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Le malattie parassitarie possono rappresentare un fattore limitante in maricoltura, determinando in alcuni casi perdite di tipo diretto e, nella maggior parte dei casi, perdite indirette dovute alle ripercussioni negative sullo stato di benessere e sulle performance produttive dell’ospite. Nel presente lavoro vengono presentati i risultati delle analisi parassitologiche effettuate nel periodo gennaio 2010-settembre 2015 su spigole (Dicentrarchus labrax) ed orate (Sparus aurata) provenienti da diversi allevamenti intensivi nazionali, allo scopo di fornire un quadro generale delle specie parassitarie reperibili in queste specie ittiche nei sistemi di maricoltura nazionale. Sono stati esaminati in totale 4435 pesci, di cui 2957 spigole e 1478 orate, di diverse classi di taglia e provenienti da differenti sistemi d’allevamento qui suddivisi per macrocategorie (impianti a terra: T e impianti in gabbia: G). Tutti gli esemplari sono stati sottoposti ad esame parassitologico completo secondo metodiche di laboratorio standard. Delle 2957 spigole esaminate, 1872 (63,3%) sono risultate positive per almeno una specie parassitaria, con numerosi casi di coinfezione da più taxa parassitari. Nella tabella “Parassiti spigola” vengono riportati i valori di prevalenza osservati, suddivisi per macrocategorie di sistemi di allevamento; non sono riportati i parassiti riscontrati con percentuali di positività

IBD diagnosis, in spite of clinically suspected form, lies on upper and lower endoscopy. Nevertheless endoscopic investigation is an invasive diagnostic tool especially in pediatric age. For this reason pediatricians are looking for mini invasive diagnostic algorithm in order to avoid unnecessary endoscopy. Up to date, while fecal calprotectin is a well established and confirmed intestinal inflammatory marker, on the other hand, new perspectives are opening on serological markers helpful in suspected diagnosis of IBD

AIM. According to EFSA Scientific Opinion on Risk Assessment of Parasites in Fishery Products (2010), all wild fish should be considered at risk of containing any viable zoonotic parasites if these products are to be eaten raw or almost raw, pointing out the need to carry out epidemiological surveys on presence/diffusion of zoonotic parasites in all fishery grounds. Therefore surveys aimed at mapping the presence of zoonotic anisakids, i.e. Anisakis spp., in commercially important fish are strongly encouraged. Since most of the cases of human Anisakiasis reported till now in Italy have been referred mainly to consumption of marinated/pickled anchovies and/or sardines, a quali-quantitative parasitological survey has been carried out on these two species from different Italian fishing areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS. From October 2010 to February 2012 a total of 3808 anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) and 2636 sardines (Sardina pilchardus) caught off the Ligurian and north-western Adriatic coasts were examined for the presence of anisakid larvae (see Table 1). Fishing areas were identified by geographic coordinates. All the anisakids recovered during the survey were fixed in 70% ethanol, cleared and identified at genus level by light microscope. A representative pool of larvae was subjected to molecular identification by PCR-RFLP of ITS rRNA using restriction enzymes HinfI e HaeIII. Data on localization, viability and number of anisakid larvae were recorded. Prevalence and mean intensity MI) were calculated as suggested by Bush AO et al. (1997, J Parasitol, 83: 575-583). RESULTS. Anisakid larvae have been detected in 791 (20.8%) anchovies and 531 (20.1%) sardines. Among anisakids, Anisakis sp. larvae were detected in 111 (2.9%) anchovies and 5 (0.2%) sardines, while Hysterothylacium sp. larvae, considered nonpathogenic to humans, were found in 703 (18.5%) anchovies and 526 (20%) sardines. Striking differences in prevalence values were observed among fishing areas and fish species. Sardines showed very low infection rates by Anisakis larvae (0-0.3%) from all fishing areas, while anchovies from Ligurian sea showed Anisakis prevalence values higher than those from northern Adriatic sea (0.9-9.8 vs. 0-0.8%). Hysterothylacium larvae were found in all the batches examined, with prevalence ranging from 2.3 to 46.3%. MI of Anisakis larvae was generally around 1, except for anchovies from Imperia (2.5), and MI of Hysterothylacium between 1 and 2.9, with highest values in Adriatic fish. Larvae were always viable and located in body cavity. Molecular analyses allowed to identify all the Anisakis larvae as owing to the species A. pegreffii, except for a specimen identified as an A. pegreffii/A. simplex hybrid, and all the Hysterothylacium larvae as H. aduncum. CONCLUSIONS. The results of this survey showed a very low Anisakis risk in anchovies caught off north-western Adriatic coast and in sardines from all the fishing areas under study. However, it should be stressed that prevalence values observed in anchovies from Ligurian sea (0.9-9.8%) were strongly lower than those reported by Rello FJ et al. (2009, Int J Food Microbiol, 129: 277-281) who found Anisakis sp. larvae in 21.88% of anchovies from Ligurian sea, but examining just 64 fish “landed at La Spezia and Piombino”. Influence of fish population structuring and dynamics, host ecological/trophic attitude and hydrogeographical factors are discussed in relation to the parasitological findings.

La Piscirickettsiosi è una malattia ad eziologia ba tterica di particolare importanza nei salmonidi, do ve è sostenuta da Piscirickettsia salmonis ed è responsabile di ingenti perdite per l’elevata mortalità che è in grado di provocare. Inoltre microrganismi Ricket tsia-like (RLO, Rickettsia-Like-Organisms), geneticamente ascritti al “ Piscirickettsia salmonis group”, sono stati segnalati in letteratura come agenti patogeni in numerose altre specie ittiche tr a cui la spigola ( Dicentrarchus labrax ), seppure le descrizioni in questa specie siano piuttosto rare. Nel corso dell’inverno 2013-primavera 2014 si sono registrati alcuni episodi di mortalità in giovanili di spigola ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) di recente immissione in gabbia in tre allevament i con diversa ubicazione geografica. I pesci mostravano segni aspecifici di malattia qua li anoressia, in alcuni casi con accentuato dimagrimento e ipermelanosi. In due gruppi si osser vavano anche alterazioni del comportamento natatorio. La mortalità cumulativa presentava valor i variabili tra il 10% ed il 30%. Allo scopo di indagare la causa mortis i pesci venivano sottoposti ad esami diagnostici di routine e alcuni individui venivano fissati in toto in formalina tamponata al 10% per la conduzione de ll’esame istologico. L’esame parassitologico metteva in evidenza, in alc uni esemplari di tutti i gruppi esaminati, la presenza di ectoparassiti ciliati e monogenei a liv ello branchiale e di Sphaerospora dicentrarchi a livello di intestino e vescica biliare, sempre a ba sse intensità d’infezione. L’esame batteriologico h a permesso di isolare Vibrio sp. solo da un gruppo di spigole. All’istologia si osservava in tutti i pesci esamina ti un quadro di infezione diffusa da microrganismi “Rickettsia-like”, evidenziati come elementi basofi li coccoidi endocellulari. Gli organi maggiormente colpiti risultavano essere il cervello, come riport ato in letteratura in precedenti descrizioni nella spigola, il fegato ed il rene, ma in alcuni casi an che le branchie e l’intestino risultavano essere interessati. A livello encefalico si osservavano va ste aree di necrosi focale con intensa reazione flogistica e congestione ematica estesa anche ai va si meningei. Le cellule microgliali presentavano vacuoli citoplasmatici contenenti numerosi elementi basofili riferibili a microrganismi Rickettsia-lik e. A carico del fegato le lesioni apparivano meno grav i e si osservava infiltrato infiammatorio e necrosi focali in cui era possibile riscontrare la costante presenza di RLO. Nel rene si evidenziavano emorragie e necrosi focali del tessuto ematopoietic o con clusters di RLO. I microrganismi nei casi più gravi erano anche contenuti nei macrofagi delle lam elle branchiali e della sottomucosa intestinale. Le osservazioni istopatologiche osservate negli epi sodi qui riportati appaiono sostanzialmente sovrapponibili a quanto riportato in letteratura ne l corso di episodi analoghi nella spigola. Anche la sintomatologia nervosa da noi osservata in alcuni c asi risulta descritta da alcuni autori in corso di rickettsiosi in D. labrax d’allevamento. La descrizione, negli ultimi anni, di diversi episo di di rickettsiosi in spigole d’allevamento sembrerebbe indicare questa malattia come problemat ica sanitaria emergente nella maricoltura mediterranea. Andranno quindi condotte nel prossimo futuro ricerc he mirate alla caratterizzazione eziologia degli RLO riscontrati nella spigola, a definirne le vie d i trasmissione ed i fattori che condizionano l’emergenza clinica della malattia, nonché a metter e a punto idonei metodi diagnostici ed efficaci strategie di controllo terapeutico.

Emaciative syndrome due to the enteric microsporidian Enterospora nucleophila is an emergent disease of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) farmed in the Mediterranean. During 2015 and 2016 winters, two outbreaks of emaciative syndrome have been observed in caged gilthead sea bream from the Thyrrenian Sea. Sixty-two fish (3.5-110g) were necropsied and subjected to parasitological examination. Gastrointestinal tracts were fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histology. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on some positive samples using polyclonal antibody anti-Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Intestinal tissue was also subjected to amplification of a fragment of 18S rDNA and sequenced. At necropsy, fish showed emaciation and melanosis; gills and internal organs appeared pale and intestine was often enlarged and filled with yellowish, mucoid exudate. Microscopical examination of intestinal scrapings and wall fresh mounts showed the presence of aggregates of minute spores of microsporidia identified as E. nucleophila by molecular analysis. Histology of stomach and intestine showed in massive infections a strong mucosal sloughing off and necrosis in association to inflammatory infiltration of lymphocytes and few mast cells. In mild infections, intestinal mucosa seemed to be preserved. Microsporidian spores have been detected both in gastric and intestinal mucosa, extending to the lamina propria and the sub-mucosal layer. In advanced phases of infection, the complete destruction of epithelial layers was observed, with thinning of the muscular layer, associated to the presence of conspicuous clusters of infected cells. Spores showed intracytoplasmic or intranuclear localization in enterocytes and only intracytoplasmic localization in macrophages. E. nucleophila spores were strongly positive by IHC. This study confirms the pathogenic role of E. nucleophila in gilthead seabream farmed in the Mediterranean and points out the need of studies aimed to clarify its biology and epidemiology.

Anisakis spp. larvae (L3) are parasitic and potentially zoonotic nematodes transmitted by marine fish and cephalopods, which are the main paratenic hosts of the third larval stage. The accidental consumption of infected raw or undercooked fish may cause gastroenteric diseases and allergies in humans. The aim of the present study was to map the "Anisakis risk" in populations of anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardines (Sardina pilchardus) caught in the northern Adriatic Sea. For this purpose, periodic samples were carried out in three different fishing areas (Cesenatico, Caorle and Rimini) collecting data on geographic coordinates, distance from the coast and bathymetric depth for each sample. From November 2010 to February 2012 a total of 3287 fish were sampled and subjected to parasitological exams aimed at detect and identify Anisakidae larvae. Prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance were determined. An overall prevalence of 23.4% for Hysterothylacium sp. and of 0.2% for Anisakis sp. was detected in anchovies, while 30.2% of sardines resulted positive for Hysterothylacium sp. and 0.2% for Anisakis sp. respectively. The anisakid larvae were always found viable in the body cavity. All the isolated Anisakis larvae were identified as “type I” on the basis of morphological features. Molecular analyses allowed to identify them as A. pegreffii, with the exception of a specimen identified as a hybrid A. pegreffii/A. simplex, and to ascribe all the Hysterothylacium larvae to the species H. aduncum. The results of this survey showed very low values of prevalence and mean intensity of Anisakis larvae both in anchovies and sardines from north-western Adriatic Sea fishing grounds. Considerations on different environmental, ecological and hydrogeographical factors influencing anisakid infections in anchovies and sardines caught in different marine areas are given.

Introduction: Enteric parasites affecting farmed gilthead sea bream (GSB) have become a serious threat for Mediterranean aquaculture in the last few years; among these parasites Enteromyxum leei, Enterospora nucleophila and Cryptosporidium molnari are undoubtedly the most concerning ones. While the enteric myxozoan E. leei has been broadly studied, the available data on the occurrence of E. nucleophila and C. molnari infections are still scarce. Aim of this work was to improve the knowledge about these latter two parasites in Mediterranean aquaculture by carrying out an epidemiological survey in GSB farmed in Italy and Croatia. Methodology: 308 GSB of which 40 from an Italian hatchery, 174 from three cage farms located in Italy and 94 GSB from one cage farm located in Croatia were tested with qPCR and PCR to assess the presence of E. nucleophila and C. molnari. Histology was also performed on infected GSB. Results: All the examined farms tested positive for both parasites: 60% of the fish examined from hatchery were positive for E. nucleophila, while 22.5% resulted positive for C. molnari. Concerning caged fish, E. nucleophila was found in 63.2% of the GSB coming from Italian farms and in 45.7% of fish from Croatia. C. molnari was detected in 3.4% of Italian GSB and in 2.1% of the Croatian ones. Histological lesions were consistent with those already reported in literature for these enteric parasitic infections. Conclusion: This study showed a diffuse presence and a high prevalence of E. nucleophila in Italian and Croatian farmed GSB. Although at lower prevalence, also C. molnari showed to occur in farmed GSB, especially in hatchery and juveniles. Thus, further investigations are required to establish their epidemiology, transmission routes and pathogenic role in farmed GSB along its production cycle in order to assess and manage the risks arousing from these emerging enteric parasites.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging risk factor for incident heart failure (HF). It is currently unknown whether NAFLD predicts all-cause mortality in patients admitted for acute HF. We aimed to assess whether NAFLD and its severity (diagnosed by ultrasonography and non-invasive fibrosis biomarkers) were associated with increased all-cause mortality in this particularly high-risk patient population. Methods: We studied 264 elderly patients, who were consecutively admitted for acute HF to the hospital between years 2013 and 2015, after excluding those with acute myocardial infarction, severe valvular heart diseases, kidney failure, cancer, cirrhosis of any etiology or known chronic liver diseases. Follow-up of patients continued until November 1, 2017. Results: Over a mean follow-up of 23.2 months (range: 1 day-58 months), there were 140 (53%) total deaths. Of these, 24 deaths occurred during the first hospital admission (in-hospital death) and 116 deaths occurred after the hospital discharge during the follow-up period. Patients with NAFLD at hospital admission had significantly higher cumulative incidence rates of in-hospital and post-discharge all-cause mortality (singly or in combination) compared with those without NAFLD. This mortality risk was particularly high among patients with advanced NAFLD fibrosis. In Cox regression analysis, NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted-hazard ratio 1.82, 95% confidence intervals 1.22–2.81, p < 0.005) even after adjustment for established risk factors and potential confounding variables. Conclusions: NAFLD and its severity were independently associated with increased risk of in-hospital and post-discharge all-cause mortality in elderly patients admitted for acute HF.

In order to further understand neonatal stress and, thus, control it efficaciously, there is a need for more information on the manifestations of stress at the molecular level in the newborn, with particular regard to oxidants, and anti-oxidant and anti-stress mechanisms, including mitochondrial heat shock protein-chaperones such as Hsp60. We investigated patterns of anti-oxidants, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and Hsp60 levels in sera from newborns and found significant associations between glutathione (GSH) levels and gestational age, delivery modality, and lipid hydroperoxydes (LOOH) level. LOOH levels and spontaneous (vaginal) delivery were independently associated with increased GSH levels when these were above the median. Hsp60 and LOOH levels were positively correlated whereas Hsp60 and GSH levels were inversely correlated in spontaneously delivered newborns; in contrast, Hsp60 and GSH levels were positively correlated in newborns delivered by cesarea. Our results point to new directions in the search for definite patterns of GSH, LOOH, and Hsp60 in the newborn's serum that might have functional and diagnostic significance and that could help in the monitoring of newborn health during and after delivery. In addition, the data provide a starting basis for investigating the precise roles and interplay of GSH and Hsp60 in the maintenance of an optimal redox balance at birth to cope with the stress inherent to delivery, and also for investigating the predictive value of any given pattern of GSH, LOOH, and Hsp60 at birth with regard to health status and risk of disease in adult life.