Evaluation of a molecular beacon real-time PCR assay for detection of Baylisascaris procyonis in different soil types and water samples.

Baylisascaris procyonis is a helminth parasite commonly found in North American raccoons (Procyon lotor) that is a cause of clinical neural, ocular, and visceral larva migrans in humans when infective eggs are ingested. Rapid detection of B. procyonis eggs in contaminated soil and water would assist public health analysts in evaluating risks associated with public exposure to areas of known raccoon activity.