Giovanni Poglayen

The European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) as reservoir hosts of Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) lungworms

The increasing reports of Troglostrongylus brevior lungworm in domestic cats from Italy and Spain raised questions on its factual distribution and on the role wildcats play as reservoirs of these parasites. Carcasses of 21 wildcats were collected in natural parks of southern Italy (i.e., Catania, Sicily n=5 and Matera, Basilicata n=16) and biometrically and genetically identified as Felis silvestris silvestris, but two as hybrids. Troglostrongylus brevior and Eucoleus aerophilus lungworms were found in 15 (71.4%) and 7 (33.3%) individuals, respectively, being five (23.8%) co-infected by the two species. Both lungworms showed an aggregated distribution in the host population, assessed by k-index (i.e., 0.69 for T. brevior and 0.42 for E. aerophilus). Although no statistical significant difference was recorded among age, gender and geographical location of wildcats, a larger rate of infection by T. brevior was assessed in yearlings (85.7%) than adults (64.3%). This is the first epidemiological study reporting T. brevior infection in the European wildcat and discusses the potential threat this may represent for the conservation of this endangered species of felids. In addition, given the large frequency of lungworm infection herein recorded, the role of wildcats as reservoir hosts of these parasites to domestic cats is discussed.

The host-parasite relationship in canine heartworm infection in a hyperendemic area of Italy.

From November 1990 to June 1991, 2273 Dirofilaria immitis were collected from 175 stray dogs euthanized in the province of Padua. The breed, sex, age and weight of each animal were noted. The worms were counted, sexed, differentiated as adults or fifth-stage larvae and weighed, and their length was measured.The host-parasite relationship in this epidemiological situation was characterized by a high prevalence (67%) together with a low intensity (19) and abundance (13). The frequency distribution of the parasites in the population of dogs followed a negative binomial pattern (K+0.3177), showing a good, stable host-parasite relationship. The major risk of infection was in late July and August, some new infections being established in October and, maybe, in November. The majority of dogs that acquired new infections were young animals, probably because of an immune response in older dogs. However, the prevalences increased (p<0.01) in dogs from 1 to 5 years old, in shepherd and hunting dogs compared to the other breeds, and in large as opposed to small dogs.Microfilaraemia (range 1–1 883 000/ml) correlated, as a trend, with the number of adult filariae, which also correlated with the age and the weight of the dogs (p≪0.01). No significant correlations were found between the length or weight of the adult filariae and the data from dogs.

The validity of some haematological and elisa methods for the diagnosis of canine heartworm disease

Examinations for heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) were performed on 175 impounded dogs from a hyperendemic area of the Po Valley (Italy). Each blood sample was used wiht five haematological diagnostic methods (filtration, direct smear, modified Knott, clotted blood and capillary tube) and three commercial ELISA kits (PetChek, Diasystems, Uni-Tec). The results were compared with the true infection status obtained from post-mortem examination of the heart, pulmonary arteries, thoracic venae cavae and lungs. The prevalence of the infection by adult worms at necropsy was 63%. The sensitivity of the tests ranged from 60% (capillary tube) to 81% (Diasystems) and the specificity from 88% (filtration) to 98% (PetChek). The results of all the tests differed significantly (p<0.01) from those obtained at necropsy. The sensitivity of the tests was also assessed with respect to the differing numbers of worms in the hosts. A positive correlation between the worm burden and the sensitivity was observed in all the tests. It is apparent that the ELISA methods were better able to detect cases with a low number of worms than the haematological tests.

A study of antibody levels in wild ruminants vaccinated against rabies

The authors have vaccinated 22 fallow deer (Dama dama) and 10 mouflons (Ovis ammon musimon) against rabies with an inactivated vaccine: 4 fallow deer with 1 ml, 14 fallow deer and 10 mouflons with 2 ml, 4 animals were kept as controls (fallow deer). The antibody responses were checked by fluorescent foci inhibition carried out on blood samples collected during a two-year period. All the animals developed antibody titres and were still protected after 24 months.

Rabies vaccination trial in wild ruminants

Twenty fallow-deer (Dama dama) and 10 Sardinian mouflons (Ovis ammon musimon) were vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine; all animals developed high titres.

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the filarial nematode Micipsella numidica from the hare Lepus europaeus in Italy

The genus Micipsella comprises three species of filariae to date identified in lagomorphs only, whereas the other genera belonging to the subfamily Splendidofilariinae are described as parasites of birds, reptiles and mammals. In the present study seven specimens of Micipsella numidica (Seurat, 1917), collected from the hare Lepus europaeus in Italy, were characterized genetically by molecular amplification of the mitochondrial genes (12S rDNA; cox1) and the 5S rDNA gene spacer region. Phylogenetic trees inferred using available sequences from filariae and those identified in this study evidenced a close relationship between M. numidica and Splendidofilariinae of other mammals and reptiles (Rumenfilaria andersoni and Madathamugadia hiepei). The present findings, apart from adding new data about the hosts in Italy, support the taxonomic position of M. numidica and highlight the substantial biological and molecular differences existing between Splendidofilariinae and other Onchocercidae. The study also contributes to our knowledge of the molecular/genetic diagnosis of filarial parasites of veterinary and medical concern in any vertebrate or invertebrate host.

Pet Animals: Between Old and New Health Challenges

The cultural revolution in the approach to zoonoses marked by the birth of Veterinary Urban Hygiene (VUH) is already 28 years old and reaching full maturity. Its recent origin highlights the place where this cultural phenomenon originated: the Institute of Infectious Diseases, Profilaxis and Veterinary Hygene in the University of Bologna. Despite the fact that VUH is a new science, interest in the presence of animal in cities by the governors was also well documented in the past when, during pestilences, they were considered to be plague spreaders. However, from a historical point of view, the official birth of VUH is considered the WHO Expert consultation on Some Veterinary Public Health Problem Associated with Intensive Large Scale Animal Production, Animals in Urban Areas and Chemical Residues in Food of Animal Origin, held in Rome in 1977 (Bellani et al., 1978). The first step taken was the classification of urban areas (this concept, however, varies largely in different countries), and of the environments and the categories of animals they harbours. At this stage the ecological approach was considered as relevant as the holistic one. Afterwards the different zoonoses were identified according to their epidemiological patterns, i.e: zoonoses with an urban cycle (those that are able to perpetuate themselves indefinitely in the urban environment); zoonoses derived from environmental “animalisation” (the enrichment of soil or water with animal material, such as hair, skin scales, crusts, faeces, etc., thus transforming the soil or water into a cultural medium suitable for the growth of pathogens); zoonoses transferable from the rural habitat and vice versa and, finally, imported zoonoses (Mantovani, 1983). A strong network of technical support was thus established for the evolution of those problems that over recent decades were brought to the attention of Veterinary Public Health in urban areas.

Canine filariosis: General introduction

Canine filariosis is an important infection not only because of its severe pathology but also because of its cosmopolitan distribution, The available information indicates an increasing distribution in some countries, and European experience confirms this trend. The zoonotic aspects of canine dirofilariosis should also not be disregarded (Pampiglione et al., 199 1). As it is transmitted by mosquitoes, filariosis is influenced by climate and is therefore characteristic of particular geographical areas; one of these is southern Europe: Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and the former Yugoslavia. In these areas the aetiological agents are the same: Diro

Lung parasites of the genus Metastrongylus Molin, 1861 (Nematoda: Metastrongilidae) in wild boar (Sus scrofa L., 1758) in Central-Italy: An eco-epidemiological study

laria immitis, D. repens and Dipetalonema spp. The final hosts too are the same: mainly dogs, but also cats and foxes. The seasonal pattern of the infection and the appropriate control strategies are similar; mainly based on chemoprophylaxis related to the vectors’ activity. These are represented by at least 15 species (Giangaspero, 1987) in Italy alone, but their role is evolving and changing with respect to both geographical area and biotopes (Coluzzi and Trabucchi, 1968; Di Sacco et al., 1992). The situation appears to be dynamic, with new species such as Aedes albopictus being recognized as vectors (Cancrini et al., 1992). The dynamism of the infection, together with the effects of a massive use of chemoprophylactic and therapeutic measures, may affect the epidemiological pattern. Owing to the involvement of canine populations and the size of the adult parasite, the relatively simple direct or indirect diagnosis of this parasitic disease should afford an interesting model of a host/parasite relationship. It may also represent a good animal model for studies of immunity in human filariosis (Lock and Abraham, 1992). For all these reasons, canine filariosis represents an interesting example of a disease for which a multidisciplinary approach involving genuine European scientific integration is appropriate. The following seven papers were presented at a round table on Canine Filariosis during the VIth European Multicolloquium of Parasitology held in the Hague, the Netherlands, 7-l 1 September 1992.

Corrigendum to “Toltrazuril and sulphonamide treatment against naturally Isospora suis infected suckling piglets: Is there an actual profit?” [Vet. Parasitol. 164 (2009) 362–365]

The respiratory tracts of 57 wild boars (Sus scrofa L. 1758) hunted in central Italy during the 2011/2012 hunting season were examined to detect the presence of lung worms. Fifty-five out of 57 animals (96,5%) were positive. Five species of Metastrongylus were detected and their prevalence was as follows: Metastrongylus asymmetricus Noda, 1973 (91.2%), Metastrongylus confusus Jansen, 1964 and Metastrongylus salmi Gedoelst, 1923 (87.7%), Metastrongylus apri Gmelin, 1790 (80.7%), Metastrongylus pudendotectus Vostokov, 1905 (70.2%). In most cases multi-species infection was observed. The highest parasite load was found in young animals (<1 year old). The Metastrongylus genus sex ratio (M/F) had a range from 1:4.8 to 1:1.5 in favor of females. The Simpson and Shannon-Wiener indices showed a moderate uniformity in parasite community composition. The Fager index highlighted a high degree of affinity among all pairs of selected parasites. The whole parasite population showed an aggregate distribution. Our findings confirm that these parasites are widespread in the wild boar population. The establishment of outdoor domestic pig farming in the same area of the game preserve could pose the risk of infection to domestic animals. Further studies will be needed to understand the factors involved in the presence and prevalence of the intermediate host as well as the population dynamics of Metastrongylus spp.