Abstract As coyotes (Canis latrans) adapt to living in urban environments, the opportunity for cross-species transmission of pathogens may increase. We investigated the prevalence of antibodies to pathogens that are either zoonotic or affect multiple animal species in urban coyotes in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA, in 2012. We assayed for antibodies to canine parvovirus-2, canine distemper virus, rabies virus, Toxoplasma gondii, Yersinia pestis, and serotypes of Leptospira interrogans. Overall, 84% of the animals had antibodies to canine parvovirus-2, 44% for canine distemper virus, 20% for T. gondii (IgG), 28% for Y. pestis, and 4% for L. interrogans serotype Grippotyphosa. No neutralizing antibodies were detected to rabies virus, T. gondii (IgM), or L. interrogans serotypes other than Grippotyphosa. With 88% of animals exposed to at least one pathogen, our results suggest that coyotes may serve as important reservoirs and sentinels for etiologic agents.
No neutralizing antibodies to rabies virus were detected in urban coyotes, indicating no recent or prior rabies virus exposure in the sampled population.
We investigated the prevalence of antibodies to pathogens that are either zoonotic or affect multiple animal species in urban coyotes in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA, in 2012.
Method
serologic survey; antibody assay
Sample type
blood; serum
Geographic raw
Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA
Country inferred
United States
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Urban coyotes from Colorado had serologic evidence of exposure to canine distemper virus.
We investigated the prevalence of antibodies to pathogens that are either zoonotic or affect multiple animal species in urban coyotes in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA, in 2012.
Method
serologic survey; antibody assay
Sample type
blood; serum
Geographic raw
Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA
Country inferred
United States
Zoonotic SurveillanceExtraction confidence 0.95
Key finding
Serologic testing revealed antibodies to rabies virus were not detected in urban coyotes from Colorado.
We investigated the prevalence of antibodies to pathogens that are either zoonotic or affect multiple animal species in urban coyotes in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA, in 2012.
Method
serologic survey; antibody assay
Sample type
blood; serum
Geographic raw
Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA
Country inferred
United States
Cross Species Transmission1 records
Cross Species TransmissionExtraction confidence 0.75
Key finding
Coyotes in Colorado exhibited antibodies to pathogens commonly associated with other mammals, indicating likely cross-species transmission among animals.
We investigated the prevalence of antibodies to pathogens that are either zoonotic or affect multiple animal species in urban coyotes in the Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA, in 2012. We assayed for antibodies to canine parvovirus-2, canine distemper virus, rabies virus, Toxoplasma gondii, Yersinia pestis, and serotypes of Leptospira interrogans.
Method
serologic assay; antibody detection
Study design
serological survey
Transmission direction
animal-to-animal
Geographic raw
Denver metropolitan area, Colorado, USA
Country inferred
United States
Reservoir Ecology1 records
Reservoir EcologyExtraction confidence 0.85
Key finding
Urban coyotes in Colorado showed widespread exposure to multiple pathogens, indicating their potential role as reservoirs and sentinels in the local urban ecology.
With 88% of animals exposed to at least one pathogen, our results suggest that coyotes may serve as important reservoirs and sentinels for etiologic agents.
