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Macracanthorhynchus ingens is an acanthocephalan parasite commonly found in raccoons ( Procyon lotor) in the United States. Little is known, however, about the prevalence and distribution of M. ingens in raccoons in Canada. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with M. ingens infection in raccoons in southern Ontario, Canada. Raccoon carcasses submitted to the Ontario/Nunavut region of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for post mortem from June 2016 to January 2017 (n = 380) were examined for the presence of gastrointestinal helminths. Macracanthorhynchus ingens was found in raccoons from areas across southern Ontario where carcasses were submitted. The prevalence of M. ingens in our sample was 14.0% (95% CI = 10.6-17.8) with a median of 4 worms per infected host (range 1-46). Univariable logistic regression modeling was conducted to examine the influence of age, sex, season, degree of urbanization (urban/suburban/rural), and Baylisascaris procyonis infection on the presence of M. ingens. Significant associations were found between M. ingens infection and degree of urbanization as well as B. procyonis infection. No associations were found between M. ingens infection and age, sex, or season. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the prevalence and distribution of M. ingens in raccoons in Canada.

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A complete mitochondrial genome for the blood parasite Hepatozoon catesbianae (Alveolata; Apicomplexa; Coccidia; Adeleorina; Hepatozoidae) was obtained through PCR amplification and direct sequencing of resulting PCR products. The mitochondrial genome of H. catesbianae is 6,397 bp in length and contains 3 protein-coding genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI]; cytochrome c oxidase subunit III [COIII]; and cytochrome B [CytB]). Sequence similarities to previously published mitochondrial genomes of other apicomplexan parasites permitted annotation of 23 putative rDNA fragments in the mitochondrial genome of H. catesbianae, 14 large subunit rDNA fragments, and 9 small subunit rDNA fragments. Sequences corresponding to rDNA fragments RNA5, RNA8, RNA11, and RNA19 of Plasmodium falciparum were not identified in the mitrochondrial genome sequence of H. catesbianae. Although the presence of 3 protein-coding regions and numerous putative rDNA fragments is a feature typical for apicomplexan mitochondrial genomes, the mitochondrial genome of H. catesbianae possesses a structure and gene organization that is distinct among the Apicomplexa. This is the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence obtained from any apicomplexan parasite in the suborder Adeleorina.