title: Prevalence and distribution of Baylisascaris procyonis in urban raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
abstract: The prevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis was estimated in the urban raccoon population of Winnipeg through the fecal flotation of raccoon feces collected at active latrines and through gross postmortem and fecal flotation of samples collected from nuisance raccoons. Fecal flotation of latrine-collected feces was positive in 33 of 89 samples and, of 52 latrines identified, 26 were positive on 1 or more occasions. Trapped individual raccoons subjected to postmortem examination were positive in 57 of 114 animals captured. Comparing a single fecal flotation to the gold standard of finding adult worms in the small intestine had a sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 92.9%. This study suggests that carriage of Baylisascaris procyonis is widespread in raccoons in the Winnipeg urban ecosystem. Raccoon latrines in Winnipeg should be treated as infectious sites and efforts should be made to limit access of pets and people at risk to those sites.
authors.affiliation: Office of the Chief Veterinarian, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, 545 University Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5S6.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sexsmith
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orvis
authors.forename: Dean J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Berezanski
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D001199:Ascaridoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology*; D014505:Urban Population