title: Geographic and temporal prevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Pennsylvania, USA.
abstract: In autumn of 2010 we collected fecal samples from the rectums of 89 trapped or road-killed Pennsylvania raccoons (Procyon lotor). Similar samples were collected in the summer and autumn of 2011 from 383 raccoons. Fecal samples were stored in 10% formalin until examined. Using saturated sugar flotation and a direct smear, we found Baylisascaris procyonis eggs in 38% of 2010 samples and 32.9% of 2011 samples. Prevalence in raccoons was greater in autumn than in summer and greater in juveniles than in adults; there was not a statistically significant difference between sexes. Infected raccoons were found in 54 of the 65 counties from which samples were recovered (a mean of 5.9 [range 1-12] raccoons were examined per county). The prevalences were similar in all regions of the state.
authors.affiliation: 1  Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, Orchard Road, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Walter O
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Cottrell
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Heagy
authors.forename: Joshua B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marcantuno
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Nolan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001199:Ascaridoidea / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Fecal flotation; Procyon lotor; parasite; zoonotic