Bacterial and Viral Pathogens with One Health Relevance in Invasive Raccoons (Procyon lotor, Linné 1758) in Southwest Germany

Abstract

In Europe, raccoons are invasive neozoons with their largest population in Germany. Globally, this mesocarnivore acts as a wildlife reservoir for many (non-)zoonotic (re-)emerging pathogens, but very little epidemiological data is available for southwest Germany. This exploratory study aimed to screen free-ranging raccoons in Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW, Germany) for the occurrence of selected pathogens with One Health relevance. Organ tissue and blood samples collected from 102 animals, obtained by hunters in 2019 and 2020, were subsequently analysed for two bacterial and four viral pathogens using a qPCR approach. Single samples were positive for the carnivore protoparvovirus-1 (7.8%, n = 8), canine distemper virus (6.9%, n = 7), pathogenic Leptospira spp. (3.9%, n = 4) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum (15.7%, n = 16). West Nile virus and influenza A virus were not detected. Due to their invasive behaviour and synanthropic habit, raccoons may increase the risk of infections for wildlife, domestic animals, zoo animals and humans by acting as a link between them. Therefore, further studies should be initiated to evaluate these risks.

Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pathogens in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

“…Raccoon dogs and raccoons have the potential of being competent reservoirs of various pathogens, including rodent-borne and arthropod-borne pathogens [ 5 , 8 , 15 , 17 , 18 ]; however, there is a lack of data on the reservoir function of these neozoa in northern Germany.…”

“…and Rickettsia spp. [ 5 , 8 , 15 , 17 , 18 ]. Their host and vector potential allows pathogens to increase in the environment and to extend their geographical range [ 5 , 9 , 15 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Helminths in Invasive Raccoons (Procyon lotor) from Southwest Germany

“…The raccoon, an extensively discussed mesocarnivore in this context, is recognized as a host of numerous pathogens and progressively expands its range as an invasive alien species (IAS) in Asia and Europe [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Since 2016, raccoons have been listed as IAS on the Union list of the Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014.…”

Wildlife, Reservoir of Zoonotic Agents: Moving beyond Denial and Fear

“…Some samples tested positive for carnivore protoparvovirus 1, canine distemper virus, Leptospira spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum . However, they tested negative for WNV and the influenza A virus [ 7 ]. We conducted a seroepidemiological survey for Aujeszky’s disease virus in 399 wild boars from southeastern France, revealing a high prevalence of 30% [ 8 ].…”

“…Leptospirosis, a significant bacterial zoonosis, is addressed in the context of hedgehogs and raccoons [ 2 , 7 ]. It also forms the focal point of three other field studies.…”