Cystic echinococcosis in the Campania region (southern Italy)

Echinococcosis is cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by adult or larval stages of tapeworms belonging to the genus Echinococcus Rudolphi, 1801. Within the genus Echinococcus four species are presently recognised, namely Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis, E. oligarthrus and E. vogeli, and taxonomic revision of the genus is probably needed (Thompson RCA, McManus DC, 2002, Trends Parasitol 18: 452- 457). E. granulosus, the major species of medical and public health importance which causes cystic echinococcosis (hydatidosis), has a global distribution

New data on Gaidropsarus granti (Regan, 1903) (Gadiformes: Lotidae) from the Mediterranean Sea, with emphasis on its parasites

One adult male Azores rockling Gaidropsarus granti was captured by trammel nets at a depth of about 250 m near the coast of Arbatax (Sardinia, Italy) in early March 2007. This new report confirms a wide bathymetric range for this species. Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the gonad showed a spent testis at a postspawning stage, with a weak residual spermatogenetic activity. Several body parts of Natantia (Crustacea: Decapoda) were detected in its stomach contents. Different developmental stages of 91 parasite specimens belonging to Arthropoda (Gnathiidae) and Nematoda (Anisakidae, Cystidicolidae and Philometridae) were found in its mouth and gills, and body cavity, respectively. Myxozoan spores were found in the gallbladder. Male and female nematodes of the genus Ichthyofilaria are reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea, and a very rare male of this genus is reported for the second time in the world. Parasitological results indicated that this Atlantic migrant probably entered the Mediterranean as an adult, suggesting for a non-indigenous species the possibilities of entering with natural parasites and/or acquiring native parasites in the introduced range

Gastro-intestinal parasites of pigs in Sardinia: a copromicroscopical investigation

This paper illustrates a copromicroscopical investigation carried out in Sardinia to update epidemiological data on diffusion of gastro-intestinal parasites in swine. Results obtained lead to suggest the employment of copromicroscopic exam to monitorate parasites diffusion in swine breedings in order to set up correct prophylactic and therapeutically intervents

In vitro larvicidal activity of ivermectin and povidone-iodine against Oestrus ovis

Purpose To assess the in vitro larvicidal activity of ivermectin and povidone-iodine (PVP-I) against Oestrus ovis, the most frequent cause of external ophthalmomyiasis. Methods L1 O. ovis larvae were collected from the nasal boots of sheep slaughtered in local abattoirs and transferred onto Petri dishes containing mucosal tissue (25 larvae/dish). The larvicidal activity of the following formulations was tested: 1% ivermectin suspension in balanced sterile saline solution (BSSS), 1% ivermectin solution in propylene glycol, propylene glycol, 0.6% PVP-I in hyaluronic acid vehicle (IODIM®), and combination of ivermectin 1% solution and 0.6% PVP-I. One mL of each formulation was added to different Petri dishes containing the larvae. The time needed to kill the larvae was recorded. Results 893 larvae were tested. The median time needed to kill the larvae was 46, 44, 11, 6, and 10 minutes for Iodim®, ivermectin 1% suspension, propylene glycol, ivermectin 1% solution, and a combination of ivermectin 1% solution with 0.6% PVP-I, respectively. Kaplan-Meyer analysis disclosed that the survival curves were significantly lower in samples treated with ivermectin 1% solution, ivermectin 1% solution + 0.6% PVP-I, and propylene glycol than in samples receiving other treatments or BSSS. Conclusion In this in vitro study, ivermectin 1% solution in propylene glycol, ivermectin 1% solution + 0.6% PVP-I, and propylene glycol alone showed a good, relatively rapid larvicidal activity against O. ovis larvae. Further experimental and clinical studies are necessary to establish whether, or not, these formulations may be considered as potential candidates for the topical treatment for external ophthalmomyiasis caused by O. ovis

FIRST RESULTS ON THE PRESENCE AND THE MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF ANISAKID NEMATODES IN MARINE FISH CAUGHT OFF NORTHERN SARDINIA

Anisakidosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by nematodes of the family Anisakidae, belonging to the genera Anisakis, Contracaecum and Pseudoterranova. Molecular studies have shown that Anisakis larvae comprise a number of sibling species, which have different genetic structures, hosts and geographical distribution. A great variety of fish species can harbour infectious third stage larvae of this nematode. The preliminary results of a study carried out to evaluate the occurrence of this parasite in commercial fish caught off northern Sardinia are herein reported. From October 2008 to November 2009, 599 specimens of 8 commercial fish species were examined for anisakid larvae through visual inspection of body cavity and peptic digestion of the muscle. Isolated Anisakis sp. larvae were observed at light microscope and identified as Type I or Type II (sensu Berland, 1961). Out of 599 fish examined, 239 (40%) were infected by 1187 anisakid larvae, belonging to the genera Anisakis (1169 Type I and 18 Type II) and Hysterothylacium (692). The molecular identification of Anisakis spp. was carried out on a subsample of 30% of Type I larvae and all Type II larvae. Specimens were firstly examined using a species-specific PCR, with primers designed for Anisakis pegreffii (APEF) and Anisakis physeteris (APHF), and ITS-2 of nuclear rDNA. The results were confirmed by the analysis of the ITS region of nuclear rDNA (ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2) using the restriction enzymes HinfI and HhaI in PCR-RFLP. Type I larvae examined were all identified as A. pegreffii, and Type II were all A. physeteris. This is the first contribution to the epidemiology and molecular characterization of Anisakis spp. in commercial fish caught off Sardinia

Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors

The Sardinian coloured donkey Equus asinus (Perissodactyla: Equidae) and its albino colour morph represent the wildlife species most typical of the island of Asinara. This Mediterranean island represents a favourable context for ticks and tick-borne diseases; however, knowledge of the tick fauna on Asinara is scarce. A total of 106 Sardinian donkeys were inspected for tick infestation from June to November 2015. All ticks found were collected, classified by stage and sex, and identified to species level. The level of infestation of each donkey was determined; both the overall tick infestation and infestations of each detected species were classified on a scale of 1\u20133 to give an infestation score (IS). Overall, 256 hard ticks were collected from 60 of 106 donkeys (56.6%). Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and Hyalomma marginatum (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae) infested 26.4%, 28.3% and 6.6% of donkeys, respectively. Different variables affected the IS. With reference to overall tick infestation, a higher IS was observed in donkeys grazing on grassland and Mediterranean shrubland and in albino donkeys compared with coloured donkeys. The collected ticks included species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans, which highlights the risks for public health in a tourist destination such as Asinara National Park

Serological evidence for human cystic echinococcosis in Slovenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by the larva of tapeworm <it>Echinococcus granulosus</it>. Dogs and other canids are the primary definitive hosts for this parasite. CE may develop after accidental ingestion of tapeworm eggs, excreted with the feces of these animals. In the intestine, the larvae released from the eggs are nested in the liver, lungs or other organs of livestock as intermediate hosts and humans as aberrant hosts. The aim of this study was to examine serologically whether some of the patients in Slovenia, suspected of CE by imaging findings in the liver or lungs had been infected with the larva of <it>Echinococcus granulosus</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between January 1, 2002 and the end of December 2006, 1323 patients suspected of having echinococcosis were screened serologically by indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA). For confirmation and differentiation of <it>Echinococcus </it>spp. infection, the sera of IHA-positive patients were then retested by western blot (WB).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 127 IHA-positive sera, 34 sera were confirmed by WB and considered specific for CE. Of 34 sera of CE-positive patients sera, 32 corresponded to the characteristic imaging findings of a liver cysts and 2 to those of lung cysts. The mean age of CE-positive patients was 58.3 years. No significant differences were found between the CE-positive patients in regard to their sex.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the study, it was found out that CE was mostly spread in the same area of Slovenia as in the past, but its prevalence decreased from 4.8 per 10⁵inhabitants in the period 1956–1968 to 1.7 per 10⁵inhabitants in the period 2002–2006. In spite of the decreased prevalence of CE in the last years, it is suggested that clinicians and public health authorities, especially in the eastern parts of Slovenia where the most CE patients come from, should pay greater attention to this disease in the future.</p

An Easy and Efficient Method for Native and Immunoreactive Echinococcus granulosus Antigen 5 Enrichment from Hydatid Cyst Fluid

Background: Currently, the serodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis relies mostly on crude Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst fluid as the antigen. Consequently, available immunodiagnostic tests lack standardization of the target antigen and, in turn, this is reflected on poor sensitivity and specificity of the serological diagnosis. Methodology/Principal Findings: Here, a chromatographic method enabling the generation of highly enriched Antigen 5 (Ag5) is described. The procedure is very easy, efficient and reproducible, since different hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) sources produced very similar chromatograms, notwithstanding the clearly evident and extreme heterogeneity of the starting material. In addition, the performance of the antigen preparation in immunological assays was preliminarily assessed by western immunoblotting and ELISA on a limited panel of cystic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls. Following western immunoblotting and ELISA experiments, a high reactivity of patient sera was seen, with unambiguous and highly specific results. Conclusions/Significance: The methods and results reported open interesting perspectives for the development of sensitive diagnostic tools to enable the timely and unambiguous detection of cystic echinococcosis antibodies in patient sera.This work was supported by Regione Autonoma della Sardegna (http://www.regione.sardegna.it/)Pubblicat

Muscular cystic hydatidosis: case report

BACKGROUND: Hydatidosis is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, and ingesting eggs released through the faeces from infected dogs infects humans. The location of the hydatid cysts is mostly hepatic and/or pulmonary, whereas musculoskeletal hydatidosis is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual case of primary muscular hydatidosis in proximity of the big adductor in a young Sicilian man. The patient, 34 years old, was admitted to the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases for ultrasonographic detection, with successive confirmation by magnetic resonance imaging, of an ovular mass (13 × 8 cm) in the big adductor of the left thigh, cyst-like, and containing several small cystic formations. Serological tests for hydatidosis gave negative results. A second drawing of blood was done 10 days after the first one and showed an increase in the antibody titer for hydatidosis. The patient was submitted to surgical excision of the lesion with perioperatory prophylaxis with albendazole. The histopathological examination of the bioptic material was not diriment in the diagnosis, therefore further tests were performed: additional serological tests for hydatidosis for the evaluation of IgE and IgG serotype (Western Blot and REAST), and molecular analysis of the excised material. These more specific serological tests gave positive results for hydatidosis, and the sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction products from the cyst evidenced E. granulosus DNA, genotype G1. Any post-surgery complications was observed during 6 following months. CONCLUSION: Cystic hydatidosis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cystic mass, regardless of its location, also in epidemiological contests less suggestive of the disease. The diagnosis should be achieved by taking into consideration the clinical aspects, the epidemiology of the disease, the imaging and immunological tests but, as demonstrated in this case, without neglecting the numerous possibilities offered by new serological devices and modern day molecular biology techniques