Single and Synergistic Effects of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole Against Subclinical Infection by Giardia duodenalis in Non-Human Primates in a Zoological Garden in Southern Italy

The aim of this study was to assess the single and synergistic effects of fenbendazole (Fenb) and metronidazole (Metro) for the treatment of Giardia duodenalis infection in different species of non-human primates (NHPs) housed in a zoological garden of southern Italy. Moreover, the study also aimed to better define the circulation of G. duodenalis zoonotic assemblages in NHP and the potential occurrence of zoonotic transmission between the staff from the zoo and NHP. Briefly, six species that belonged to four families (Lemuridae, Cercopithecidae, Atelidae, and Hylobatidae) of NHP and housed in six cages (CG) were identified as Giardia positive and divided into two groups. Group F (N = 16 animals) was treated with Fenb (50 mg/kg, every 24 h for 5 consecutive days) and Group M (N = 7 animals) was treated with Metro (25 mg/kg, two times a day for 5 consecutive days). After the first round of therapy, all the animals were retreated for 5 days by inverting the drugs in each group. On each sampling day [study days (SDs) 3-24], the samples were tested for the presence of Giardia cysts using the FLOTAC technique. Multiple fecal tests for the antigen detection of Giardia, such as rapid ELISA and direct immunofluorescence (IFA), were performed at each sampling point only on samples that resulted in positive for Giardia cysts with FLOTAC. The efficacy of Fenb ranged from 30 to 67% and for Metro ranged from 82 to 96%. The results showed the synergistic effects of Metro and Fenb (98-100%) over the combination of Fenb and Metro (52-90%) against the infection by Giardia in NHPs. The overall k agreement between FLOTAC and IFA was reached 0.858 (p = 0.0001). In contrast, all the samples had a negative antigen result when using ELISA. At molecular analysis, six samples were confirmed positive for Giardia by nested PCR. Only two positive samples were successfully sequenced that showed 100% of identity with assemblage B. All the samples from the humans included in the study resulted in negative for Giardia cysts. Overall, the study emphasizes the need for regular monitoring of Giardia infections in NHP housed in zoos by traditional diagnostic tools combined with molecular characterization of the parasite

Species diversity, host preference and arbovirus detection of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in south-eastern Serbia

BackgroundCulicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) is a genus of small biting midges (also known as no-see ums) that currently includes 1368 described species. They are proven or suspected vectors for important pathogens affecting animals such as bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). Currently little information is available on the species of Culicoides present in Serbia. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine species diversity, host preference and the presence of BTV and SBV RNA in Culicoides from the Stara Planina Nature Park in south-eastern Serbia.ResultsIn total 19,887 individual Culicoides were collected during three nights of trapping at two farm sites and pooled into six groups (Obsoletus group, Pulicaris group, Others group and further each group according to the blood-feeding status to freshly engorged and non-engorged). Species identification was done on subsamples of 592 individual Culicoides specimens by morphological and molecular methods (MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and PCR/sequencing). At least 22 Culicoides species were detected. Four animal species (cow, sheep, goat and common blackbird) as well as humans were identified as hosts of Culicoides biting midges. The screening of 8291 Culicoides specimens in 99 pools for the presence of BTV and SBV RNA by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR were negative.ConclusionsThe biodiversity of Culicoides species in the natural reserve Stara Planina was high with at least 22 species present. The presence of C. imicola Kieffer was not recorded in this area. Culicoides showed opportunistic feeding behaviour as determined by host preference. The absence of SBV and BTV viral RNA correlates with the absence of clinical disease in the field during the time of sampling. These data are the direct outcome of a training programme within the Institutional Partnership Project AMSAR: Arbovirus monitoring, research and surveillance-capacity building on mosquitoes and biting midges funded by the programme SCOPES of the Swiss National Science Foundation

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

Efficacy of fluralaner spot-on solution for the treatment of Ctenocephalides felis and Otodectes cynotis mixed infestation in naturally infested cats

Abstract Background Cats can be infested with several ectoparasite species, especially Ctenocephalides felis and Otodectes cynotis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a single topical application of fluralaner against C. felis and O. cynotis natural infestation in stray (study 1) and owned (study 2) cats in central and southern Italy. Results The number of live fleas found on each cat on Day 0 ranged from 1 to more than 30 (arithmetic mean live flea count = 11.9 in study 1; 14.6 in study 2) while no live fleas were found on days 7 and 84 post topical application of fluralaner. The number of live mites found on each cat on Day 0 ranged from 1 to 42 (arithmetic mean live mite count = 6.4 in study 1; 8.9 in study 2) while no live mites were found on days 7 and 84 post topical application of fluralaner. Conclusions Topical fluralaner completely eliminated fleas and ear mites from infested cats and was 100% effective against both parasites up to 84 days after treatment