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Introduction: equine worm programs are based on treatments applied at regular intervals during the year, often without diagnosis. These strategies led to the development of anthelmintic resistance worldwide. To reduce this phenomenon in horses, targeted selective treatments (TST), based on individual Fecal Egg Count (FEC), have been developed, treating only animals with a threshold value>200 eggs per gram (EPG). The present study evaluates during one year two anthelmintic regimes on donkeys naturally infected by intestinal strongyles (Cyathostominae and Strongylus vulgaris) in Italy. Materials and Methods: study animals were allocated in two treatment groups (strategic–ST and selective–TST) of 20 donkeys each, moreover a control group (C-group) of 10 animals were enrolled. Individual FECs were performed monthly using a modified McMaster technique. Results: at the beginning of the study in ST, TST and C-groups the mean EPG were 1585.5, 1627.0 and 1634.4, respectively, no statistical differences were observed (p=0.9815). In August 2015, donkeys belonging to ST and TST were dewormed with fenbendazole drench (7.5 mg/kg) showing a FEC reduction of 99.4% in both groups. All the donkeys of ST group were also treated with FBZ in February and July 2016, while monthly in TST group donkeys with an individual FEC>300EPG were treated. In the ST group after the first and the second treatment the mean EPG follow a progressive increase while remained almost constant in TST group allowing to treat a reduced number of donkeys per time-slot and avoiding high level of infestation (p

The Egg Reappearance Period (ERP) is considered an early indicator of anthelmintic resistance. The aims of the present study were to determine the field efficacy and evaluate the ERP of four broad-spectrum anthelmintic drugs administered at horse dose rate in donkeys naturally infected by Cyathostominae. The trials were conducted in two farms (A and B). Forty-eight female crossbreed donkeys, 24 animals for each farm, were selected on the basis of Fecal Egg Count (FEC) > 300 eggs per gram and allocated to four treatment groups of six animals: pyrantel group (PYR), fenbendazole group (FBZ), ivermectin group (IVM), and moxidectin group (MOX). FEC was performed from the first to the 12th week after treatment. In the farm A at 2 weeks after treatment, the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) showed high efficacy for all drugs (PYR 99.3%, FBZ 99.8, and IVM/MOX 100%), and ERP rates were not shorter than those expected. In the farm B at 2 weeks after treatment, FECRT showed high efficacy for IVM/MOX (100%), suspect resistance (86.3%), and resistance (83.9%) to PYR and FBZ, respectively; only in the MOX group a shortened ERP was detected (9 weeks). No adverse reactions were observed at clinical examination. The results demonstrate that the major anthelmintic classes, administered orally at horse dose, are effective and safe for treatment of Cyathostominae in donkeys, although resistance development is possible and could be correlated to the high treatment frequency and the extra-label use of anthelmintic licensed for ruminants. Furthermore, a shortened ERP may be the early indicator of developing anthelmintic resistance in donkeys.

The populations of Alpine chamois Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra are currently not at risk of extinction, but local population declines have been observed in some areas. Competition with other herbivore species may be one of the causes for this decline. The present research aims at describing the autumnal diet and preferences of Alpine chamois living in sympatry with red deer Cervus elaphus and roe deer Capreolus capreolus in central Italian Alps and to verify the presence of spatial and diet overlap among these herbivore species. We analyzed the rumen content of 35 samples collected during the hunting season from animals culled in Val Fontana. The results were integrated by data previously collected on rumen content of red deer and roe deer and on space use of the three herbivore species in the same study area. We identified 26 species and 15 genera belonging to 21 plant families of the 51 available in the study area. Monocotyledon families were the most frequently represented in chamois diet composition ...

Intestinal strongyles are the most common endoparasites of horses, and anthelmintic treatments are the main strategy to control these nematodes. However, the development of anthelmintic resistance has led to a decreased efficacy of synthetic drugs, and for this reason, there is a growing interest in alternative control strategies as the use of medicinal plants. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vivo efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) in horses naturally infected by intestinal strongyles. The field trial was conducted in a horse trotter farm in Southern Italy. Fifteen mares were selected based on fecal egg count >200 eggs per gram and allocated into three groups of five animals: fresh garlic group (FG group), animals received 40 g of fresh crushed garlic once daily for 15 days; dry garlic group (DG group), animals received 40 g of commercial dry garlic flakes food supplement once daily for 15 days; and control group (C group), not treated. Two weeks after the first administration of garlic, fecal egg count reduction test showed failure of garlic to reduce intestinal strongyles egg shedding (−11.7% and −19.4% for FG and DG groups, respectively). Red blood cell count values were in the normal ranges over the entire period of garlic administration. In our study model, the oral administration of garlic formulations has no effect on reducing the egg shedding of intestinal strongyles, and the garlic supplementation over a short period of time is not responsible for hematological changes in horses.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen. Genetically related viruses in animals suggest a zoonotic origin of HCV. The closest relative of HCV is found in horses (termed equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). However, low EqHV genetic diversity implies relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, making a derivation of HCV from EqHV unlikely. To unravel the EqHV evolutionary history within equid sister species, we analyzed 829 donkeys and 53 mules sampled in nine European, Asian, African, and American countries by molecular and serologic tools for EqHV infection. Antibodies were found in 278 animals (31.5%), and viral RNA was found in 3 animals (0.3%), all of which were simultaneously seropositive. A low RNA prevalence in spite of high seroprevalence suggests a predominance of acute infection, a possible difference from the mostly chronic hepacivirus infection pattern seen in horses and humans. Limitation of transmission due to short courses of infection may explain the existence of entirely seronegative groups of animals. Donkey and horse EqHV strains were paraphyletic and 97.5 to 98.2% identical in their translated polyprotein sequences, making virus/host cospeciation unlikely. Evolutionary reconstructions supported host switches of EqHV between horses and donkeys without the involvement of adaptive evolution. Global admixture of donkey and horse hepaciviruses was compatible with anthropogenic alterations of EqHV ecology. In summary, our findings do not support EqHV as the origin of the significantly more diversified HCV. Identification of a host system with predominantly acute hepacivirus infection may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV. IMPORTANCE The evolutionary origins of the human hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unclear. The closest animal-associated relative of HCV occurs in horses (equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). The low EqHV genetic diversity implies a relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, limiting the time span for potential horse-to-human infections in the past. Horses are genetically related to donkeys, and EqHV may have cospeciated with these host species. Here, we investigated a large panel of donkeys from various countries using serologic and molecular tools. We found EqHV to be globally widespread in donkeys and identify potential differences in EqHV infection patterns, with donkeys potentially showing enhanced EqHV clearance compared to horses. We provide strong evidence against EqHV cospeciation and for its capability to switch hosts among equines. Differential hepacivirus infection patterns in horses and donkeys may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV.

Mebendazole (MBZ) has been licensed for use in horses and donkeys, however there are no data available in the literature regarding its pharmacokinetic disposition and efficacy in donkeys. This study was designed to determine the plasma disposition, milk excretion and anthelmintic efficacy of MBZ in donkeys naturally infected by Cyathostominae. The animals were allocated to three groups, each of six donkeys. One group was untreated control (C-group) and the others were treated using a paste formulation of MBZ administered per os at the manufacturer's recommended horse dosage of 10 mg/kg body weight (MBZ 1) and at the double horse dosage 20 mg/kg body weight (MBZ 2). Blood and milk samples were collected at various times between 1 h and 120 h post treatment and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector. Individual FECs (Faecal Egg Counts) were performed on each animal before the treatment (day-3) and weekly from day 7 until day 56 post treatment using a modified McMaster technique. The plasma concentrations and systemic exposure of MBZ in donkeys were relatively lower compared with the other methylcarbamate benzimidazoles. Dose-dependent plasma dispositions of MBZ were observed at the increased dosage (10 mg/kg vs 20 mg/kg) in donkeys. MBZ was not detected in any milk samples at a dosage of 10 mg/kg. However, the parent drug reached 0.01 μg/ml peak milk concentration at 10.66 h and AUCmilk/AUCplasma value was 0.18 ± 0.02 at a dosage of 20 mg/kg bodyweight. This study indicated that per os administration of MBZ has a minimal disposition rate into the milk and may be used in lactating donkeys with zero milk-withdrawal period. The results of FECRT for both MBZ dosages were efficient (>95% efficacy) until day 28. This trial demonstrates that MBZ oral paste at horse dosage (10 mg/kg B.W.) was effective and safety for the treatment of Cyathostominae in donkeys. Therefore, similar dosage regimens of MBZ could be used for horses and donkeys.