Carnivore Parasitology Flashcards
1
Q
What role do wild canids (particularly coyotes) play in the transmission of coccidian parasites?
Particularly Neospora caninum & Hammondia heydorni.
A
Key Points
- Coyotes are suggested definitive hosts for Neospora caninum
- Purpose was to determine role of coyote feces in transmission of coccidia that may infect livestock
- Hammondia heydorni is a coccidian whose definitive hosts are dogs and coyotes. Its encysted form is found in raw meats such as beef and can cause infection when consumed. Typically, the parasite does not cause harm to its definitive host; however, studies have shown that H. heydorni can cause diarrhea in immunosuppressed dogs. H. heydorni undergoes sexual reproduction in the GI tract of the definitive host, forming cysts that are excreted through the feces. The intermediate prey species (typically livestock) then ingest the cysts. Once ingested, H. heydorni attacks the prey’s muscle tissues causing atrophy and continues to reproduce inside the prey. Clinically, treatment for severe cases include sulfonamides and supportive fluid therapy. In order to prevent coccidiosis, raw meat diets should be avoided and fecal contamination should be properly disinfected.
- Feces identified by morphologic identification and then confirmed with mitochondrial DNA. Oocysts confirmed by DNA extraction and PCR
- Coccidian DNA found in 17.9% samples
- 1% H heydorni positive and none were N caninum positive
- Prevalence of coccidian DNA was not associated with potential risk factors (cattle density, wild canid density, and land use)
- Role of the oocyst environmental phase in coccidia transmission to ruminants is likely minor
Take Home - Role of coyote feces in coccidia transmission is minimal
Reference: American Journal of Veterinary Research, November 2018, Vol.79(11), pp.1179-1187. RISK OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO SMALL COCCIDIA FROM WILD CANID FECES IN RURAL OHIO. Karla Moreno-Torres, DVM, PhD; Devinn M. Sinnott, DVM; Barbara A. Wolfe, DVM, PhD; Antoinette E. Marsh, PhD; William J. S. Saville, DVM, PhD; Mark Moritz, PhD; Rebecca B. Garabed, VMD, PhD
