Comparative leucocyte populations between two sympatric carnivores (Nasua narica and Procyon lotor)

Abstract

Coatis (Nasua narica) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) potentially play an important role in zoonotic diseases because they may carry pathogens and can transmit them to humans. To date, our understanding of the immune function of these two carnivores is deficient. The aim of this study was to compare the number of leucocyte subtypes and the phagocytic capacity between the coati and the raccoon. Blood samples were collected, and leucocyte subtypes were characterized and counted by flow cytometry and microscopy, respectively. Phagocytosis was analysed by kinetic assay. Differences in leucocytes between these two species were found; the total count of neutrophils was higher in raccoons than in coatis, but lymphocytes and eosinophils were higher in coatis than in raccoons. Antigen reduction was more rapid for the coatis. However, raccoons had a higher efficient endocytic process than coatis. This study provides the basis for understanding the procyonid immune system, which informs conservation, particularly since some procyonids are imperilled.

Search for antibodies against Trichinella in two synanthropic Procyonidae species from southeast Mexico: white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) and raccoons (Procyon lotor)

“…Prevalences between white-nosed coatis and raccoons were different and occur within the family, Procyonidae. Since both populations are sympatric (they share the same space and resources), then differences may be explained in terms of fine-scale foraging behavior or other biological differences, such as immune system (Rendón-Franco et al 2019 ).…”

Prevalence and Epitope Recognition of Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Antibodies in Two Procyonid Species: Implications for Host Resistance

“…However, why do white-nosed coatis allegedly show a better humoral and cellar immune response? One possible explanation could be related with the relative and absolute number of lymphocytes and total serum proteins (including immunoglobulins), which are higher in white-nosed coatis than in common raccoons [17,42]. Thus far, it would appear that differences in susceptibility to T. cruzi between these are associated in part to adaptive humoral immune response.…”