浣熊(Procyonlotor)是北美和中美洲的食肉动物,逐步引入亚洲和欧洲,包括意大利。它是多个内寄生虫的重要载体,原生动物和蠕虫,其中一些是人畜共患的。这项研究的目的是调查意大利中部非本地浣熊种群的体内寄生虫。当地主管部门收集了62只浣熊(60只被困安乐死,两人发现死亡)并接受尸检。尸体接受了广泛的寄生虫学调查,包括共产技术(胃肠道的宏观检查,肺,气管,和心,Flotac®,Baermann测试,以及对十二指肠贾第虫和隐孢子虫的免疫荧光。),毛毛虫呼吸道/尿毛细血管病和人工消化的研究。幼虫,和回肠的组织病理学检查。使用基于下一代测序的扩增子测序方法在物种水平上进一步鉴定蛔虫寄生虫。结果显示存在不同的原生动物和线虫:Baylisscarisprocyonis(26/62;41.9%),Pearsonemasp.(6/62;9.6%),毛细管科(6/62;9.6%),艾美球虫sp.(2/62;3.2%),隐孢子虫。(2/62;3.2%),和环孔科(2/62;3.2%)。B.procyonis是一种新兴的蠕虫动物共患病病原体,被认为是公众和动物健康的严重关切,考虑到它可能传播到paratenic宿主,包括人类和宠物。浣熊作为多寄生虫携带者的作用应该是继续根除/控制这种外来物种的动机,并支持实施相关疾病监测计划的需要。
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a carnivore native to North and Central America, gradually introduced into Asia and Europe, including Italy. It is an important carrier of multiple endoparasites, both Protozoa and Helminths, some of them being zoonotic. The aim of this study was to investigate the endoparasites of the non-native raccoon population of Central Italy. Sixty-two raccoons were collected by local competent authorities (sixty trapped and euthanized, two found dead) and subjected to necroscopic examination. Carcasses underwent a broad parasitological investigation, including coprological techniques (macroscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, trachea, and heart, Flotac®, Baermann test, and immunofluorescence for Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp.), research on respiratory/urinary capillariosis and artificial digestion for Trichinella spp. larvae, and a histopathological examination of the ileum. Ascarid parasites were further identified at the species level using a next-generation sequencing-based amplicon sequencing approach. The results showed the presence of different Protozoa and Nematodes: Baylisascaris procyonis (26/62; 41.9%), Pearsonema sp. (6/62; 9.6%), Capillariidae (6/62; 9.6%), Eimeria sp. (2/62; 3.2%), Cryptosporidium sp. (2/62; 3.2%), and Ancylostomatidae (2/62; 3.2%). B. procyonis is an emerging helminthic zoonotic agent considered a serious concern for public and animal health, given the possibility of its transmission to paratenic hosts, including humans and pets. The demonstrated role of the raccoon as a multi-parasite carrier should be an incentive to continuing the eradication/control of this alien species, and supports the need to implement related disease surveillance programs.