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

An Epidemiological and biomolecular survey of cystic echinococcosis in cattle in Sardinia

Although Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is still a health, economic and social problem of great importance in Sardinia today, not all aspects of it have been studied, and in particular its epidemiology in cattle. This note updates the epidemiological data on Bovine CE in Sardinia, and with the help of advances made in biomolecular taxonomy identifies the strains of Echinococcus granulosus in cattle

Evaluation of the efficacy of anthelminthic treatments against sheep gastro-intestinal nematodes in Sardinia

Despite the rising of new methodologies for the controi of endoparasites in animais of zootechnic value, such as phytotherapy, homeopathy, and genetie selection for screening of resistant individuais (Gruner L, 2002, Acta SIPAOC, 15: 80-89; Carta A, Scala A, 2004, Parassitologia, 46: 251-255) and hypothetic vaccinations against NGI (Vercruysse J, 2004, Parassitologia, 46: 261), anthelminthie treatments stilI remains the most applied measure in the field

The diagnosis of Isospora oocysts in piglets: a comparison of three coprological methods

Aims and methods - Copromicroscopic examination carried out by sedimentation and flotation in a hypersaturated NaCl solution, with or without the addition of sugar, is commonly used to diagnose coccidian oocysts in swine. It has recently been pointed out that it would be preferable to use methods based on the elimination of the fatty matter, which is abundantly present in the faeces of piglets, for detecting these oocysts. The employment of suitable copromicroscopic methods would allow the investigator to identify the presence of oocysts even in farms where parasitosis occurs in a sub-clinical way. To identify the best copromicroscopic technique, a total of 155 faecal samples from unweaned piglets (4-27 days old) from 13 Sardinian farms were examined for coccidia with 3 different methods. The following coprological methods were carried out in parallel: (1) sedimentation and flotation in a hypersaturated NaCl solution (SA); (2) sedimentation and flotation in a hypersaturated NaCl solution, with the addition of 500 g of glucose per litre (SU) (Henriksen SA, Christensen JPB, 1992, Vet Rec, 131: 443-444); (3) Ridley-Allen concentration in ethyl acetate and formaldehyde (ET) (Gualdi et al, 2003, Atti SIPAS, 29: 543-554). The samples were also examined using McMaster counting technique, in order to determine the number of oocysts per gram (OPG; cut-off: 50 oocysts) and to compare the above mentioned solutions. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test and the Friedman Test were used for the comparison of 2 and 3 solutions, respectively (Siegel S, Castellan NJ, 1992, Statistica non parametrica, 2^ ed, McGraw-Hill Libri Italia, Milano). Pooled positive faecal samples were used for sporulation and identification of the oocysts. Results and conclusions - Out of 155 samples, 98 (63.2%), 53 (34.2%) and 30 (19.4%) were positive for coccidian oocysts at ET, SU and SA, respectively. The species identified was Isospora suis. The ET method revealed the highest number of positive samples. The comparison of the results of SU and SA to those of ET was the following : VEDERE ALLEGATO. The SU and SA positivities were statistically lower with respect to those of ET, which seems to be the most accurate diagnostic method. Oocysts detection was also easier with ET, owing to a smaller presence of faecal debris on the slide. At McMaster counting tecnique, 49 samples were positive at the same time to ET and SU, 19 to ET and SA, and 19 to ET, SU and SA. The number of OPG found with ET (min. 50 \u2013 max. 803.400) was statistically higher when compared to those found with SU (z = -3.688) and SA (z = -3.823) (P<0.001). SU showed a higher OPG number with respect to SA (z = -3.823). Comparison of the 3 solutions showed that ET was able to detect the highest OPG number (mean ranks: ET = 2.63; SU = 2.32; SA = 1.05; Chi-square: 26.52; P<0.001). The mean number of OPG of the samples positive at the same time to 2 and 3 methods was the following : VEDERE ALLEGATO. The results show that the most effective coprological method for the diagnosis of Isospora oocysts in piglets is the Ridley-Allen concentration in ethyl acetate and formaldehyde method. Research financed by MIUR and Sassari University (PRIN 2005