Prevalence of antibodies to Trypanosoma cruzi in raccoons (Procyon lotor) from an urban area of northern Virginia

J Parasitol. 2005 Apr;91(2):470-2. doi: 10.1645/GE-399R.

Abstract

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are reservoir hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi. A 3-yr-long serological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of antibodies to this zoonotic parasite in raccoons collected from Fairfax County, Virginia, a suburban/urban area outside Washington, D.C. Serum samples from 464 raccoons were examined for T. cruzi antibodies at a 1:40 dilution with an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and Brazil strain T. cruzi amastigotes and trypomastigotes as antigen. A positive IFAT test was found in 154 (33%) of the 464 samples. The yearly prevalence was 49 of 132 (37%) in 2000; 19 of 120 (16%) in 2001; and 86 of 212 (41%) in 2002. Our study indicates that raccoons in this area of Virginia are frequently exposed to T. cruzi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood*
  • Chagas Disease / epidemiology
  • Chagas Disease / veterinary*
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Raccoons / parasitology*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Trypanosoma cruzi / immunology*
  • Urban Health
  • Virginia / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan