First molecular detection of Pneumocystis spp. in red foxes (Vulpes vulpeslinnaeus, 1758) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoidesgray, 1834).

Fungal organisms of the genus Pneumocystis may cause Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in humans, but also domestic and wild mammals. Almost every animal species hosts its own genetically distinct Pneumocystis species, however information is sparse. In this study, 62 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 37 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were collected in North-East Germany. The lung tissues of the animals were analysed by a new designed specific pan-Pneumocystis mtLSU rRNA gene PCR and sequencing. With this PCR, detection and discrimination of all known Pneumocystis spp. in a single step should be possible. This first detection of Pneumocystis spp. in 29/62 (46.8%) red foxes and 29/37 (78.4%) raccoon dogs indicated, that they harbour two dissimilar strains, as seen by specific single nucleotide position changes (SNPs). Nevertheless, five samples with contrary SNPs showed a probable inter-species transmission.

Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Small Mammals from Germany.

An increase in zoonotic infections in humans in recent years has led to a high level of public interest. However, the extent of infestation of free-living small mammals with pathogens and especially parasites is not well understood. This pilot study was carried out within the framework of the "Rodent-borne pathogens" network to identify zoonotic parasites in small mammals in Germany. From 2008 to 2009, 111 small mammals of 8 rodent and 5 insectivore species were collected. Feces and intestine samples from every mammal were examined microscopically for the presence of intestinal parasites by using Telemann concentration for worm eggs, Kinyoun staining for coccidia, and Heidenhain staining for other protozoa. Adult helminths were additionally stained with carmine acid for species determination. Eleven different helminth species, five coccidians, and three other protozoa species were detected. Simultaneous infection of one host by different helminths was common. Hymenolepis spp. (20.7%) were the most common zoonotic helminths in the investigated hosts. Coccidia, including Eimeria spp. (30.6%), Cryptosporidium spp. (17.1%), and Sarcocystis spp. (17.1%), were present in 40.5% of the feces samples of small mammals. Protozoa, such as Giardia spp. and amoebae, were rarely detected, most likely because of the repeated freeze-thawing of the samples during preparation. The zoonotic pathogens detected in this pilot study may be potentially transmitted to humans by drinking water, smear infection, and airborne transmission.