Concurrent protozoal encephalitis and canine distemper virus infection in a raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Thulin, J.D.; Granstrom, D.E.; Gelberg, H.B.; Morton, D.G.; French, R.A.; Giles, R.C.
Veterinary Record 130(8): 162-164
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1566543 Document Number: 396901
An adult male, semi-tame raccoon was killed after it had shown ataxia, anorexia and emesis for a period of 7 days. Microscopic lesions typical of canine distemper virus infection (CDV) were present in lungs and brain and intracytoplasmic bodies typical of CDV were also seen. Indirect fluorescent antibody testing of the brain was positive for CDV. A multifocal granulomatous encephalitis was also seen in the cerebral cortex; numerous protozoa either singly or arranged in rosettes were present. The protozoa were also present in the lungs and protozoal cysts were seen in skeletal muscle and heart. Based on their size, arrangement and staining characteristics the protozoa were identified as Sarcocystis species. Two other raccoons from the same property were observed with signs of central nervous system (CNS) disease within 8 days of the first case. PM examination of one showed it was infected with CDV but no protozoa were seen in the CNS; protozoal oocysts which could not be identified were present in the lamina propria of the small intestine.