Antonio Santaniello

Prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in partridges (Perdix perdix)

Aim:  To estimate the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in commercially reared partridges (Perdix perdix) in southern Italy.

FLOTAC: an improved method for diagnosis of lungworm infections in sheep.

The FLOTAC techniques involve the spinning of faecal samples onto the surface of counting chambers to permit enumeration of parasitic elements (eggs, larvae, oocysts and cysts) to an accuracy of one parasitic element per gram of faeces. In the present study it is demonstrated that FLOTAC provides a rapid and very sensitive method for counting of lungworm larvae of sheep. The optimum flotation solution for lungworm larvae is zinc sulphate and mercury II iodide (s.g. 1.45) although zinc sulphate (s.g. 1.20 or 1.35) on its own also gave good results. Samples preserved in 5% formalin gave the highest counts but fresh, frozen and samples in 10% formalin also gave higher counts than McMaster and simple flotation. Larval counts of 307 field samples gave up to 1.27x more positives samples than use of Baermann funnels and up to 4.18x more larvae per sample. As FLOTAC is faster than Baermannisation of samples it offers a better method of counting larvae in ruminant faecal samples.

Evaluation of the efficacy of animal‐assisted therapy based on the reality orientation therapy protocol in Alzheimer's disease patients: a pilot study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of animal‐assisted therapy (AAT) in elderly patients affected by Alzheimers disease based on the formal reality orientation therapy (ROT) protocol.

Survey of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in urban pigeons (Columba livia) in the city of Napoli, Italy

Abstract Recently, several studies have demonstrated that pigeon is an important reservoir of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of this pathogen in urban pigeons in the city of Napoli. The sampling was carried out during the period November 2005/July 2006. The city was subdivided in 56 quadrants by Geographical Information System. Each quadrant was analysed three times. From each quadrant, 3 pigeons were analysed by cloacal swabs. A total of 504 cloacal swabs was obtained. We isolated four E. coli O157:H7 strains. By multiplex PCR, all strains carried eae and stx2 genes, whereas only one strain carried the stx1 gene. 2/4 isolated strains carried hly gene which is considered a hallmark of human pathogenic strains. Our results indicate that pigeon faces are a source of E. coli O157:H7 for birds, mammals and humans.

Survey of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in different taxa and ecological guilds of migratory birds

Abstract A total of 169 faecal samples were collected from migrating birds, belonging to the Order of Passeriformes, in Campania region in order to isolate Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 39 of the 169 birds examined (23.1%). Among these 36 were identified as C. jejuni and the remaining strains were identified as Campylobacter coli. Given the high isolation rates wild birds could be considered natural reservoir of infection.

Evaluation of social relationships in elderly by animal-assisted activity

Pet therapy had its origins in the USA in the early 1960s and is based on the hypothesis that the relationship between different species may have a therapeutic effect.

Prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in common quail (Coturnix coturnix)

The study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria (i.e. Campylobacter spp., shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp.) in common quail (Coturnix coturnix). To achieve this goal, 70 common quails were collected during the hunting season in the Campania region (southern Italy). From each bird, cloacal swab samples were collected and subjected to culture methods, polymerase chain reaction and serotyping. The results of the present study showed a prevalence of 21.4% and 5.7% for Campylobacter spp. and shigatoxin-producing E. coli, respectively. In contrast, no Salmonella spp. was isolated. These findings show that common quail, as migratory birds, may constitute an environmental carrier of these pathogens representing a source of infection for other birds, livestock and humans.

Survey of thermotolerant Campylobacter in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Abstract This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Southern Italy. To achieve this goal, 60 cloacal swabs were collected. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 52 out of 60 cloacal swabs tested. As proved by PCR, 100% of the strains were identified as C. coli (52/52), and 10 out of the 52 (19.2%) positive samples were also positive to C. jejuni. The pheasant, can be considered, at least theoretically, as potential Campylobacter carriers.

Parasitic infections in dogs involved in animal-assisted interventions

Abstract Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) programmes have been considered useful in different settings, such as hospital, therapeutic, educational and assisted living environments. In these contexts, all animals, and particularly dogs, should be subjected to appropriate health controls to prevent a potential risk of transmission of zoonotic agents. Domestic dogs are reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens including several gastrointestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of the protozoan Giardia duodenalis and zoonotic gastrointestinal nematodes (geohelminths) in dogs hosted in a dog educational centre in the city of Naples (southern Italy) where the animals were trained to AAI. Between April and June 2016, 74 dog faecal samples were analysed using the FLOTAC dual technique to detect G. duodenalis cysts and other parasitic elements. Out of the 74 faecal samples examined, 18 (24.3%; 95% CI = 15.4–35.9) were positive for parasitic elements. Specifically, 8 were positive for G. duodenalis (44.4%; 95% CI = 22.4–68.7). In addition, some co-infections were also found: one sample (5.6%; 95% CI = 0.3–29.4) resulted positive to both Toxocara canis and Trichuris vulpis and two samples (11.1%; 95% CI = 1.9–36.1) were positive to both G. duodenalis and Ancylostomidae. Given that children, young adults and immunocompromised individuals are among the main users of the AAIs, specific guidelines targeting G. duodenalis and other gastrointestinal zoonotic parasites should be formulated in order to develop effective control and prevention strategies and reduce the zoonotic risk favoured by the human-dog interaction.

Prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in farmed hares (Lepus europaeus)

Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 118/240 (49.2%) rectal swabs from commercially farmed hares (Lepus europaeus) in southern Italy. Using multiplex PCR, Campylobacter coli was identified in 118/118 (100%) positive samples, while 17/118 (14.4%) positive samples were also positive for Campylobacter jejuni. Adult hares had a higher prevalence of infection with Campylobacter spp. than juvenile hares.