Coyotes as Reservoirs for Onchocerca lupi, United States, 2015-2018

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;26(12):2989-2993. doi: 10.3201/eid2612.190136.

Abstract

The Onchocerca lupi nematode infects dogs, cats, and humans, but whether it can be spread by coyotes has been unknown. We conducted surveillance for O. lupi nematode infection in coyotes in the southwestern United States. We identified multiple coyote populations in Arizona and New Mexico as probable reservoirs for this species.

Keywords: Arizona; Canis latrans; Nevada; New Mexico; Onchocerca lupi; United States; amplicon sequencing; coyotes; nematodes; onchocerciasis; parasites; phylogenetics; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arizona / epidemiology
  • Coyotes*
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Dog Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Dogs
  • New Mexico
  • Onchocerca / genetics
  • Onchocerciasis* / epidemiology
  • Onchocerciasis* / veterinary
  • Southwestern United States
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses