Cardio-pulmonary nematodes of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) of Sardinia, Italy.

Cardio-pulmonary parasites, such as Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, and Eucoleus aerophilus, pose a significant concern on account of pulmonary and cardiac problems they induce in dogs. While the red fox is known to be a key reservoir host for A. vasorum and may also play a role in transmitting C. vulpis and E. aerophilus, there has been no recent research on these parasites in foxes from Sardinia, with the most current studies dating back to 1986. A survey was conducted on red foxes in Sardinia, where a total of 51 foxes were collected, necropsied, and examined for adult worms in their hearts and lungs. The worms were identified using morphometric analysis and molecular methods. The results showed a 54.9% overall prevalence at dissection: 45.1% of the foxes were positive for E. aerophilus, 17.6% for C. vulpis, and 13.7% for A. vasorum. The molecular analyses validated the morphological characterization. In comparison to previous research, which found 13 out of 85 foxes to be positive for A. vasorum with a prevalence rate of 15.3% and 1 for E. aerophilus with a prevalence of 1.2%, this study showed an increased prevalence of E. aerophilus and C. vulpis, and a decrease in the prevalence of A. vasorum. These results indicate that the red foxes in Sardinia represent a reservoir host for cardio-pulmonary nematodes and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome in dogs.

Environmental Contamination by Dog Feces in Touristic Areas of Italy: Parasitological Aspects and Zoonotic Hazards.

Public spaces are common sites of fecal contamination which is concerning considering the prevalence rates of gastrointestinal pathogens carried by pets. Multiple pet-bound parasite species capable of infecting humans have previously been reported in fecal samples collected from urban areas around the globe, including Italy. In addition, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites has recently been shown in pets from the island of Sardinia, a well-known touristic destination. For these reasons, this study aims to evaluate the level of fecal contamination of two of the most important cities on Sardinia. Furthermore, the presence of endoparasites in fecal samples collected was also investigated to assess the parasitological risks associated with such contamination. A grid approach using a geographical information system was applied, followed by transect counting and sampling. A total of 956 and 220 dog feces with an average feces count of 4.7 and 2.6 per 100 linear meters were found for Sassari and Alghero, respectively. In Sassari 15.6% (52/333) and in Alghero 6.8% (6/88) of the samples tested positive for parasitic elements. Hookworms, Strongyloides stercoralis, Toxocara sp., and Trichuris vulpis were among the parasites most identified. This study showed significant urban contamination of both Sassari and Alghero with dog feces and the parasites within them, including potentially zoonotic species. The general public as well as tourists visiting the island should be aware of the risks associated with this and appropriate measures taken.

Cross-sectional investigation on sheep sarcosporidiosis in Sardinia, Italy.

An epidemiological survey on sarcosporidiosis was carried out with a cross sectional investigation on macroscopic and microscopic Sarcocystis spp. in Sarda breed sheep slaughtered in different abbatoirs of Sardinia, Italy. For the macroscopic survey, muscular samples (diaphragm, abdominal and intercostals muscles, cutaneous muscles and muscles of the thigh) from 769 slaughtered Sarda sheep, oesophagus (n=365) and laryngeal and pterygoid muscles (n=521) were macroscopically investigated and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on selected macroscopic cysts was performed for a molecular identification of macroscopic Sarcocystis species. For the microscopic investigation 112 heart samples from slaughtered Sarda sheep were collected and investigated with two different protocols: unstained (compression) examination and a molecular technique. The overall prevalence of infection for macroscopic forms of sarcocysts was of 23.3% (179/769) with prevalences higher in the oesophagus (31.6%; 125/395) compared with the other investigated tissue type; two different morphotypes, classified as large oval (LO) macroscopic cysts, identified as Sarcocystis gigantea, and slender fusiform (SF) sarcocysts, were identified. The examination of heart samples revealed an overall prevalence of 77.7% (87/112) for Sarcocystis spp.; the nested-PCR analysis of heart samples allowed to identify the microscopic species, Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis, with prevalences of 95.5% (107/112) and 17.8% (5/112) respectively. Reported results highlight the high prevalence of Sarcocystis infection in the island and suggests the need of an improvement of control and prevention strategies for this parasitosis.

Is the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) a competent definitive host for Taenia multiceps?

BACKGROUND: Shepherd and stray dogs are thought to represent the primary definitive hosts of Coenurosis by Taenia multiceps, due to their feeding habits which translate into high chances of coming into contact with infected intermediate hosts. Nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of coenurosis. In fact a knowledge gap exists on the role played by red foxes in the epidemiology of Taenia multiceps and the capability of this parasite to produce fertile and viable eggs in this wild canid, i.e. on the occurrence of a sylvatic cycle. This study investigates the role of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the epidemiology of T. multiceps and related metacestodoses. METHODS: The small intestine of 63 red foxes was macroscopically examined for the presence of cestodes. Adult parasites were identified morphologically as being T. multiceps. Tapeworm eggs were counted and stored at 4 °C in physiological saline solution prior to experimental infection of four sheep and one goat. Sheep were inoculated orally on Day 0 with 3000 (sheep 1), 5000 (sheep 2 and 3) or 7000 eggs (sheep 4), while the goat was infected with 5000 eggs of T. multiceps. The animals were followed-up regularly by MRI and underwent surgical treatment between days 180 to day 240 post infection. Collected coenuri were identified using morphological and molecular methods. RESULTS: A total of 6.3 % of red foxes were found infected with T. multiceps and the eggs obtained from the worms were determined to have a viability of 45.4 %. Two of the challenged sheep and the goat developed disease compatible with T. multiceps. Morphometrical features of the cysts were consistent with those of T. multiceps; nucleotide amplification and sequencing of mitochondrial genes (i.e., cox1 and Nd1) from the metacestode material confirmed the identification. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first to provide evidence of the role of the red fox as a competent definitive host for T. multiceps, thus changing the epidemiological scenarios of infections by this cestode.