100 research outputs found
Bed bug infestations: a case report in an urban environment of central Italy and effectiveness of steam treatment against Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).
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BED BUG INFESTATIONS: A CASE REPORT IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT
OF CENTRAL ITALY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF STEAM TREATMENT
AGAINST CIMEX LECTULARIUS (HEMIPTERA: CIMICIDAE)
Roberto Amerigo Papini
Department of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Teaching Hospital “Mario Modenato”, University of Pisa, Italy
ABSTRACT
There has been resurgence in interest in infestations from the common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), as they
have become more prevalent in well-developed countries. This paper reports the case of a 50-year-old woman
whose bedroom was infested by bed bugs. The woman presented in our laboratory with insect specimens that
she had caught in her bedroom. She reported bites on shoulders, back, belly, and thighs associated with sleep
disturbance. Based on an examination of the morphological characteristics, the insects were identified as Cimex
lectularius. As the apartment had been rented for several years before the woman moved in, it was suspected
that the bed bugs had been introduced by some of the tenants, including some from overseas, who may have
inadvertently brought the bugs with them in their luggage/belongings and who had previously lived in the
apartment. After two unsuccessful insecticide applications, a thorough weekly decontamination using a steam
cleaner completely resolved the infestation within about two months. Knowledge of the epidemiology, life cycle,
clinical signs, medical treatment and environmental management of bed bugs by physicians, dermatologists,
and entomologists may contribute to the better dissemination of information needed for effective prevention
and control as well as to a more accurate diagnosis of the bite marks caused by these insects
GIARDIA AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM IN RED FOXES (VULPES VULPES): SCREENING FOR COPROANTIGENS IN A POPULATION OF CENTRAL ITALY AND MINI-REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Giardia and Cryptosporidium are common protozoan parasites affecting several animal species and humans. The aim of this survey was to investigate, for the first time, their prevalence in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) faecal samples in central Italy. Seventy-one red foxes of different ages and sexes were examined for antigenic detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in fecal samples by means of a commercial rapid immunochromatographic test. The sample was randomly selected from foxes culled during a population control program. They were divided into groups based on sex and age ( 641-year-old and >1-year-old). Five (7%) and one (1.4%) out of 71 fecal samples were positive for the Giardia or Cryptosporidium antigens by immunochromatographic assay, respectively, and no coinfections were observed. The present prevalence rates of Giardia and Cryptosporidium antigens in faeces from V. vulpes suggest that this host species is likely to play only a limited role in the spread of the two protozoa in the study area. A concise review of the literature related to Giardia and Cryptosporidium in V. vulpes is presented
Incidental Detection of Onchocerca Microfilariae in Donkeys (Equus asinus) in Italy: Report of Four Cases
This paper reports the occurrence for the first time in Italy of autochthonous Onchocerca infection in donkeys. Four jennies, bred on the same farm, were referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Pisa for a check-up on ovarian activity (n = 3) or for veterinary support during the delivery (n = 1). Microfilariae were incidentally detected during the blood smear examination of one jenny. Peripheral blood samples were then collected from the other three jennies and the presence of microfilariae was investigated by Knott's test. Circulating unsheathed microfilariae were identified in all the animals. The level of microfilaraemia was between 1 and 31 microfilariae in 2 mL of blood. Hematological changes showed moderate eosinophilia in one case or both remarkable eosinophilia and basophilia in another case. Based on molecular findings by PCR and sequencing, the microfilariae showed 98% sequence similarity with Onchocerca sp. in the NCBI GenBank database (Accession No.: MK541848.1). The present report provides evidence that Onchocerca is an etiological agent of parasitic infection in donkeys in Italy. Our findings highlight the importance of screening in donkeys for Onchocerca even in the absence of clinical indications
Small ruminant Gongylonema pulchrum infection in the South West Algerian desert: prevalence of a sporadic zoonosis
Individual faecal samples were randomly collected from the rectum of goats (n = 120) and sheep (n = 182)
bred in four distinct areas of the South West Algerian desert. All the samples were examined by faecal
flotation technique. A range of gastro-intestinal parasites was recorded by microscopic examination. Special
reference was given to potentially zoonotic nematodes. Typical G. pulchrum eggs were detected as mixed or
single infections in 9.3% of the animals (15% of goats and 5.5% of sheep). Goats were statistically (OR=3.04
[1.35-6.83]) more likely to harbor G. pulchrum infections than sheep. Animals older than 1 year of age were
more likely to be infected with G. pulchrum than younger ones, but these differences di not reach statistically
significant values. Monitoring human infections represents an imperative need of modern society. Anyone
working with sheep and goats or sharing the same environment with them and physicians should be aware of
gongylonemiasis and other potentially zoonotic nematode infections due to ovicaprines, though considered not
life-threatening, sporadic or neglected
Neospora caninum in Wild Waterfowl: Occurrence of Parasite DNA and Low antibody titers
Thirty-five adult waterfowl (14 males and 21 females) representing various orders and species were sampled during the hunting season from 2015 to 2016. Antibodies to Neospora caninum were detected by IFAT on blood samples, while heart and brain were subjected to molecular analysis for the detection of Neospora caninum DNA. Twelve birds (34.3%) (6 Anas crecca, 3 Anas platyrhynchos, 2 Anas penelope, 1 Anas acuta) showed antibodies versus N. caninum, while 10 animals out of 35 (4 Anas crecca, 2 Anas platyrhynchos, 2 Anas penelope, 1 Anas acuta, and 1 Vanellus vanellus) scored positive for at least 1 sample, with an overall prevalence of 28.6%. The present report shows for the first time the occurrence of antibodies and N. caninum DNA in waterfowl. The avian species investigated in the present report, which feed directly from the soil and/or water, would be able to ingest oocysts excreted by final canid hosts and could contribute to parasite transmission in the sylvatic cycle. To achieve a definitive result about the role of these avian species in the epidemiology of this protozoan, the presence of viable parasites should be demonstrated by bioassay and/or culture, as well as histological evidence of N. caninum cysts in avian tissues
Bone Lesions in a Young Dog and a NEEM (Azadirachta indica) Spray as the Only Preventive Measure against Leishmaniasis: A Case Report
As the spread of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is increasing throughout the world, the need for effective agents to prevent its transmission has intensified. In this case report, an intact 1.5-year-old male French bulldog was presented for treatment of severe, sudden, and constant lameness on his right hindlimb, which had started approximately four months previously and was unresponsive to routine nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A Neem oil-based product was sprayed three times a week on the dog’s coat for about fourteen months as the only prophylactic measure against CanL. The orthopedic examination revealed grade 3–4 lameness and marked atrophy of the thigh muscles with swollen and painful right stifle joint. The radiological investigation showed polyostotic periosteal proliferation at both hindlimbs. The diagnosis of CanL was established by examination of fine- needle aspiration of lymph nodes (left prescapular, right and left popliteal) and immunofluorescence antibody testing. A leishmanicidal therapeutic protocol was prescribed. Within ten days of starting the therapy, the dog was significantly less lame, and eight months later radiographic examination revealed complete regression of the bone lesions. Some owners resort to a naturalistic approach for CanL prevention, also using products that have not been clinically evaluated. Neem oil is thought to prevent sandfly bites in dogs. Some laboratory and field studies have identified Neem oil as a possible alternative herbal drug that is repellent to sandflies. However, the clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings clearly show that the Neem oil spray formulation used in this case report was not an effective means of CanL prevention. There is no clinical evidence in support of Neem oil-based products for the protection of dogs against CanL transmission. As Neem oil has previously been shown to be somewhat volatile, this case report suggests that even though it is a very effective repellent against sandflies, in practice, its effect on the dogs’ coat was only short-lived
A One-Year Retrospective Analysis of Viral and Parasitological Agents in Wildlife Animals Admitted to a First Aid Hospital
This study aimed to provide information on the presence and frequency of viral and parasitic agents in wildlife presented to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2020-2021. Serum and faecal samples were collected from 50 rescued animals (roe deer, fallow deer, foxes, badgers, pine martens, and porcupines) and examined by serological, molecular, and parasitological techniques. Transtracheal wash (TTW) was also collected post-mortem from roe deer. Overall, the results of the different techniques showed infections with the following viral and parasitic agents: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Small Ruminant Lentiviruses, Kobuvirus, Astrovirus, Canine Adenovirus 1, Bopivirus, gastrointestinal strongyles, Capillaria, Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Hymenolepis, Strongyloides, Eimeria, Isospora, Dictyocaulus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma, Dirofilaria immitis, Neospora caninum, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium. Sequencing (Tpi locus) identified G. duodenalis sub-assemblages AI and BIV in one roe deer and one porcupine, respectively. Adult lungworms collected from the TTW were identified as Dictyocaulus capreolus (COX1 gene). This is the first molecular identification of G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AI and D. capreolus in roe deer in Italy. These results show a wide presence of pathogens in wild populations and provide an overview of environmental health surveillance
Cryptosporidium parvum genotype IIa and Giardia duodenalis assemblage A in Mytilus galloprovincialis on sale at local food markets
Prevalence of the microsporidian Nosema ceranae in honeybee (Apis mellifera) apiaries in Central Italy
Nosema ceranae and Nosema apis are microsporidia which play an important role in the
epidemiology of honeybee microsporidiosis worldwide. Nosemiasis reduces honeybee population
size and causes significant losses in honey production. To the best of our knowledge, limited information
is available about the prevalence of nosemiasis in Italy. In this research, we determined the
occurrence of Nosema infection in Central Italy. Thirty-eight seemingly healthy apiaries (2 to 4 hives
each) were randomly selected and screened from April to September 2014 (n= 11) or from May to
September 2015 (n= 27). The apiaries were located in six areas of Central Italy, including Lucca
(n= 11), Massa Carrara (n= 9), Pisa (n= 9), Leghorn (n= 7), Florence (n= 1), and Prato
(n= 1) provinces. Light microscopy was carried out according to current OIE recommendations
to screen the presence of microsporidiosis in adult worker honeybees. Since the morphological characteristics
of N. ceranae and N. apis spores are similar and can hardly be distinguished by optical
microscopy, all samples were also screened by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) assay
based on 16S rRNA-gene-targeted species-specific primers to differentiate N. ceranae from N. apis.
Furthermore, PCR-positive samples were also sequenced to confirm the species of amplified
Nosema DNA. Notably, Nosema spores were detected in samples from 24 out of 38 (63.2%,
95% CI: 47.8–78.5%) apiaries. Positivity rates in single provinces were 10/11, 8/9, 3/9, 1/7, or
1/1 (n= 2). A full agreement (Cohen’s Kappa = 1) was assessed between microscopy and
M-PCR. Based on M-PCR and DNA sequencing results, only N. ceranae was found. Overall,
our results highlighted that N. ceranae infection occurs frequently in the cohort of honeybee
populations that was examined despite the lack of clinical signs. These findings suggest that colony disease outbreaks might result from environmental factors that lead to higher susceptibility of
honeybees to this microsporidian
A retrospective molecular study of select intestinal protozoa in healthy pet cats from Italy
The feline gut can harbour a number of protozoan parasites. Recent genetic studies have highlighted new epidemiological findings about species of Cryptosporidium, assemblages of Giardia duodenalis and Toxoplasma gondii. Furthermore, epidemiological studies suggest the occurrence of Tritrichomonas foetus in cats is on the increase worldwide. The prevalence of selected intestinal protozoa was determined by PCR using DNA previously extracted from the faeces of 146 privately owned healthy cats from Italy. Molecular genotyping on T gondii, G duodenalis and Cryptosporidium DNA was achieved. PCR assays were positive in 32 (22.9%) samples. Three animals (2.0%) were positive for T foetus and Cryptosporidium DNA, 15 specimens (10.3%) were positive for T gondii and 11 (7.5%) for G duodenalis. Co-infections were never observed. Results of the typing analysis allowed the identification of Cryptosporidium felis in all cases. The specimens positive for T gondii hinted at clonal genotype I (n = 7), genotype II (n = 1) and genotype III (n = 7). The G duodenalis isolates were referable to assemblages F (n = 9) and C (n = 2). In conclusion, the results obtained in this study add to the literature regarding the epidemiology of these parasites by confirming their presence in the faeces of healthy pet cats
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