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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #99741
Title: PULMONARY ADIASPIROMYCOSIS IN RACCOONS (PROCYON LOTOR) FROM OREGON

Author
item Hamir, Amirali

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/5/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Raccoons are ubiquitous and share our immediate environment. They are considered good monitors of diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans. During a two year period (1995-1997) 63 adult raccoons from Oregon were examined for a fungal infection (adiaspiromycosis) which can affect both humans and animals. The study revealed presence of this fungus sin 5 (8%) raccoons. All were present in the lungs. Since only one small area of lung tissue per raccoon was microscopically examined, it is likely that a high prevalence would have been obtained if multiple sections of the lungs were evaluated. The results of the present investigation in raccoons, and past documentation of cases of this fungal infection in domestic animals in Oregon, indicate that a focus of infection is present in this part of the country. Further studies are required not only to document the true prevalence of this condition in raccoons, but also to establish the geographical extent of this infection in the northwest Unite States.

Technical Abstract: Adiaspiromycosis refers to the development in tissues, without replication, of adiaconidia from inhaled spore forming fungal organism, Chrysosporium (Emmonsia) parvum. In North America only 2 cases of infection by this organism have been documented in domestic animals (a dog and a goat), both from Oregon. During a two year period (1995-1997) 5 of 63 adult raccoons from Oregon revealed histological evidence of Chrysosporium parvum. Gross lesions of the infection were not seen in any of the affected lungs. Microscopic lesions were present in the alveolar tissue and consisted of variable numbers of multifocal randomly distributed granulomas containing epithelioid macrophages and lesser numbers of multinucleate giant cells. Within the centers of these inflammatory foci was usually one large (up to 300 um) fungal spherule (adiaconida) composed of fine granular eosinophilic material surrounded by a thick laminated capsule. The results of the present investigation in raccoons, and past documentation of cases of adiaspiromycosis in domestic animals in Oregon, indicate that a focus of infection is present in this part of the country.