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

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

• coyotes
• Onchocerca lupi
• amplicon sequencing
• phylogenetics
• nematodes
• parasites