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Letter
Baylisascaris procyonis
in California
Laurel Moore,* Lawrence Ash,* Frank Sorvillo,*
and O.G.W. Berlin*
*University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
Suggested
citation for this article
To the Editor: We read with interest the article of Roussere et
al. on the distribution of Baylisascaris procyonis eggs in northern
California communities (1). The widespread dissemination
and high density of raccoon latrines in residential areas clearly pose
potential health risks, particularly to young children.
While California has reported more cases of baylisascariasis than any
other state, few published studies have reported on the distribution and
prevalence of this helminth in the region. In 2001, we conducted a study
to determine the presence of B. procyonis in the Santa Barbara
area by examining roadkill raccoons recovered by animal control staff
and stored in a refrigerated facility. On examination, the digestive tract
from the stomach to the rectum was removed and tested for B. procyonis
worms and eggs. Of 26 raccoons examined, 24 (92%, 95% confidence interval
75%–99%) were positive for B. procyonis infection. B. procyonis
worms were found in 85% of the animals examined and eggs were found in
73%. Pet food was frequently found (43%) in the stomach contents of examined
raccoons, indicating that such food was made accessible to these animals,
either intentionally or inadvertently by residents.
B. procyonis has been identified along the central coast of California,
which expands the known range of this helminthic zoonotic agent. This
finding, coupled with other published studies, indicates that Baylisascaris
may be prevalent throughout the state (1,2). Although
our study was based on a small sample of selected raccoons, the high infection
rate is cause for concern and indicates the potential for human exposure.
A presumptive case of B. procyonis infection in an 11-month-old
child was reported in Santa Barbara in 2003 (1).
Determining the distribution and prevalence of B. procyonis is
necessary to inform local healthcare providers, public health authorities,
and the public of the potential risk. Using road-kill raccoons is a relatively
easy method for quickly assessing the presence of B. procyonis
in a community. Also, this approach avoids trapping and handling live
animals and allows stomach contents to be examined to determine where
raccoons are feeding. Data from such assessments must be interpreted with
caution, since they may not represent all raccoons in an area.
References
- Roussere GP, Murray WJ, Raudenbush CB, Kutilek MJ,
Levee DJ, Kazacos KR. Raccoon
roundworm eggs near homes and risk for larva migrans disease, California
communities. Emerging Infect Dis. 2003;9:1516–23.
- Evans RH. Baylisascaris
procyonis (Nematoda: Ascaridae) in raccoons (Procyon
lotor) in Orange County, California. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis.
2001;1:239–42.
Suggested citation
for this article:
Moore L, Ash L, Sorvillo
F, Berlin OGW. Baylisascaris procyonis in California [letter].
Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2004 Sep [date cited].
Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol10no9/04-0034.htm
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