):85-97.
23. Popiolek M, Szczesna-Staskiewicz J, Bartoszewicz M, et al. Helminth parasites of an introduced invasive carnivore species, the raccoon (Procyon lotor L.), from the Warta Mouth National Park (Poland). J Parasitol. 2011;97(2):357-360.
24. Cole RA, Shoop WL. Helminths of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) in western Kentucky. J Parasitol. 1987;73(4):762-768.
25. Richardson DJ, Owen WB, Snyder DE. Helminth parasites of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) from north-central Arkansas. J Parasitol. 1992;78(1):163-6.
26. Robel RJ, Barnes NA, Upton SJ. Gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa from two raccoon populations in Kansas. J Parasitol. 1989;75(6):1000-10003.
27. Ching HL, Leighton BJ, Stephen C. Intestinal parasites of raccoons (Procyon lotor) from southwest British Columbia. Can J Vet Res. 2000;64(2):107-111.
28. Birch GL, Feldhamer GA, W G. Helminths of the gastrointestinal tract of Raccoons in Southern Illinois with management implications of Baylisascaris procyonis occurrence. Trans Ill State Acad Sci. 1994;87(3-4):165-170.
29. Shoop WL, Michael BF, Eary CH, et al. Transmammary transmission of Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs. J Parasitol. 2002;88(3):536-539.
30. Dimitrova ZM, Gibson DI. Some species of Centrorhynchus Luhe, 1911 (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. Syst Parasitol. 2005;62(2):117–134.
31. Richardson DJ, Smales LR, Ghorbani MN, et al. Centrorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from Stray Dogs (Canis familiaris) in Qom Iran. Comp Parasitol. 2017;84(2):159–162.
32. Borhanikia A, Meshgi B, Shahi Ferdous MM. The first report of Acanthocephala infection in a Long-Legged Buzzard in Iran. European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians; Budapest2006. p. 227–228.
33. Shirazi S, Hesaraki S, Mostafaei T, et al. First report on Centrorhynchus aluconis in common buzzard (Buteo buteo) in northwest Iran. Acta Vet Beograd. 2014; 64(2):276–280.
34. Shimalov VV, Shimalov VT. Helminth fauna of the American mink (Mustela vison Schreber, 1777) in Belorussian Polesie. Parasitol Res. 2001;87(10):886-887.
35. van der Merwe LL, Kirberger RM, Clift S, et al. Spirocerca lupi infection in the dog: a review. Vet J. 2008;176(3):294-309.
36. Wolfgang RW. Studies on the endoparasitic fauna of Trinidad mammals: VIII. Parasites of marsupials. Can J Zool. 1951;29(6):352-373.
37. Little MD. Comparative morphology of six previously described and seven new species of Strongyloides (Nematoda). Ph.D. thesis, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 120 p. 1961.
2. Lutz W. The introduced raccoon Procyon lotor population in Germany. Wildl Biol. 1996;2(3):228.
3. Beltrán-Beck B, Garcia FJ, Gortázar C. Raccoons in Europe: disease hazards due to the establishment of an invasive species. Eur J Wildl Res. 2012;58(1):5–15.
4. Vos A, Ortmann S, Kretzschmar AS, et al. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) as potential rabies reservoir species in Germany: a risk assessment. Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 2012;125(5-6):228-235.
5. Aliev FF, Sanderson GC. Distribution and status of the raccoon in Soviet Union. J Wildl Manage. 1966;30(3):497–502.
6. Farashi A, Kaboli M, Karami M. Predicting range expansion of invasive raccoons in northern Iran using ENFA model at two different scales. Ecol Inform. 2013;1(15):96–102.
7. Javanmard E, Nemati S, Sharifdini M, et al. The first report and molecular analysis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from raccoon (Procyon lotor) in north of Iran. J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2020;67(3):359-368.
8. Jordan HE, Hayes FA. Gastrointestinal helminths of raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Ossabaw Island, Georgia. J Parasitol. 1959;45(3):249-252.
9. Kresta AE, Henke SE, Pence DB. Gastrointestinal helminths in raccoons in Texas. J Wildl Dis. 2009;45(1):1-13.
10. Sato H, Suzuki K. Gastrointestinal helminths of feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. J Vet Med Sci. 2006;68(4):311-318.
11. Sapp SG, Rascoe LN, Wilkins PP,et al. Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm seroprevalence among wildlife rehabilitators, United States and Canada, 2012-2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016; 22(12):2128-31.
12. Kazemi Rad L, Mohammadi H. Climate Change Assessment in Gilan province, Iran. J Agri Crop Sci. 2015;8(2), 86-93.
13. Yamaguti S. Systema Helminthum. 1 st ed: Vol. I-IV. New York, Interscience Publishers, 1958-1963.
14. Anderson, R.C. Nematode Parasites of Vertebrates: Their Development and Transmission, 2nd ed. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK, 2000.
15. Torchin ME, Lafferty KD, Dobson AP, et al. Introduced species and their missing parasites. Nature. 2003;421 (6923):628-630.
16. Torchin ME, Mitchell CE. Parasites, pathogens, and invasions by plants and animals. Front Ecol Environ. 2004;2(4):183–190.
17. Karamon J, Kochanowski M, Cencek T, et al. Gastrointestinal helminths of raccoons (Procyon lotor) in western Poland (Lubuskie province) with particular regard to Baylisascaris procyonis. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy. 2014;58(4):547-552.
18. Gavin PJ, Shulman ST. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis). Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003;22(7):651-652.
19. Matoba Y, Yamada D, Asano M,et al. Parasitic helminths from feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Japan. Helminthologia. 2006;43(3):139–146.
20. Miyashita M. Prevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis in raccoons in Japan and experimental infections of the worm in laboratory animals. Seikatsueisei. 1993;37(3):137–51
21. Little MD. Dermatitis in a human volunteer infected with Strongyloides of nutria and raccoon. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1965;14(6):1007-1009.
22. Little MD. Seven new species of Strongyloides (Nematoda) from Louisiana. J Parasitol. 1966;52(1):85-97.
23. Popiolek M, Szczesna-Staskiewicz J, Bartoszewicz M, et al. Helminth parasites of an introduced invasive carnivore species, the raccoon (Procyon lotor L.), from the Warta Mouth National Park (Poland). J Parasitol. 2011;97(2):357-360.
24. Cole RA, Shoop WL. Helminths of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) in western Kentucky. J Parasitol. 1987;73(4):762-768.
25. Richardson DJ, Owen WB, Snyder DE. Helminth parasites of the raccoon (Procyon lotor) from north-central Arkansas. J Parasitol. 1992;78(1):163-6.
26. Robel RJ, Barnes NA, Upton SJ. Gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa from two raccoon populations in Kansas. J Parasitol. 1989;75(6):1000-10003.
27. Ching HL, Leighton BJ, Stephen C. Intestinal parasites of raccoons (Procyon lotor) from southwest British Columbia. Can J Vet Res. 2000;64(2):107-111.
28. Birch GL, Feldhamer GA, W G. Helminths of the gastrointestinal tract of Raccoons in Southern Illinois with management implications of Baylisascaris procyonis occurrence. Trans Ill State Acad Sci. 1994;87(3-4):165-170.
29. Shoop WL, Michael BF, Eary CH, et al. Transmammary transmission of Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs. J Parasitol. 2002;88(3):536-539.
30. Dimitrova ZM, Gibson DI. Some species of Centrorhynchus Luhe, 1911 (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from the collection of the Natural History Museum, London. Syst Parasitol. 2005;62(2):117–134.
31. Richardson DJ, Smales LR, Ghorbani MN, et al. Centrorhynchus sp. (Acanthocephala: Centrorhynchidae) from Stray Dogs (Canis familiaris) in Qom Iran. Comp Parasitol. 2017;84(2):159–162.
32. Borhanikia A, Meshgi B, Shahi Ferdous MM. The first report of Acanthocephala infection in a Long-Legged Buzzard in Iran. European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians; Budapest2006. p. 227–228.
33. Shirazi S, Hesaraki S, Mostafaei T, et al. First report on Centrorhynchus aluconis in common buzzard (Buteo buteo) in northwest Iran. Acta Vet Beograd. 2014; 64(2):276–280.
34. Shimalov VV, Shimalov VT. Helminth fauna of the American mink (Mustela vison Schreber, 1777) in Belorussian Polesie. Parasitol Res. 2001;87(10):886-887.
35. van der Merwe LL, Kirberger RM, Clift S, et al. Spirocerca lupi infection in the dog: a review. Vet J. 2008;176(3):294-309.
36. Wolfgang RW. Studies on the endoparasitic fauna of Trinidad mammals: VIII. Parasites of marsupials. Can J Zool. 1951;29(6):352-373.
37. Little MD. Comparative morphology of six previously described and seven new species of Strongyloides (Nematoda). Ph.D. thesis, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, 120 p. 1961.
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| Issue | Vol 15 No 2 (2020) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v15i2.3306 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Prevalence Raccoons Helminthes Iran | ||
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How to Cite
1.
SHARIFDINI M, M. AMIN O, ASHRAFI K, KARAMZADEH N, MOBEDI I, RAHMATI B, HESARI Z. Helminthes in Feral Raccoon (Procyon lotor) as an Alien Species in Iran. Iran J Parasitol. 2020;15(2):240-247.
