Baylisascaris procyonisRoundworm Seroprevalence among Wildlife Rehabilitators, United States and Canada, 2012–2015

Abstract

Baylisascaris procyonis roundworms can cause potentially fatal neural larva migrans in many species, including humans. However, the clinical spectrum of baylisascariasis is not completely understood. We tested 347 asymptomatic adult wildlife rehabilitators for B. procyonis antibodies; 24 were positive, suggesting that subclinical baylisascariasis is occurring among this population.

Seroprevalence of Baylisascaris procyonis Infection among Humans, Santa Barbara County, California, USA, 2014–2016

“…Participants (149/150) filled out a questionnaire on demographic characteristics and potential risk factors, such as pet ownership, pet and wildlife feeding practices, past contact with raccoons or raccoon feces, and frequency of raccoon observations around their neighborhood and residence (Technical Appendix 1). We deidentified samples (Technical Appendix 2) and tested them for B. procyonis IgG by using a recombinant B. procyonis repeat antigen 1 protein Western blot assay, which has 88% sensitivity and 98% specificity ( 3 , 8 ). We generated prevalence estimates by using EpiTools ( 9 ), calculating 95% confidence limits (CLs) for an imperfect diagnostic assay ( 10 ).…”

“…For example, a recent study showed that 7% of wildlife rehabilitators had Baylisascaris -specific antibodies ( 3 ). Large and heavily infected raccoon populations probably contaminate many regions with B. procyonis eggs ( 1 ).…”

Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) as an occupational hazard: 1. Knowledge of B. procyonis and attitudes towards it and other zoonoses among wildlife rehabilitators

“…The wildlife rehabilitation community is a diverse group that has different educational and training backgrounds, and as such, their safety practices and awareness of potential occupational hazards may vary. Recently, we demonstrated that 7% (24/347) of healthy, adult wildlife rehabilitators were positive for antibodies to Baylisascaris , indicating prior infection, possibly associated with occupational activities (Sapp et al., ). Positive individuals generally lacked consistent hand‐washing and glove use while handling live raccoons, dead raccoons and after potential faecal contact (Sapp et al., ).…”

“…Recently, we demonstrated that 7% (24/347) of healthy, adult wildlife rehabilitators were positive for antibodies to Baylisascaris , indicating prior infection, possibly associated with occupational activities (Sapp et al., ). Positive individuals generally lacked consistent hand‐washing and glove use while handling live raccoons, dead raccoons and after potential faecal contact (Sapp et al., ). Furthermore, a small study of rehabilitated raccoons found that 37% and 56% of raccoons at two centres had patent B. procyonis infections (Kimball, Young, Keith, Kazacos, & Sakanari, ).…”

“…Baylisascariasis in humans, while rare, is important because the majority of reported cases in the medical literature were either fatal or resulted in permanent neurologic and/or ocular sequelae (Graeff‐Teixeira, Morassutti, & Kazacos, ; Kazacos, ; Sircar et al., ). However, the true prevalence of infection is likely underestimated, as the full spectrum of disease is not recognized (Sapp et al., ). Also, there is some evidence that B. procyonis prevalence is increasing in some regions of North America, and the parasite is now recognized in new regions such as the Piedmont and coastal regions of the south‐east and arid western regions (Blizzard, Yabsley, Beck, & Harsch, ; Hernandez et al., ; Roug, Clancy, Detterich, & Van Wettere, ).…”