title: Parasitology, virology, and serology of free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA.
abstract: We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasites and viral agents. Sixteen coyotes had adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Serum samples from 27 animals revealed antibodies against canine parvovirus (100%), canine distemper virus (48%), canine adenovirus (37%), and Trypanosoma cruzi (7%); none were detected against Leishmania spp. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) coyotes were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Real-time PCR of feces revealed 32% of coyotes were shedding canine parvovirus, and sequencing revealed type 2b and 2c. Because coyotes could be a spillover host of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) pathogens, studies of the transmission of pathogens between coyotes and domestic dogs are warranted.
authors.affiliation: 1  Center for Wildlife Health, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, The University of Tennessee, 274 Ellington PSB, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gerhold
authors.forename: Rebecca P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Wilkes
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Gulsby
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maestas
authors.forename: Alexa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosypal
authors.forename: Karl V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Debra L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046029:Coyotes; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D017993:Parvovirus, Canine / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: Canine parvovirus; Toxoplasma gondii; Trypanosoma cruzi; coyote (Canis latrans); heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis); parasite