Anisakiasis in italy: analysis of hospital discharge records in the years 2005-2015

Background Anisakiasis is a fish-borne zoonosis caused by the ingestion of marine food infected with Anisakis third-stage larvae, widespread marine parasitic nematodes. Gastrointestinal and/ or allergic clinical signs and symptoms are not specific. While frequently reported in countries with large raw fish consumption as Japan, the global prevalence of anisakiasis may be severely underestimated due to limitations of available diagnostic tools and to diverse clinical manifestations. Recently, infective larvae were found in the same localization with gastrointestinal tumors. The occurrence of allergic exacerbation upon secondary exposure and the possible occupational exposure, highlight the need to increase scientific evidences on anisakiasis. Methods We performed a retrospective descriptive study using analysis of Hospital Discharge Records (HDRs) from 2005 to 2015 in Italy, with particular attention to allergic manifestations. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses were performed using backward step-wise logistic regression models to assess spatial distribution and temporal trend as well as the variables independently associated with the allergic clinical signs and symptoms in Italian cases of anisakiasis. Results HDRs reporting the ICD-9 code for anisakiasis were retrieved (370), with a higher number of cases reported from central and southern regions, with particular regard to populations inhabiting the coastal territories. Around 40% of patients presented allergic manifestations and half of them showed serious allergic reactions. The multivariate analyses showed an independent association between allergic manifestations and features as living in southern regions and female gender, while anaphylactic episodes was independently associated only with female gender. Conclusion The present study is the first attempt to a better understanding of the epidemiological picture of anisakiasis in Italy, mining official data. A common strategy on data collection, monitoring and reporting would favor a more accurate epidemiological scenario in Italy, since the report of the diseases is not mandatory

Helminth parasites of the Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789 from Canary Islands, Central North Atlantic, with comments on their relations with other Atlantic regions

Eleven parasite taxa were found infecting 68 Atlantic chub mackerel, Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789 from the Canary Islands, Central North Atlantic. The most abundant parasites were the gill monogenean Pseudokuhnia minor (P = 54.4%), larval anisakid nematodes (P = 11.8%) in the body cavity, a larval tetraphyllidean infecting bile ducts (P = 8.8%) and didymozoid digeneans infecting the gills (P = 7.4%). No correlation between fish length and abundance of infection with these parasites was found. Within the Atlantic, the comparison of present results with previous reports on the occurrence of parasites in this fish host, might suggest that there is more than one population unit of Atlantic chub mackerel in the Eastern Atlanticinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Intestinal parasites in Rupicapra spp. populations: study in the framework of the relevant italian project (PRIN)

Intestinal parasites can seriously threaten the performances and well-being of wild ungulates. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and parasitic burden of protozoans and gastro-intestinal helminths (GIH) in Rupicapra spp. From September 2013 to January 2016, 352 fresh fecal samples were collected from Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra in the Alps (N=262) and from Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata in the Apennines (N=90). Samples were examined using standard copro-parasitological methods for Eimeria and GIH and an immunofluorescence test for Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis. Parts of gp60 and ssRNA/gdh/βgiardin genes were used to identify these protozoa species/genotypes. In R.r.rupicapra and in R.p.ornata, 7 and 6 parasite taxa were identified, respectively, with a mean number of 1.7 species/host (min-max 0-5) and 2.05 (min-max: 0-4), respectively. Overall, 85.3% (95%, C.I.=81.5-89.1) of the animals investigated scored microscopically positive to Eimeria spp. with a mean intensity of emission (m.i.e.) of up to 776 o.p.g.; 5.4% (95%, C.I.=3.07.7) were positive to G. duodenalis and 82% (95%, C.I. 77.91-86.15) to GIH with a m.i.e. of up to 147 e.p.g. Prevalence in R.r.rupicapra was 81.2% with a m.i.e. of 380 o.p.g. for Eimeria, 6.87% for Giardia, and 77.45% for GIH with a m.i.e. of 142 e.p.g. Prevalence in R.p.ornata was 94.4% with m.i.e. of 1,093 o.p.g. for Eimeria, 1.1% for G.duodenalis, and 94.4% for GIH with a m.i.e. of 151 e.p.g. Assemblages A/AI and E were identified in R.r.rupicapra and assemblage A/AIII in R.p.ornata. None of the animals tested positive for Cryptosporidium. The results show that the prevalence of Eimeria, G.duodenalis and GIH in both host species is nonnegligible, with a significantly higher parasitic burden in R.p.ornata. The detection of G. duodenalis in Rupicapra spp. is noteworthy. This study updates the data on parasitic fauna of these wild bovids. The impact of these parasites on chamois population dynamics will be inferred from the results/variables obtained throughout the entire interdisciplinary project

Behavioral, neuromorphological, and neurobiochemical effects induced by omega-3 fatty acids following basal forebrain cholinergic depletion in aged mice

Background: In recent years, mechanistic, epidemiologic, and interventional studies have indicated beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) against brain aging and age-related cognitive decline, with the most consistent effects against Alzheimer’s disease (AD) confined especially in the early or prodromal stages of the pathology. In the present study, we investigated the action of n-3 PUFA supplementation on behavioral performances and hippocampal neurogenesis, volume, and astrogliosis in aged mice subjected to a selective depletion of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. Such a lesion represents a valuable model to mimic one of the most reliable hallmarks of early AD neuropathology. Methods: Aged mice first underwent mu-p75-saporin immunotoxin intraventricular lesions to obtain a massive cholinergic depletion and then were orally supplemented with n-3 PUFA or olive oil (as isocaloric control) for 8 weeks. Four weeks after the beginning of the dietary supplementation, anxiety levels as well as mnesic, social, and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated. Subsequently, hippocampal morphological and biochemical analyses and n-3 PUFA brain quantification were carried out. Results: The n-3 PUFA treatment regulated the anxiety alterations and reverted the novelty recognition memory impairment induced by the cholinergic depletion in aged mice. Moreover, n-3 PUFA preserved hippocampal volume, enhanced neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus, and reduced astrogliosis in the hippocampus. Brain levels of n-3 PUFA were positively related to mnesic abilities. Conclusions: The demonstration that n-3 PUFA are able to counteract behavioral deficits and hippocampal neurodegeneration in cholinergically depleted aged mice promotes their use as a low-cost, safe nutraceutical tool to improve life quality at old age, even in the presence of first stages of AD

Identification of contracaecum rudolphii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in great cormorants phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Blumenbach, 1978) from Southern Italy

Simple Summary: Four dead Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis specimens from Southern Italy coasts were examined for Contracaecum sp. detection. 181 Contracaecum sp. larvae and adults were found in the viscera of all the P. carbo sinensis examined. The PCR-RFLP analysis showed the presence of Contracaecum rudolphii A and B. A co-infestation of C. rudolphii A and B was found in P. carbo sinensis from Leporano Bay. This study provides a first report of the presence of Contracaecum sp. in P. carbo sinensis from Southern Italy. Abstract: In this study, four dead great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis (Blumenbach, 1978) specimens, collected from the coasts and lakes of Southern Italy, were examined by necropsy for the detection of Contraceacum sp. The adults and larvae found were subjected to morphological analysis and molecular identification by PCR-RFLP. A total of 181 Contracaecum specimens were detected in all of the four great cormorants examined (prevalence = 100%), showing an intensity of infestation between nine and ninety-two. A co-infestation by adult and larval forms of Contracaecum rudolphii was found only in one of the great cormorants examined. Following molecular investigations, 48 specimens of C. rudolphii A and 38 specimens of C. rudolphii B were detected, revealing co-infestation solely for the great cormorant from Leporano Bay (Southern Italy). Our results showed an opposite ratio between C. rudolphii A and C. rudolphii B in Pantelleria and in Salso Lake (Southern Italy) compared to what was reported in the literature, probably due to migratory stopovers and the ecology of the infested fish species, confirming the role of Contracaecum nematodes as ecological tags of their hosts

Probable Dengue Virus Infection Among Italian Troops, East Timor, 1999–2000

To investigate the attack rate and risk factors for probable dengue fever, a cross-sectional study was conducted of an Italian military unit after its deployment to East Timor. Probable dengue was contracted by 16 (6.6%) of 241 army troops and caused half of all medical evacuations (12/24); no cases were detected among navy and air force personnel