Occurrence of <i>Philometra lateolabracis</i> (Nematoda: Philometridae) in the gonads of marine perciform fishes in the Mediterranean region

Gravid females of the nematode Philometra lateolabracis (Yamaguti, 1935), a parasite of gonads of marine perciform fishes, were found in wild and cultured dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe) from waters near the Balear Islands (Spain, Mediterranean Sea) and Sicily (Italy, Thyrrenean Sea), and in the greater amberjack Seriola dumerili (Risso) in Croatia (south-eastern Adriatic Sea). In wild E. marginatus in Spain, the overall prevalence was 21% and the intensity of infection 1 nematode per fish. The nematodes are briefly described and illustrated. The species Sanguinofilaria jordanoi López-Neyra, 1951, described from the ovary of Epinephelus gigas Brünich from Morocco, is synonymized with P. lateolabracis. This is the first documented record of P. lateolabracis from fishes of the Mediterranean region and its finding in S. dumerili represents a new host record. The possible importance of this pathogenic parasite for cultures of marine perciform fishes in the region is stressed

PCR-based identification of thermotolerant free-living amoebae in Italian hot springs

Several thermal areas, also used for leisure purposes, may represent suitable habitats for free-living amoebae (FLAs), but few studies have been carried out in search for these organisms. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and distribution of FLAs by culture detection and molecular identification, over a one year-round sampling of two sites in Central Italy. Two geothermal springs (Site A and Site B) were investigated for a total of 36 water samples. Four sets of primers were used to amplify FLA DNA from all cultures positive for amoebic growth at both 37&nbsp;°C and 45&nbsp;°C. Overall, 33 (91.6%) water samples produced PCR amplification. Eleven taxa were identified. The array of identified species varied over the sampling period, and differed between the two hot springs, Site A harbouring 11 taxa compared to 5 of site B. However, both sites were characterized by the most common species Vermamoeba vermiformis and Naegleria australiensis. Acanthamoeba genotypes T4 and T15 were found at low frequency. Differences in the composition between the two sites could reflect environmental changes in biotic and chemical/physical parameters. From a public health perspective, the detection of potentially pathogenic amoebae could unveil a potential risk for humans

Detection and genotyping of Dientamoeba fragilis from symptomatic patients: New insights from Italy into a little-known gastrointestinal protozoan

: Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) represents a common protozoan in both high and low income countries. Despite this, epidemiological data on dientamoebiasis are still limited, and it is possible that the actual prevalence rates of D. fragilis have been underestimated due to the challenges in its detection and identification. In the present study, symptomatic patients from Rome (Central Italy) were surveyed for two years to determine D. fragilis percentage of infection and genotypes. Stool samples collection was performed over 864 patients, DNA extracted, and RT-PCR performed by the SeeGene Allplex™ Gastrointestinal Parasite Panel Assays. Seventy-nine resulted positive for D. fragilis (9.1%). Co-infections were detected in 22 isolates: 21 displayed Blastocystis sp. + D. fragilis (27.8%). Based on the sequence of a central fragment of the SSU rRNA gene, only genotype 1 was identified. These findings are among the few available data regarding genetic diversity of D. fragilis in Italy. Large-scale human and animal research are required to enhance our knowledge of prevalence, host range, genetic variability and zoonotic transmission of this little-known intestinal protozoan

The effect of COVID-19 on the frequency of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a monocentric, retrospective, and observational study

Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) and SARS-CoV2 share some similarities in their effects on the respiratory system, clinical presentation, and management. The COVID-19 pandemic required rapid action to curb transmission and mitigate its lethiferous impact. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were globally adopted. We hypothesized that these measures reduced the transmission and acquisition of P. jirovecii in both hospital and community settings. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on 2950 respiratory specimens from patients with suspected pulmonary infection, analyzed at the Laboratory of Parasitology Unit of the Policlinico Tor Vergata of Rome, Italy, from January 2014 to December 2022. Results: We show a significant reduction in the frequency of PCP in the COVID-19 pandemic era compared to the previous period. Among the four sequence types of P. jirovecii identified, genotype 1 was the most prevalent (37%). We observed a non-significant trend of decreasing cases with genotype 1 and increasing cases with genotype 3 over the study period. Conclusions: The nationwide implementation of NPIs against COVID-19 may have changed the microbiological landscape of exposure, thereby decreasing the exposure to P. jirovecii and consequently reducing the incidence of PCP

Giardia duodenalis assemblages and Entamoeba species infecting non-human primates in an Italian zoological garden: zoonotic potential and management traits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Giardia duodenalis </it>and <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. are among the most common intestinal human protozoan parasites worldwide and they are frequently reported in captive non-human primates (NHP). From a public health point of view, infected animals in zoos constitute a risk for animal caretakers and visitors. In this study we carried out the molecular identification of <it>G. duodenalis </it>and <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. from nine species of primates housed in the zoological garden of Rome, to better ascertain their occurrence and zoonotic potential.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>G. duodenalis </it>was found only in <it>Lemur catta </it>(47.0%). <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. were detected in all species studied, with the exception of <it>Eulemur macaco </it>and <it>Varecia rubra</it>. The number of positive pools ranged from 5.9% in <it>L. catta </it>to 81.2% in <it>Mandrillus sphinx; </it>in <it>Pan troglodytes </it>the observed prevalence was 53.6%. A mixed <it>Entamoeba</it>-<it>Giardia </it>infection was recorded only in one sample of <it>L. catta</it>. All <it>G. duodenalis </it>isolates belonged to the zoonotic assemblage B, sub assemblage BIV. Three <it>Entamoeba </it>species were identified: <it>E. hartmanni</it>, <it>E. coli </it>and <it>E. dispar</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results highlight the importance of regularly testing animals kept in zoos for the diagnosis of zoonotic parasites, in order to evaluate their pathogenic role in the housed animals and the zoonotic risk linked to their presence. A quick detection of the arrival of pathogens into the enclosures could also be a prerequisite to limit their spread into the structure via the introduction of specific control strategies. The need for molecular identification of some parasite species/genotype in order to better define the zoonotic risk is also highlighted.</p

Evaluation of Microbiological and Free-Living Protozoa Contamination in Dental Unit Waterlines

Studies conducted over the last 40 years have demonstrated that the water output from dental unit waterlines (DUWLs) is often contaminated with high densities of microorganisms. It has been monitored the microbiological quality of the water in 30 public dental facilities in northern Italy in order to assess the health risk for patients and dental staff. In each facility, samples of water both from taps and from DUWLs were analyzed in order to evaluate heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) at 22 \ub0C and 36 \ub0C, and to detect coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila and amoebae. In 100% of the samples taken from the DUWLs, the concentration of HPCs was above the threshold as determined by the Minist\ue8re de la Sant\ue9 et des Solidarit\ue9s (2007). The concentration of P. aeruginosa was greater than the indicated threshold in 16.67% of the hand-pieces analyzed. A total of 78.33% of samples were contaminated by L. pneumophila, while in the samples taken from the DUWLs alone, this percentage rose to 86.67%. Amoebae were detected in 60% of the samples taken from hand-pieces; all belonging to the species V. vermiformis. This study documented the presence of various microorganisms, including Legionella spp., at considerably higher concentrations in water samples from DUWLs than in samples of tap water in the same facilities, confirming the role of the internal DUWLs in increasing microbial contamination, especially in the absence of proper management of waterborne health risks

Gyrodactylus orecchiae sp. n. (Monogenea: Gyrodactylidae) from farmed populations of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) in the Adriatic Sea

Gyrodactylus orecchiae sp. n. (Monogenea, Gyrodactylidae) is described from the skin, fins, eyes and gills of juvenile Sparus aurata L. (gilthead seabream) following two outbreaks of gyrodactylosis amongst stocks held in inshore floating cages on the Adriatic coast of Albania and Croatia. Fish were heavily infected (1000+ gyrodactylids/fish) with G. orecchiae which reportedly resulted in ~2–10% mortality amongst the infected stock. Morphologically, the haptoral hooks of G. orecchiae most closely resemble those of Gyrodactylus arcuatus Bychowsky, 1933 in the approximate shape of the ventral bar with its pronounced ventral bar processes and marginal hook sickles which possess a square line to the inner edge of the sickle blade and large rounded heels. The marginal hooks are also morphologically similar to those of Gyrodactylus quadratidigitus Longshaw, Pursglove et Shinn, 2003 and Gyrodactylus colemanensis Mizelle et Kritsky, 1967, but G. orecchiae can be readily discriminated from all three species by the characteristic infolding of the hamuli roots and the shape of the marginal hook sickle. Molecular sequencing of the ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2 regions (513+157+404 bp, respectively) of G. orecchiae and alignment with other gyrodactylids for which these same genomic regions have been determined, suggests that this is a new species. No similarities were found when the ITS1 region of G. orecchiae was compared with 84 species of Gyrodactylus available on GenBank

Prevalence and genotyping of human isolates of Giardia duodenalis from Albania

Microscopical and PCR-based techniques were performed in order to investigate the prevalence of infection and the genotypes of Giardia duodenalis from 125 stool samples collected from children living in the urban and the rural areas of Tirana (Albania) and hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. 7 out of 125 samples resulted positive for Giardia at the microscopic examination (5.6%). In 50 selected samples including the 7 samples positive for Giardia by microscopy, 3 and 15 additional positive samples were detected by immunofluorescence and PCR, respectively. Seasonality appeared as an important parameter to be evaluated in order to better understand the prevalence of infection. Sequence analysis revealed both human Assemblage A and B. This result represents the first data on G. duodenalis genotypes in Albania. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Interpretative and predictive modelling of Joint European Torus collisionality scans

Transport modelling of Joint European Torus (JET) dimensionless collisionality scaling experiments in various operational scenarios is presented. Interpretative simulations at a fixed radial position are combined with predictive JETTO simulations of temperatures and densities, using the TGLF transport model. The model includes electromagnetic effects and collisions as well as □(→┬E ) X □(→┬B ) shear in Miller geometry. Focus is on particle transport and the role of the neutral beam injection (NBI) particle source for the density peaking. The experimental 3-point collisionality scans include L-mode, and H-mode (D and H and higher beta D plasma) plasmas in a total of 12 discharges. Experimental results presented in (Tala et al 2017 44th EPS Conf.) indicate that for the H-mode scans, the NBI particle source plays an important role for the density peaking, whereas for the L-mode scan, the influence of the particle source is small. In general, both the interpretative and predictive transport simulations support the experimental conclusions on the role of the NBI particle source for the 12 JET discharges