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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #111899
Title: CLINICAL COCCDIOSIS IN RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR)

Author
item Dubey, Jitender
item GARNER, M - NORTHWEST ZOOPATH
item Rosenthal, Benjamin
item DEGHETTO, D - WILDLIFE CENTER, LYNNWOOD

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Protozoa of the genus Eimeria are single-celled parasites of livestock. Coccidiosis causes severe economic losses to the cattle and poultry industries. Infection is rarely clinical in carnivores. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and Northwest Zoopath, Washington report a severe clinical coccidiosis in raccoons and report treatment for it. These results will be of interest to wildlife biologists, zoo veterinarians, pathologists and parasitologists.

Technical Abstract: Clinical coccidiosis was diagnosed in wild-caught and captive raccoons. Eimeria procyonis-like oocysts were seen in 15 of 15 captive raccoons. In 6 of 6 juvenile, wild-caught raccoons examined at necropsy, endogenous coccidian stages were seen in the small intestine. Two types of schizonts (large and small) were identified. Large schizonts were up to 110 m long, ,contained 10 m long merozoites, and were in crypt glandular epithelial cells. Smaller schizonts were 10 m long, contained 5 m long merozoites, and were at the tips of the villi. Only a few gamonts and no oocysts were seen in sections. These stages were thought to be of E. procyonis.