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Aim of the work. Due to the lack of data about donkey parasites, the aim of this work was to aquire direct informations about parasites of donkey, in order to highlight peculiar epidemiological patterns and possible differences with the horse. In addition, the availability of a large group of untreated equids made it possible to highlight parasitological features seldom investigated in horses. Materials and methods. The research was performed in the organic donkey farm Montebaducco, in Salvarano di Quattro Castella (Reggio Emilia) which, housing a population of about 600 individuals, is the largest in Europe. It is an outdoor and closed-cycle farm, where the animals have never underwent antihelminthic treatments. The factory main activity is the milk production. In July 2009, 72 faecal samples from microchip-identified donkeys were collected and data about animals were obtained. Each specimen was examined using quali-quantitative coprological analysis and individual coprocoltures were performed to obtain the strongyle eggs development up to the third larval stage (L3). The percentage of L3s belonging to different genera or species was used to estimate the number of eggs belonging to the different genera or species identified after coproculture. The relationship between parasitological results and sex (male and female), age (0-6 months, 6-24 months, 2-5 years, 5-10 years, more than 10 years), breeding category (foals with mare, mare with foals, pregnant mares, lactating mares, others), stable (five different farm areas) has been analyzed using the Pearson’s 2 and the Kruskal-Wallis test for prevalence and quantitative data respectively, while the Spearman's rank correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between quantitative variables. Significance was set at p

Introduzione. L’antica disputa sui parassiti del suino è ancora aperta (Poglayen et al,2006 - ISTISAN). Essi persistono a tutt’oggi negli ambienti di allevamento industriale a dispetto della diffusione di metodologie zootecniche sempre più “spinte” e dell’impiego massivo di antiparassitari a spettro sempre più ampio, continuando a gravare anche se con modalità differenti rispetto al passato, sull’economia aziendale, sulla salute ed il benessere degli animali. Gli approcci gestionali al problema, che hanno caratterizzato l’allevamento suino negli ultimi decenni, hanno visto il più delle volte applicare protocolli chemioprofilattici standardizzati, troppo spesso disgiunti dalle realtà epidemiologiche delle singole aziende e contraddistinti dall’impiego irrazionale delle molecole. E’ pertanto emersa la necessità di un’indagine epidemiologica approfondita e di un approccio al problema più moderno e razionale basato sulla individuazione dei fattori di rischio per i parassiti gastrointestinali e sull’effettiva efficacia dei trattamenti. Questa necessità si è rivelata ancor più urgente dalle scarse e poco aggiornate informazioni sulle condizioni zootecniche e sanitarie degli allevamenti suini. E’ stata scelta l’Emilia Romagna in quanto tipica rappresentante di una regione ad alta concentrazione suinicola. Metodi. Nell’arco del 2007 è stato condotto nella regione uno studio trasversale utilizzando un campione randomizzato di 54 aziende di tipo industriale. In ciascuna azienda è stato effettuato un campionamento di tipo stratificato, prelevando 75 campioni fecali individuali fra tutte le categorie presenti, da sottoporre ad esame copromicroscopico qualitativo. Per ciascuna delle strutture è stata compilata, con la collaborazione degli allevatori, una scheda di raccolta dati riportante informazioni sulla tipologia di allevamento e sulle modalità di gestione. I dati sono stati sottoposti, previa indagine statistica esplorativa, all’analisi multivariata con la costruzione di un modello di regressione logistica al fine di individuare fattori protettivi e di rischio. Risultati. I fattori gestionali principalmente legati alla presenza di parassiti sono connessi alle caratteristiche strutturali delle aziende, alle modalità di pulizia e ai trattamenti antiparassitari; questi ultimi, contrariamente alla convinzione più diffusa, sono associati, a parità degli altri fattori, a prevalenze parassitarie più elevate. Conclusioni. Per il controllo dei parassiti nell’allevamento intensivo suino è necessaria la messa in atto di adeguate misure igieniche e manageriali. L’uso tradizionale a scopo profilattico di trattamenti antiparassitari in quanto tali, non è consigliabile essendo legato paradossalmente alle situazioni igieniche più critiche. L’analisi multifattoriale di realtà complesse risulta essere indispensabile per far emergere pattern epidemiologici fondati e fornire indicazioni sanitarie concrete. Cofinanziamento PRIN 2005

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.

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) due to Echinococcus granulosus is still the main parasitic zoonoses, typical of the Mediterranean basin (Eckert et al, 2001). recent updating of the italian situation (Garippa, 2006) shows different prevalence level that led to divide the territory in sporadic (north) endemic (center) and hyperendemic (south and islands). With the aim to have more epidemiological information on sporadic and endemic areas this paper reports the results of passive monitoring of CE arising from the analysis of the slaughter data of a small abattoir in Tuscany. For the better definition of the circulating strains, the collection of some specimens in order to perform biomolecular analysis completed the work. The results highlight the CE diffusion with high prevalence levels everywere sheep are bred, independently of the socioeconomic developementof the area and the number of sheep raised. G1 and G3 strains were identified.

Recent updating of Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) due to Echinococcus granulosus in Italy shows different prevalence levels with sporadic (north) endemic (center) and hyper endemic (south and islands) areas. The analysis of 2004–2006) passive monitoring of CE from slaughter data allowed to check 1271 stocks of adult sheep (464 farms), 1209 of national origin and 62 from abroad. The total number of inspected sheep was 16.999, 88% of national origin. Specimens of germinal layer from six farms were collected, DNA of 11 viable cysts was extracted and PCR applied for the strain typing. Results were confirmed by sequencing COI and NADH mithocondrial genes. Data about livers and lungs were collected independently but there was a positive correlation between the number of positive livers and lungs in stocks (r =0.82, P0.1). The G1-G2-G3 Cluster was identified with nested PCR, while sequencing lead us to identify 9 samples belonging to G1 (sheep) strain and 2 to G3 (buffalo) strains. The results highlight the high prevalence of CE everywhere sheep are bred independently from the socio-economic development and the number of sheep raised

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).

An insight into the epidemiology and economic impact of gastro-intestinal nematodes in small ruminants. Milk production has been a distinguishing characteristic of sheep breeding since antiquity in Mediterranean area, including Italy, where prehistoric findings confirm this particular husbandry activity. In Homer's Odissey, the description of Polifemo's sheep flock organization is remarkably similar to current production systems. The ancient roots of this tradition have grown into an important economic reality, with excellent levels of milk production and approximately 65 typical cheeses. It is interesting to note that the Italian word "pecora" (sheep) is believed to have originated from the Latin "pecunia" (money). Although heavy production losses are due to parasitic infections, only 250 papers have been published in the last 50 years in Italy on sheep parasites. Differences in climate, environmental factors and production techniques may influence infection prevalence, load and pathogenesis. For this reason, prevention must be aimed at the particular epidemiological situation and not simply adapted from current schemes used abroad. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the epidemiology of ovine gastro-intestinal nematodes in Italy and to evaluate the economic importance of their control.

Introduction: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread zoonosis of veterinary and medical importance still constituting a sanitary, economic and socio-cultural problem in Italy. Methodology: The aim of this study was to update epidemiological data on cattle CE in Italy. Data on CE positivity of 5,336 cattle were acquired from abattoir registers between January 2009 and July 2010. Morphobiological characterization of hydatids was performed by direct examination of liver and lungs of 1,664 animals butchered in the same slaughterhouses in 2010. Strain typing of parasites was carried out through the amplification and sequencing of nd1 and cox1 mitochondrial genes. Results: Overall CE prevalence was of 8.1% (430/5,336). Parasitological examination of hydatids showed an overall prevalence of 8.6% with a fertility rate of 0.7% (12/1,664). Regarding localization, hydatids were found in 8% of the livers and in 7.6% of the lungs, respectively. Among positive animals, higher prevalence was observed in the liver (93%) compared to lungs (88.1%) (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The economic loss due to organs condemnation related to CE in cattle amounted to almost € 24,000 per year in the examined abattoir during 2010. Sequence analysis showed the presence of G1 (sheep strain) or Echinococcus granulosus sensu strictu in all examined samples. The G1 confirmed, once more, its possible development into several intermediate hosts such as cattle, especially in areas like southern Italy and Sardinia where the lifecycle of the parasite is still to date carried on by sheep and dogs.

Background Nematode parasites of the genus Trichinella are important foodborne pathogens transmitted by ingestion of striated muscles harbouring infective larvae. Wild carnivorous and omnivorous animals are the most important reservoirs of these parasites. Hunting activities play an important role in Trichinella spp. epidemiology. The aim of the present work was to assess if serological detection of anti-Trichinella IgG in hunting dogs can be a tool to indirectly monitor Trichinella spp. infections in wildlife. Methods An ELISA and a Western blot (Wb) were developed and validated. To validate the assays, serum samples were collected from 598 dogs considered to be Trichinella-free, 15 naturally infected dogs, and six experimentally infected foxes. Sera were tested by ELISA with Trichinella spiralis excretory/secretory antigens. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 100 % (95 % CI: 83.89–100 %) and 95.65 % (95 % CI: 93.69–97.14 %), respectively. Sera from Trichinella-infected dogs/foxes tested by Wb showed a three-band pattern ranging from 48 to 72 kDa. Since the prevalence of Toxocara canis is very high in dogs, the specificity of the ELISA and Wb was further assessed by testing sera for anti-T. canis IgG using T. canis excretory/secretory antigens. No cross-reactivity was observed. To evaluate the test’s reliability in the field, serum samples were collected from wild boar hunting dogs from Central Italy where Trichinella britovi was circulating among wildlife. Results Out of 384 hunting dog sera, 189 (49.2 %) tested positive by ELISA and of these, 56 (29.6 %) tested positive by Wb, showing an overall prevalence of 14.6 % (56/384) in the wild boar hunting dog population of the investigated area. The serological prevalence in hunting dogs was significantly (P

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 (