Serological survey of anti-Salmonella antibodies in coatis (Nasua narica) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) in southeast Mexico

Abstract

Infectious diseases are important threats for the conservation of wild carnivores, particularly when these animals are in close proximity to humans and domestic animals. However, available data regarding zoonotic infectious diseases in wild carnivores in tropical areas are scarce. The aim of this work was to perform a serological survey of Salmonella and other zoonotic bacteria in coatis (Nasua narica) and raccoons (Procyon lotor) from a semi-urban tropical environment. Coatis and raccoons were trapped and chemically restrained between 2009 and 2011. A total of 100 serum samples, 44 from coatis and 56 from raccoons, were analysed. Antibodies were determined using a commercial agglutination kit (Febriclin^®), and antigens "O" and "H" of Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi "A", Brucella abortus and Proteus OX-19 were analysed. Antibodies against Salmonella typhi were found but not against the other bacteria. The general seroprevalence for Salmonella typhi antibodies was 63.6% for coatis and 67.9% for raccoons. Titers for both species ranged from 1:20 to 1:80. Antibodies to the "O" antigen were more prevalent (59.1% for coatis and 62.5% for raccoons) than those for the "H" antigen (36.4% for coatis and 50% for raccoons). Seroconversion and a loss of antibodies were detected. The results suggest that both procyonid populations had a high contact rate with Salmonella, although at a low titer level, but there was no evidence of contact with other zoonotic bacteria.