Cutaneous Pythiosis in 2 Dogs, Italy.

We report cutaneous pythiosis in 2 dogs in Italy that had recurrent exposure to the same freshwater habitat. Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolates within Pythium insidiosum complex cluster IV, corresponding to P. periculosum. In Italy, pythiosis should be considered in differential diagnoses by human and veterinary health professionals.

Does the Introduction of Alien Species Represent a Sanitary Threat for Native Species? The Case of the Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus in Italy.

Introduction of alien species is a well-known threat to biodiversity. Where newly introduced, alien species may pose a risk for the local ecological community by competing for resources or by introducing pathogens. Sylvilagus floridanus is an American lagomorph introduced into Europe in the second half of 20th century, for hunting. This study evaluated the structure and epidemiological characteristics of the gastrointestinal parasite community in an introduced population of S. floridanus in the Province of Alessandria (Piedmont Region-Italy). Three alien parasites were reported out of 271 animals: Obeliscoides cuniculi in the stomach, Trichostrongylus calcaratus in the small intestine, and Passarulus nonnanulatus in the large intestine. All these nematodes are commonly reported in S. floridanus in its natural range, but they represent alien species in Europe. The report of these alien parasites is an example of the unexpected consequences caused by the introduction of non-native vertebrates. The documented introduction of new pathogens may alter the parasite community of the native lagomorphs, with possible long-term effects on local ecological dynamics.

Infection by Microsporum canis in Paediatric Patients: A Veterinary Perspective.

Microsporum canis is a dermatophyte fungus of which cats and dogs are recognized as the natural hosts. M. canis is also easily transmitted to humans, causing lesions to the glabrous skin (tinea corporis) and to the head (tinea capitis). The present study describes some cases of infection with M. canis in children from a veterinary perspective, highlighting some important features of this clinical entity (e.g., the necessity to identify the animal source of infection with appropriate diagnostic tests; the fact that infected cats may present with no or atypical dermatological signs; and the importance of the environment as a fungal reserve).

Efficacy and safety of topical eprinomectin to control Myocoptes musculinus infestation in mice.

Myocoptes musculinus is the most common fur mite identified among laboratory mice; infested mice, in addition to dermatological signs, may also be prone to secondary infections, affecting the outcome of a research trial. This trial was conducted in order to assess the safety and efficacy of a single topical administration of eprinomectin (5mg/kg BW) in a naturally infested laboratory mice colony. A safety trial was conducted on 20 uninfested pregnant females assigned to two groups, receiving eprinomectin and mineral oil, respectively. The mice were examined daily for signs of illness or toxicity; nests were individually weighted at 21 and 28 days postpartum. No acute toxicity was observed, all treated females gave full term delivery and number and mean weight of newborns ranged in the physiological values. To evaluate the efficacy, 20 naturally infested non-pregnant females were divided into two groups, treated as in the safety trial. Animals were observed daily for 15 min until 21 days post-treatment (DPT) and a "pruritus index" (PI: scratching and gnawing acts/mouse/min) was calculated. Pelage examination was performed on DPT 7, 14, 21 and 50. The "PI" was significantly lower in the treated group and mites were eradicated from all infested animals. A single topical administration of eprinomectin at a (high) dosage of 5mg/kg BW was safe and effective to control M. musculinus in mice.

Efficacy and safety of topical eprinomectin to control Myocoptes musculinus infestation in mice / Eficácia e segurança da eprinomectina tópica para controlar a infestação Myocoptes musculinus em camundongos

Myocoptes musculinus is the most common fur mite identified among laboratory mice; infested mice, in addition to dermatological signs, may also be prone to secondary infections, affecting the outcome of a research trial. This trial was conducted in order to assess the safety and efficacy of a single topical administration of eprinomectin (5mg/kg BW) in a naturally infested laboratory mice colony. A safety trial was conducted on 20 uninfested pregnant females assigned to two groups, receiving eprinomectin and mineral oil, respectively. The mice were examined daily for signs of illness or toxicity; nests were individually weighted at 21 and 28 days postpartum. No acute toxicity was observed, all treated females gave full term delivery and number and mean weight of newborns ranged in the physiological values. To evaluate the efficacy, 20 naturally infested non-pregnant females were divided into two groups, treated as in the safety trial. Animals were observed daily for 15 min until 21 days post-treatment (DPT) and a “pruritus index” (PI: scratching and gnawing acts/mouse/min) was calculated. Pelage examination was performed on DPT 7, 14, 21 and 50. The “PI” was significantly lower in the treated group and mites were eradicated from all infested animals. A single topical administration of eprinomectin at a (high) dosage of 5mg/kg BW was safe and effective to control M. musculinus in mice.

Myocoptes musculinus é o ácaro de pele mais comum identificado entre camundongos de laboratório. Camundongos infestados, além de sinais dermatológicos, também podem ser propensos a infecções secundárias, interferindo no resultado de um ensaio de pesquisa. Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a segurança e eficácia de uma única administração tópica de eprinomectina (5mg / kg PV) em uma colônia de camundongos de laboratório naturalmente infestada. Um estudo de segurança foi realizado em 20 fêmeas prenhes sadias, divididas em dois grupos, recebendo eprinomectina e óleo mineral, respectivamente. Os camundongos foram examinados diariamente para detectar quaisquer sinais da doença ou toxicidade; camundongos recém-nascidos foram pesados individualmente aos 21 e 28 dias pós-parto. Nenhuma toxicidade aguda foi observada. Todas as fêmeas tratadas chegaram ao parto, o número e peso dos recém-nascidos variaram dentro de parâmetros fisiológicos. Para avaliar a eficácia, 20 camundongos não prenhes, naturalmente infestados, foram divididos em dois grupos: tratado e grupo controle não tratado. Os animais foram observados diariamente durante 15 minutos até os 21 dias pós- tratamento (DPT) e um índice de prurido (IP) - arranhões e ato de roer / camundongo / min) foi calculado. Exame da pelagem foi realizado em DPT 7, 14, 21 e 50. O IP foi significativamente menor no grupo tratado, e os ácaros foram erradicados de todos os animais infestados. Uma única administração tópica de eprinomectina, na dose de 5mg / kg de peso corporal, foi segura e eficaz no controle de M. musculinus em camundongos.

Development and validation of a microsatellite marker-based method for tracing infections by Microsporum canis.

BACKGROUND: Microsporum canis is a dermatophyte fungus harbored by cats and dogs and is frequently transmitted to humans. Molecular tools able to discriminate fungal isolates at the strain level would prove extremely useful for confirming the route of infection, thus contributing to optimization of prophylaxis and hygienic regimens. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a microsatellite marker-based method for use in tracking infections by M. canis. METHODS: Primers were designed against sequences flanking the microsatellites individuated by a BLAST search using the nucleotide sequence information assembled by the M. canis CBS 113480 genome project. The PCR conditions were standardized and fragment analysis was performed using a genetic analyzer. The resolving power of the markers was investigated on 26 unrelated M. canis strains while the reproducibility of the technique and the stability of the markers were evaluated on a single strain subcultured in time as well as on 36 strains isolated from nine outbreak episodes. RESULTS: Eight markers were recognized as being the most polymorphic within the set of M. canis strains isolated from unrelated distant hosts, with a total of 22 multilocus genotypes, which corresponded to a genotypic diversity of 97%. Repeated tests on subcultures of M. canis reference strain CBS 113480 always yielded the same results. Identical multilocus genotypes were obtained for all the isolates from each outbreak episode. CONCLUSION: The high resolving power and reproducibility of the markers that were identified support the potential of these tools to detect sources and routes of infection by M. canis.