Search

Investigations were carried out to update data on epidemiology and molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in livestock in Italy, in the framework of a national research project during the years 2003-2006. Animals (sheep 2398; cattle 49,485; buffalos 722; pigs 484; horses 294) were sampled in various regions, namely Lombardy (sheep and cattle), Emilia-Romagna (cattle), Campania (buffalos), Abruzzo (sheep and cattle), Sicily and Sardinia (sheep, cattle, pigs, horses). Liver, lung and spleen of slaughtered animals were examined between January 2003 and December 2006 and the number and fertility of hydatid cysts were evaluated. Protoscoleces and/or germinal layers were collected from individual cysts and DNA was extracted from some samples. PCR methods were used for the identification of the main strain clusters for each sample (G1; G5; G6/G7). Fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and NADH dehydrogenase I were sequenced. Fertility and strain typing were not performed on Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna samples for technical reasons. The range of regional prevalences, the strains of E. granulosus identified were the following: sheep 0.3 % - 75.3%, G1; cattle 0.1 % - 67.1%, G1 and G3; buffalos 10%; G1 and G3; pigs 0% - 9.4%, G1 and G7; horses 0% - 2.8%, G4. The results of the surveys confirm the historical trend of cystic echinococcosis in southern and insular Italy. Highest prevalences in sheep and cattle were recorded in Sardinia and Sicily, respectively. G1 strain results highly spread in sheep and also affects sympatrically cattle, buffalo and pigs. Variants of the sheep strain cluster like G3 were also recorded in buffalo and cattle. The presence of G4 and G7, which were isolated in horses and pigs from Sardinia, respectively, should be pointed out. In February 2007, G4 strain has been identified also in a horse from Tuscany, a region of Central Italy (reported in this Congress).

In Italy, compulsory notification of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) to the Italian Ministry of Health was discontinued in 1991, and under the current legislation, the Ministry requires only a summary of the regional cases. Therefore, data of CE no longer reach the Central Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), making the assessment of human CE occurrence even more difficult. It should be noted that, according to the European Directive 2003/99/CE, the Italian regulations (Legislative Decree 4 April 2006, No. 191) officially included CE among zoonoses under surveillance. Thus, it is up to the individual physician’s goodwill to notify individual cases to the Local Health Unit, which in turn will fill out an electronic record to be transmitted to the Health Regional Council, which in turn will transmit the data to the Italian Ministry of Health. Unsurprisingly, with regard to Italy, the ECDC-EFSA Community Summary Reports (2003-2008) on trends and sources of zoonoses indicate that only 1 case (imported) of CE was reported in 2003 and that no surveillance system exists. This contrasts with hundreds of cases per year reported in single Italian Regions, when research was done using different methods and information, e.g. Hospital Discharge Records (HDRs). Diagnosis of human CE relies on modern imaging techniques, with ultrasound (US) being the most frequently used, complemented by serology. The widespread use of US has shown that the cysts go through different stages of involution, either spontaneously or as a result of non-surgical therapies (medical treatment with benzimidazoles and percutaneous treatments) The use of US has spawned several sonographic classifications over the years. Recently, the WHO Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis issued a standard ultrasound classification of echinococcal cysts based on their ultrasound appearance. In this classification, cysts are grouped as active, transitional and inactive, and determining the cyst stage has important consequences for clinical management and prognosis. No case of acute CE has ever been reported, so incidence is generally related to the first diagnosis of the disease, irrespective of cyst stage. Reports based on surgery-based surveys are known to greatly underestimate rates of infection. Several papers published in the last years evaluated a mean incidence of 1.3 cases/100,000 inhabitants in Italy. CE is most prevalent in the southern regions and in the islands of Sardinia (4-8 cases/100,000 inhabitants) and Sicily (Pozio E, 2008, Parassitologia 50: 17-24; Garippa G & Manfredi MT, 2009, Vet Res Commun 33, Suppl 1: 35-39). Some studies performed in some regions analyzed the HDRs in order to estimate the occurrence of CE. In Emilia-Romagna, the mean yearly incidence (1997-2002) in Italian citizens residing in the region was 1.07/100,000 inhabitants; the average incidence of persons born in Italy was 0.97/100,000. The existence of an area in the Apennines between the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Modena with a significantly higher risk and incidence (7.1/100,000) similar to that encountered in areas considered endemic, was demonstrated (Battelli G et al, 2004, Parassitologia 46: 415-416). In Lombardy, in 2004, there were 156 admissions for CE; of the patients, 72% resided in the region (Brunetti E et al, 2006, Parassitologia 48: 220). In Tuscany, the mean yearly incidence (1995-2001) in citizens residing in the region was 1.61/100,000 (Montinaro L et al, 2004, G Ital Med Lav Erg 26: 202-207). In Apulia, the period prevalence of hepatic CE during the years 1996-2000 was 6.4/100,000 (Punzo C et al, 2002, Ann Ital Chir 73: 605-609). In Sardinia, the mean yearly incidence (2001-2005) in citizens residing in the region was 6.6/100,000, rising to 10.6/100,000 in the Nuoro province (Conchedda M et al, 2008, Parassitologia 50, Suppl 1: 40). True occurrence of human CE is probably best assessed by ultrasound mass surveys, an increasingly popular method in highly endemic...

Monografia che compendia la situazione epidemiologica italiana delle malattie sostenute da Dirofilaria spp. nel cane. ogni autore ha riferito le proprie esperienze regionali permettendo così la creazione di un quadro estremamente aggiornato della distribuzione di questi importanti agenti di malattia.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important public health and economic problem in many areas of the world, e.g. in the Mediterranean Region. In Italy, the lack of official data and poor level of reporting, both in animals and humans, do not allow to have a appropriate picture on its occurrence and socio-economic impact. At the moment, the most reliable epidemiological information is based on research data. Aim. The aim of this paper is to give a brief updating of the occurrence of animal CE in Italy. Methods. The epidemiological situation of animal CE in Italy is presented, mainly reviewing recent surveys and studies carried out on MIUR National Projects, PHD research or other research plans. Results. Until now, in Italy, the following agents of CE have been identified: Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotypes G1, G2, G3), E. equinus (G4), E. ortleppi (G5), and pig strain (G7). CE has been reported in farmed animals, dogs, wildlife (mainly wolves and wild-boars), and in humans. E. multilocularis (alveolar echinococcosis) has been reported in foxes. It is not present in other animals (althought some wrong reports were notified in recent years) or in humans. Recent reported CE prevalences (ranges or mean) are the following: Northern Italy: sheep 0.1- 0.5 % (in some areas, adult sheep 25-45%); cattle 0.02-0.7% (1.4 % in a limited area in Emilia-Romagna region); horses 0.3 %; pigs

The metazoan parasite assemblage of the head of 30 specimens of the Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) from the western Mediterranean Sea was analysed. Eight species of parasites were found, four mazocraeid monogeneans: Grubea cochlear (prevalence = 10%), Kuhnia scombercolias (59%), K. scombri (52%), Pseudokuhnia minor (86%); three didymozoid trematodes: Nematobothrium cf. faciale (21%), N. filiforme (41%), N. scombri (7%); and one laerneopodid copepod: Clavelissa scombri (7%). Results were compared with previously published data from 14 localities of the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, using non-parametric univariate and multivariate analyses, and the whole parasite fauna of S. colias was compared with that of the congeners (S. australasicus, S. japonicus and S. scombrus). Parasites showed to reflect the biogeographical and phylogenetic history of host. From a methodological point of view, the use of both non-parametric univariate and multivariate techniques proved to be effective tools to detect dissimilarities between parasite assemblages.

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) due to Echinococcus granulosus is still the main parasitic zoonoses, typical of the Mediterranean basin. Old and recent updating of the Italian situation shows different prevalence levels that led to divide the territory in sporadic (north) endemic (center) and hyper endemic (south and islands From a sociological, but also operative, point of view the key of lecture of our results highlights the CE diffusion with high prevalence levels everywhere sheep are bred independently of the socio-economic development of the area and the number of sheep raised. Indeed lung prevalences calculated for different areas ranged from 27,2 % (abroad) to almost 40 % in center and Sardinia but this difference disappears as national areas only were considered.

Liver and lungs from 7,500 horses, slaughtered in the province of Reggio Emilia (Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy) during the period from March 2006 to February 2007, were examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection or cystic echinococcosis (CE). DNA was extracted from germinal layer and protoscoleces of a fertile cyst and PCR reactions were performed in order to strain typing DNA isolates for NADH and COI mitochondrial genes. PCR products were then purified and sequenced in forward and reverse. Liver cysts were found in two horses. A horse presented two fertile cysts and hydatid material obtained from one cyst (10 cm) was identified as G4 strain of E.granulosus for ND1 and CO1 partial genes. The animal, a 10-year-old female, came from the province of Grosseto (Tuscany Region, Central Italy) and was permanently maintained on pasture together with sheep, cattle and other horses. This is the first molecular identification of the E.granulosus horse strain or G4 in Continental Italy.

Echinococcus granulosus (Eg) shows a great intraspecific variation.. This variability led to the identification of 10 different genotypes and genetic variants of the parasite (G1–G10). In horses, cystic echinococcosis (CE) has a quite low diffusion and seems to be strictly correlated to species-specific infection with horse own subspecific variant of Eg, named, after biomolecular characterization, G4 or horse strain. In Italy, this strain was identified by molecular tools for the first time in 2006 in Sardinia. Aim of the present paper is to report the first identification of G4 strain in Continental Italy. Liver and lungs from 7,500 horses, slaughtered in the province of Reggio Emilia (Emilia-Romagna Region, Northern Italy) during the period from March 2006 to February 2007, were examined for CE. DNA was extracted from germinal layer and protoscoleces of a fertile cyst and PCR reactions were performed in order to strain typing DNA isolates. PCR products were then purified and sequenced in forward and reverse. Liver cysts were found in two horses. A horse harboured one calcified cyst; the other presented two fertile cysts and hydatid material obtained from one cyst (10 cm) was identified as G4 strain of Eg for ND1 and CO1 partial genes. The animal, a 10-year-old female, came from the province of Grosseto (Tuscany Region, Central Italy) and was permanently maintained on pasture together with sheep, cattle and other horses. This is the first molecular identification of the Eg horse strain or G4 in Continental Italy.

Blood-feeding polyopisthocotylean monogeneans are one of the most important group among the emerging parasites of cultured marine fish. The pathogenic effect of these parasites may be increased by adverse environmental conditions or poor zootechnical management, favouring infections and epizootics. The meagre Argyrosomus regius is a species with an increasing importance in Mediterranean aquaculture, because of its great potential for the diversification of productions. In May 2007, two groups of meagre were put together in one offshore floating cage sited in northeastern Sardinia (western Mediterranean Sea). In September 2007 the fish showed non-specific disease signs, such as lethargy, emaciation, gill anaemia and mortality. From September 2007 to January 2008, 65 specimens of meagre of both groups were sampled for parasitological and microbiological analyses. Only one single species of parasite, the microcotylid monogenean Sciaenacotyle panceri, was found on the gills. No other protozoan or metazoan parasites were found and no bacteria or viruses were isolated. The infection peaked suddenly in both groups in September and part of October 2007, with all hosts infected by several hundred of worms. In the following months prevalence remained high (60-70%) while the intensity of infection decreased noticeably to few units. After the outbreak, a total mortality rate of 5-10% was estimated for the older fish group, while no noteworthy mortality was recorded in the other fish. At histology, the parasites were observed grasping the gill lamellae with an evident traumatic effect on the tissue up to amputation of lamellae. In some cases the total “stripping” of the gill filament was observed. The presence of Sciaenacotyle panceri on Argyrosomus regius has been rarely reported. Previously it was reported only from a single specimen of this fish species in the Gulf of Tunis, while all the other reports were referred to the shi drum Umbrina cirrosa in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. This is the first account of Sciaenacotyle panceri on the gills of cultured meagre as causative agent of disease and mortality. The presence of this parasite points out the need for improving the control strategies of the diseases of cultured meagre, and investigating the possible transfer of microcotylids from wild to caged fish.

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most widespread parasitosis in the Mediterranean region. Unfortunately this is also true for Sardinia for various reasons, among which is the close relationship between sheep and dogs in the farms. This work first epidemiologically analyses hydatidosis in sheep in Sardinia and then examines the most important causes of the persistence of these metacestodosis in sheep. The work looks at the factors which are responsible for the enormous quantity of illegal slaughtering and the widespread habit of abandoning the sheep carcasses in the grazing areas, as well as possible initiatives which may eliminate these practices. Such initiatives must include reducing the financial costs and bureaucracy involved when sheep are slaughtered in abattoirs, and also increasing the value of sheep meat. In conclusion new checks and controls are hoped for at a political level which will increase the financial support for the farmers and encourage the use of recombinant vaccines which have already been tested in Sardinia. These are extremely useful for effectively curbing cystic echinococcosis.

Between March 2003 and February 2007, the livers and the lungs of 2,231 horses from various Italian regions were examined for cystic echinococcosis presence at the time of slaughter. Hydatid cysts were found in six horses, namely four from Sardinia, one from Sicily, and one from Tuscany. The location, number, morphology, and fertility of the cysts found were determined. DNA was extracted from the germinal layers and protoscoleces of the fertile cysts and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed in order to strain type DNA isolates for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and 12S partial genes. The PCR products were then purified and sequenced in forward and reverse. Hydatid materials obtained from positive animals were identified as Echinococcus granulosus s.s. (old G1, sheep strain) and Echinococcus equinus (old G4, horse strain) for ND1, CO1, and 12S partial genes. This allowed us to record the presence of the E. equinus in Italy for the first time with molecular tools and also to report new data on the epidemiological situation of this parasite in Italy.

Between 2009 and 2013, the head region of 102 juveniles of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) caught in four nursery areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Balearic Sea, Ionian Sea, Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea) were analysed for parasites. Eleven parasite species were found: Capsala magronum, C. onchidiocotyle, C. paucispinosa, Nasicola klawei, Hexostoma thynni, Didymocystis sp. 2 (sensu Rodríguez-Marín et al., 2008), Didymosulcus sp. 2 (sensu Rodríguez-Marín et al. 2008), Didymosulcus wedli, Didymozoon pretiosus, Nematobothriinae gen. sp. and Wedlia sp. The prevalence of some food-borne parasites (Didymocystis sp. 2, D. pretiosus, Nematobothriinae gen. sp. and Wedlia sp.) had significant differences between localities (p ≤ 0.05). The results showed that the parasite fauna of juvenile tunas is not homogenously distributed in the Mediterranean Sea: parasite assemblages differed between hosts from the Balearic, Ionian, Ligurian, and Tyrrhenian seas, suggesting parasites as possible tags to identify the different tuna populations from the corresponding nursery areas., SI

This PhD thesis describes the metazoan gill parasites of five tuna species from the western Mediterranean Sea, and analyses their assemblages, comparing the results with existing data from the Mediterranean Sea and other seas. It is the first comparative analysis of the parasites of tunas, and the most complete data collection on the gill parasites of the Atlantic and Mediterranean tunas. The final goal of this work is to achieve information to evaluate the usefulness of the parasites of tunas as tags for studies on host biology, ecology and migrations. Between 2006 and 2011, 356 fish were sampled from seven localities of the Mediterranean Sea: 72 Auxis rochei (Algerian Sea, Gibraltar Strait); 156 Euthynnus alletteratus (Algerian Sea, Balearic Sea, Gibraltar Strait); 35 Katsuwonus pelamis (Alboran Sea, Balearic Sea); 30 Thunnus alalunga (Balearic Sea); 63 Thunnus thynnus (Levantine Sea, Sardinian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea). Overall, 39 parasite species were found, belonging to Monogenea, Trematoda and Crustacea, adding 30 new records for this area and 14 new host records; didymozoid trematodes were the dominant group. A number of parasite species was shared between hosts, showing the existence of a wide parasite metassemblage. The rich metazoan parasitofauna found in the gills of the five tuna species seems to be a promising tool to infer information on the host biology and ecology. Didymozoids are likely the most useful group, but also monogeneans can be used with some caution.

Viene descritta la tassonomia, morfologia, ciclo biologico, epidemiologia, sintomatologia e rilievi patologici, diagnosi, controllo e trattamento degli endo ed ectoparassiti degli uccelli domestici e selvatici

Viene descritta la tassonomia, morfologia, ciclo biologico, epidemiologia, sintomatologia e rilievi patologici, diagnosi, controllo e trattamento degli endo ed ectoparassiti degli animali esotici, inclusi i piccioni.

sono descritti: Tassonomia morfologia, ciclo biologico , epidemiologia, sintomatologia e rilievi patologici, diagnosi, controllo e trattamento degli endo ed ectoparassiti del suino

Viene trattato il capitolo dell'Epidemiologia delle malattie parassitarie, suddividendo la trattazione stessa nei seguenti argomenti: 1. Aumento del numero degli stadi infettanti 2. Modificazioni della recettività degli ospiti 3. Introduzione di soggetti recettivi in un ambiente infetto 4. Introduzione del parassita in un ambiente indenne 5. Conseguenze socio-economiche delle malattie parassitarie 6. Misure di frequenza (con esempi di calcolo) Gli argomenti 5. e 6. rappresentano contributi originali dell'Autore, non presenti nell'edizione inglese

Echinococcosis is cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by adult or larval stages of tapeworms belonging to the genus Echinococcus Rudolphi, 1801. Within the genus Echinococcus four species are presently recognised, namely Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis, E. oligarthrus and E. vogeli, and taxonomic revision of the genus is probably needed (Thompson RCA, McManus DC, 2002, Trends Parasitol 18: 452- 457). E. granulosus, the major species of medical and public health importance which causes cystic echinococcosis (hydatidosis), has a global distribution.