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Thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes have been studied for their biological activities against bacteria, cancer cells and protozoa. Short-term in vitro treatment with one gold (III) complex (C3) and its salicyl-thiosemicarbazone ligand (C4) selectively inhibited proliferation of T. gondii. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) detected transient structural alterations in the parasitophorous vacuole membrane and the tachyzoite cytoplasm, but the mitochondrial membrane potential appeared unaffected by these compounds. Proteins potentially interacting with C3 and C4 were identified using differential affinity chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (DAC-MS). Moreover, long-term in vitro treatment was performed to investigate parasitostatic or parasiticidal activity of the compounds. DAC-MS identified 50 ribosomal proteins binding both compounds, and continuous drug treatments for up to 6 days caused the loss of efficacy. Parasite tolerance to both compounds was, however, rapidly lost in their absence and regained shortly after re-exposure. Proteome analyses of six T. gondii ME49 clones adapted to C3 and C4 compared to the non-adapted wildtype revealed overexpression of ribosomal proteins, of two transmembrane proteins involved in exocytosis and of an alpha/beta hydrolase fold domain-containing protein. Results suggest that C3 and C4 may interfere with protein biosynthesis and that adaptation may be associated with the upregulated expression of tachyzoite transmembrane proteins and transporters, suggesting that the in vitro drug tolerance in T. gondii might be due to reversible, non-drug specific stress-responses mediated by phenotypic plasticity.
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Proteínas Ribosómicas , Tiosemicarbazonas , Toxoplasma , Toxoplasma/efectos de los fármacos , Toxoplasma/metabolismo , Tiosemicarbazonas/farmacología , Proteínas Ribosómicas/metabolismo , Proteínas Protozoarias/metabolismo , Proteínas Protozoarias/genética , Adaptación Fisiológica/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Regulación hacia Arriba/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Proteínas de Transporte de Membrana/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte de Membrana/genética , AnimalesRESUMEN
Numerous biting and nuisance insects are a noted cause of discomfort and stress to horses. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids have been used for many years in numerous formulations for the control of insect pests in animals, humans and environment. There are, however, few studies reporting their field efficacy in horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the repellent activity of a spray formulation based on prallethrin and permethrin synergized with piperonyl butoxide (BRONCO® Equine Fly Spray, Farnam Companies, Inc., USA) against annoying and harmful insects for horses in field conditions. Nine horses of mixed breed were divided into 2 groups (treatment and control). Pre-treatment insect counts were compared to daily counts for 4 days post-treatment (pt). One minute after the administration of the product (day 0), all the horses were negative for the presence of insects. All counts up to the 6-h pt check remained negative for Hippobosca equina, tabanid flies and Simulium spp., showing 100% efficacy. This remained above 90% throughout the study. For the H. equina, the repellent efficacy remained > 99.7% for all 4 days pt, for tabanid flies > 93.3% and for Simulium spp. > 97.4%. The efficacy against Musca spp. decreased from 82.2% at day 0 to 62.2% at day 3. Treatment was well-tolerated. In conclusion, despite the low number of tested horses, Bronco® has demonstrated high insecticide and repellent efficacy and a good persistence, maintained for up to 4 days post-treatment, against the most common species of insects harmful for horses.
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Repelentes de Insectos , Insecticidas , Muscidae , Piretrinas , Simuliidae , Humanos , Caballos , Animales , Permetrina , Butóxido de Piperonilo/farmacología , Piretrinas/farmacología , Insecticidas/farmacología , Repelentes de Insectos/farmacología , Administración TópicaRESUMEN
Twelve Large White pigs were experimentally infected with 1000 Toxoplasma gondii oocysts/each. Serology was carried out at different time points post infection (p.i.) and animals were slaughtered at four months p.i. One of two thighs was examined for T. gondii infection status by PCR and bioassay in mice. The other thigh was processed for Parma ham production. Four thighs were examined after twelve months of curing, four after fourteen months and four were examined after sixteen months. Cured hams were analyzed by PCR, bioassay and in-vitro cultivation on Vero cells followed by real-time PCR. Pigs seroconverted from day 21 p.i. Bioassays were positive for all fresh thighs, but negative for cured hams. PCR was positive for parasite DNA from most thighs both at slaughter and post curing, but parasite growth was not observed following in vitro cultivation and real-time PCR. Results indicate that the curing process of Parma Ham (PDO), when carried out according to the Parma Ham consortium regulations, can inactivate T. gondii tissue cysts. Results would suggest that food-borne transmission of T. gondii to consumers from Parma ham can be excluded.
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Contaminación de Alimentos/análisis , Productos de la Carne/análisis , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitología , Toxoplasma/fisiología , Toxoplasmosis Animal/parasitología , Animales , Chlorocebus aethiops , Productos de la Carne/parasitología , Ratones , Porcinos , Toxoplasma/genética , Toxoplasma/crecimiento & desarrollo , Toxoplasma/aislamiento & purificación , Células VeroRESUMEN
Bacterial resistance to ß-lactam antibiotics, particularly new generation cephalosporins, is a major public health concern. In Escherichia coli, resistance to these antibiotics is mainly mediated by extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL), which complicates a range of health-threatening infections. These infections may also be biofilm-related, making them more difficult to treat because of the higher tolerance to conventional antibiotics and the host immune response. In this study, we tested as potential new drug candidates against biofilm-forming ESBL-producing E. coli four antimicrobial peptides previously shown to have antifungal properties. The peptides proved to be active in vitro at micromolar concentrations against both sensitive and ESBL-producing E. coli strains, effectively killing planktonic cells and inhibiting biofilm formation. Quantitative fluorescence intensity analysis of three-dimensional reconstructed confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images of mature biofilm treated with the most active peptide showed significant eradication and a reduction in viable bacteria, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed gross morphological alterations in treated bacteria. The screening of the investigated peptides for antibacterial and antibiofilm activity led to the selection of a leading candidate to be further studied for developing new antimicrobial drugs as an alternative treatment against microbial infections, primarily associated with biofilms.
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Background: Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of canine and feline heartworm disease (HWD), is a widespread mosquito-borne helminth. The true prevalence of HW infection in cats is likely underestimated due to the difficulty in establishing a definitive diagnosis. Aedes albopictus, a recognized competent vector for D. immitis, is currently considered the most invasive mosquito species worldwide and Italy presents the highest abundance of Ae. albopictus in Europe. Materials and Methods: The present study was aimed at evaluating the current seroprevalence of D. immitis antibodies in cats in Italy. Further, the ecological niche model (ENM) was applied to evaluate the potential future risk of feline HWD associated with the presence of Ae. albopictus. Results: Sera of 812 Italian cats were analyzed, and the average prevalence of D. immitis antibodies was 12%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with age (<6 years), whereas there was no association with sex or geographical area. Data obtained with the risk map showed that the highest risk of infection was found in northern inland areas and along coastal areas, whereas the lowest risk was identified at higher altitudes. The ENM correctly classified most of the areas where D. immitis seropositive cats were found, with 80.4% occurring in high and very high-risk areas. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that cats in Italy are exposed to D. immitis infection, and that routine prevention should be part of the general health care protocols in cats. Moreover, the resulting risk maps indicate that areas with a suitable habitat for Ae. albopictus may put cats at risk of exposure to D. immitis.
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Aedes , Enfermedades de los Gatos , Dirofilaria immitis , Dirofilariasis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Gatos , Animales , Perros , Dirofilariasis/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Mosquitos Vectores , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Italia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Ascaris suum is one of the most important parasites of pigs. Apart from liver condemnation due to lesions caused by migrating larvae ("milk spots"), A. suum infections can compromise weight gain, feed conversion efficacy, as well as meat quality. The true prevalence of infection depends on the diagnostic test used and is often underestimated. We compared liver inspection at slaughter with serology, based on the recognition of a purified A. suum haemoglobin or complete homogenate of the 3rd stage larvae isolated from lungs, in nine pig farms in northern Italy. Liver lesions were found on all farms with prevalence ranging from 3.8% to 98.3%. All farms were also positive for circulating antibodies against As-Hb and As-Lung-L3, with prevalence among pigs on each farm ranging from 36.4-100% and 54.5-100%, respectively. Seroprevalence was consistently higher when compared to the prevalence of milk spots at slaughter. The higher sensitivity of the ELISA tests combined with their ease of use makes them an interesting tool to evaluate A. suum infection levels.
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Ascariasis , Ascaris suum , Enfermedades de los Porcinos , Animales , Ascariasis/epidemiología , Ascariasis/veterinaria , Ascariasis/parasitología , Prevalencia , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Porcinos , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/parasitologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infects wild and domestic feline species worldwide and is considered a primary respiratory parasite of cats. Definitive diagnosis is based on the identification of first-stage larvae (L1s) released in faeces approximately 5 to 6 weeks after infection. More recently, serology has been shown to be a diagnostic alternative for A. abstrusus infection in cats. The present study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of serological antibody detection compared to faecal examination for A. abstrusus infection in a population of cats with known infection status from endemic areas in Italy and to identify factors (larval scores, age, co-infections with other helminths) that may influence test sensitivity and specificity of serology. METHODS: All cats resulting positive using the Baermann technique (n = 78) were tested with the A. abstrusus ELISA. An additional 90 serum samples from cats living in three geographical areas with infection prevalence > 10%, but that resulted negative on Baermann, were also tested. RESULTS: Among 78 cats copromicroscopically positive for L1s of A. abstrusus (Group 1), 29 (37.2%) were seropositive in ELISA. Of the 90 cats from Group 2 (cats living in three geographical areas in Italy with A. abstrusus prevalence > than 10%, but negative on Baermann examination), 11 (12.2%) were positive on ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 23.8%. There was no statistical difference either between average optical density (OD) values of cats excreting > 100 L1s vs. cats excreting < 100 L1s (0.84 vs. 0.66; P value = 0.3247) or comparing the OD values with age of infected cats. Few Baermann-negative cats positive for Toxocara cati or hookworms were seropositive, supporting lack of cross-reactivity to these nematodes. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study suggest that relying solely on faecal examination may underestimate prevalence of A. abstrusus infection in cats and that field surveys based on antibody detection are useful for establishing true prevalence of infected and/or exposed animals.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos , Metastrongyloidea , Infecciones por Strongylida , Gatos , Animales , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Infecciones por Strongylida/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Strongylida/epidemiología , Infecciones por Strongylida/veterinaria , Larva , Italia/epidemiología , Heces/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The zoonotic nematodes Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are endemic in many European countries and their distribution is changing. A correct diagnosis is the starting point to reduce their spread and veterinary practitioners represent the first line of defense against these two vector-borne diseases in pets and humans. With the aim to better understand current knowledge by veterinarians and to compare them with the previous survey, an online questionnaire was sent to Italian companion animal veterinary facilities. The overall response rate was 22.3%. Approximately 50% and 5% of facilities have diagnosed at least one case of Dirofilaria spp. in the last year in dogs and cats, respectively. In agreement with international guidelines, of the 665 facilities that responded to the questionnaire, 16.8% used Knott's test in combination with serology (Antigenic test-Ag-) to diagnose heartworm infection in dogs. For the diagnosis of D. repens infection, 13.8% used Knott's test in dogs and cats, and 10.5% used Knott's test only in dogs. Most facilities recommended beginning prevention of canine heartworm disease in April and ending in November. Injectable moxidectin and oral ivermectin were the two most commonly used preventives for D. immitis in dogs, while selamectin was most frequently used in cats. The drug most commonly used for heartworm adulticide treatment in dogs was melarsomine followed by the combined ivermectin-doxycycline treatment. The results of this study suggest that, on the one hand, veterinarians are aware of the recent developments in adulticide therapy, while on the other hand, diagnosis is not always made according to what is recommended by international guidelines and that the start and end times of prevention may not be optimal. Furthermore, the data show an increase in cases of coinfection compared to the previous survey.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos , Dirofilaria immitis , Dirofilariasis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Gatos , Perros , Animales , Humanos , Dirofilariasis/diagnóstico , Dirofilariasis/tratamiento farmacológico , Dirofilariasis/prevención & control , Ivermectina/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Gatos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Dirofilaria immitis/fisiología , Italia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone widely used in veterinary medicine for its broad-spectrum antiparasitic properties. It has been proven to be effective and safe. The purpose of this study was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography method with a diode array detector for ivermectin screening in feed and water for animal consumption. Furthermore, the objective was to quantify ivermectin levels that were higher than 0.5 mg/kg in solid matrixes and 0.1 mg/kg in water. Doramectin was used as process standard. Samples were extracted using solid phase extraction with silica and C-18 columns. The method involved the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD). The results were interpreted using a calibration curve built with ivermectin standards at multiple concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 12.5 mg/kg). Statistical evaluation of data was done using ANOVA. The data analysis showed that the linear regression was highly significant (P < 0.001), the intercept values were not significantly different from zero, and the correlation coefficient values (>0.999) indicated excellent linearity. Further tests demonstrated that this method is also useful when studying soil matrixes. The soil was dried and analyzed in the same way as feed; the same recoveries were realized on the spiked samples. The method is easy, inexpensive, precise, and repeatable; it requires very small amounts of sample.
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BACKGROUND: Several studies in both experimentally and naturally infected dogs have reported the adulticide effect of a combination of macrocyclic lactones and doxycycline against Dirofilaria immitis, showing that these protocols can be used as an alternative to melarsomine. The present study evaluated the efficacy of oral, topical and extended-release injectable formulations of moxidectin when combined with doxycycline in dogs naturally infected with D. immitis from a shelter located in southern Italy. METHODS: Thirty dogs with naturally acquired D. immitis infection were divided in three groups (G) and treated with oral moxidectin (G1) once a month for 9 consecutive months, topical moxidectin (G2) once a month for 9 consecutive months or extended release moxidectin injectable (G3) at enrolment and again at 6 months (Day 180). All treatment groups received doxycycline for the first 30 days. Microfilarial concentrations in 1 ml (mff/ml) blood were determined monthly for 9 months with the modified Knott's test. A clinical scoring system was employed for each dog enrolled in the study based on thoracic radiography and cardiac ultrasound (CU) examinations performed at Day - 15 (before treatment) and at Day 180. RESULTS: Results from the present study suggest that the majority of dogs from all treatment groups became antigen negative, as evaluated at Day 270: 9/10 dogs (90.0%) from G1, 6/10 dogs (60.0%) from G2 and 8/10 dogs (80.0%) from G3. Improvement of radiographic alterations was observed in all treatment groups, and almost all dogs were cleared of pulmonary abnormalities by 6 months from the beginning of treatment (P = 0.000). Cardiac ultrasound examination showed a progressive improvement of cardiac function in a limited number of animals (4/30). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of doxycycline and three different formulations of moxidectin leads to antigen-negative status in naturally infected dogs.
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Dirofilaria immitis , Dirofilariasis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Filaricidas , Perros , Animales , Dirofilariasis/tratamiento farmacológico , Dirofilariasis/diagnóstico , Doxiciclina , Quimioterapia Combinada , Neonicotinoides , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Nitrocompuestos , MacrólidosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria immitis, also known as heartworm, is one of the most important parasitic nematodes of domestic dogs, causing a potentially serious disease, cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis, which can be lethal. This species seems to be less 'expansive' than its sister species Dirofilaria repens, and it is believed that climate change facilitates the spread of this parasite to new non-endemic regions. METHODS: In total, 122 heartworm isolates were analysed from nine endemic countries in Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine) and a single isolate from Bangladesh by amplification and sequencing of two mitochondrial (mt) DNA markers: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NADH). The main aim of the current study was to determine the genetic diversity of D. immitis and compare it with D. repens haplotype diversity and distribution. DNA was extracted from adult heartworms or microfilariae in blood. Most isolates originated from dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) while 10 isolates originated from wildlife species from Romania, including eight isolates from golden jackals (Canis aureus), one isolate from a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and one isolate from a red fox (Vulpes vulpes). RESULTS: Median spanning network analysis was based on the combined sequence (1721 bp) obtained from two mt markers and successfully delineated nine haplotypes (Di1-Di9). Haplotype Di1 was the dominant haplotype encompassing 91 out of the 122 sequences (75%) from all nine countries and four host species. Haplotype Di2 was the second most common haplotype, formed solely by 13 isolates from Italy. The remaining sequences were assigned to Di3-Di9 haplotypes, differing by 1-4 SNPs from the dominant Di1 haplotype. There was evidence for geographical segregation of haplotypes, with three unique haplotypes associated with Italy and four others associated with certain countries (Di4 and Di7 with Slovakia; Di8 with Greece; Di6 with Hungary). CONCLUSION: Diversity in D. immitis mt haplotypes was lower by half than in D. repens (9 vs. 18 haplotypes in D. immitis and D. repens, respectively), which may be associated with the slower expansion of heartworm in Central and NE Europe. NADH gene appears to be conserved in Dirofilaria sp. by showing lower genetic diversity than the analysed COI gene.
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Canidae , Dirofilaria immitis , Nutrias , Perros , Animales , Dirofilaria immitis/genética , Haplotipos , NAD , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Due to their marked larvicidal activity, macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are used for the prevention of heartworm disease ( Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs. They have also been shown to eliminate adult parasites after long-term administration, with a so-called "slow-kill" effect. In addition, recent studies have established that a combination of doxycycline, which eliminates the endosymbiont Wolbachia, and MLs has superior adulticide effects when compared to MLs alone. It has been hypothesized that the apparent synergism between doxycycline/MLs may be due to interaction with drug efflux transport proteins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gene expression of several transport proteins in D. immitis adults treated in vitro either with doxycycline alone, ivermectin alone, moxidectin alone, or a combination of ivermectin or moxidectin with doxycycline for 12 h. Quantitative PCR analysis showed a sex-dependent response to treatments. In female worms, Dim-pgp-10, Dim-haf-1 and Dim-haf-5 were upregulated compared to controls with doxycycline alone and when combined with ivermectin. Moxidectin did not induce any changes in gene expression. In males, moxidectin administered alone induced a slight increase in Dim-pgp-10, Dim-pgp-11and Di-avr-14, while ivermectin in combination with doxycycline produced significant upregulation of the ML receptor Di-avr-14. These results suggest possible synergism between the two drug classes and different susceptibility of males vs. females to adulticide effects.
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Dirofilaria immitis , Enfermedades de los Perros , Wolbachia , Animales , Dirofilaria immitis/genética , Enfermedades de los Perros/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/prevención & control , Perros , Doxiciclina/farmacología , Doxiciclina/uso terapéutico , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Ivermectina/farmacología , Macrólidos , Masculino , Proteínas de Transporte de Membrana/genética , Wolbachia/genéticaRESUMEN
Several viruses can be transmitted by mosquitoes. We searched some of these viruses in 20,778 mosquitoes, collected in 95 traps on the plains of Emilia-Romagna (North of Italy) in 2021. We detected West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in pools of Culex (Cx.) pipiens. In addition, we detected two insect-specific flaviviruses in three pools of Aedes (Ae.) caspius and in two of Ae. vexans. Tahyna virus (TAHV) was detected in six pools, three of Ae. caspius and three of Cx. pipiens, and one isolated strain was obtained from one of the Ae. caspius pools. Moreover, we detected TAHV in pools of several mosquito species (Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans, Ae. albopictus, Anopheles maculipennis s.l.) collected in the previous year of surveillance. Our data indicate Ae. caspius as the species most infected with TAHV in the surveyed area. Together with the likely plasticity of the cycle, we reported strong genome stability of the TAHV, probably linked to a successful adaptation of the virus to its ecological niche. Interestingly, in six pools of Cx. pipiens we detected two associated viruses among USUV, WNV, TAHV and all the three viruses in two pools. This result allows us to assume the presence of particular conditions that prompt the circulation of arboviruses, creating the conditions for viral hot spots. While no human diseases related to Tahyna virus were reported in Italy, its detection over the years suggests that it is worth investigating this virus as a potential cause of disease in humans in order to assess its health burden. IMPORTANCE We reported in this work the detection of three Arboviruses (Arthropod-borne viruses) in mosquitoes collected in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. In addition to West Nile and Usutu viruses, which were reported from more than 10 years in the study area, we detected and isolated Tahyna virus (TAHV). We also reported detections of TAHV obtained in previous years of surveillance in different species of mosquitoes. TAHV is the potential causative agent of summer influenza-like diseases and also of meningitis. Even if human cases of disease referable to this virus are not reported in Italy, its relevant presence in mosquitoes suggests investigating the possibility they could.
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Aedes , Arbovirus , Virus de la Encefalitis de California , Fiebre del Nilo Occidental , Virus del Nilo Occidental , Animales , Humanos , Arbovirus/genética , Fiebre del Nilo Occidental/epidemiología , Italia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Mesocestoides spp. are common intestinal tapeworms of dogs and cats. The presence of numerous larval stages in the pleural or peritoneal cavities causes larval mesocestoidosis, that is a potentially life-threatening disease in massive infection. In vivo diagnosis of larval mesocestoidosis is challenging and confirmed diagnosis is often made post-mortem. For this reason, therapeutic recommendations are empirical and there is currently no data on the best treatment options in dogs and cats. Both fenbendazole and praziquantel have been used to treat canine larval mesocestoidosis but failure of complete clearance of larvae has been described for both. Treatment with fenbendazole at 100 mg/kg orally twice a day, for 1-3 months has been reported as being effective. However, it is known that administration of high, off-label doses of fenbendazole can lead to adverse reactions. Here, we report the efficacy of fenbendazole at a lower dosage (50 mg/kg twice a day) in two dogs with pleural and peritoneal mesocestoidosis.
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Enfermedades de los Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros , Mesocestoides , Animales , Enfermedades de los Gatos/tratamiento farmacológico , Gatos , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Perros , Fenbendazol/uso terapéutico , LarvaRESUMEN
Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a severe, potentially life-threatening disease of dogs and is considered one of the most important vector-borne zoonoses in Europe, where there is evidence that it is currently spreading into previously unaffected areas. Veterinary practitioners represent the first-line defence against CanL and in recent years, several guidelines have been developed to assist veterinarians in the correct diagnosis, management and prevention of the disease. The present study was aimed at surveying Italian practitioners on how they manage CanL and compare results to recommendations from guidelines developed by the European Scientific Council for Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP®), by the Leishvet® organization and by the Canine Leishmaniasis Working Group (C.L.W.G.). Approximately 14.0 % of veterinarians contacted replied to the survey. Results suggest that Italian practitioners are aware of currently available guidelines for the management of CanL and adherence to recommendations is good. Interestingly, 16.0 % carry out year-long prevention, even though recent data suggest that transmission in Italy continues to be seasonal. In conclusion, the high awareness among practitioners reported here should be considered an excellent opportunity for guideline developers to continue updating their recommendations to include any new information that can support the correct management of CL.
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Enfermedades de los Perros , Leishmaniasis Visceral , Leishmaniasis , Competencia Profesional , Animales , Enfermedades de los Perros/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Perros/prevención & control , Perros , Adhesión a Directriz , Italia/epidemiología , Leishmania infantum , Leishmaniasis/epidemiología , Leishmaniasis/prevención & control , Leishmaniasis/veterinaria , Leishmaniasis Visceral/epidemiología , Leishmaniasis Visceral/prevención & control , Leishmaniasis Visceral/veterinaria , VeterinariosRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of different reagents as safe alternatives to 2% formalin in the modified Knott's test for the diagnosis of subcutaneous (Dirofilaria repens) and cardiopulmonary (D. immitis) dirofilariosis. A total of 61 blood samples from dogs naturally infected with D. immitis and D. repens were collected and analysed in two different laboratories (Lab 1, University of Parma and Lab 2, University of Napoli). For each blood sample the modified Knott's method was performed to identify and measure the mean length and width of the microfilariae (mfs) using 2% formalin (A), 2% acetic acid (B), 2% glacial acetic acid (C), 10% saponin (D) and distilled water (E). When compared to 2% formalin, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) among the mean length and width of either D. immitis or D. repens mfs with distilled water (E). The lengths and widths of mfs, however, were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) when using B, C, D likely due to more pronounced parasite dehydration. Despite differences in measurements, the morphological features of the head and tail of the two species were maintained, suggesting that all the solutions tested could be a suitable alternative to formalin. All alternative reagents caused more marked haemolysis compared to formalin, improving readability of slides. The values of the mean length and the mean width of D. immitis and the mean width of D. repens mfs obtained with formalin and distilled water were statistically different (P < 0.005) between the two laboratories. The difference in mf measurements between the two labs could be due to the use of reagents purchased from different manufacturing companies. Results suggest that distilled water could replace formalin in the modified Knott's test, as a safer reagent that allows morphology-based species differentiation of Dirofilaria spp.
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Técnicas y Procedimientos Diagnósticos , Dirofilaria , Indicadores y Reactivos , Animales , Técnicas y Procedimientos Diagnósticos/normas , Dirofilaria/clasificación , Dirofilaria/citología , Dirofilariasis/diagnóstico , Dirofilariasis/parasitología , Enfermedades de los Perros/diagnóstico , Enfermedades de los Perros/parasitología , Perros , Formaldehído/química , Indicadores y Reactivos/química , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
A global increase in Escherichia coli (E. coli) resistant to cephalosporins (extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESßLs) and AmpC ß-lactamases) has been recorded in the last 20 years. Similarly, several studies have reported the spread of colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from food and the environment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of ESßL, AmpC and colistin-resistant E. coli isolated from pork and wild boar meat products in the Emilia Romagna region (North Italy). The isolates were analysed phenotypically (considering both resistant and intermediate profiles) and genotypically. The prevalence of genotypically confirmed ESßL and AmpC E. coli was higher in pork meat products (ESßL = 11.1% vs. AmpC = 0.3%) compared to wild boar meat (ESßL = 6.5% vs. AmpC = 0%). Intermediate profiles for cefotaxime (CTX) and ceftazidime (CAZ) were genotypically confirmed as ESßL in pork meat isolates but not for wild boar. Four E. coli from wild boar meat were resistant to colistin but did not harbour the mcr-1 gene. E. coli isolated from wild boar meat seem to show aspecific antimicrobial resistance mechanisms for cephalosporins and colistin. The prevalence of resistant isolates found in wild boar is less alarming than in pork from farmed domestic pigs. However, the potential risk to consumers of these meat products will require further investigations.
RESUMEN
Cystic echinococcosis (CE; Echinococcus spp.) is widespread in many domestic animal species in Italy, with the G1-G3 genotype predominating. The G7 genotype ("pig strain"), which is much less common, has only been reported in pigs and wild boar from the island of Sardinia and in wild boars from southern mainland Italy. Ten pig livers with hydatid cysts were identified in a slaughterhouse in northwestern Italy. Multiplex PCR for Echinococcus granulosus gave positive results for two of these and subsequent sequencing confirmed the species as Echinococcus granulosusu s.l. G6/G7. Affected pigs came from an intensive farm in northeastern Italy. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first report of CE by Echinococcus granulosusu s.l. G6/G7 in the domestic pig in mainland Italy. E. granulosus s.l. G6/G7 is zoonotic and its circulation in Italy should be of concern for public health.
Asunto(s)
Echinococcus granulosus , Sus scrofa/parasitología , Animales , Echinococcus granulosus/genética , Echinococcus granulosus/aislamiento & purificación , Genotipo , Italia/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The Lagovirus genus comprises both pathogenic viruses as European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV- GII.1) and rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses (RHDV-GI.1 and RHDV2-GI.2), that principally infect European brown hares (Lepus europeaus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), respectively, causing severe necrotic hepatitis, spleen enlargement and disseminated haemorrhage. This genus includes also non-pathogenic agents, such as rabbit calicivirus (RCV-E1 - GI.3) and the non-pathogenic hare Lagovirus, provisionally named hare calicivirus (HaCV - GII.2). The latter had been identified for the first time in 2012 in the gut contents and faeces of healthy young hares raised in a breeding farm. In this study, we further investigated the presence of HaCV by testing the intestinal tract of 621 wild hares collected between 2010 and 2018 in Northern and Central Italy, and in 2011 in Austria, Germany and Spain. These wild hares were found dead for causes other than EBHS or were healthy hares shot during the hunting season. Forty-three out of 322 hare samples from Italy and 14 out of 299 samples from Austria and Germany were positive for HaCV-GII.2 by RT-PCR using universal primers for lagoviruses and primers specific for HaCV. Sequence analysis of the full capsid protein gene conducted on 12 strains representative of different years and locations indicated that these viruses belong to the same, single cluster as the prototype strain initially identified at the hares' farm (HaCV_Bs12_1). The relatively high level of genetic variation (88% nt identity) within this cluster suggests HaCVs may have been circulating widely in Europe for some time.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Caliciviridae/veterinaria , Liebres/virología , Virus de la Enfermedad Hemorrágica del Conejo/aislamiento & purificación , Lagovirus/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Animales Salvajes , Infecciones por Caliciviridae/virología , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , Virus de la Enfermedad Hemorrágica del Conejo/genéticaRESUMEN
A field trial performed in-home conditions was conducted on 24 dogs naturally infected with Giardia, in order to compare the efficacy of fenbendazole and metronidazole. Animals were allocated in groups randomly in order to obtain two groups of 12 dogs each with similar parasitic loads of Giardia cysts: dogs in Group A were treated with fenbendazole (Panacur®, Intervet Italia Srl) administered at the dose of 50 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 consecutive days, dogs in Group B were treated with metronidazole (Flagyl®, Zambon Italia Srl) administered orally at the dose of 50 mg/kg, once a day for 5 consecutive days. All the dogs that were shedding Giardia cysts after the first treatment (Day 0) were retreated (either at Day 7 or at Day 14 or at Day 21) until a negative result was obtained with the same treatment. Additionally, all the dogs were re-examined at Day 50. All the dogs were tested for the presence of Giardia cysts using a fecal flotation method (FLOTAC). The percent efficacy of the treatments (A and B) was calculated at each sampling point (Days 7, 14, 21, and 50) as reduction in mean Giardia cysts. After the first therapy, on day 7, 4/12 (33.3%) dogs tested positive for Giardia cysts in the Group A and 5/12 (41.7%) in the Group B. Efficacies at (Days 7, 14, 21, and 50) of the treatments against Giardia infection were 80.9, 94, 100, and 97% in the Group A and 70.8, 99, 100, and 97.1% in the Group B. Statistically significant differences were not observed between the efficacy of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole against infection by G. duodenalis (P = 0.686). Molecular analysis revealed full homology (i.e., 100% with JN416550) with the canine specific assemblage D in six positive dogs. Different hypotheses might explain the re-appearance of the Giardia cysts in some dogs after treatment, e.g., re-infection from the home environment, the correct medication given by the owners, the diet, as well as treatment failure, but also biological issues related to the intermittent excretion of Giardia cysts.