A. Frangipane di Regalbono

Prevalence of Giardia spp. in dogs and humans in northern and central Italy.

Despite the public health importance and the possible zoonotic role of Giardia, epidemiological survey on the prevalence of giardiosis in Italy are lacking and fragmentary, compared to other countries. A cross-sectional coprological study on giardiosis was carried out in central and northern Italy in dogs and humans with the aim to providing data about prevalence and potential risk factors. A total of 616 dogs (436 from central and 180 from northern Italy) and 300 humans (central Italy) were examined. The overall prevalence was 21.3% in dogs and 2% in humans. No differences were noted between dog’s prevalence in central and northern Italy (22.2% and 19.4% respectively). The major risk factors for giardiosis in dogs were represented by density of dogs and age, i.e. dogs kept in kennel (PR=2.13, APe=53%) and younger than 1 year (PR=1.99, APe=50%) showed higher prevalence than others. Higher prevalence was noted also in dogs with gastrointestinal symptoms (PR=1.86%, APe=46%). Looking forward to obtain information on these Giardia genotypes, all the measures for the prevention of giardiosis, screening of dogs for giardiosis, particularly puppies, even those with no symptoms, and their treatment to prevent eventual human infection is highly recommended.

Parasitological Survey on Stray Cat Colonies from the Veneto Region

Natale, A., Frangipane di Regalbono, A., Zanellato, G., Cavalletto, M., Danesi, P., Capelli, G. and Pietrobelli, M., 2007. Parasitological survey on stray cat colonies from the Veneto Region. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 241–244

Comparative field study to evaluate the performance of three different traps for collecting sand flies in northeastern Italy

ABSTRACT: Three standard methods for collecting sand flies (sticky trap, CDC light trap, and CO2 trap) were compared in a field study conducted from June to October, 2012, at a site located in the center of a newly established autochthonous focus of canine leishmaniasis in northeastern Italy. Six traps (two sticky traps, two CDC light traps, and two CO2 traps) were activated at the same time for a single night every two weeks during the season of sand fly activity. A total of 5,667 sand flies were collected and 2,213 identified, of which 82.1% were Phlebotomus perniciosus, 17.4% P. neglectus, 0.3% Sergentomya minuta, and 0.2% P. mascitti. The performances of all traps were influenced by their position inside the site, increasing with proximity to the animal shelters. CO2 traps were more attractive for females of P. perniciosus and P. neglectus. CDC light traps showed an intermediate efficiency and were more attractive for P. neglectus, compared to other two traps. Results suggest that in northern Italy the CO2 trap is a suitable sampling method for sand fly monitoring programs that include transmitted pathogen surveillance.

Laboratory evidence on vector competence of the invasive mosquito Aedes koreicus [Hulecoeteomyia koreica] for Dirofilaria immitis

Aedes (Finlaya) koreicus is an exotic invasive mosquito detected for the first time in Italy in 2011. Little information on its vector competence for Dirofilaria immitis are available. The area where this species is now established (Veneto Region, north-eastern Italy) is endemic for dirofilariosis. In this study, Ae. koreicus specimens were experimentally infected with D. immitis to evaluate the development of filarial larval stages in different body districts. Aedes koreicus were reared under laboratory standard condition (temperature: 25 ± 1°C; relative humidity: 65 ± 5%; light-dark: 16-8 h). A test group (T) (n = 54 mosquitoes) and a control group (C) (n = 29 mosquitoes) were fed by an artificial feeding system (Hemotek™) using uninfected (in C) and naturally infected (in T) dog blood (3000 microfilariae/ml). Mosquitoes naturally dead and specimens killed at 1, 13, 16, 22 and 28 days post infection (dpi) were dissected; head, thorax and abdomen were examined separately. Five specimens (3 from T and 2 from C) were selected for histology. In addition, molecular confirmation by real time PCR for Dirofilariae were performed. Each larval stage was documented by pictures and videos. The experiment lasted 28 days. A total of 46 mosquitoes fed in T (85%) and 24 mosquitoes in C (83%) groups. In T, 11 mosquitoes were killed and 32 were recovered dead. The mosquito mortality rate in T was 52% during the first nine days, significantly higher compared to C (8%) (p < 0.01). In total, 31 mosquitoes (67%) were infected. The average of microfilariae, L1 (sausage stage) and L3 was 14.67, 8.56 and 3.15, respectively. Second stage larvae were observed only once (8 specimens on 13 dpi). First stage larvae were first observed on 3 dpi whereas L3 on 8 dpi. The latter were found in salivary glands and proboscis starting on 16 till 28 dpi. Aedes koreicus seems to be a suitable intermediate host for D. immitis. Despite the low initial number of microfilariae, the infective L3 stage was observed in all body districts including the proboscis. An high mosquito mortality occurred during the first days, nevertheless one third of them survived and became infective. This results show that Ae. koreicus may be involved in the natural cycle of D. immitis, increasing the risk of exposure for dogs and humans.

New insights into the epidemiology of bovine piroplasmoses in Italy

Few studies have been published on bovine piroplasmoses in Italy, and therefore a clear picture of the epidemiology of these infections is difficult to obtain. Vertebrate and invertebrate hosts in Central and Northern Regions of Italy were investigated in 2005 and 2006, when microscopy, molecular tools and serological tests were applied to 468 blood samples drawn from cattle in order to evaluate the presence of these protozoa and identify possible risk factors. Ticks were also collected, identified and analyzed by molecular techniques. Microscopy identified 6.5% of the animals as positive, whereas PCR detected piroplasm DNA in 21.6%. BLAST analysis showed 67 amplicons (17.0%) referable to the Theileria sergenti/buffeli/orientalis group, 17 (4.3%) to Theileria annae, and 1 to Babesia divergens. Serology evidenced a prevalence of 45.4% for Babesia bovis, 17.4% for Babesia bigemina, and 34.9% for B. divergens. The 127 collected ticks were identified as belonging to 5 species, mostly represented by Rhipicephalus bursa, Hyalomma marginatum and Ixodes ricinus. Molecular analyses evidenced the presence of B. bovis and B. bigemina, in 3 and 5 ticks, respectively. Our findings suggest that different species of piroplasms are circulating in bovine populations in Central and Northern Italy, and provide new insights into the complex epidemiology of bovine piroplasmoses in Italy.