Environmental Temperatures in Southern Texas, USA: Implications for Survival of Baylisascaris procyonis Eggs.

Abstract

Baylisascaris procyonis is an intestinal nematode of raccoons ( Procyon lotor ). Within intermediate hosts, larvae can cause visceral, ocular, and neural migrans. Humans, especially children, have become infected after ingestion of larvated eggs at raccoon latrines. Eggs of B. procyonis have a thermal death point of 62 C. During 2012, we assessed the likelihood of thermal lethality on B. procyonis eggs in southern Texas. We recorded temperature every 30 min with data loggers placed on the ground in full sun and in the shade, buried 5 cm underground and the ground surface exposed to full sun or in shade, in attics with and without exhaust fans, in woodpiles, in sheds, in tree crevices, and in cars parked in the sun. Such locations represented common raccoon latrine sites or locations where B. procyonis eggs could be found. In addition, data loggers placed about 135 cm above the ground in full sun and in shade were used as controls to acquire ambient temperature. The hottest month was August (maximum 44 C), with 15 d that exceeded 38 C. However, only the car reached the lethal temperature limit, and only for 1 h. Southern Texas has one of the warmest climates in the contiguous US; however, it is unlikely that the southern Texas climate is hot enough to kill B. procyonis eggs.