Lice, Flies, Mites, and Ticks on Raptors (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) in Rescue Centers in Central Italy

Abstract: This study aims to assess the occurrence of external arthropods on deceased raptors in rescue centers in Tuscany, central Italy. The examined diurnal raptors include 17 common buzzards (Buteo buteo), two European honey buzzards (Pernis apivorus), seven sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus), six common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), a western osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Nocturnal raptors included seven barn owls (Tyto alba), ten tawny owls (Strix aluco), 22 little owls (Athene noctua) and two scops owls (Otus scops). The skin and the feathers of each animal were examined, and arthropods were collected, fixed, and microscopically identified. In 48 out of the 75 examined birds (64%), at least a single arthropod species was found. Identified arthropods included chewing lice (Degeeriella fulva, D. rufa, Colpocephalum turbinatum, C. apivorus, Nosopon lucidum, N. clayae, Craspedorrhyncus platystomus, Laemobothrion tinnunculi, Kurodaia subpachygaster, Strigiphilus cursitans), hippoboscid flies (Ornithomya avicularia), chigger and feather mites (Kramerella lunulata, K. lyra, Kramerella sp., Glaucalges attenuatus, Hieracolichus nisi, Hieracolichus sp., Neotrombicula autumnalis) and ticks (Haemaphysalis sp.). Most of the identified mite, fly and tick species are the first records in raptors in Italy. Moreover, this study presents the first record of Hieracolichus sp. and N. autumnalis mites in P. haliaetus and F. tinnunculus, respectively

Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits.

Abstract: The dynamic change in faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion was evaluated in 10 naturally infected female rabbits, starting from their weaning at 33 d of age until about 1 mo after their second parturition. Faecal samples collected from examined animals were quali-quantitatively analysed to evaluate presence and number of Eimeria oocysts. In addition, isolated Eimeria oocysts were identified at the species level following sporulation. Animals were found to be infected by Eimeria perforans, Eimeria exigua and Eimeria magna and shed Eimeria oocysts after weaning and after parturition. In particular, at 33 d of age all female rabbits examined were negative, while the discharge of Eimeria oocysts started at 39th day of age and peaked between 46th and 53rd day of age. From 81-109 d of age until the first parturition and from 25 d of age of the litters born at the first parturition to the second parturition, all animals resulted negative. After parturition, Eimeria oocyst output occurred from 6th to 12th day after the first parturition and from 7th to 13th day after the second parturition, while a second period of oocyst excretion was observed from 18th to 24th day after both parturitions. These findings may indicate the existence of a relationship between the periparturient phase and Eimeria oocyst output and suggest an important role of the mothers in transmission of the infection to their litter

Eimeria legionensis and Eimeria kofoidi (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) infection and associated lesions in naturally infected red-legged partridges (alectoris rufa)

With the aim to identify the Eimeria species responsible for coccidiosis in 50 deceased red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa), individual faecal samples were collected, dissolved in 2.5% K2Cr2O7 solution and maintained at room temperature to allow sporulation of the oocysts. Morphology and dimensions of sporulated oocysts were microscopically evaluated. To assess Eimeria intestinal localisation, faecal samples and scrapings taken from the different intestinal segments of each deceased animal were examined by fresh smears and flotation test, while the intestines were examined for gross lesions, then fixed in 10% formalin and processed for histopathological analysis. From scrapings and morphological analysis, Eimeria kofoidi and Eimeria legionensis were identified in the small intestine and in the caecum and colon, respectively. Histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of two distinct Eimeria species. In particular, E. kofoidi macrogamonts were found in epithelial cells of jejunum and ileum, between the basal lamina and the nucleus of the infected intestinal cells. This latter was flattened and displaced above. E. legionensis macrogamonts were instead found localised between the nucleus and the luminal surface of the infected caeca and colonic cells and these macrogamonts were larger than those of E. kofoidi. Chronic enteritis and severe displacement of the deep crypts of the small intestine, large areas of caeca and colonic epithelial necrosis associated to thickened wall and mononuclear cells infiltration diffused in a transmural manner, were the main histopathological lesions

Gastrointestinal parasites, liver flukes and lungworms in domestic ruminants from central Italy

Introduction - In ruminants, gastrointestinal, liver and lung parasites may represent a limiting factor for farm production. Aim - The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of gastrointestinal, liver and lung parasites in adult ruminants living in two different areas of Tuscany, central Italy. Materials and methods - Between April 2012 and December 2014, 178 adult ruminants (76 cattle, 61 sheep and 41 goats) from 16 extensive farms located in two different areas (A1 and A2) of Tuscany, were examined to assess the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites, liver flukes and lungworms. A1 included 111 animals from farms located in flat areas subject to water stagnation in rainy seasons, while A2 included 67 animals from farms located in hilly and drier areas. Individual faecal samples collected from all animals were analysed using qualitative and quantitative parasitological techniques. A total of 94 animals were examined for Fasciola hepatica also by using two commercial Elisa kits for the detection of faecal antigens and antibodies in serum, respectively. Data were statistically analysed. Results and discussion - An overall prevalence of 83.7% was found in the examined animals. Higher prevalence values (p<0.001) were found in small ruminants than in cattle and in Area 2 compared to Area 1. With regard to isolated parasites, gastrointestinal strongyles and coccidia were prevalent in all ruminant species and in both areas, while the prevalence of F. hepatica was higher in small ruminants and in Area 1 than in cattle and Area 2, respectively. Conclusion - Results indicated that in both areas and in all ruminant species, gastrointestinal parasites and liver flukes require more effective control measures

Urinary capillariosis in a free-ranging Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus)

Extraintestinal nematodes have been seldom investigated in the brown bear (Ursus arctos). In this study, a case of urinary capillariosis and bladder associated lesions is reported in a deceased free-ranging Marsican brown bear (Ursus arctos marsicanus) from Central Italy. Gross lesions in the urinary bladder consisted of scattered foci of mucosal hyperemia, while at histological examination mild cystitis was observed. At microscopic examination of urine and bladder lavage fluid, capillariid adult female nematodes and eggs were found, suspected of belonging to the genus Pearsonema based on their location in the urinary bladder. This is the first report of Pearsonema infection and associated bladder lesions in a brown bear

Urinary capillariosis in six dogs from Italy

Canine urinary capillariosis is caused by the nematode Pearsonema plica. P. plica infection is seldomly detected in clinical practice mainly due to diagnostic limitations. This report describes six cases of urinary capillariosis in dogs from Italy. Recurrent cystitis was observed in one dog, whereas another patient was affected by glomerular amyloidosis. In the remaining animals, the infection was considered an incidental finding. Immature eggs of the parasite were observed with urine sediment examination in 3/6 patients. Increased awareness of the potential pathogenic role of P. plica and clinical disease presentation could help identify infected animals

Efficacy of an Aqueous Extract of Stellaria media (L.) Cyr. against Eimeria legionensis Infection (Apicomplexa: Eimeridae) in Red-legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa)

Aims: Coccidiosis is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality in farmed redlegged partridges (Alectoris rufa). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the plant Stellaria media (Caryophyllaceae) on coccidia-infected red-legged partridges. Methodology: Of 9 replicates of redlegged partridges, each composed by 6 coccidia-infected birds (Eimeria legionensis), 3 replicates (S group) received an aqueous extract (12 ml/l) of S. media with drinking water for 3 consecutive days, while 3 further replicates (D group) received 20% sodium sulfaquinoxaline (2 g/l) with drinking water for 3 consecutive days. The remaining 3 replicates did not receive any treatment (C group). The day before the beginning of the treatment (day 0), the last day of the treatment (day 3) and 7 days after the end of the treatment (day 10), individual fresh faecal samples were collected from all examined birds and analysed for presence and number of coccidian oocysts/gram of faeces (OPG). Data were statistically elaborated with the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the Test of Student-Newman-Keuls for multiple comparisons. The percentage of reduction of the mean OPG number was also assessed. In addition, all birds were clinically observed in order to evaluate the appearance of diarrhoea and of other signs of clinical coccidiosis. Results: Seven days after the end of the treatment, birds of the C group showed diarrhoea and significant (P<0.05) higher OPG numbers respect to those of S and D groups, while no significant differences resulted between S and D groups. Moreover, percentages of OPG reduction of 98.61% and 99.60% and of 99.23% and 78.46% were found at day 3 and day 10 for group S and group D, respectively, while an increased mean OPG number was observed in the untreated group (C). Conclusion: After oral administration to the examined red-legged partridges S. media was able not only to prevent the clinical form of coccidiosis, but also to give a significant reduction of E. legionensis OPG number in faecal samples of birds treated with this plant. This reduction resulted comparable to that observed in animals treated with the commercial drug

Air Sacs Trematodiasis and Related Pathology in Two Common Blackbirds (Turdus merula)

Air sacs trematodiasis is rarely reported in birds. Necropsy of two free-ranging common blackbirds (Turdus merula), found dead in central Italy, revealed the presence of a large number of flukes in the coelomatic cavity. Histologically air sac walls were covered with a mild fibrinous exudate containing degenerate heterophils, fibrin, some bacterial colonies (grampositive cocci), and trematodes. The superficial bronchi and parabronchi were markedly distended with mucoid material containing bacterial colonies, and the adjacent pulmonary parenchyma was congested and collapsed. Large numbers of trematodes, surrounded by a mild to moderate suppurative to pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction, were observed on the intestinal, pericardial, and hepatic serosal surfaces. The parasite number and bacterial bronchopneumonia, aerosacculitis, and serositis were of sufficient intensity to have resulted in death of these birds. At microscopical examination, flukes showed a tongue-shaped elongate body of 2,088-2,314 μm in with and 8,268 -11,830 μm in length, tapered anteriorly and rounded at the posterior end. The mouth was slightly oval and sub-terminal with a weakly developed oral sucker. The oval and well developed pharynx measured 250-309 μm and the two caeca joined posteriorly. Two large (550-702 μm x 450-520 μm), globular testes were situated obliquely to each other, while the intertesticular ovalar (250 x 300 μm) or round (about 334 μm) ovary was placed in a longitudinal straight line with the testes. The ootype was about 110 μm in diameter, while the brown-yellow eggs measured 131.52 x 73.86 μm in mean. The genital pore was post-pharyngeal, while the vitelline glands were arranged symmetrically and were not confluent posteriorly. For morphology and dimensions, the species here examined was identified with Morishitium (Cyclocoelum) polonicum as described by Machalska (1980) in T. merula (1,2). This fluke species typically inhabits the air sacs of blackbirds and in its life cycle terrestrial snails are intermediate hosts. In Italy, this species was previously reported in T. merula from an area neighboring that where the blackbird here examined lived (3). Dimensions and morphology of the species reported by Visconti (1988) are similar to that of the species here examined. In our knowledge, this is the first description of pathological lesions caused by M. polonicum in Turdus merula

In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) Berry Juice against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Small Ruminants

Simple Summary Gastrointestinal nematodes are included worldwide among the most prominent parasites of small ruminants. In past decades, the control of these nematodes mainly relied on the use of synthetic anthelmintic drugs. However, nowadays the exclusive use of anthelmintic drugs is considered an obsolete and unsustainable control strategy due to the onset of anthelmintic-resistant sheep gastrointestinal nematode strains and the issues linked with the environmental pollution and residues in food of animal origin of synthetic anthelmintic drugs. Among alternative or complementary methods, the use of plants endowed with anthelmintic properties has been identified as a valuable option. As a part of this approach, this study evaluated the in vitro anthelmintic properties of two commercial sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berry juices on sheep gastrointestinal nematodes. Both H. rhamnoides berry juices tested in this study showed interesting anthelmintic properties in vitro. The obtained results are promising regarding the use of sea buckthorn berry juice as a potential tool for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants. Gastrointestinal nematodes are one of the major threats in small ruminant breeding. Their control is difficult due to the development of anthelmintic resistance, and the search for new molecules endowed with anthelmintic activity (AH) is considered a priority. In this context, we evaluated the in vitro AH activity of two commercial sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) berry juices, namely SBT and SBF. The in vitro evaluation was based on the egg-hatch test and larval exsheathment assay at different concentrations. Data were statistically analysed, and the EC50 was calculated. Chemical analyses were performed to evaluate the total polyphenol content of the juices and chemical profile of the most represented compounds. The role of the polyphenolic fraction in the anthelmintic activity of the juices was also assessed. At the highest concentrations, the activity of SBT was high in both tests and comparable to that observed in the thiabendazole-treated positive controls, while SBF showed a lower efficacy. Glycosylated isorhamnetin and quercetin were the most represented polyphenolic compounds in both juices. In conclusion, both H. rhamnoides berry juices tested in this study showed interesting anthelmintic properties in vitro

Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits

[EN] The dynamic change in faecal Eimeria oocyst excretion was evaluated in 10 naturally infected female rabbits, starting from their weaning at 33 d of age until about 1 mo after their second parturition. Faecal samples collected from examined animals were quali-quantitatively analysed to evaluate presence and number of Eimeria oocysts. In addition, isolated Eimeria oocysts were identified at the species level following sporulation. Animals were found to be infected by Eimeria perforans, Eimeria exigua and Eimeria magna and shed Eimeria oocysts after weaning and after parturition. In particular, at 33 d of age all female rabbits examined were negative, while the discharge of Eimeria oocysts started at 39th day of age and peaked between 46th and 53rd day of age. From 81-109 d of age until the first parturition and from 25 d of age of the litters born at the first parturition to the second parturition, all animals resulted negative. After parturition, Eimeria oocyst output occurred from 6th to 12th day after the first parturition and from 7th to 13th day after the second parturition, while a second period of oocyst excretion was observed from 18th to 24th day after both parturitions. These findings may indicate the existence of a relationship between the periparturient phase and Eimeria oocyst output and suggest an important role of the mothers in transmission of the infection to their litters.The authors thank the Italian Ministry of University (MIUR) for financing this studyPapeschi, C.; Fichi, G.; Perrucci, S. (2013). Oocyst excretion pattern of three intestinal Eimeria species in female rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 21(2):77-83. doi:10.4995/wrs.2013.1235.SWORD778321