The molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in coyotes from Alberta, Canada, and observations on some cohabiting parasites

Abstract

Coyotes from southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada, were examined for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium and cohabiting helminths. Toxascaris was present in over 90% of the 70 animals examined, and Taenia sp. in 6.5-25% of the two groups of animals studied. Giardia (12.5-21.7%) and Cryptosporidium (0-17.4%) were also common and molecular characterisation revealed both zoonotic and host-adapted genotypes of Giardia, whereas the Cryptosporidium proved to be a variant of the canine species C. canis. The seasonal variation observed in the occurrence of Cryptosporidium may be related to stress-induced shedding of the parasite.

Sentinel Surveillance for Zoonotic Parasites in Companion Animals in Indigenous Communities of Saskatchewan

“…34 G. duodenalis has been identified in a variety of wildlife species and companion animals in Saskatchewan, including dogs, coyotes, and beavers. 18,19,35,36 It is most often spread by direct contact or contaminated food and water sources. 35 In our study, 2% to 37% of canid fecal samples from four communities were positive for G. duodenalis, and the zoonotic genotype A was confirmed in dogs in two communities.…”

Echinococcus multilocularisin Urban Coyotes, Alberta, Canada

“…In Alberta, 1 case was recorded from the aspen parkland in 1973 (5) but it was not found in coyotes from forested regions and southern prairies (6,7). Nonetheless, E. multilocularis is generally considered enzootic to central and southern Alberta on the basis of its prevalence in rodent intermediate hosts.…”

Diseases and Parasites in Wolves of the Riding Mountain National Park Region, Manitoba, Canada

“…and Cryptosporidium sp. were common in coyotes on the Canadian prairies (Thompson et al, 2009). Giardia sp.…”