D. Piergili Fioretti

Epidemiological survey on equine cryptosporidium and giardia infections in Italy and molecular characterization of isolates.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are two of the most common enteric pathogens of domestic and wild animals and humans. However, little is known on the prevalence, clinical manifestations and economic and zoonotic significance of these infections in horses. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence, excretion patterns and risk factors related to the faecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in horses and the zoonotic potential of species/genotypes isolated. The survey was performed on 120 foals and 30 broodmares reared in five Italian farms. Foals were divided in four homogeneous groups of 30 animals each (age classes: 0–2, 2–4, 4–8, >8 weeks). Three sequential faecal samples were collected from each animal and analysed by three techniques: direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), faecal flotation (FF) and stained faecal smears (SFS). The DFA results showed a prevalence of 8% for Cryptosporidium and of 13.33% for Giardia; the prevalence values obtained by FF and SFS were lower and in poor agreement with DFA results. Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections were more common in foals (23.33% and 26.66% respectively) and higher excretions were observed in the youngest foals. Distribution of Cryptosporidium prevalence was statistically related to farms (P < 0.01), age of animals (P < 0.01), but was unrelated to the presence of diarrhoea. In the case of Giardia, the prevalence was only related to age (P < 0.01). Pattern sheddings were related to intestinal diseases and horse age (P < 0.01). Risk factors for shedding included residence farms and age older than 8 weeks for both parasites. All DFA‐positive faecal samples were submitted to DNA extraction and PCR to determine Giardia and Cryptosporidium species/genotypes. Sequence analysis of the COWP gene of Cryptosporidium and of the SSU‐rRNA gene of Giardia revealed that they were identical to each other and identified Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis assemblage E. The potential role of infected horses in zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium was supported by the findings of this study.

Occurrence of Giardia duodenalis infection in chinchillas (Chincilla lanigera) from Italian breeding facilities.

The present work investigated the occurrence of Giardia infection in Chinchilla lanigera reared in three Italian breeding facilities and determined their role as potential zoonotic reservoir. One hundred and four fecal samples were tested for the presence of Giardia spp. cysts using a Direct Fluorescent Assay (DFA). A high positivity rate (39.4%) was found despite all animals were asymptomatic at the time of sampling. Thirty-one positive samples were genetically characterized by sequence analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the Giardia ribosomal DNA. Assemblages B (29 isolates) and C (two isolates) were identified. These results showed that Giardia infection can be common in chinchillas, thus spurring further molecular epizootiological studies of the infection to assess the zoonotic potential or host specificity of their isolates, to determine the source of infections, to identify the routes of transmission, and to control the infection among animal populations.

Prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in fallow deer (Dama dama) and feeding ticks from an Italy preserve

Up to date, information concerning the Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in fallow deer is scant, therefore, to verify its prevalence in these ungulates serological and PCR screenings were performed on blood of 72 fallow deer hunted in a Central-Northern Italian preserve. Molecular analyses were also performed on 90 ticks removed from the animals. A. phagocytophilum infection in fallow deer was confirmed in 20 out 72 by IFA assay and in 11 out 72 by PCR. The sequence obtained revealed a complete genetic homology among the blood samples and strong degrees of homology with other European isolates. Considering the 90 ticks collected we found that 7.3% of Ixodes ricinus harboured A. phagocytophilum specific DNA. The data obtained confirmed that fallow deer can be a competent host for A. phagocytophilum and, therefore, that may represent a biological reservoir playing an important role in the epidemiological scenarios of the infection, in the geographical areas where is widespread.

Neospora spp. infection associated with equine abortion and/or stillbirth rate.

Neospora spp. infection associated with equine abortion and/or stillbirth rate F. Veronesi & M. Diaferia & M. T. Mandara & M. L. Marenzoni & F. Cittadini & D. Piergili Fioretti Published online: 12 August 2008 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2008

Anoplocephala perfoliata infestation and colics in horses

Anoplocephala perfoliata infestation and colics in horses F. Veronesi & M. Diaferia & D. Piergili Fioretti Published online: 2 July 2009 # Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009

Pathological changes caused by Anoplocephala perfoliata in the equine ileocecal junction

Gastrointestinal motility disorders represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in horses. Previously regarded as a non-pathogenic tapeworm, Anoplocephala perfoliata has been recently associated with equine colic. In this study, pathological changes related to A. perfoliata at the ileocecal junction were investigated in 31 slaughtered horses. Our results showed a significant relationship between parasitic burden and grading of histopathological lesions in both the mucosa and submucosa. Moreover, in infested horses, hypertrophy of the circular muscle layer was determined. Finally, an enteric nervous system (ENS) evaluation showed injury to intestinal nervous elements in horses with moderate to high parasitism. In summary, our results on the ENS support a correlation between colic and A. perfoliata infestion in the horse.

Comparison of Serum and Meat Juice for Detection of Anti- Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Hunted Wild Boars ( Sus scrofa )

Samples of serum and diaphragm meat juice obtained from wild boars were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by means of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The results were compared to evaluate the concordance between the two matrices. A total of 160 blood and muscle juice samples were tested. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 28 (17.5 %) blood samples and in 22 meat juice samples (13.75 %). The results showed an “almost perfect” concordance between serum and meat juice analyses (K value = 0.86). These preliminary data show that diaphragm meat juice could be an alternative to serum when using IFAT for T. gondii monitoring purposes in wild boars.