The evolution and control of parvovirus host ranges

Host ranges of parvoviruses are complex, and depend on both the strain of virus and on the cell or animal being inoculated. Viruses similar to feline panleukopenia virus infect cats and cat cells in tissue culture, as well as a variety of other host animals and their cultured cells. Canine isolates infect dogs and cultured canine cells, but replication in cats depends on the type of virus. Feline and canine host ranges are determined primarily by a small number of sequence differences in the capsid protein. DNA sequences of viruses from cats, mink, raccoons and foxes could not be readily distinguished from each other. Viruses from dogs or raccoon dogs formed a distinct group, which was subdivided between the two antigenic types. Host ranges of other parvoviruses—minute virus of mice and porcine parvovirus—are also mediated primarily by sequences in the capsid protein gene, although differences in the non-structural protein genes of the minute virus of mice determine some host-range differences.     

The relationship between capsid protein (VP2) sequence and pathogenicity of Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (ADV): a possible role for raccoons in the transmission of ADV infections.

Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (ADV) DNA was identified by PCR in samples from mink and raccoons on commercial ranches during an outbreak of Aleutian disease (AD). Comparison of DNA sequences of the hypervariable portion of VP2, the major capsid protein of ADV, indicated that both mink and raccoons were infected by a new isolate of ADV, designated ADV-TR. Because the capsid proteins of other parvoviruses play a prominent role in the determination of viral pathogenicity and host range, we decided to examine the relationship between the capsid protein sequences and pathogenicity of ADV. Comparison of the ADV-TR hypervariable region sequence with sequences of other isolates of ADV revealed that ADV-TR was 94 to 100% related to the nonpathogenic type 1 ADV-G at both the DNA and amino acid levels but less than 90% related to other pathogenic ADVs like the type 2 ADV-Utah, the type 3 ADV-ZK8, or ADV-Pullman. This finding indicated that a virus with a type 1 hypervariable region could be pathogenic. To perform a more comprehensive analysis, the complete VP2 sequence of ADV-TR was obtained and compared with that of the 647-amino-acid VP2 of ADV-G and the corresponding VP2 sequences of the pathogenic ADV-Utah, ADV-Pullman, and ADV-ZK8. Although the hypervariable region amino acid sequence of ADV-TR was identical to that of ADV-G, there were 12 amino acid differences between ADV-G and ADV-TR. Each of these differences was at a position where other pathogenic isolates also differed from ADV-G. Thus, although ADV-TR had the hypervariable sequence of the nonpathogenic type 1 ADV-G, the remainder of the VP2 sequence resembled sequences of other pathogenic ADVs. Under experimental conditions, ADV-TR and ADV-Utah were highly pathogenic and induced typical AD in trios of both Aleutian and non-Aleutian mink, whereas ADV-Pullman was pathogenic only for Aleutian mink and ADV-G was noninfectious. Trios of raccoons experimentally inoculated with ADV-TR and ADV-Utah all became infected with ADV, but only a single ADV-Pullman-inoculated raccoon showed evidence of infection. Furthermore, none of the ADV isolates induced pathological findings of AD in raccoons. Finally, when a preparation of ADV-TR prepared from infected raccoon lymph nodes was inoculated into mink and raccoons, typical AD was induced in Aleutian and non-Aleutian mink, but raccoons failed to show serological or pathological evidence of infection. These results indicated that raccoons can become infected with ADV and may have a role in the transmission of virus to mink but that raccoon-to-raccoon transmission of ADV is unlikely.     

Role of multiple hosts in the cross-species transmission and emergence of a pandemic parvovirus

Understanding the mechanisms of cross-species virus transmission is critical to anticipating emerging infectious diseases. Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) emerged as a variant of a feline parvovirus when it acquired mutations that allowed binding to the canine transferrin receptor type 1 (TfR). However, CPV-2 was soon replaced by a variant virus (CPV-2a) that differed in antigenicity and receptor binding. Here we show that the emergence of CPV involved an additional host range variant virus that has circulated undetected in raccoons for at least 24 years, with transfers to and from dogs. Raccoon virus capsids showed little binding to the canine TfR, showed little infection of canine cells, and had altered antigenic structures. Remarkably, in capsid protein (VP2) phylogenies, most raccoon viruses fell as evolutionary intermediates between the CPV-2 and CPV-2a strains, suggesting that passage through raccoons assisted in the evolution of CPV-2a. This highlights the potential role of alternative hosts in viral emergence.     

A Serological Survey of Enteric Parvovirus Infections in Finnish Fur-Bearing Animals

Parvovirus infections in Finnish fur animals, i.e. ferrets, raccoon dogs, blue foxes and mink, were studied. The ferret was found to be the only insusceptible animal. Parvo enteritis of raccoon dogs, reported since 1980, has spread from East Finland to other parts of the country. A new candidate for the Parvovirus family was found to infect blue foxes. According to serologic investigations, the virus resembled feline panleukopenia virus more than canine parvovirus. Clinical signs during the infection have been mild. Annual vaccination has not eradicated mink enteritis virus on farms, but the disease has taken a subclinical form.     

The emergence and evolution of canine parvovirus—an example of recent host range mutation

Canine parvovirus (CPV) emerged in 1978 an a new pathogen of dogs, which spread around the world and now appears endemic in the domesticated and wild dog populations in all countries. CPV is over 98% identical in DNA sequence to viruses which had been known for many years in cats, mink and raccoons, and genetic analysis has revealed that the differences in canine host range are determined by a small number of changes in the capsid protein gene. Comparison of the atomic structures of the CPV and FPV capsids shows that the changes affecting host range and virus-specific antigenic sites are exposed on the capsid surface in three different positions within a raised region at the threefold axis of symmetry, which is also the site of major antigenic determinants on the capsid. Three types of CPV have been defined by antigenic analysis with monoclonal antibodies. The original CPV strain (called CPV type-2) was only present in nature for a few years, and by 1981 it had been largely replaced in nature by a variant of CPV (CPV type 2a), which in turn replaced between 1984 and 1990 by a further variant (CPV type-2b). Those viruses differed by less than 0.2% of their genome sequences, but in each case the replacement apparently occurred on a global scale. The true ancestry of CPV is not clear, but the apparent emergence of the new types of CPV and its subsequent evolution suggest that this is a useful model for the emergence of new viruses with extended host ranges and their continuing adaptation.     

Wildlife Reservoirs of Canine Distemper Virus Resulted in a Major Outbreak in Danish Farmed Mink (Neovison vison)

A major outbreak of canine distemper virus (CDV) in Danish farmed mink (Neovison vison) started in the late summer period of 2012. At the same time, a high number of diseased and dead wildlife species such as foxes, raccoon dogs, and ferrets were observed. To track the origin of the outbreak virus full-length sequencing of the receptor binding surface protein hemagglutinin (H) was performed on 26 CDV''s collected from mink and 10 CDV''s collected from wildlife species. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses showed that the virus circulating in the mink farms and wildlife were highly identical with an identity at the nucleotide level of 99.45% to 100%. The sequences could be grouped by single nucleotide polymorphisms according to geographical distribution of mink farms and wildlife. The signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) receptor binding region in most viruses from both mink and wildlife contained G at position 530 and Y at position 549; however, three mink viruses had an Y549H substitution. The outbreak viruses clustered phylogenetically in the European lineage and were highly identical to wildlife viruses from Germany and Hungary (99.29% – 99.62%). The study furthermore revealed that fleas (Ceratophyllus sciurorum) contained CDV and that vertical transmission of CDV occurred in a wild ferret. The study provides evidence that wildlife species, such as foxes, play an important role in the transmission of CDV to farmed mink and that the virus may be maintained in the wild animal reservoir between outbreaks.     

Frequent Cross-Species Transmission of Parvoviruses among Diverse Carnivore Hosts

Although parvoviruses are commonly described in domestic carnivores, little is known about their biodiversity in nondomestic species. A phylogenetic analysis of VP2 gene sequences from puma, coyote, gray wolf, bobcat, raccoon, and striped skunk revealed two major groups related to either feline panleukopenia virus (“FPV-like”) or canine parvovirus (“CPV-like”). Cross-species transmission was commonplace, with multiple introductions into each host species but, with the exception of raccoons, relatively little evidence for onward transmission in nondomestic species.     

Reproductive potential of Echinococcus multilocularis in experimentally infected foxes, dogs, raccoon dogs and cats

A total of 15 red foxes, 15 raccoon dogs, 15 domestic dogs and 15 domestic cats were each infected with 20,000 protoscolices of Echinococcus multilocularis. At 35, 63, and 90 days post inoculation (dpi), five animals from each group were necropsied and the worm burdens determined. The highest worm burdens in foxes (mean of 16,792) and raccoon dogs (mean of 7930) were found at 35 dpi. These declined to a mean of just 331 worms in foxes and 3213 worms in raccoon dogs by day 63 with a further decline to 134 worms in foxes and 67 worms in raccoon dogs by day 90. In dogs, there was no significant difference between worm burdens recovered at days 35 (mean of 2466) and day 90 (mean of 1563), although reduced numbers were recovered on day 63 (mean of 899). In cats, worms were found in four animals 35 dpi (mean of 642), in three at 63 dpi (mean of 28) and in two at 90 dpi (mean of 57). Faecal egg counts were determined at 3 day intervals from 25 dpi. A mathematical model of egg excretion dynamics suggested that the mean biotic potential per infected animal was high in foxes (346,473 eggs); raccoon dogs (335,361 eggs) and dogs (279,910 eggs) but very low for cats (573 eggs). It also indicated that approximately 114, 42 and 27 eggs per worm were excreted in the faeces of dogs, raccoon dogs and foxes, respectively. The fecundity of worms in cats was low with an average of less than one egg per worm. The peak levels of coproantigen were detected earlier in foxes and raccoon dogs than in dogs. Eggs recovered from foxes, raccoon dogs and dogs resulted in massive infections in experimental mice. However, metacestodes did not develop from eggs originating from infected cats. It is concluded that foxes, raccoon dogs and dogs are good hosts of E. multilocularis. In contrast, the low worm establishment, the very few excreted eggs and the lack of infectivity of eggs strongly indicate that cats play an insignificant role in parasite transmission.     

Microevolution of canine influenza virus in shelters and its molecular epidemiology in the United States

Canine influenza virus (CIV) emerged around 2000 when an equine influenza virus (EIV) was transmitted to dogs in Florida. After 2003, the canine virus was carried by infected greyhounds to various parts of the United States and then became established in several large animal shelters, where it has continued to circulate. To better understand the evolution of CIV since its emergence, and particularly its microevolution in spatially restricted populations, we examined multiple gene segments of CIV from dogs resident in two large animal shelters in New York City during the period 2006 to 2009. In particular, we focused on viruses circulating in the two shelters in 2008 and 2009, which we found shared a common ancestor. While viruses in each shelter were generally monophyletic, we observed some gene flow between them. These shelter sequences were compared to earlier CIV isolates. The shelter viruses differed in 1 to 6 amino acids in each gene segment compared to viruses isolated in Florida between 2003 and 2005 and in Colorado in 2006 and 2008. A comparison of the sequences of equine and canine viruses revealed amino acid replacements that distinguished the viruses from the two hosts, but no clear evidence of positive selection indicative of host adaptation was detected, suggesting that any host range adaptation in CIV occurred early in the emergence of this virus or even before it transferred to dogs.     

An Epidemic of Sylvatic Rabies in Finland

When rabies reappeared in Finland in April 1988, the country had been rabies free since 1959. Soon a picture of sylvatic rabies become evident, its main vector and victim being the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). Between 8 April 1988 and 16 February 1989, 66 virologically verified cases were recorded (48 raccoon dogs, 12 red foxes, 2 badgers, 2 cats, l dog and 1 dairy bull) in an area estimated at 1700 km2 in south-eastern Finland. The greatest distance between recorded cases was 67 km. A positive reaction with monoclonal antibody p-41 indicated that the virus was an arctic-type strain. A field trial on oral immunization of small predators was initiated in September 1988 using Tübingen fox baits according to the Bavarian model of bait distribution. Each bait contained 5*107 TCID50/ml modified live rabies virus (SAD-B19). The 6 months’ surveillance indicate a seroconversion rate of 72% (N=126) in the raccoon dog population, 67% (N=56) in the red foxes and 13% (N=16) in the badgers, when titers ≥1.0 IU/ml are considered seropositive. In the whole follow-up period, no statistically significant difference could be detected between the raccoon dogs and red foxes in the rate of seroconversion or in the uptake of tetracycline from the baits. Notably high antibody levels were recorded in both raccoon dogs and red foxes within 4–5 months after vaccination. Of the seropositive animals, the proportion of animals with titers 3.0 IU/ml or greater was higher in raccoon dogs (73%) than in red foxes (51%) (x2= 5.29, p< 0.05). The trial shows that raccoon dogs can be immunized against rabies in the field with vaccine baits originally developed for controlling sylvatic rabies in foxes.     

貂、狐、貉源犬瘟热病毒的分离鉴定与序列分析

采用能稳定表达犬信号淋巴细胞活性分子(SLAM)的Vero-DST细胞从发病貉、狐狸和水貂病料,分离获得5株病毒,经电镜形态观察、RT-PCR检测、理化特性测定和人工感染发病试验鉴定,均为犬瘟热病毒(CDV),分别命名为HT-P(貉源)、THDI(貉源)、HD(貂源)、LN(貂源)和HB(狐源).5个分离毒株TCID50为10-5.2-7.3/ml;除鸡、鹅红细胞呈微弱阳性外,其余均未见血凝作用;对乳鼠的LD50 分别为2×10-308～4.8/ml,对实验兔无致病性,对貉有明显致病性作用.5株CDVH和N基因序列分析结果为5个分离株之间H基因nt序列同源性均达到97.5%以上,HT-P(貉源,山东青岛)与THDI(貉源,山东潍坊)的aa同源性为100%,二者与其他分离株间aa序列同源性为87.9%～99.1%;与chn等疫苗株基因nt序列和推导aa序列同源性普遍较低,分别为90.5～91.8和89.%～91.8%.5个分离株之间N基因nt序列同源性均≥94.5%,HT-P与THD1同源性最高(99.8%),分离株之间aa序列除HT-P、THD1与HD(貂源,山东青岛)同源性较高(99.0%以上)外,其他分离株之间同源性低.与chn等疫苗株nt序列同源性较低(90.9～93.5%).此外,HD和LN(貂源,辽宁大连)发病区域相距较远,但具有较高的同源性,但与HB(狐源,河北沦州)具有相对较低的nt同源性,提示野毒株在易感动物上可能存在种属差异.分离毒株与疫苗株之间H和N蛋白基因差异.可能与CD免疫失败有关.     

Helminths of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Lithuania

Red foxes and raccoon dogs are hosts for a wide range of parasites including important zoonotic helminths. The raccoon dog has recently invaded into Europe from the east. The contribution of this exotic species to the epidemiology of parasitic diseases, particularly parasitic zoonoses is unknown. The helminth fauna and the abundance of helminth infections were determined in 310 carcasses of hunted red foxes and 99 of raccoon dogs from Lithuania. Both species were highly infected with Alaria alata (94·8% and 96·5% respectively) and Trichinella spp. (46·6% and 29·3%). High and significantly different prevalences in foxes and raccoon dogs were found for Eucoleus aerophilus (97·1% and 30·2% respectively), Crenosoma vulpis (53·8% and 15·1%), Capillaria plica (93·3% and 11·3%), C. putorii (29·4% and 51·5%), Toxocara canis (40·5% and 17·6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (76·9% and 98·8%). The prevalences of the rodent-transmitted cestodes Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia polyacantha, T. crassiceps and Mesocestoides spp. were significantly higher in foxes than in raccoon dogs. The abundances of E. multilocularis, Mesocestoides, Taenia, C. plica and E. aerophilus were higher in foxes than those in raccoon dogs. A. alata, U. stenocephala, C. putorii and Echinostomatidae had higher abundances in raccoon dogs. The difference in prevalence and abundance of helminths in both animals may reflect differences in host ecology and susceptibility. The data are consistent with red foxes playing a more important role than raccoon dogs in the transmission of E. multilocularis in Lithuania.     

貂、狐、貉源犬瘟热病毒的分离鉴定与序列分析（英文）

采用能稳定表达犬信号淋巴细胞活性分子（SLAM）的Vero-DST细胞从发病貉、狐狸和水貂病料,分离获得5株病毒,经电镜形态观察、RT-PCR检测、理化特性测定和人工感染发病试验鉴定,均为犬瘟热病毒（CDV）,分别命名为HT-P（貉源）、THD1（貉源）、HD（貂源）、LN（貂源）和HB（狐源）。5个分离毒株TCID50为10-5.2～-7.3/ml;除鸡、鹅红细胞呈微弱阳性外,其余均未见血凝作用;对乳鼠的LD50分别为2×10-3.8～-4.8/ml,对实验兔无致病性,对貉有明显致病性作用。5株CDV H和N基因序列分析结果为5个分离株之间H基因nt序列同源性均达到97.5%以上,HT-P（貉源,山东青岛）与THD1（貉源,山东潍坊）的aa同源性为100%,二者与其他分离株间aa序列同源性为87.9%～99.1%;与chn等疫苗株基因nt序列和推导aa序列同源性普遍较低,分别为90.5～91.8和89.%～91.8%。5个分离株之间N基因nt序列同源性均≥94.5%,HT-P与THD1同源性最高（99.8%）,分离株之间aa序列除HT-P、THD1与HD（貂源,山东青岛）同源性较高（99.0%以上）外,其他．分离株之间同源性低。与chn等疫苗株nt序列同源性较低（90．9～93．5％）。此外,HD和LN（貂源,辽宁大连）发病区域相距较远,但具有较高的同源性,但与HB（狐源,河北沦州）具有相对较低的nt同源性,提示野毒株在易感动物上可能存在种属差异。分离毒株与疫苗株之间H和N蛋白基因差异,可能与CD免疫失败有关。     

Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of rabies viruses from Jordan

Human fatalities caused by rabies are rarely reported in Jordan; however, domestic animals are more likely to fall victim to rabies compared to wild animals, at least this is the case in Jordan due to the presence of canine rabies. In this study, twelve brain samples from domestic and wild animals suspected of being infected with rabies virus from different regions of Jordan were collected during 2019. Seven of them tested positive using the fluorescent antibody test and real-time SYBR RT-PCR assay. Five specimens were from stray dogs and two from foxes. The whole genome sequences were obtained from the positive samples. Sequence analysis showed that one dog virus from Al Quwaysimah city located in Amman governorate, was closely related to an Israeli strain belonging to a Cosmopolitan ME1a clade. The genomes of the remaining six viruses (four from dogs and two from foxes) collected from different areas of Jordan were genetically-related to each other and clustered together with sequences from Iran and Turkey; all belong to Cosmopolitan ME2 clade. These sequences were analyzed with six other Jordanian rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) gene sequences available in the public database, five of them belong to ME1a clade and one belongs to ME1b clade. Rabies virus whole genome data is scarce across the Middle East. This study provides a better understanding of the molecular epidemiology of rabies virus in the region.     

狐、貉源大肠杆菌分离鉴定及毒力基因检测

[背景]狐、貉肺炎频发导致养殖户遭受巨大经济损失.[目的]调查黑龙江省、吉林省、河北省、山东省等地狐、貉肺炎原因,对病原菌进行分离、鉴定及部分生物学特性研究.[方法]无菌采集患病狐、貉肺组织进行细菌分离培养;对分离菌进行革兰氏染色、生化试验、特异性基因PCR鉴定、药物纸片扩散法敏感性试验、毒力基因检测及小鼠致病性试验....     

从健康狐狸、貉粪中检出犬冠状病毒的两种基因型

取某养殖场健康狐狸 (6 1份 )、貉 (2 4份 )粪样 ,用套式PCR(RT-nPCR)方法检测犬冠状病毒 (CCV)并进行基因型鉴定。结果显示 :狐狸粪样中有 4 3份 (70 . 5 % )为CCVⅡ型阳性 ,2 9份 (47. 5 % )为CCVⅠ型阳性 ,两型混合感染2 5份 ,占 4 1 0 % ,两型总感染率为 77 .0 %。 2 4份貉粪样中 ,2 2份为CCVⅡ型阳性 (91 .7% ) ,其中 16份为CCVⅠ型、Ⅱ型混合感染 (6 6 . 7% )。分别取狐狸和貉粪样中CCVⅠ、Ⅱ型阳性PCR产物各 2份 (共 8份 )进行测序 ,均与CCV的M基因序列相符 ,证实PCR结果非假阳性。序列及系统进化分析表明 ,CCVⅠ型与源于意大利腹泻犬的CCVⅠ型 (AF5 0 2 5 83)同源性最高 (96 . 7%～ 98. 1% ) ;CCVⅠ、Ⅱ两种基因型同源性为 88. 3%～ 89. 7% ,在进化树中处于两个大的分支上 ;同为CCVⅡ型 ,狐狸源与貉源序列也存在多个位点差异。首次在貉粪中检出CCV ,证实在健康狐狸、貉群体中存在CCV流行 ,且CCVⅠ、Ⅱ型并存。     

Multiple amino acids in the capsid structure of canine parvovirus coordinately determine the canine host range and specific antigenic and hemagglutination properties.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) are over 98% similar in DNA sequence but have specific host range, antigenic, and hemagglutination (HA) properties which were located within the capsid protein gene. In vitro mutagenesis and recombination were used to prepare 16 different recombinant genomic clones, and viruses derived from those clones were analyzed for their in vitro host range, antigenic, and HA properties. The region of CPV from 59 to 91 map units determined the ability to replicate in canine cells. A complex series of interactions was observed among the individual sequence differences between 59 and 73 map units. The canine host range required that VP2 amino acids (aa) 93 and 323 both be the CPV sequence, and those two CPV sequences introduced alone into FPV greatly increased viral replication in canine cells. Changing any one of aa 93, 103, or 323 of CPV to the FPV sequence either greatly decreased replication in canine cells or resulted in an inviable plasmid. The Asn-Lys difference of aa 93 alone was responsible for the CPV-specific epitope recognized by monoclonal antibodies. An FPV-specific epitope was affected by aa 323. Amino acids 323 and 375 together determined the pH dependence of HA. Amino acids involved in the various specific properties were all around the threefold spikes of the viral particle.     

水貂犬瘟热动物模型的建立

目的建立水貂犬瘟热动物模型,并利用水貂犬瘟热模型评价不同犬瘟热强毒株的毒力,为水貂犬瘟热病毒疫苗的研究奠定基础。方法从猴、藏獒、犬的病料中分离犬瘟热病毒,测定犬瘟热病毒的毒力,并进行传代培养。利用犬的犬瘟热动物模型筛选稳定的犬瘟热强毒株,进行水貂犬瘟热动物模型的建立及其毒力评估。结果筛选出了稳定的犬瘟热强毒株并进行了家犬动物实验,同时表现出了强烈的临床症状,并利用不同的代次毒进行了犬瘟热动物模型的建立。结论成功建立了犬瘟热动物模型并对不同来源的犬瘟热病毒毒力进行了评估。     

Phylogenetic relationships of Strongyloides species in carnivore hosts

Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasitic nematode and a major pathogen responsible for human strongyloidiasis. The presence of this species in the dog population has led to an interest in studying the phylogenetic relationships among Strongyloides spp. in carnivore hosts. In the present study, Strongyloides spp. from various carnivore hosts (raccoon, Japanese badger, Siberian weasel, raccoon dog, masked palm civet, and domestic cat) were sought. Except for civets, Strongyloides spp. were identified in all host species. Based on 18S rDNA sequences, nine OTUs (operational taxonomy units) were identified. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using 18S28S rDNA and mitochondrial cox1 (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) sequences clustered them into two groups. The first group (named the stercoralis/procyonis group) was comprised of six OTUs and occurred in cats, raccoon dogs, raccoons (S. procyonis), Siberian weasels, and Japanese badgers and included S. stercoralis from humans and dogs. The second group (named the planiceps group) was made up of Strongyloides spp. from raccoon dogs (two OTUs) and one OTU from Siberian weasels. Subsequent analysis using almost the full-length nucleotide sequences of protein-coding genes in their mitochondrial genomes placed Strongyloides spp. of cats in a sister taxon position to S. stercoralis, whereas S. procyonis from raccoons was more distantly related to them. The presence of Strongyloides spp. from various carnivore hosts, which are close relatives of S. stercoralis, suggests this group of Strongyloides (the stercoralis/procyonis group) essentially evolved as parasites of carnivores, although more data on Strongyloides spp. from primate hosts are needed.