[Health ethology of the fox and antirabies vaccine in the Italian experience]. / Etologia sanitaria della volpe e vaccini antirabbici nell'esperienza italiana.

In order to contribute to the planning of antirabies oral vaccination of foxes a series of ethological and ecological investigations have been carried out. The results obtained are briefly summarized and discussed together with experimental data on antirabies immunization of dogs and foxes with different vaccines.

[Irregularity of spicules of the genus Spiculocaulus Schulz, Orlow and Kutass, 1933]. / Sulla disuguaglianza degli spicoli nel genere Spiculocaulus Schulz, Orlow e Kutass, 1933.

The accurate measurement of the length of the spicules of 100 male specimens of a lung nematode belonging to a species of the genus Spiculocaulus collected from trachea and bronchi of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) of Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso--Italian Western Alps--shows that the spicules are constantley inequal: the left spicule is the longer. The original description of the species Spiculocaulus austriacus (Gebauer, 1932) found in trachea and bronchi of Rupicapra rupicapra from Austrian Alps state to the contrary that in this species spicules are equal in length. New investigations are necessary to establish if the species S. austriacus has to be redescribed for this important character or if our specimens belong to a new species.

[Corrigia vulturini sp.n. and Corrigia corrigia (Braun, 1901) Strom, 1940 in Acryllium vulturinum Hardwicke from Somalia]. / Corrigia vulturini sp.n. e Corrigia corrigia (Braun, 1901) Strom, 1940 in Acryllium vulturinum Hardwicke della Somalia.

Trematodes found in Acryllium vulturinum Hardwicke from Somalia are described as Corrigia vulturini sp.n. and Corrigia corrigia (Braun, 1901) Strom, 1940. This is the first record of the genus Corrigia from a numidide bird. Corrigia vulturini sp.n. differs from other Corrigia spp. of comparable body dimension, by having vitellaria of equal length; the original drawing would suggest that this is also the case with C. ulari. C. vulturini sp.n. differs from the latter by the body width at the level of the anterior testicle, by the size of the internal organs and of the suckers, by the position of the vitellaria with respect to the ovary and by the distance between the testicles. Corrigia corrigia differs from the original description by longer vitellaria and greater cirrus pouch dimension.

[Observations of fleas of small mammals at the Gran Paradiso National Park (Italian Occidental Alps)]. / Osservazioni sulle pulci dei micromammiferi del Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Alpi Occidentali Italiane)

The Siphonaptera of small mammals (nearly 200 rodents, insectivora and mustelids) of the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Western Italian Alps) have been collected and studied during the years 1973-75. All the animals have been captured at altitudes ranging from 1570 to 2400 m during different seasons. Twelve genera and sixteen species have been identified, namely: Chaetopsylla (C.) homoea homoea from Mustela erminea; Hystrichopsylla (H.) talpae talpae from Clethrionomys glareolus; Rhadinopsylla (A.) integella integella from Clethrionomys glareolus and Microtus nivalis; Ctenophtalmus (C.) agyrtes verbanus from Pitymys multiplex (collected by Beaucournu); Ctenophthalmus (C.) solutus solutus from Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus sylvaticus; Ctenophthalmus (Medioctenophthalmus) nivalis nivalis from Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus nivalis and Pitymys multiplex; Doratopsylla dasycnema cuspis from Sorex araneus and Clethrionomys glareolus; Palaeopsylla soricis rosickyi from Sorex araneus; Leptopsylla segnis from Apodemus sylvaticus and Mus musculus; Peromyscopsylla bidentata bidentata from Clethrionomys glareolus and Microtus nivalis; peromyscopsylla fallax from clethrionomgs glareous; Amphipsylla sibirica ssp. from clethrionomys glareolus and microtus nivalis; Malaraeus (Amalaraeus), penicilliger kratachvili from Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus nivalis and Mustela erminea; Myoxopsylla laverani from Eliomys quercinus; Callopsylla saxatilis from Apodemus flavicollis, Microtus nivalis and Mustela erminea. Species of fleas not yet described in Italy are: Chaetopsylla (C.) homoea homoea; Rhadinopsylla (Actenophthalmus) mesa; Ctenophthalmus (Medioctemophthalmus) nivalis nivalis; Callopsylla saxatilis. The genus Callopsylla is identified for the first time in Italy. New identification of hosts for the species of fleas already described in Italy are: for Rhadinopsylla (Actenophthalmus) integella integella: Clethrionomys glareolus; for Ctenophthalmus (C.) solutus solutus: Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus sylvaticus. All the 15 male specimens of M. laverani from E. quercinus captured in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso have characters more similar to M. l. traubi than to M. l. laverani: only one long and a much shorter spine in the superior half of the movable process, a distinct tooth in the anterior margin of the movable half of the movable process, a distinct tooth in the anterior margin of the movable process, crochets of phallosome shorter and more gradually tapered, apex of fixed process very acuminated. To the contrary the shape of the movable process is similar to that of M. l. laverani. A point of particular interest is to be found also in 2 specimens of Amphypsilla of the sibirica group, respectively collected from Mustela erminea and Microtus nivalis. They have a very atypical distribution of the spine in an abnormally shaped movable process: the reasons of the abnormality are due to castration, probably of parasitic origin (absence of phallosome, tendons, etc.).

[Diffusion of pulmonary Nematoda in the steinbock (Capra ibex) and the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) at the Gran Paradiso National Park and the di Valdieri Reservation]. / Indagine sulla diffusione dei nematodi polmonari nello stambecco (Capra ibex) e nel camoscio (Rupicapra rupicapra) del Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso e della Riserva di Valdieri

The results obtained in a survey on the diffusion of pulmonary nematodes in 13 steinbocks (Capra ibex) and 71 chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) of the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, and 49 chamois of the Riserva di Valdieri, Italian Western Alps, are reported. The following species of nematodes were identified: Spiculocaulus austriacus, Protostrongylus rufescens, Protostrongylus hobmaieri in steinbocks; Protostrongylus rupicaprae, Protostrongylus hobmaieri, Protostrongylus refescens,Protostrongylus sp., Spiculocaulus austriacus and Dictyocaulus filaria in chamois. The study of two species, viz. Spiculocaulus austriacus and Protostrongylus sp., is still in progress because these nematodes show morphological peculiarities never previously described.

[A new Habronematidae parasite of Acryllium vulturinum: Sicarius renatae sp.n]. / Su un nuovo Habronematidae parassita di Acryllium vulturinum: Sicarius renatae sp. n.

A new Nematode Habronematidae, Sicarius renatae sp.n., is described in Acryllium vulturinum from Somalia. This new species can be distinguished from S. dipterum (Popova, 1927), S. hoopoe Sharma, 1971 and S. caudatus Quentin and Wertheim, 1975 by its smaller body dimensions, the size of the spicula, the distribution and number of male caudal papillae, and by the morphology of the female posterior end.

[Two new species of the genus Nematodirus, parasites of steinboks and chamois: Nematodirus ibicis sp. n. and Nematodirus rupicaprae sp. n]. / Su due nuove specie del genere Nematodirus parassiti di stambecchi e camosci: Nematodirus ibicis sp.n. e Nematodirus rupicaprae sp.n.

Two new species of the genus Nematodirus are described. The nematodes were collected from the gastro-intestinal tract of steinboks (Capra ibex) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) of Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Italian Western Alps). The names Nematodirus ibicis sp. n. and Nematodirus rupicaprae sp. n. are proposed.

[Observations on the species Stefanskostrongylus soricis (Soltys, 1954)]. / Osservazioni sulla specie Stefanskostrongylus soricis (Soltys, 1954).

A short redescription of Stefanskostrongylus soricis (Soltys, 1954) parasite of Sorex minutus from Bialowieza forest (Poland) and Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso (West Italian Alps) is given.

[Protostrongylus (Protostrongylus) rufescens boevi, a new subspecies, parasite of the respiratory apparatus of chamois].

A nematode parasitic of bronchial system of Rupicapra rupicapra (chamois) of Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Italian Western Alps) is described and the name Protostrongylus (Protostrongylus) rufescens boevi subspecies nova, is proposed.

Integrated control of Fascioloides magna infection in northern Italy.

The following study records ten years' experience in the control of Fascioloides magna infection in a fenced area grazed by an overdense red deer population together with free-ranging cattle. During the winter 1977/78 mortality due to a "fascioloidosis-malnutrition syndrome" reduced the deer stock almost by half. Control measures were aimed at combatting the fluke in the wild definitive host by the administration of medicated pellets. Four flukicides were used over the years: rafoxanide, diamphenetide, oxyclozanide and triclabendazole. Efforts were also made to control the number of deer and to improve their condition by artificial feeding during the winter months. Intervention on the habitat of the intermediate hosts of F. magna were purposely avoided. The efficacy of this programme was evaluated by both copromicroscopic examinations and fluke counts from the livers of the wild and domestic macromammals living in the study area. Some yield parameters of the deer population were also taken into account. Results demonstrate that F. magna infection, though a hazard for cattle productivity, remained a deer problem when pharmacological prophylaxis was regularly applied.

[Dissemination of Fasciola Hepatica in cattle of Novara Province]. / Sulla diffusione di Fasciola hepatica nei bovini della Provincia di Novara.

The diffusion of F. hepatica in the cattle of the Novara Province was studied by means of a necroscopic survey on 2184 regularly slaughtered animals and a copro-microscopic survey on 5063 feaces samples picked up from 162 breedings farms. The 28.40% of the slaughtered animals resulted infected with F. hepatica. The parasite also resulted present in 52.74% of the examined breeding farms. A large diffusion of Paramphistomum sp. was shown, too. The diffusion areas of these Trematodes may be seen in the figures 1, 3, 6 and 7.

[Importance of the fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the transmission of sarcosporidiosis from the steinbock (Capra ibex) at the Gran Paradiso National Park]. / L'importanza della volpe (Vulpes vulpes) nella trasmissione della sarcosporidiosi dello stambecco (Capra ibex) nel Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso

Sarcosporidiasis is a very common infection of steinbocks (Capra ibex) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) of Gran Paradiso National Park, Italian Western Alps, frequently with serious cardiac involvement. No dogs or cats are allowed inside the Park, to the contrary foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are present every where, near steinbocks and chamois, and eat on the bodies of dead animals. Feces of Vulpes vulpes were collected in the same area, where the infected Capra ibex used for the following experiment was living (Gran Nomenon - Chantel - P.N.G.P. Val di Cogne, altitude ranging from 2200 to 2600 m). These feces and feces from foxes collected in different areas of Valle dell'Orco were found positive for sporulated sporocysts which varied between 8-10 X 13-15 mum. Infected muscles of a Capra ibex (oesophagus, heart, diaphragm, intercostal and abdominal muscles, etc.) were fed to canidae (Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus and Canis familiaris), felidae (Felis catus, Felis leo) mustelidae (Putorius putorius furo) and to a prey bird (Falco tinnunculus). One Vulpes vulpes and two Canis familiaris were maintained as control under the same experimental conditions. Only Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus and Canis familiaris excreted sporulated sporocysts in their feces after 12, 13 and 21 days respectively and for several weeks. These sporocysts varied between 8-10 X 13-15 mum. All the other animals (Felis catus, Felis leo, Putorius putorius furo and Falco tinnunculus) remained costantly negative during all the experiments. It is concluded that Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus and Canis familiaris (Canidae) are definitive hosts of Sarcocystis sp. of Capra ibes of P.N.G.P., and that sarcosporidiasis of steinbocks is transmitted inside the Parco (P.N.G.P.) by Vulpes vulpes.

[Study of Siphonaptera in Somalia]. / Contributo allo studio dei sifonatteri della Somalia.

In the period 1982-1984 samples of fleas were collected from wild animals of the Middle Scebeli, Low Scebeli and Bay Regions of Somalia. In total 1,335 specimens (486 males and 849 females) were obtained from 17 species of mammalian hosts out of the 19 examined. The following species of fleas were identified: Echidnophaga gallinacea, E. larina, E. murina, Ctenocephalides felis strongylus, Synosternus burtoni, S. somalicus, S. burtoni, S. somalicus, C. felis strongylus and E. larina are known to be widespread in Somalia; on the contrary, the presence of E. gallinacea in this country has not been reported in the literature, though the flea collection of the Institute of Parasitology of the University of Rome owns five females of this species which were collected by Zavattari in South Somalia during the year 1933. Moreover, as far as it is known, E. murina has not been reported in Somalia until now. The spermatheca of the females identified as S. burtoni is described in detail as it shows characteristics which have not been apparently reported before.

[Seasonal variations in microfilarema and effects of ambient temperature in dogs parasitized by Dirofilaria repens]. / Variazioni stagionali della microfilariemia ed effetto della temperatura ambientale in cani parassitati da Dirofilaria repens

1 - Dogs infected with Dirofilaria repens from Italy were found to show seasonal variations in the number of microfilariae in the peripheral blood. 2 - The rise in the number of microfilariae occured in August and September and is coincidental with the higher probability of trasmission. 3 - Rise and fall of microfilaraemia was induced experimentally by exposure of the host to high and low temperatures respectively. 4 - The importance of such variations in microfilaraemia is stressed in relation to the evaluation of the infection from a clinical, pharmacological and epizoological point of view.

[Distribution of nematode parasites of the digestive system in sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) of the Piedmontese and Valdostano Alpine arc]. / Sulla diffusione dei nematodi parassiti dell'apparato digerente in pecore (Ovis aries) e in capre (Capra hircus) dell'arco alpino piemontese e valdostano.

A survey, carried out on gastro-intestinal nematodes of sheep and goats of Piemonte and of Valle d'Aosta (87 sheep and 12 goats) has shown the presence of the following species in sheep, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus abnormalis, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spathiger, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia trifurcata, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostronglus colubriformis, Trichostronglus vitrinus, Trichuris ovis and Trichuris skrjabini; in goats, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia trifurcata, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Trichostrongylus vitrinus. The percentage of each species in the two host is given in the text table.

Experimental transmission of a sarcosporidian from Alpine ibex to domestic sheep and goats.

Sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. from dogs fed with ibex meat were orally inoculated into kids and lambs. Three kids, given 4 x 10(6) and 4 x 10(4) sporocysts, respectively, died from acute sarcocystosis. Schizonts, though found in all the tissues of these kids, were particularly numerous in the kidneys, brain and spinal cord. Another three kids inoculated with 5 x 10(3) sporocysts and two lambs, inoculated with 1 x 10(6) and 5 x 10(3) sporocysts, respectively, showed no clinical signs and were sacrificed between 111 and 130 days after infection. Mature sarcocysts were found both in the heart and striated muscles of these animals. No parasitic stage was found in two kids and two lambs used as uninoculated controls. Biological differences between Sarcocystis sp. from ibex and the other sarcosporidians with a canine-caprine or canine-ovine cycle are stressed.

An epidemiological study of canine filarioses in north-west Italy: what has changed in 25 years?

A field survey aimed at updating knowledge of the distribution and prevalence of filarial infections in the Piedmont region was undertaken. Blood samples were collected from 2628 dogs (10-15 dogs/100 km2) which had remained in the local area, were kept in the open overnight, were more than 2 years old and had not previously been treated with microfilaricidal drugs. Infection was diagnosed by a modified Knott test. Comparison of the results with those from a similar survey carried out 25 years ago showed a 3-fold increase in the size of the endemic area, with the colonization of new habitats, and a 4-fold increase in the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection.