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

Abstract

Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm) infection is common in raccoons and can cause devastating pathology in other animals, including humans. Limited information is available on the frequency of asymptomatic human infection. We tested 150 adults from California, USA, for B. procyonis antibodies; 11 were seropositive, suggesting that subclinical infection does occur.

Raccoon roundworm prevalence (Baylisascaris procyonis) at the North Carolina Zoo, USA

“…Zoological institutions can serve as surveillance locales providing information regarding the potential risk of B. procyonis to surrounding communities. Seroprevalence surveys of non-human primates from zoos and people working in wildlife rehabilitation facilities, suggest exposure to B. procyonis without overt clinical disease occurring ( Sapp et al, 2016 ; Weinstein et al, 2017 ; Zimmerman, Dangoudoubiyam & Kazacos, 2019 ). Zoological institutions are the perfect One Health intersection of humans, animals, and their environment and can provide invaluable information regarding diseases of public health importance, such as B. procyonis .…”

Spatio-temporal clustering of Baylisascaris procyonis, a zoonotic parasite, in raccoons across different landscapes in southern Ontario

“…Additional cases have been identified in Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom Curragh et al, 2018). Furthermore, recent evidence lends strong support to the existence of asymptomatic seroconversion; multiple studies have demonstrated 7% seroprevalence of B. procyonis in various subpopulations (children, wildlife rehabilitators, and healthy adults) all of whom were clinically asymptomatic (Brinkman et al, 2003;Weinstein et al, 2017). However, it is unclear whether these individuals were only exposed to the parasite, representing historic or cleared infections, or if ongoing subclinical infections exist.…”

Baylisascaris procyonis Roundworm Infection in Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Washington, USA, 2022

“…Tissue damage and clinical outcomes of baylisascariasis might be severe; permanent neurologic sequalae and death might occur because of the large size of B. procyonis larvae and invasive tissue migration ( 3 ). Severity of disease is related to host size, number of eggs ingested, larval migration pathway, and extent of host inflammatory responses ( 4 , 5 ). As with other parasite larva migrans, B .…”

“…As with other parasite larva migrans, B . procyonis larvae are found mostly in muscle tissue; <5% of migrating larvae reach the brain ( 5 ). Asymptomatic and subclinical infections are known to occur.…”

“…Asymptomatic and subclinical infections are known to occur. Fewer ingested eggs might result in positive serologic tests in the absence of neurologic disease ( 5 , 6 ).…”