1. Parasitology, virology, and serology of free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA.
- Author
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Gates M, Gerhold RW, Wilkes RP, Gulsby WD, Maestas L, Rosypal A, Miller KV, and Miller DL
- Subjects
- Animals, Antibodies, Viral blood, Chagas Disease epidemiology, Chagas Disease parasitology, Dirofilariasis epidemiology, Disease Reservoirs veterinary, Feces virology, Female, Georgia epidemiology, Male, Parvoviridae Infections epidemiology, Parvoviridae Infections virology, Parvovirus, Canine immunology, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Trypanosoma cruzi immunology, Antibodies, Helminth blood, Antibodies, Protozoan blood, Chagas Disease veterinary, Coyotes, Dirofilariasis parasitology, Parvoviridae Infections veterinary
- Abstract
We examined 31 free-ranging coyotes (Canis latrans) from central Georgia, USA, for select parasites and viral agents. Sixteen coyotes had adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). Serum samples from 27 animals revealed antibodies against canine parvovirus (100%), canine distemper virus (48%), canine adenovirus (37%), and Trypanosoma cruzi (7%); none were detected against Leishmania spp. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) coyotes were positive for Toxoplasma gondii. Real-time PCR of feces revealed 32% of coyotes were shedding canine parvovirus, and sequencing revealed type 2b and 2c. Because coyotes could be a spillover host of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) pathogens, studies of the transmission of pathogens between coyotes and domestic dogs are warranted.
- Published
- 2014
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