Gastrointestinal Parasites in Road-Killed Raccoons and Opossums in Western Maryland

Abstract

Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) harbor several types of endoparasites, including various nematode and cestode species. The purpose of this study was to identify endoparasites from the gastrointestinal tract of road-killed opossums and raccoons collected in Fall 2011 in Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland. A total of 2 opossums and 3 raccoons were collected and dissected and several endoparasitic worms were removed. Sex of each worm was determined and eggs were removed from selected females for examination. Two nematode species were identified in the opossum: Physaloptera turgida was found in the stomach; and Cruzia americana was found in the intestine. One nematode species was identified in the raccoon: Baylisascaris procyonis was found in the intestine. Also, approximately 12 damaged proglottids from a tapeworm were found in the intestine of 1 raccoon, but definitive identification of the species was not possible. Our results are similar to previous studies which have found these same nematodes in opossums and raccoons, although recent reports of these species in Western Maryland have not been reported. Endoparasite species are usually specific to their definitive host; however, B. procyonis is considered a zoonotic agent because accidental ingestion of eggs can cause visceral larval migrans in humans. Even though our sample size was too small to assign any statistical significance to our data, the fact remains that B. procyonis poses a serious risk to human health and further studies to determine the number of raccoons and other animals infected in Western Maryland may be warranted.