Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, is being progressively recognized for its zoonotic and public health importance. Fine-scale genetics analyses of this species have been delayed due to a lack of appropriate genetic marker. Finally eight novel polymorphic microsatellites for B. procyonis have been developed, and used these markers to exemplify microgeographic structuring of this parasite in western Michigan. Results have revealed significant levels of genetic differentiation amongst the 74 worms collected from 10 different raccoons. Grand River can be a major dispersal barrier for B. procyonis because raccoons are most likely to disperse across the river when it is frozen, and worm burden in raccoons approaches zero during the winter.
Click here to view the journal: Clinical and Experimental Genetics
clinical and experimental genetics 