Distribution of Baylisascaris procyonis in Raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Florida, USA

Baylisascaris procyonis, or raccoon roundworm, is an intestinal nematode parasite of raccoons (Procyon lotor) that is important to public and wildlife health. Historically, the parasite was uncommon in the southeastern US; however, the range of B. procyonis has expanded to include Florida, US. From 2010 to 2016, we opportunistically sampled 1,030 raccoons statewide. The overall prevalence was 3.7% (95% confidence interval=2.5-4.8%) of sampled individuals, and infection intensity ranged from 1 to 48 (mean +/- standard deviation 9.964.0). We found raccoon roundworm in 9/56 (16%) counties sampled, and the percent positive ranged from 1.1% to 13.3% of specimens collected per county. Including previously published data, B. procyonis was detected in 11 Florida counties. We used logistic regression to estimate the contribution of raccoon demographic variables and the presence of the endoparasite Macracanthorhynchus ingens to B. procyonis detection in Florida. Following the model selection process we found housing density, M. ingens presence, and urbanicity to be predictive of raccoon roundworm presence. We also found substantial among-county variation. Raccoon sex and age were not useful predictors. Public health officials, wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife managers, and others should consider any Florida raccoon to be potentially infected with B. procyonis, particularly in areas where housing density is high.

Automated summary

During the study in Florida, we found the presence of Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm) in 9 counties, with an overall prevalence of 3.7%. We identified housing density, the presence of the endoparasite Macracanthorhynchus ingens, and urbanicity as important factors in predicting the presence of raccoon roundworm. It is important for public health officials, wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife managers, and others to recognize that all raccoons in Florida may potentially be infected with B. procyonis, especially in areas with high housing density.