Leishmania infantum Seroprevalence in Cats From Touristic Areas of Italy and Greece

Leishmaniosis by Leishmania infantum is a major zoonotic Vector-Borne Disease (VBD) in terms of geographic distribution, pathogenicity and zoonotic potential. While dogs are the main reservoir of L. infantum, the infection in cats is poorly understood although increasingly reported from enzootic and non-enzootic areas. The Mediterranean basin is a key area for leishmaniosis and includes touristic spots that require continuous surveillance for VBDs in consideration of the growing tendency of tourists to travel with their pets. This study evaluated L. infantum seroprevalence in cats living in selected touristic localities of Italy and Greece. A total of 269 cat serum samples from three Sites i.e., 76, 40, and 153 from Adriatic Coast of Abruzzo, Italy (Site A), Giglio Island, Tuscany, Italy (Site B), and Mykonos Island, Greece (Site C), respectively, were included in the survey. Sera samples were subjected to an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay for the detection of anti-L. infantum specific IgG. Associations between possible risk factors and seropositivity to L. infantum were statistically evaluated. Antibodies against L. infantum were detected in eight out of 269 (3.0%) cats tested i.e., 4/76 (5.3%), 1/40 (2.5%), and 3/153 (2.0%), from sites A, B, and C, respectively. A statistical association between anti-L. infantum antibodies and cohabitation with dogs was shown. This study indicates that feline populations living in the examined Italian and Greek touristic areas are exposed to L. infantum and that they may contribute to the circulation of L. infantum, enhancing the risk of infection for dogs and humans

Strongylid nematodes shared between domestic and wild ruminants in the Maiella National Park (Abruzzo region, central Italy)

INTRODUCTION. Strongylid nematodes (SN) are recognized as a major concern to livestock production. As the control of SN relies heavily on the use of parasiticides, anthelminthic resistance (AR) is increasing (Barone et al., 2020 Vet Parasitol. 279: 109041). It is known that wild ruminants may harbor several SN that typically infect livestock andit is assumed that they couldalso act as reservoirs in the translocation of anthelmintic resistance (Chintoan-Uta et al., 2014 Proc Biol Sci. 281: 20132985). This risk is even increased where domestic and wild ruminants graze on the same pastures. The aim of the present study was to obtain novel information on the distribution of SN in sheep and wild ruminants (i.e. red deer, chamois) sharing the same pasture in the Maiella National Park. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 20 faecal pool samples were collected from sheep (n. 7) and wild ruminants (n. 13) and examined by classic copromicroscopic tests. Gastrointestinal strongyle (GIS) positive pools were subjected to coprocolture. L3s were morphologically and molecularly identified (Gasser et al., 1993 Nucleic Acids Research. 21: 2525-26; van Wyk et al., 2013 Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 80: 539). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Thirteen faecal pools were positive for GIS and 16 pools for bronchopulmonary strongyles (BPS) (Table 1). The present data confirm that wild ruminants may harbor strongyle species that usually affect sheep (Zaffaroni et al., 2000 Vet Parasitol. 90: 221-30). Further studies are required to investigate the pattern of transmission of strongyles between domestic and wild ruminants and the role of wildlife in the spread of anthelmintic-resistant nematodes

Strongylid nematodes shared between domestic and wild ruminants in the Maiella National Park (Abruzzo region, central Italy)

INTRODUCTION. Strongylid nematodes (SN) are recognized as a major concern to livestock production. As the control of SN relies heavily on the use of parasiticides, anthelminthic resistance (AR) is increasing (Barone et al., 2020 Vet Parasitol. 279: 109041). It is known that wild ruminants may harbor several SN that typically infect livestock andit is assumed that they couldalso act as reservoirs in the translocation of anthelmintic resistance (Chintoan-Uta et al., 2014 Proc Biol Sci. 281: 20132985). This risk is even increased where domestic and wild ruminants graze on the same pastures. The aim of the present study was to obtain novel information on the distribution of SN in sheep and wild ruminants (i.e. red deer, chamois) sharing the same pasture in the Maiella National Park. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A total of 20 faecal pool samples were collected from sheep (n. 7) and wild ruminants (n. 13) and examined by classic copromicroscopic tests. Gastrointestinal strongyle (GIS) positive pools were subjected to coprocolture. L3s were morphologically and molecularly identified (Gasser et al., 1993 Nucleic Acids Research. 21: 2525-26; van Wyk et al., 2013 Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 80: 539). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Thirteen faecal pools were positive for GIS and 16 pools for bronchopulmonary strongyles (BPS) (Table 1). The present data confirm that wild ruminants may harbor strongyle species that usually affect sheep (Zaffaroni et al., 2000 Vet Parasitol. 90: 221-30). Further studies are required to investigate the pattern of transmission of strongyles between domestic and wild ruminants and the role of wildlife in the spread of anthelmintic-resistant nematodes

AstraZeneca AB

The invention concerns compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 and R2 have any of the meanings defined hereinbefore in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of cell proliferative disorders

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

A Comparison of Copromicroscopic and Molecular Methods for the Diagnosis of Cat Aelurostrongylosis

The gold standard method for the diagnosis of cat aelurostrongylosis is the detection of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus first stage larvae with the Baermann’s examination. Nevertheless, molecular assays have shown higher diagnostic performances compared to copromicroscopy. This study evaluated the usefulness of an A. abstrusus species-specific PCR on different biological samples collected in clinical settings from 100 privately-owned cats in Italy (n. 60) and Greece (n. 40). A fecal sample was collected from each animal and a pharyngeal swab was also obtained for cats from Italy. All stool samples were subjected to flotation and Baermann’s test. The cats were categorized in three groups based on the results of copromicroscopy, i.e., Group A (n. 50 cats with A. abstrusus infection regardless of positivity for other helminths), Group B (n. 25 cats negative for A. abstrusus but positive for at least one of any other helminth), Group C (n. 25 cats negative for any helminth). DNA was extracted from individual aliquots of feces, flotation supernatant, Baermann’s sediment and the pharyngeal swab and then subjected to a PCR specific for A. abstrusus. At least one fecal aliquot or the pharyngeal swab scored positive by the A. abstrusus-specific PCR for 48/50 (96%) cats enrolled in Group A; in particular, 38/50 (76%), 35/50 (70%), 41/50 (82%) and 21/25 (84%) DNA extracts from feces, flotation supernatant, Baermann’s sediment and pharyngeal swabs were positive by PCR. These results confirm that molecular tools are highly sensitive and specific and indicate that pharyngeal swabs are the most suitable sample for molecular analysis in clinical settings