Zoonotic intestinal helminthes diagnosed in a 6-year period (2015-2020) in privately owned dogs of sub-urban and urban areas of Italy.

Intestinal helminthes of dogs have a relevant role for health and welfare of canine populations and many of them are zoonotic. Thus, a constant surveillance is pivotal to safeguard companion dogs and human health. Data from faecal examinations of pet dogs obtained in the last six years during the routine activity of the laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic diseases of the University Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the University of Teramo, Italy, are here reported. From 2015 to 2020 a total of 1083 individual faecal samples from privately owned dogs were examined using conventional copro-microscopic techniques. Endoparasite elements were found in 278 (25.7%) dogs, and among them, eggs of intestinal zoonotic helminthes were detected in 184 (17%) samples. The most common zoonotic parasites were Toxocara canis and hookworms (8.9% positivity rate for both). Most dogs (88%) were positive for a single zoonotic parasite while 12% of the positive animals harbored two or more zoonotic helminthes. A statistical analysis showed a significant association between dogs with less than one year of age and positivity to at least one intestinal zoonotic helminth, and that infections by T. canis are significantly more prevalent in dogs under one year of age. Despite being well known in canine clinical practice, these results indicate that zoonotic helminthes are still frequent in owned dogs. Thus, increased awareness of veterinary practitioners and pet owners is necessary to implement current diagnostic and control strategies to minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission of intestinal helminthes.

Cyathostomin faecal egg counts in horse farms from Central Italy.

Cyathostomins,  or  'small  strongyles',  are  the  most  important  equine  helminths  because  of their  worldwide  distribution,  spread  of  anthelmintic­resistant  populations,  and  pathogenic impact.  The  so­called  'selective  treatment'  of  those  animals  exceeding  a  certain  faecal  egg  count  (FEC)  has  recently  been  proposed  to  implement  cyathostomin  control  programmes.  The present study evaluated the extent of egg shedding in 475 horses living in 12 farms from 3 regions of Italy. All examined farms and 224 horses (47.6%) were positive for cyathostomins. 138 horses (28.8%) scored positive for cyathostomin FECs with a range of eggs­per­gram of faeces (epg) values of 50­2,150. Further 86 horses (18.1%) were positive only under qualitative microscopy (i.e. < 50 epg). Of the animals with a FEC > 50 epg, 81 (17%) and 57 (12%) showed values  of  50­200  and  >  200  epg,  respectively.  The  findings  from  this  study  demonstrated  a reduced presence of high­shedding horses compared to results obtained in previous years in  the  same  study  areas,  despite  overlapping  climate  features  in  the  previous  5  years.  A  continuing  monitoring  of  epidemiological  and  biological  features  of  horse  cyathostomin infection  is  crucial  for  planning  intervention  programmes  aimed  to  maintaining  animal health and preserving the efficacy of parasiticides.

Helminth infections in faecal samples of Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus) in two protected national parks of central Italy

This article reports the results of a copromicroscopic and molecular investigation carried out on faecal samples of wolves (n=37) and brown bears (n=80) collected in two protected national parks of central Italy (Abruzzo Region). Twenty-three (62.2%) samples from wolves were positive for parasite eggs. Eight (34.78%) samples scored positive for single infections, i.e. E. aerophilus (21.74%), Ancylostoma/Uncinaria (4.34%), Trichuris vulpis (4.34%), T. canis (4.34%). Polyspecific infections were found in 15 samples (65.21%), these being the most frequent association: E. aerophilus and Ancylostoma/Uncinaria. Thirty-seven (46.25%) out of the 80 faecal samples from bears were positive for parasite eggs. Fourteen (37.83%) samples were positive for B. transfuga, and six (16.21%) of them also contained Ancylostoma/Uncinaria, one (2.7%) E. aerophilus and one (2.7%) both E. aerophilus and Ancylostoma/Uncinaria. Of the other samples, 19 (51.35%) were positive for Ancylostoma/Uncinaria, two (5.4%) for E. aerophilus and two (5.4%) for both. Molecular analysis found the roundworm and capillariid eggs found in wolves and bear samples to be Toxocara canis, Baylisascaris transfuga and Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila). Considering the high prevalence of zoonotic intestinal helminths detected in this study, it is important to improve the knowledge and awareness of the general public and park operators regarding the potential health risk associated with infections in wildlife.

Survey on intestinal helminth fauna of woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola) in Italy.

Every year populations of the European woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) migrate from Central and Northern Europe to the Mediterranean basin. South of Italy is one of the most common wintering site for this species. Given that information on parasites of woodcocks is scarce, the present study aimed at identifying the parasitic species affecting woodcocks migrating in Italy. The gastrointestinal tract of 206 woodcocks hunted in Southern Italy was removed and examined for parasites. From each animal a faecal sample was analysed by flotation test. The necropsy showed the presence of cestodes, i.e. Paricterotaenia paradoxa (59.4%) and Aploparaksis filum (49.5%), and of acanthocephalan Prosthorhynchus scolopacidis (22.4%). In one bird we also detected Parastrigea robusta, which is a trematode until now reported only in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Mixed infections (i.e., polyspecific infections) were detected in 53 (27.6%) animals. The most common were those caused by A. filum and P. paradoxa (12.5%), and by P. paradoxa and P. scolopacidis (8.3%). Copromicroscopic examinations revealed the presence of eggs belonging to nematodes Syngamus spp. (1.94%) in 4 woodcocks and of eggs of cestodes Aploparaksis spp. (37.86%) in 78 woodcocks. The present results fill a gap in the knowledge on parasites affecting woodcocks.

Larval development of Angiostrongylus vasorum in the land snail Helix aspersa.

The metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum affects the heart and pulmonary arteries of dogs and wild animals. Over the recent years, dog angiostrongylosis has gained great attention in the veterinary community for the expansion of its geographic range and for a rise in the number of clinical cases. Global warming, changes in phenology of mollusc intermediate hosts and movements of wild reservoirs have been evocated in the spreading of mollusc-borne parasites, including A. vasorum. The land snail Helix aspersa, a vector of other respiratory metastrongyloids, is endemic in most regions of the World, where it is a pest outside its native Mediterranean range. In the present study, the susceptibility and suitability of H. aspersa as an intermediate host of A. vasorum were investigated along with the characteristics of larval recovery and development following two different ways of inoculation, i.e. experimental (group A) vs natural infection (group B). After infections, the snails were kept at environmental conditions for 2 months. Five snails from groups A and B were randomly selected, digested and examined at 15-day intervals for 2 months. L1s, L2s and L3s were microscopically identified based on key morphological and morphometric characteristics and their identity was genetically confirmed. The results showed that A. vasorum may reach the infective stage in H. aspersa and that uptake of larvae and parasitic burden within the snails depend on the grazing capability of the molluscs. Biological and epidemiological implications are discussed.

Zoonotic parasites in feces and fur of stray and private dogs from Italy.

The present study evaluated the occurrence of zoonotic parasites in feces and on fur of stray and private dogs living in Italy. Individual fecal samples collected from 117 and 385 kenneled (i.e., rescue shelter) and privately owned dogs, respectively, were examined by conventional copromicroscopy. Samples positive for Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. were subjected to further genetic characterization. Additionally, 174 fur samples of private and kenneled dogs living in the same area, 27 of which were also subjected to copromicroscopical examinations, were examined for the presence and viability of parasite elements. Out of 502 fecal samples, forty-one (8.2%) scored positive for G. duodenalis cysts while one (0.2%) for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Nine private dogs were molecularly positive for G. duodenalis assemblage C (n. 7), assemblage D (n. 1), and assemblages C + D (n. 1), while 11 kenneled dogs were positive for assemblage C (n. 8), assemblage D (n. 1), and assemblages C + D (n. 2). Cryptosporidium spp. were identified as C. canis in a private dog. One hundred and seventy-two dogs (34.3%), i.e., 92 private and 80 kenneled, were positive for zoonotic nematodes: Toxocara canis (6.6 %), Ancylostoma caninum (6.8%), and Capillaria aerophila (0.6%). Unviable eggs of Toxocara spp. were found on the hair of five (2.9%) private dogs. The present findings indicate that canine feces from both private and kenneled animals may contain zoonotic parasites and may be a potential risk for humans and other animals, especially when they contaminate the environment. The role of dog fur as source of human infections should be further investigated.

Field clinical study evaluating the efficacy and safety of an oral formulation containing milbemycin oxime/praziquantel (Milbemax®, Novartis Animal Health) in the chemoprevention of the zoonotic canine infection by Dirofilaria repens.

BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria repens is the causative agent of subcutaneous dirofilariosis of dogs, other animals and humans. This nematode is transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedes, Anopheles and Culex genera. In dogs, the parasite may cause subclinical infection or cutaneous signs. Recently, D. repens has emerged and spread in different geographical areas, with an increase of cases in dogs and humans. Chemoprevention in dogs in endemic areas is the most reliable approach for controlling this infection. This paper describes a randomized, blocked and multicentric clinical field study investigating the efficacy of an oral, chewable formulation containing milbemycin oxime/praziquantel (Milbemax®, Novartis Animal Health) in the chemoprevention of subcutaneous dirofilariosis in dogs. METHODS: This study was conducted in endemic areas of Italy. A total of 249 dogs, at two sites, negative for D. repens, were allocated into two groups (i.e. Treated -T1 vs Untreated-T2) with a ratio of 1:1, and subjected to clinical visits and blood sampling once monthly until the end of the study. All blood samples were microscopically and genetically examined. Animals belonging to T1 group received a minimum target dose of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight of milbemycin oxime and 5 mg/kg of praziquantel in commercial tablets (Milbemax®) according body weight once every 4 weeks. Animals of group T2 were not treated with Milbemax® but received, when necessary, specific parasiticide treatments. The study duration was 336 ± 2 days for each dog. RESULTS: A total of 219 dogs completed the study (i.e. 111 in T1 and 108 in T2), while 30 dogs (i.e. 13 in T1, 17 in T2) were withdrawn for a variety of reasons unrelated to administration of Milbemax®. The percentages of animals not showing microfilariae of D. repens were 100% (111 animals) in T1 and 94.7% (108 animals out of 114) in group T2. Milbemax® was shown to be safe in treated dogs. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that the monthly use of Milbemax® in dogs is effective and safe for the prevention of subcutaneous dirofilariosis in endemic areas.

Efficacy of major anthelmintics against horse cyathostomins in France.

This paper reports a survey conducted in France during 2011 to evaluate the efficacy of commonly used anthelmintics against horse cyathostomins. A total of 40 farms and 1089 horses were screened for the presence of cyathostomins. All farms but one were positive, with an overall animal infection rate of 53.7%, ranging from 9% to 83% on individual farms. On 445 horses from 30 of these farms, a faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was performed to evaluate the efficacy of oral formulations of fenbendazole (FBZ), pyrantel embonate (PYR), ivermectin (IVM) and moxidectin (MOX). Calculation of the mean FECR and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) around the mean was performed using bootstrap analysis. Resistance to FBZ was found on 17 of 18 farms investigated, with a mean reduction of 57% (95% CI: 38.5-71.2%). Suspected resistance for PYR was found on 6 of 30 farms, and confirmed on another 3 of 30 farms, with a mean reduction for PYR of 94.7% (95% CI: 88.9-98.5%). Reduced efficacy simultaneously of FBZ and PYR was found in 7 farms. Reduced efficacy of IVM was found in one animal on one farm and of MOX in one animal on another farm, and was combined with resistance against FBZ and/or PYR. These results indicate that single and multiple drug resistance and reduced efficacy in equine cyathostomins is present in France. Macrocylic lactones proved to be highly effective compounds against cyathostomins, with reduced efficacy for IVM and MOX in two farms only. These results extend present knowledge on the occurrence of drug resistant cyathostomins in Europe, and illustrate the necessity to use anthelmintics in appropriate worm control programmes.

Molecular detection of Capillaria aerophila, an agent of canine and feline pulmonary capillariosis.

Capillaria aerophila, a trichuroid nematode causing pulmonary infections in wild and domestic carnivores, is occasionally and potentially poorly recognized in infections of humans due to clinicopathological mimicry and a lack of accurate, robust laboratory diagnostics. The present work evaluated the efficiency of a DNA-based assay amplifying a partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene of C. aerophila in the diagnosis of lung capillariosis. Fecal samples from 34 dogs and 10 cats positive at parasitological examination for C. aerophila and other endoparasites (i.e., other lungworms, whipworms, roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and/or coccidia) and from 44 animals negative for C. aerophila but positive for other endoparasites were molecularly examined. Of the 44 samples positive for C. aerophila at copromicroscopy, 43 scored positive (i.e., 33/34 dogs and 10/10 cats) in seminested PCR, resulting in a sensitivity of 97 to 100%. Samples that were copromicroscopy negative for C. aerophila although positive for other endoparasites never produced a PCR product or nonspecific amplicons. The specific PCR amplification of C. aerophila (i.e., specificity of 100%) was confirmed by a nucleotide sequence analysis of the cox1 amplicons. The potential implications of the molecular diagnosis of lung capillariosis are discussed.

Faecal Cyathostomin Egg Count distribution and efficacy of anthelmintics against cyathostomins in Italy: a matter of geography?

BACKGROUND: In the framework of a trial carried out in 2008 in Europe to evaluate the efficacy of major parasiticides against horse cyathostomins, pre- and/or post-treatment Faecal Egg Counts (FEC) were evaluated in a total of 84 yards and 2105 horses from nine different regions from the South, the Center, the North-Center and North-East of Italy. Specifically, on the basis of FECs of the horses present in each property, 60 out of the 84 yards were enrolled for a Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) using fenbendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin and moxidectin. RESULTS: Of the 1646 horses bred in the 60 recruited yards, 416 animals had a FEC between 50 and 150 Eggs Per Gram (EPG) of faeces and 694 a FEC >150 EPG (i.e. with total of 1110 positive animals). Of the 1110 positive animals, those with the highest FECs (i.e. 988) were included in the FECRT. The FECRT for four anthelmintic compounds showed remarkable differences in terms of prevalence of reduced and equivocal efficacy against cyathostomins in the different areas of Italy. Administration of fenbendazole and pyrantel resulted in resistance present or suspected in about half of the yards examined while resistance to ivermectin was found in one yard from central Italy and suspected resistance was detected in three more yards, one in each the North, the Center and the South. Treatment with moxidectin was 100% effective in all yards examined. CONCLUSION: Cyathostomin populations in the South and the Center of Italy were more susceptible to fenbendazole and pyrantel than the populations present in the Center-North and North-Eastern areas of Italy. Fenbendazole and/or pyrantel were ineffective in almost all properties from the North of Italy. The reasons for such a difference among the Italian regions in terms of FECs and efficacy of antiparasitic drugs are discussed, together with the role that veterinarians, and horse owners and managers should have for effective worm control programs in this country.

Efficacy and safety of emodepside 2.1%/praziquantel 8.6% spot-on formulation in the treatment of feline aelurostrongylosis.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the antiparasitic spot-on formulation containing emodepside 2.1%/praziquantel 8.6% (Profender, Bayer) in the treatment of natural feline infection with the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida). Efficacy of Profender given once at the licensed dose was tested in comparison to a control oral formulation containing fenbendazole 18.75% (Panacur, Intervet) given over three consecutive days at the licensed dose. Efficacy assessment was based on larvae per gramme of faeces (LPG) counts, measured on days 28 +/- 2 following treatment and compared to counts on days -6 to -2. In total 24 cats treated either with Profender (n = 12) or with Panacur (n = 12) were included in the assessment of efficacy and safety. Mean LPG post-baseline counts (days 28 +/- 2) were 1.3 LPG for both Profender and Panacur, demonstrating similar efficacy of 99.38% for Profender and 99.29% for the control product. No treated animals showed adverse events. This trial demonstrated that both Profender spot-on formulation and oral paste Panacur are safe and effective in the treatment of aelurotrongylosis in cats. Future practical perspectives in feline medicine and the major advantages of the spot-on product compared to the oral paste are discussed.

Molecular cross-sectional survey of gastric habronemosis in horses.

Gastric habronemosis of horses caused by Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae (Nematoda, Spirurida) is characterized by catarrhal gastritis, diarrhoea, progressive weight loss and ulcers. Despite its importance in the equine industry and in clinical practice, knowledge of the epidemiology of this infection is still incomplete as diagnosis in live animals is challenging. A two-step semi-nested PCR assay using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) markers has recently been used for the molecular diagnosis in vivo of gastric habronemosis based on the detection of H. microstoma and/or H. muscae DNA in equine faeces. To evaluate the field efficacy of this assay, a molecular epidemiological survey was carried out on equid gastric habronemosis in central Italy. One hundred and fifty-three individual faecal samples were collected from live native horses and subjected to both coprological examination and the two-step semi-nested PCR. When flotation procedures were performed no horse tested positive for Habronema spp. larvated eggs while 96 animals (61.2%) were positive for other endoparasites (i.e. strongyles, oxyurids, ascarids). Two-step semi-nested PCR detected 86 samples (53.6%) that were positive for H. microstoma and/or H. muscae DNA. H. microstoma prevalences showed statistically significant differences; the highest prevalence was observed in horses infected by other gastrointestinal parasites and concomitantly by H. muscae. No statistical differences were found between the prevalence of Habronema spp. infection and sex, age, breeding management, and antiparasitic treatments. This field survey provided further information on habronemosis and its epidemiology.

Cirugía ginecológica laparoscópica. Experiencia en el Hospital Luis Castelazo Ayala / Laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Experience at Hospital Luis Castelazo Ayala

El objetivo del presente estudio fue demostrar la aplicación de la cirugía laparoscópica en la solución quirúrgica de la patología ginecológica más frecuente. Se estudiaron 40 pacientes sometidas a procedimientos de cirugía laparoscópica divididas en cinco grupos: adherenciolisis, tratamiento de los tumores de ovario, histerectomía, cirugía tubaria y miomectomía. Todas las pacientes se sometieron a estudio preoperatorio y una vez completado éste, se seleccionaron para cirugía. Los resultados obtenidos de las 40 pacientes mostraron que la cirugía laparoscópica resolvió la patología presente en forma satisfactoria. El tiempo quirúrgico en general fue en promedio de 66.8 min, con tiempo máximo de 180 y mínimo de 30 min, de acuerdo con los grupos de cirugía los tiempos fueron: 1) adherenciolisis, tiempo quirúrgico promedio de 47 min, 2) cirugía de ovario 69 min, 3) histerectomía 113 min, 4)cirugía de trompa con promedio de 60 min y 5) miomectomía 58 min. Todos los procedimientos se realizaron con cauterio bipolar. No existieron complicaciones quirúrgicas. Las pacientes tuvieron breve estancia hospitalaria, así como reintegración rápida a la vida activa. Se concluye que la cirugía laparoscópica en la actualidad constituye un recurso útil para la resolución de la mayoría de la patología ginecológica benigna que cuando está indicada en forma adecuada no incrementa la morbi-mortalidad y ofrece una recuperación temprana de las pacientes