Abstract
The aim of the study was to determinate the prevalence and intensity of infection of raccoon dogs with internal parasites, with a particular emphasis on particular species of helminths known to be dangerous to humans. A total of 96 raccoon dogs were obtained from hunters from September 2018 to October 2021. The digestive tract was taken for examination. The parasitological examination was performed using the dissection methods. The extensity of infection with all internal parasites was 60.3%. The following parasites were found in the tested animals: Echinococcus multilocularis (in 10.42% of animals), Toxocara canis (18.75%), Alaria alata (25.0%), Taenia spp. (19.79%), Uncinaria stenocephala (27.08%), Mesocestoides spp. (54.17%) and Dipylidium caninum (6.25%). The highest mean intensity of infection was demonstrated by A. alata and E. multilocularis then by Mesocestoides spp. This study showed that the raccoon dog from northern Poland is a reservoir host of zoonotic pathogens, such as E. multilocularis, Toxocara canis and Alaria alata. Although the role of the racoon dog as a final host of the life cycle of E. multilocularis is considered of less importance than that of the red fox, this species may increase the risk of echinococcosis in humans, mainly due to its growing population in northern Poland.
Highlights
The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is one of the most widely-distributed invasive mammal species in Europe [1], with a population density ranging from 1 to 5 individuals per km2 [2,3]
These findings suggest that infected raccoon dogs do contribute to environmental contamination with Toxocara canis eggs
The prevalence of parasite infection in raccoon dogs living in northern Poland has significantly increased in recent years, and the species composition of the parasitofauna has changed significantly
Summary
The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is one of the most widely-distributed invasive mammal species in Europe [1], with a population density ranging from 1 to 5 individuals per km2 [2,3]. In Poland, a region with favourable climatic conditions, their numbers continue to grow, as does their territorial range [4]. As the animals have recently moved from the forest environment to cultivated fields, being observed in the vicinity of villages [1], their role as a vector of zoonoses may gain prominence. It was found that raccoon dogs can be infected with a minimum of 32 helminth species, of which 19 are zoonotic [5]. The most significant pathogens transmitted by raccoon dogs are arguably the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis and Toxocara canis. The larval forms of E. multilocularis are known to cause alveococcosis, a very dangerous zoonotic disease
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