Prevalence and risk factors associated with Sarcocystis neurona infections in opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from central California.
Abstract: Sarcocystis neurona, a protozoal parasite shed by opossums (Didelphis virginiana), has been shown to cause significant morbidity and mortality in horses, sea otters, and other marine mammals. Over the course of 3 years (fall 2005-summer 2008), opossums from central California were tested for infection with S. neurona. Of 288 opossums sampled, 17 (5.9%) were infected with S. neurona based on the molecular characterization of sporocysts from intestinal scrapings or feces. Risk factors evaluated for association with S. neurona infection in opossums included: age, sex, location, season, presence of pouch young in females, concomitant infection, and sampling method (live-trapped or traffic-killed). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that opossums in the Central Valley were 9 times more likely to be infected than those near the coast (p=0.009). Similarly, opossum infection was 5 times more likely to be detected during the reproductive season (March-July; p=0.013). This first investigation of S. neurona infection prevalence and associated risk factors in opossums in the western United States can be used to develop management strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of S. neurona infections in susceptible hosts, including horses and threatened California sea otters (Enhydra lutris neries).
Publication Date: 2009-08-15 PubMed ID: 19735983DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.08.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research article investigates the prevalence and risk factors related to infections of the Sarcocystis neurona parasite in opossums found in central California and suggests possible management strategies for reducing the incidence of these infections.
Introduction to Sarcocystis neurona
- Sarcocystis neurona is a protozoal parasite that is shed by opossums and is known to cause death and disease in horses, sea otters, and other marine mammals.
- It is crucial to understand the risk factors and prevalence of this parasite’s infection in opossums to develop strategies that minimize its impact on susceptible hosts.
Research Methodology and Sample Population
- The research was conducted over three years, from fall 2005 to summer 2008, involving opossums from central California.
- A total of 288 opossums were tested for S. neurona infection by examining sporocysts from intestinal scrapings or feces.
- The infection in opossums was associated with risk factors such as age, sex, location, season, presence of pouch young in females, concomitant infection, and sampling method (either through live-trapping or traffic-killed).
Findings and Conclusions
- Out of the 288 opossums sampled, 17 (5.9%) were infected with S. neurona.
- The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that opossums located in the Central Valley were nine times more likely to be infected than those near the coast.
- Opossum infection was five times more likely to be detected during the reproductive season, which runs from March through July.
- This investigation is the first to study S. neurona infection prevalence and associated risk factors in opossums in the western United States.
- The findings provide a basis for developing management strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of S. neurona infections in susceptible hosts, such as horses and the threatened California sea otters.
Cite This Article
APA
Rejmanek D, Vanwormer E, Miller MA, Mazet JA, Nichelason AE, Melli AC, Packham AE, Jessup DA, Conrad PA.
(2009).
Prevalence and risk factors associated with Sarcocystis neurona infections in opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from central California.
Vet Parasitol, 166(1-2), 8-14.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.08.013 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA. drejmanek@ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- California / epidemiology
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / genetics
- Didelphis / parasitology
- Female
- Male
- Multivariate Analysis
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Sarcocystis / genetics
- Sarcocystis / physiology
- Sarcocystosis / epidemiology
- Sarcocystosis / veterinary
- Seasons
- Sex Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- O'Byrne AM, Lambourn DM, Rejmanek D, Haman K, O'Byrne M, VanWormer E, Shapiro K. Sarcocystis neurona Transmission from Opossums to Marine Mammals in the Pacific Northwest.. Ecohealth 2021 Mar;18(1):84-94.
- Kalantari N, Khaksar M, Ghaffari S, Hamidekish SM. Molecular Analysis of Sarcocystis Spp. Isolated from Sheep (Ovis aries) in Babol Area, Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran.. Iran J Parasitol 2016 Jan-Mar;11(1):73-80.
- Dubey JP, Howe DK, Furr M, Saville WJ, Marsh AE, Reed SM, Grigg ME. An update on Sarcocystis neurona infections in animals and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).. Vet Parasitol 2015 Apr 15;209(1-2):1-42.
- VanWormer E, Miller MA, Conrad PA, Grigg ME, Rejmanek D, Carpenter TE, Mazet JA. Using molecular epidemiology to track Toxoplasma gondii from terrestrial carnivores to marine hosts: implications for public health and conservation.. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014;8(5):e2852.
- Verant ML, d'Ozouville N, Parker PG, Shapiro K, VanWormer E, Deem SL. Attempted detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in environmental waters using a simple approach to evaluate the potential for waterborne transmission in the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.. Ecohealth 2014 Jun;11(2):207-14.
- Vanwormer E, Conrad PA, Miller MA, Melli AC, Carpenter TE, Mazet JA. Toxoplasma gondii, source to sea: higher contribution of domestic felids to terrestrial parasite loading despite lower infection prevalence.. Ecohealth 2013 Sep;10(3):277-89.
- Rejmanek D, Miller MA, Grigg ME, Crosbie PR, Conrad PA. Molecular characterization of Sarcocystis neurona strains from opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and intermediate hosts from Central California.. Vet Parasitol 2010 May 28;170(1-2):20-9.
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