Histopathological findings of infections caused by canine distemper virus, Trypanosoma cruzi, and other parasites in two free-ranging White-nosed Coatis Nasua narica (Carnivora: Procyonidae) from Costa Rica

Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes systemic infections and immunosuppression in carnivores, which subsequently makes animals highly susceptible to opportunistic infections. Although Trypanosoma cruzi infects procyonids, chagasic myocarditis Coatis has not been reported Central America. The aim of this study was report the histopathological findings caused by canine virus, T. cruzi, other parasites two free-ranging White-nosed Nasua narica found dead a national park on Pacific coast Costa Rica. Heart, lung, tongue, liver, brain spleen samples were subjected macroscopic microscopic examination. A mononuclear meningoencephalitis associated with intra-nuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies consistent observed nervous tissue. Myocarditis nests amastigotes during examination cardiac tissue, muscle from tongue both animals. Molecular analysis confirmed formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues. myocardial damage infection due these individuals could be result severe compromised immunological status CDV infection, subsequent polyparasitism described herein. To authors knowledge is first coatis