Raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) are the new natural definitive hosts of Metagonimus hakubaensis.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Hakozaki J
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8267203 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Although kinship (parent-offspring or siblings) contact has been suggested as a driving factor for sarcoptic mange epizootic in raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), no effect has been reported. In contrast, habitat fragmentation caused by urbanization may result in a high occurrence of sarcoptic mange, because habitat fragmentation may promote contact infection by increasing the population density of raccoon dogs. The habitat distribution of raccoon dogs may therefore influence epizootic sarcoptic mange. The genetic relationship between raccoon dogs was analyzed to examine Sarcoptes scabiei transmission between kin. The relationship between S. scabiei infection and the habitat of raccoon dogs was also investigated. Seventy-five raccoon dogs from Takasaki, Gunma prefecture, were examined from 2012 to 2018; 23 were infested with S. scabiei. The genotypes were determined using 17 microsatellite loci, and the relationships were categorized into four patterns by the ML-Relate software. There was no significant difference between infested pairs and other two pairs (Chi- squared test: ?2=0.034, df=1, P=0.85). Although it was difficult to predicate because the mortality rate was unclear in this study, kinship contact does not seem to be an important factor for sarcoptic mange epizootic. S. scabiei infection rates were significantly associated with the location of village sections (OR=1.55, 95% CI=1.11-2.17, P=0.011). It is suggested that direct/indirect contact between individuals living closely together is an important factor for the transmission of S. scabiei.
| S-EPMC7538332 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Anaplasmosis, cat-scratch disease, and Lyme disease are emerging vector-borne infectious diseases in Korea. Although the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in domestic animals and vector arthropods has been documented, there is limited information on the presence of VBPs in wild animals. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a wild canid found in East Asia and Europe, represents a potential wildlife reservoir for zoonotic diseases. To investigate the prevalence of VBPs in raccoon dogs, 142 carcasses and 51 blood samples from captured raccoon dogs were collected from 2003 to 2010 and from 2008 to 2009, respectively, in Korea. In addition, 105 Haemaphysalis flava (14 larvae, 43 nymphs, 32 males, and 16 females) and nine Haemaphysalis longicornis (all female) were collected from three raccoon dogs. Samples of the spleen and blood were tested for the presence of VBPs by using nested polymerase chain reaction. Among the samples collected from 193 raccoon dogs and 114 ticks, two samples were positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, four for Anaplasma bovis, two for Borrelia theileri, and two for Bartonella henselae. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the largest survey of raccoon dogs aimed at the analysis of VBPs in this species. Moreover, the present study represents the first identification of A. phagocytophilum, B. henselae, and B. theileri in raccoon dogs in their native habitat (East Asia).
| S-EPMC5928811 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes have been widely studied to assess the immunological fitness and evolutionary adaptation of animal populations. Among the Canidae, the raccoon dog's adventurous nature, omnivorous behavior, and high variability of intracellular pathogens make it ideal to study selection on MHC class I in a non-model canid species. Here, we examined allelic diversity and evolutionary patterns of MHC class I genes in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). We identified 48 novel MHC class I alleles from 31 raccoon dogs from Japan and Russia. Some alleles were geographically restricted, whereas others were widely distributed across the species' range. The rate of non-synonymous substitutions was greater than that of synonymous substitutions for both exon 2 and exon 3 encoding α1 and α2 domains, respectively, in the α chain of the MHC class I protein. Positively selected sites at the amino acid level were evident in both the α1 and α2 domains, and a recombination breakpoint was found in exon 3. Bayesian phylogenetic trees showed no evidence of trans-species polymorphism (TSP) with alleles from carnivoran species in other families but did detect TSP between raccoon dogs and the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, indicative of long-term balancing selection in canids. Our results indicate that the extensive allelic diversity of MHC class I in Japanese and Russian raccoon dogs has been influenced and maintained by pathogen-driven positive selection, recombination, and long-term balancing selection.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13364-021-00561-y.
| S-EPMC7957040 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common species of microsporidia found both in humans and animals. Farmed animals, particularly closely associated to humans, may play an important role of zoonotic reservoir in transmitting this disease to humans. The fur industry is a major economic component in some parts of China. To understand the prevalence, genotype variety and zoonotic risk of E. bieneusi in farmed foxes and raccoon dogs, two species of fur animals, fecal specimens of 110 blue foxes and 49 raccoon dogs from Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces in China were examined by internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR. E. bieneusi was detected in 16.4% (18/110) blue foxes and 4.1% (2/49) raccoon dogs. Altogether, four genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including two known genotypes D (n = 13) and EbpC (n = 5), and two novel genotypes named as CHN-F1 (n = 1) in a fox and CHN-R1 (n = 1) in a raccoon dog. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the four genotypes were the members of zoonotic group 1. Genotypes D and EbpC were found in humans previously. The findings of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi in the foxes and raccoon dogs suggest these animals infected with E. bieneusi may pose a threat to human health.
| S-EPMC4636423 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Giardia intestinalis, the only causative agent of human giardiasis, can infect a wide range of animals. As no information concerning the prevalence and genotyping of G. intestinalis in raccoon dogs in China is available, examination of 305 faecal samples from raccoon dogs in Jilin Province (n?=?110), Heilongjiang Province (n?=?40), Liaoning Province (n?=?72), Hebei Province (n?=?54) and Shandong Province (n?=?29) was conducted to estimate the prevalence of G. intestinalis in raccoon dogs in northern China and identify their genotypes using a genetic approach.Of 305 faecal samples from farmed raccoon dogs, 22 (7.21 %) were detected G. intestinalis-positive by nested PCR amplification of the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene. The prevalence of G. intestinalis was strongly related to the region and season of sampling. All 22 samples were analysed at the tpi, the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and the beta giardin (bg) gene loci, showing 13, 3, 2 subtypes, respectively. The results also demonstrated that two raccoon dogs harboured mixed infections of assemblage C and assemblage D (or mixed C/D), whereas only assemblage C was detected in the remaining 20 samples. Moreover, five new multilocus genotypes, named as MLGs C1-C5, were observed in the assemblage C in the present study.This is the first report of G. intestinalis infection in raccoon dogs in China. DNA sequence analysis of the tpi, gdh and bg gene indicated that 13, 3, 2 subtypes were found at these loci, respectively. Furthermore, this is also the first report of five new multilocus genotypes (MLGs C1-C5) in farmed raccoon dogs, which provides baseline data for further studies of the distribution of G. duodenalis in different hosts.
| S-EPMC5004317 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The gut microbiota of wild animals, influenced by various factors including diet, nutrition, gender, and age, plays a critical role in their health and disease status. This study focuses on raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), a commonly found wild animal, and its gut microbiota composition in response to dietary shifts. The study aimed to compare the fecal bacterial communities and diversity of rescued raccoon dogs fed three different diet types (fish and amphibians, mixed protein with maize, and solely maize) using high-throughput sequencing. Results indicated that the dietary composition significantly influenced the gut microbiota, with notable differences in the abundance of several key phyla and genera. The study identified Firmicutes as the dominant phylum in all diet groups, with notable variations in the relative abundances of Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobiota. Notably, the group solely fed maize exhibited a significant increase in Proteobacteria, potentially linked to dietary fiber and lignin degradation. The genus-level analysis highlighted significant differences, with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium responding to dietary shifts. The genus Akkermansia in Verrucomicrobiota can be identified as a marker for assessing the health of the gut and deserves further investigation. Gender-specific differences in the gut microbiota were observed, highlighting the influence of individual variation. Furthermore, the analysis of bacterial functions suggested a connection between diet and host metabolism, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the complex mechanisms underlying the relationship between dietary composition and gut microbiota in wild animals. These findings provide crucial insights into conservation and rescue efforts for wild animals.
| S-EPMC10884114 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Adenovirus has been detected in a wide range of hosts like dogs, foxes, horses, bats, avian animals, and raccoon dogs. Canine adenoviruses with two serotypes host mammals and are members of the mastadenovirus family. Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV-2) cause infectious canine hepatitis and infectious bronchial disease, respectively. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of CAdV-1 and 2 in wild Nyctereutes procyonoides in Korea in 2017-2020 from 414 tissue samples, including the liver, kidney, lung, and intestine, collected from 105 raccoon dog carcasses. Only CAdV-2 was detected in two raccoon dogs, whereas CAdV-1 was not detected. Tissue samples from raccoon dogs were screened for CAdV-1 and CAdV-2 using conventional PCR. Adenovirus was successfully isolated from PCR positive samples using the Vero cell line, and the full-length gene sequence of the isolated viruses was obtained through 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The major genes of the isolated CAdV-2/18Ra54 and CAdV-2/18Ra-65 strains showed the closest relationship with that of the CAdV-2 Toronto A26/61 strain isolated from Canada in 1976. There is no large mutation between CAdV-2, which is prevalent worldwide, and CAdV-2, which is prevalent in wild animals in Korea. In addition, it is still spreading and causing infections. The Toronto A26/61 strain, which showed the most similarity to CAdV-2/18Ra-54, was likely transmitted to wild animals through vaccinated companion animals, suggesting that further research is needed on safety measures surrounding animal vaccination. This study provides information on the genetic characteristics and prevalence of canine adenovirus in domestic wild animals and provides a better understanding of canine adenovirus.
| S-EPMC9696381 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Total 513 heterophyid flukes were collected from a carcass of wild Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, in Korea. With morphological and molecular characteristics, the flukes were identified to Cryptocotyle lata. The adult C. lata were minute, transparent, pentagonal, 522 µm long by 425 µm wide. Ceca extended into post-testicular region. Ventrogenital sac elliptical, 79 µm by 87 µm with genital pore and ventral sucker. Two testes semielliptical and slightly lobed, located in the posterior region, right testis 173 µm by 155 µm, left testis 130 µm by 134 µm. In a phylogenetic tree, the fluke specimen of this study was grouped with C. lata divergent from Cryptocotyle lingua. We report here N. procyonoides koreensis first as a natural definitive host of C. lata.
| S-EPMC8721310 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We report a species of diplostomid fluke recovered from 3 carcasses of wild Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, in Korea. A total of 107 diplostomid flukes were recovered from the small intestines of Korean raccoon dogs, which were obtained from the Gangwon Wildlife Medical Rescue Center. Worms fixed with 10% neutral formalin were subjected to microscopic observation and those fixed in 70% ethanol were used for molecular genomic analysis. The worm was divided into 2 separate parts, forebody and hindbody, with a total length of 3,020-4,090 (3,855) µm and a width of 1,210-1,770 (1,562) µm. The boat-shaped forebody has a pair of characteristic tentacular appendage, 2 suckers, holdfast organ, and vitelline follicles. The oval to cylindrical hindbody has reproductive organs. The ovary was round or elliptical and located in the anterior of the testes. Two large testes were slightly segmented and tandemly arranged, occupying almost half of hindbody. The short uterus contained a relatively small number of unembryonated eggs sized 130-140×85-96 µm. The partial sequence of 18S rRNA of this fluke was consistent with Alaria alata. Based on the morphological and molecular characteristics, the diplostomid flukes recovered from the small intestine of Korean raccoon dogs were identified as A. alata (Digenea: Diplostomidae).
| S-EPMC9633156 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Originally from Asia, the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides is an invasive alien species in Europe, listed since 2019 on the List of invasive alien species of Union concern. The raccoon dog is considered to have negative impact on native biodiversity, as well as a crucial role in hosting and transmitting diverse parasites and pathogens of human and veterinary importance. In the present study, stomach content analyses and parasitological examinations were performed on 73 raccoon dogs from Germany. In addition, fecal samples were analyzed. The results of the study confirm the assumption that the examined raccoon dogs were infested with a various ecto- and endoparasite fauna. A total of 9 ecto- and 11 endoparasites were detected, with 6 of the endoparasites having human pathogenic potential. Trichodectes canis (P = 53.42%), Toxocara canis (P = 50.68%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (P = 68.49%) were the most abundant parasite species. The stomach contents consisted of approximately one-third vegetable and two-thirds animal components, composed of various species of amphibians, fish, insects, mammals and birds. Among them were specially protected or endangered species such as the grass frog Rana temporaria. The study shows that the raccoon dog exerts predation pressure on native species due to its omnivorous diet and, as a carrier of various parasites, poses a potential risk of infection to wild, domestic and farm animals and humans.
| S-EPMC10585636 | biostudies-literature