Event Title
Prevalence and Population Dynamics of Raccoon Roundworm in West Michigan: Assessing the Potential of an Emerging Zoonosis
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biomedical Sciences
Mentor Information
Doug Graham
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Location
Kirkhof Center KC44
Start Date
10-4-2013 9:00 AM
End Date
10-4-2013 10:00 AM
Keywords
Health, Life Science
Abstract
Baylisascaris procyonis (a.k.a. raccoon roundworm) is a gastrointestinal nematode parasite of raccoons. B. procyonis also infects many other wild and domestic species, wherein the larval stages migrate aggressively through vital organs often causing death. In humans, 50% of infections are fatal. We assessed the prevalence of B. procyonis in West Michigan by recovering adult worms from the small intestines of road-killed raccoons. Among the raccoons surveyed so far, prevalence of infection is 67%. Using microsatellites as genetic markers, we also describe preliminary analyses of the population genetic structure of B. procyonis, and report on the early stages of our surveillance of the area's dog population. Dogs, along with raccoons, can serve as definitive hosts of B. procyonis, which means they pass infective stages of this parasite in their feces. The degree to which dogs are infected will reflect the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans.
Prevalence and Population Dynamics of Raccoon Roundworm in West Michigan: Assessing the Potential of an Emerging Zoonosis
Kirkhof Center KC44
Baylisascaris procyonis (a.k.a. raccoon roundworm) is a gastrointestinal nematode parasite of raccoons. B. procyonis also infects many other wild and domestic species, wherein the larval stages migrate aggressively through vital organs often causing death. In humans, 50% of infections are fatal. We assessed the prevalence of B. procyonis in West Michigan by recovering adult worms from the small intestines of road-killed raccoons. Among the raccoons surveyed so far, prevalence of infection is 67%. Using microsatellites as genetic markers, we also describe preliminary analyses of the population genetic structure of B. procyonis, and report on the early stages of our surveillance of the area's dog population. Dogs, along with raccoons, can serve as definitive hosts of B. procyonis, which means they pass infective stages of this parasite in their feces. The degree to which dogs are infected will reflect the potential for zoonotic transmission to humans.