Prevalence of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from an urban area of northern Virginia.
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are reservoir hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi. A 3-yr-long serological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of antibodies to this zoonotic parasite in raccoons collected from Fairfax County, Virginia, a suburban/urban area outside Washington, D.C. Serum samples from 464 raccoons were examined for T. cruzi antibodies at a 1:40 dilution with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and Brazil strain T. cruzi amastigotes and trypomastigotes as antigen. A positive IFAT test was found in 154 (33%) of the 464 samples. The yearly prevalence was 49 of 132 (37%) in 2000; 19 of 120 (16%) in 2001; and 86 of 212 (41%) in 2002. Our study indicates that raccoons in this area of Virginia are frequently exposed to T. cruzi.
Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, 1410 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0342, USA.
Katie
K
Hancock
Anne M
AM
Zajac
Oscar J
OJ
Pung
Francois
F
Elvinger
Alexa C
AC
Rosypal
David S
DS
Lindsay
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology*; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology*; D014504:Urban Health; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan