Pyogranulomatous peritonitis associated with Nocardia sp.-like organisms in a raccoon (Procyon lotor)

Abstract

During 1992 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were live-trapped in northeastern Pennsylvania (USA). In one of these animals a localized pyogranulomatous peritonitis was seen. Grossly a large mass with a central area of liquifactive necrosis was present in the anterior abdomen. Microscopically the lesion contained multiple colonies of filamentous organisms with histomorphologic and histochemical charcteristics resembling Nocardia sp. This appears to be the first report of Nocardia infection in the raccoon.