Seasonal egg output of gastro-intestinal parasites in wild ungulates in a mediterranean area (central Italy)

Emissione stagionale di uova di parassiti gastrointestinali in cinghiali (Sus scrofa) e in mufloni (Ovis ammon) di un’area mediterranea (Italia centrale). E' stata studiata l'emissione stagionale di uova (o oocisti) di parassiti nelle feci di ungulati selvatici in una zona mediterranea protetta, il Parco dei Monti Livornesi (Livorno, Toscana, Italia Centrale). Per un anno sono stati raccolti mensilmente campioni di feci di Cinghiale (Sus scrofa) e di Muflone (Ovis ammon). Gli andamenti osservati di emissione di uova sono stati analizzati tenendo conto delle variazioni di temperatura e piovosità stagionali, del ciclo biologico e della strategia di sopravvivenza dei parassiti, e delle condizioni sanitarie dell'ospite. E’ risultato che in una zona mediterranea come quella considerata i picchi di emissione di uova appaiono in mesi differenti in relazione alla biologia e alle strategie di sopravvivenza dei diversi parassiti.Seasonal egg (or oocyst) output of gastro-intestinal parasites of wild ungulates was studied in a Mediterranean protected area, the Monti Livornesi Park (Livorno, Tuscany region, Central Italy). Samples of faeces of wild boars (Sus scrofa) and mouflons (Ovis ammon) were collected monthly for one year. The observed trends of egg output were analysed taking into account seasonal variations of temperature and rainfall, life-cycle and survival strategy of parasites, and health condition of hosts. In our Mediterranean study area, the peaks of egg output appear in different months according to different biology and survival strategies of parasites

An Epidemiological updating on cystic echinococcosis in cattle and sheep in Sicily, Italy

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by larval stage of dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Transmission occurs predominantly in synanthropic cycles, involving sheep, goats, cattle and pigs as intermediate hosts. In Italy, according to sheep breeding, the infection rate increases from north to south regions including islands. Previous CE prevalence recorded in Sicily in cattle and sheep were 11.1% and 15.6%, respectively. The cyst viability, studied in sheep only, was 1,9% (Magliarditi D, Niutta PP, 1995, Atti Associazione Siciliana di Sanità Veterinaria: 165-167; Scala A et al., 2001, 20th International Congress of Hydatidology, Kusadasi, Turkey: 303). This paper reports preliminary results on prevalence and viability of CE in cattle and sheep in Sicily and is part of a larger research focused on the epidemiological updating of E. granulosus infection

Hunting dogs as sentinel animals for monitoring infections with Trichinella spp. in wildlife

Nematode parasites of the genus Trichinella are important foodborne pathogens transmitted by ingestion of striated muscles harbouring infective larvae. Wild carnivorous and omnivorous animals are the most important reservoirs of these parasites. Hunting activities play an important role in Trichinella spp

Mosquito, Bird and Human Surveillance of West Nile and Usutu Viruses in Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) in 2010

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>In 2008, after the first West Nile virus (WNV) detection in the Emilia-Romagna region, a surveillance system, including mosquito- and bird-based surveillance, was established to evaluate the virus presence. Surveillance was improved in following years by extending the monitoring to larger areas and increasing the numbers of mosquitoes and birds tested.</p> <h3>Methodology/Principal Findings</h3><p>A network of mosquito traps, evenly distributed and regularly activated, was set up within the surveyed area. A total of 438,558 mosquitoes, grouped in 3,111 pools and 1,276 birds (1,130 actively sampled and 146 from passive surveillance), were tested by biomolecular analysis. The survey detected WNV in 3 <em>Culex pipiens</em> pools while Usutu virus (USUV) was found in 89 <em>Cx. pipiens</em> pools and in 2 <em>Aedes albopictus</em> pools. Two birds were WNV-positive and 12 were USUV-positive. Furthermore, 30 human cases of acute meningoencephalitis, possibly caused by WNV or USUV, were evaluated for both viruses and 1,053 blood bags were tested for WNV, without any positive result.</p> <h3>Conclusions/Significance</h3><p>Despite not finding symptomatic human WNV infections during 2010, the persistence of the virus, probably due to overwintering, was confirmed through viral circulation in mosquitoes and birds, as well as for USUV. In 2010, circulation of the two viruses was lower and more delayed than in 2009, but this decrease was not explained by the relative abundance of <em>Cx. pipiens</em> mosquito, which was greater in 2010. The USUV detection in mosquito species confirms the role of <em>Cx. pipiens</em> as the main vector and the possible involvement of <em>Ae. albopictus</em> in the virus cycle. The effects of meteorological conditions on the presence of USUV-positive mosquito pools were considered finding an association with drought conditions and a wide temperature range. The output produced by the surveillance system demonstrated its usefulness and reliability in terms of planning public health policies.</p> </div

EPIVET 1 - INTRODUZIONE E CONCETTI GENERALI

I materiali didattici qui inseriti rappresentano schemi per seguire le lezioni e non sono esaustivi degli argomenti trattat

Par MP (A0)- INTRODUZIONE E PARTE GENERALE

I materiali didattici qui inseriti rappresentano schemi utili per seguire le lezioni e non sono esaustivi degli argomenti trattat

Biologia, diagnosi e controllo degli acari

l'articolo rientra in un supplemento de ""la Settimana Veterinaria" dedicato a "controllo degli ectoparassiti: le linee guida Esccap. Si tratta di linee guida per il controllo dei parassiti prodotte dall'European Scientific Counsel companion animal parasites (Esccap) tradotte e adattate alla realtà italiana, che riassumono quanto emerge dagli studi su epidemiologia, terapia e controllo delle parassitosi in Europa

Parasitic zoonoses: survey in foxes (&lt;em&gt;Vulpes vulpes&lt;/em&gt;) in the northern Apennines / Zoonosi parassitarie: indagini in volpi (&lt;em&gt;Vulpes vulpes&lt;/em&gt;) dell'Appennino settentrionale

&lt;strong&gt;Abstract&lt;/strong&gt; A parasitological survey on 153 foxes was carried out in the northern Apennines, during the period 1984-1987. The following parasites were identified: &lt;em&gt;Toxocara canis&lt;/em&gt; (46.4%), &lt;em&gt;Taenia&lt;/em&gt; sp. (17%), &lt;em&gt;Uncinaria stenocephala&lt;/em&gt; (11.8%), &lt;em&gt;Mesocestoides lineatus&lt;/em&gt; (11.1%), &lt;em&gt;Ancylostoma caninum&lt;/em&gt; (3.9%), &lt;em&gt;Taenia hydatigena&lt;/em&gt; (3.3%), &lt;em&gt;Trichuris vulpis&lt;/em&gt; (3.3%), &lt;em&gt;Dipylidium caninum&lt;/em&gt; (2.6%), &lt;em&gt;Taenia crassiceps&lt;/em&gt; (2%). All foxes were negative for &lt;em&gt;Trichinella&lt;/em&gt; sp. A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate differences in the parasitic fauna according to the sex and age classes of the hosts. The role that the fox could have as a reservoir of helminthic zoonoses is discussed. The results are compared with those of similar studies carried out in Italy. &lt;strong&gt;Riassunto&lt;/strong&gt; Nel periodo 1984-1987 è stata condotta un'indagine parassitologica su 153 volpi abbattute nell'Appennino romagnolo. Sono stati reperiti i seguenti parassiti: &lt;em&gt;Toxocara canis&lt;/em&gt; (46,4%), &lt;em&gt;Taenia&lt;/em&gt; sp. (17%), &lt;em&gt;Uncinaria stenocephala&lt;/em&gt; (11,8%), &lt;em&gt;Mesocestoides lineatus&lt;/em&gt; (11,1%), &lt;em&gt;Ancylostoma caninum&lt;/em&gt; (3,9%), &lt;em&gt;Taenia hydatigena&lt;/em&gt; (3,3%), &lt;em&gt;Trichuris vulpis&lt;/em&gt; (3,3%), &lt;em&gt;Dipylidium caninum&lt;/em&gt; (2,6%), &lt;em&gt;Taenia crassiceps&lt;/em&gt; (2%). Tutte le volpi esaminate sono risultate negative per &lt;em&gt;Trichinella&lt;/em&gt; sp. È stata effettuata l'analisi statistica dei dati per evidenziare eventuali differenze della fauna parassitaria in relazione al sesso e all'età delle volpi. Sulla base dei dati ottenuti viene discussa l'importanza che la Volpe può assumere come serbatoio di zoonosi elmintiche. I risultati acquisiti sono inoltre comparati con quelli ottenuti in analoghe ricerche condotte in Italia

Zoonoses and information of the public: the role of media, with special reference to Italy

The significance of zoonoses varies depending on many socio-economic factors and on the specific situation that prevails in a specific area. The role of the media often determines the importance given to a disease. In resource-rich countries, a zoonosis may be perceived as being important due to inaccurate information that has been circulated by mass media on the risk of infection for animals and humans and on the possible use of the agent for terrorist actions. Images of sick or dead people and animals, drastic methods of control and others, can contribute to an overestimation of the significance of a disease. Information can be lacking or absent in regard to socio-economic factors that clarify occurrence and also on geographic distribution. Therefore, the sensitivity of people can be influenced rapidly and negative socio-economic consequences can occur. These zoonoses can be named ‘media-oriented (emphasised) zoonoses’. On the contrary, some zoonoses are scarcely considered for several reasons, for instance: occurrence in poverty-stricken areas and populations, risks of infection for people not considered important enough to deserve medical care, little interest from the media, decision-makers and health services, lack of information and official reports. These zoonoses can be named ‘neglected zoonoses’. Some examples of zoonoses included in the above categories are described