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In the Bologna province, Emilia-Romagna region, a rapid hare population decline was noticeable from 2008: the captured hare for restocking in protected areas dropped from about 7,000 in 2007- ‘08 to 1,891 in 2014-’15. In the same period hunters (and mass-media) reported a sudden increase of hares infected by Taenia sp. larvae, whose appearance was consistent with T.pisiformis cysticerci. The aim of the survey was: i)to quantify the prevalence and abundance of cysticerci in hunted hares; ii)to identify the parasites through morphological features and molecular techniques; iii)to describe pathological aspects of parasite-induced lesions; iv)to evaluate possible genetic characters useful to assess the origin of the isolated hare parasites. In 2013, from September 15th to October 5th, the viscera of 54 hares haunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain (province of Bologna, ATC BO2) were collected. Peritoneum, liver and lungs were examined for cysticercosis; abundance was estimated counting superficial parasites in liver; parasites were microscopically identified by shape and measure of both large and small hooks. One cysticercus from each hare was analized by a PCR targeting Taeniid species (Trachsel et al, 2007, Parasitology, 134:911-920) and then sequenced. Classical histologycal techniques were used. The sex and the weight of animals were recorded by hunters; age class was assigned observing foreleg Stroh’s tubercle. Generalized linear models were used for statistical analysis. T. pisiformis was isolated in 8 hares (prevalence 14.8%; abundance range: 0-400; mean abundance 17.8). Identification was confirmed by both morphology and PCR. Infection was significantly related with female sex, adult age and low full-weight. Severe hepatitis was present in 1 infected hares only. The sequencing confirmed T.pisiformis in all samples. The sequences were all identical each-other and showed a 99% of similarity with a sequence from Japan, 97% with one from California and 94% with two from Germany and China, respectivey.

Veterinary students tend to disregard some disciplines in favour of those directly involved in the medical and clinical practice resulting in low course attendance and poor learning outcomes. To increase discipline’s attractiveness, an experiment of interdisciplinary teaching was developed at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Bologna in 2016

SUMMARY - In fish therapy it is essential to ensure optimum hygiene conditions while preserving animal welfare. The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of Doctor fish (Garra rufa) towards two disinfectant molecules, chloramine T and peracetic acid. The animals have been subjected to increasing treatments/day for the duration of one week with two different concentrations for each disinfectant. The assessment of sensitivity was done by behavioral observation and by histomorphological and morphometrical analysis on skin and gills. The subjects showed signs of stress at the end of the treatment for both molecules and concentrations tested. Histological sections have not shown any changes; it has been noted a statistically significant increase of mucous cells in animals treated with peracetic acid and a decrease of club cells in animals treated with low dose chloramine T and high dose peracetic acid. Animals showed overall good tolerability to the two disinfectant molecules tested.

Since the Seventies, a continual reduction of the European brown hare population (Lepus europaeus) has been observed in most European Countries, including Italy. In the Bologna Province, Emilia Romagna Region, after a recovery phase a sudden acceleration of the hare population decline was noticeable from 2008: the hare captured in protected areas for restocking dropped from about 7,000 in 2007-‘08 to 1,891 in 2014-’15. In 2013, from September 15th to October 5th, 53 hares haunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain (Province of Bologna, ATC BO2) were collected for parasitological analysis. All the helminthes were collected from the stomach and the intestine using standard parasitological techniques, preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol and 5% glycerin and therefore microscopically identified following clarification with 20% lactophenol. The sex of each hare and the weight of 52 of them were recordered by hunters; age class was assigned to 51 hare out of 53 by observing Stroh’s tubercle. The animals examined were 40% adults and 60% juveniles, 57% females and 43% males. Mean weight was 3.4 Kg (range: 2.1-4.5 Kg). Only one helminth species was collected, i.e. the nematode Trichostrongylus retortaeformis. Thirty-eight out of 53 hare hosted T. retortaeformis (prevalence 72%); the mean parasite abundance was 22 helminth/examined-hare. Parasite prevalence was significantly higher in adults (95%) than in juveniles (54.8%) (Fisher exact test, p

Data about the presence of Arcobacter in wild birds are currently lacking. In this study cloacal swabs from 95 collared doves (Streptopelia decaocto), submitted to the Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (Bologna, Italy) between 2011 and 2013 from various urban and suburban areas of the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy), were tested for the presence of Arcobacter sp. by a rRNA 23S nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Eighteen out of 95 (19%) samples showed the expected PCR product. Further cultural and molecular studies are needed to assess the Arcobacter prevalence in wild birds and elucidate their potential epidemiological role as source of animal and human infections.

The objective of this study was to analyse over time the evolution of E. coli O157:H7 faecal shedding in a dairy herd producing raw milk for direct human consumption. The study was performed between October 2012 and September 2013 in an average size Italian dairy farm where animals are housed inside the barn all over the year. The farm housed about 140 animals during the study – 70 cows and 70 calves and heifers. Twenty-six animals were randomly selected from both the cows and young animals group, and faecal sampling was performed rectally six times two months apart in each animal. Eleven animals were culled during the study and a total of 285 faecal samples were collected. At each faecal sampling, three trough water samples and two trough feed samples were also collected for a total of 36 water samples and 24 feed samples. Samples were analysed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and culture. Overall, 16 (5.6%) faecal samples were positive for E. coli O157 by RT-PCR. Cultural examination found 9 (3.1%) samples positive for E. coli O157; all the isolates were positive for stx1, stx 2 and eae genes. One (4.1%) feed sample was positive for E. coli O157 by RT-PCR; none of the water samples was positive for E. coli O157. The model highlighted a general significant reduction of the number of positive samples observed during the study from the first to the sixth sampling (P=0.000) and a positive relation between the presence of positive samples and average environmental temperature (P=0.003). The results of the study showed that in an Italian dairy farm housing animals all year, faecal shedding of E. coli O157 followed the same temporal trend reported for other types of farming. The enhanced faecal shedding during warmer months may have a significant impact on environmental contamination and the safety of raw milk and its byproducts.

During the past decades the interest in surveillance and monitoring of wildlife diseases has grown internationally. The main reasons could be the following: a) increased size of many wild populations that host pathogens affecting humans; b) the increased economic relevance of some wildlife disease; c) the role played by infections/diseases in the conservation of some wild endangered species. According to the above-described epidemiological situations there is an international need to develop appropriate strategies for the early detection, monitoring and surveys of infectious diseases in wildlife. The paper reviews the epidemiological assumptions on which disease surveillance, monitoring and survey are, or should be, based. The main conclusions are: 1) wildlife disease surveillance and monitoring are long lasting activities that should be implemented when legal bases are available; 2) a wildlife disease introduced in a free area is more likely to be early detected using passive rather than active surveillance; 3) the definition of the "suspect case" largely affects the sensitivity of the whole passive surveillance; thus the suspected case definition should be modulated according to the level of risk; 4) in both active surveillance and monitoring, sampling plays an important role. The sensitivity of any active surveillance/monitoring system is highly dependent from the sampling unit that we define as: "the host subpopulation, whose size can maintain the pathogen during a defined inter-sampling interval". Such definition merges the ecological, epidemiological and mathematical approaches aimed in controlling or eradicating infections in both domestic and wildlife; 5) When dealing with the conservation-disease interface, a standardized risk assessment procedure including risk mitigation has to become the rule. Download the complete issue.

Lo scopo della ricerca è stato quello di valutare, tramite uno studio longitudinale, le modifiche temporali nella eliminazione fecale di E. coli O157:H7 in un allevamento di bovine da latte che commercializza latte crudo per il consumo umano diretto. Lo studio è stato effettuato tra ottobre 2012 e settembre 2013 in una tipica stalle di medie dimensioni. L’allevamento era costituito da circa 140 animali (70 capi adulti e 70 giovani). Ventisei animali di ciascuno dei due gruppi (adulti e giovani) sono stati scelti casualmente e sono stati effettuati da ciascun animale 6 campionamenti di feci a distanza di 2 mesi l’uno dall’altro (in totale 284). A ogni campionamento sono stati effettuati, per ciascun gruppo, 3 campioni di acqua (in totale 36) dagli abbeveratoi e 2 campioni di mangime dalla greppia (in totale 24). I campioni sono stati analizzati tramite real time PCT (RTPCR) ed esame colturale. In totale 16 (5,6%) campioni di feci sono risultati positivi tramite RT-PCR e 9 tramite esame colturale. In tutti gli isolati è stata dimostrata la presenza dei geni stx1, stx 2 e eae. Un campione di mangime è risultato positivo tramite RT-PCR; nessun campione di acqua è risultato positivo. L’elaborazione dei dati ha evidenziato in generale una riduzione del numero di campioni positivi nel corso dello studio e una relazione tra la prevalenza dei campioni positivi e la temperatura media ambientale. I risultati dello studio dimostrano che, in una tipica azionda di bovini da latte Italiana, l’eliminazione fecale di E. coli O157:H7 segue il medesimo andamento osservato in altre situazioni; l’aumento della eliminazione fecale nel periodo estivo ha un impatto significativo sulla contaminazione ambientale e e sulla sicurezza dei prodotti alimentari in particolare il latte venduto e consumato crudo

The sarcoptic mange epizootic affecting chamois in the Dolomites Alps since 1995 has risen considerable concern in a management and conservation perspective, due to its strong impact on chamois and ibex populations. A remarkable amount of data has been collected by different wildlife research and management institutions, in order to analyze mange patterns and develop possible strategies to control the disease. The present study is aimed at providing a population-related figure of the spatial and temporal dynamics of clinical sarcoptic mange in alpine chamois, proposing an approach in which relevant basic concepts and parameters, as the definition of the epidemic front and its spreading speed, can be estimated and framed. The epidemic front was referred to the different mountain massifs, corresponding to well established management units of the chamois in the study area; moreover, the mange-related mortality peak at the massif level was used (in substitution of the index case/s) for temporal analysis of the disease spreading. Two speeds of the front have been estimated: a first raw average speed of about 3.38 km/year, and a second refined speed of 4.64 ± 3.12 km/year, more consistent to the variability in the field. The time series analysis showed that the impact of mange increases over the late winter months, reaching a peak in early spring.Our results strengthen the conclusions of previous studies, proposing a new frame to include other studies in progress on the alpine chamois-Sarcoptes interactions.Download the complete issue.

Aedes albopictus is a competent vector of at least 22 arboviruses, including dengue and chikungunya viruses (Gratz, 2004, Med. Vet. Entomol., 18:215-227). The potential for pathogen transmission by Ae. albopictus has increased the need to understand its ecology and population dynamics. Previous studies have shown that density-dependence can affect larval development (Lord, 1998, J. Med. Entomol., 35:825-829). Density-dependent competition for the available food resources has often been argued as the factor influencing larval development (Walsh et al., 2012, Plos One, 7:1-6). Aim of the study was to assess if larval development time is influenced by the density of laid eggs and the possible consequence of development delay on the efficacy of the larvicidal compound diflubenzuron (DFB), extensively used on a monthly basis in the national territory for tiger mosquitoes control. Ovitraps were positioned in August 2013 for the collection of Ae. albopictus eggs; eggs were counted and 48 ovitraps (24 with high density of eggs: mean 51.6, range 30-93; 24 with low density of eggs: mean 11.9; range 9-15) were placed in tanks with 0.5 liter of water. Within each group, 3 subgroups consisting of 8 ovitraps were formed: 1 control without DFB and 2 with DFB at the concentration of 0.5 ppm and 0.25 ppm, respectively. Eight (4+4) controls without eggs were also added to assess the degradation over time of both DFB concentrations in absence of larvae. The level of water was maintained constant for the duration of the trial. The larvae were fed ad libitum with dried Gammarus pulex. Hatchings, development times, mortality and emerging adults were monitored for 8 weeks. In this period, DFB concentration was assessed every ten days by HPLC UV-DAD method after liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether. The number of eggs is significantly related with the last-hatching time and the time of last adult emergence (Negative binomial regression, p

Background - Sarcoptic mange is one of the most severe diseases of wild Caprinae populations in Europe, raising concerns about wildlife management and conservation. Since 1995, an epidemic of sarcoptic mange has been affecting the chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) population of the dolomitic area, in the North Eastern Italian Alps, involving also the sympatric ibex (Capra ibex) populations. The index case was found in the province of Belluno, where the disease is still spreading and where are now present different epidemiological situations: free areas, epidemic areas, endemic areas with sporadic cases, and an endemic area showing a second clinical peak about 15 years from the index case. In the past years, different approaches have been attempted to control scabies and to better understand the dynamics of this disease. Among these, ELISA serological methods have been applied on chamois shot during the regular hunting seasons, mainly in free areas, as an attempt to anticipate the arrival of the clinical disease. Notwithstanding, these attempts showed contradictory results, due to the difficulties in both interpreting serological evidences and defining an epidemic front to compare with. Methods - Starting from raw data of 1168 scabies-affected chamois carcases found from 1995 to 2010, and 2735 shot chamois tested for antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei on lung extract from 2001 to 2009, we propose an explorative approach in the Belluno province. This approach, implemented by time series analysis and a geographic information system (GIS), explores the scabies epidemic in chamois, its front and the seropositivity distribution in space and time using, instead of the index cases, the centroid of the mountain massifs during their own epidemic peaks and/or the coordinate mean of the clinical mange cases in each year as epidemiological units and geographical benchmarks. Results and discussion - regarding clinical cases, time series analysis confirmed previous studies, showing the main incidence of the disease during late winter/early spring. The scabies front appears to spread in a south-westward direction with a mean estimated speed of 5±3.7 km/year, which is comparable with the results of previous studies in the same area. Considering the serological results in comparison to scabies cases, an interesting and quite regular pattern was observed, as the earliest serological positive case in different massifs anticipates the earliest clinical cases of 5-6 years. The average distance between epidemic front and the first serological positivity is more than 25 Km. These results appear unexpected, and should be confirmed by further analyses to be performed in neighbouring areas, namely Trento and Bolzano provinces. If these result will be confirmed, they would represent a significant step in the knowledge of S. scabiei ecology and potential impact in the alpine chamois populations.

Il lavoro presenta un approccio esplorativo all’epidemiologia della rogna sarcoptica del camoscio, implementato in provincia di Belluno attraverso analisi di serie storiche e un sistema GIS applicati, anche in relazione alle stime di popolazione, su due tipologie di dati: i) animali morti/clinicamente affetti da rogna sarcoptica (1168 ritrovamenti dal 1995 al 2010), ii)animali abbattuti a caccia, clinicamente sani, sottoposti a test ELISA per la ricerca di anticorpi contro Sarcoptes scabiei su estratto polmonare (2735 campioni dal 2001 al 2009). L’unità epidemiologica considerata, superando i confini amministrativi, è stata il “gruppo montuoso”, inteso come area all’interno della quale i contatti intraspecifici sono significativamente maggiori rispetto a quelli tra camosci di gruppi montuosi differenti. L’analisi dei dati storici ha fornito informazioni sul picco di mortalità, confermando come l’impatto della rogna aumenti negli ultimi mesi invernali raggiungendo il massimo nei primi mesi primaverili. Attraverso mappe tematiche, è stato quindi visualizzato l’andamento spaziotemporale della rogna in provincia di Belluno, definendo il fronte epidemico non come singolo/i caso/i in gruppi montuosi precedentemente indenni, ma come il momento in cui l’epidemia, raggiunto il picco di mortalità, è in grado di passare da un gruppo montuoso a un altro o ad altri adiacenti. La velocità media di avanzamento del fronte della malattia è stata stimata in circa 3,5 km/anno. Tale dato è stato corroborato dalla stima della media delle velocità pairwise tra gruppi montuosi, di 5,09±3,68 km/anno. L’analisi dei dati sierologici ha messo in luce una certa costanza di anticipo spaziale e temporale delle sieroconversioni rispetto alla malattia, con i primi casi sieropositivi distanti 25-30 km dal fronte epidemico, e circa 5 anni in anticipo sui primi casi clinici. Questi risultati sono tuttora in corso di valutazione, e saranno esaminati anche alla luce dei dati ottenuti nei confinanti territori di Trento e Bolzano.

AIM – Strongylidae, which includes the most common parasites of equids, have been historically difficult to identify. Molecular methods, whose use is taking place in recent years, have the disadvantage of being expensive and have been developed only for the most prevalent strongylid species. That is why, more extensive studies of the strongylids by classical morphological methods are still necessary. The aim of this study is to update the knowledge about the species of nematode parasites affecting Italian donkeys and give a critical review about identification keys for larvae (Euzeby J, 1981, Diagnostic experimental des Helminthoses animales, Information Technique des Services Veterinaires, Ministère de l’Agricolture, Paris, F) and adults (Lichtenfels JR et al, 2008, Vet Parasitol, 156: 4-161) of Strongylidae. MATERIALS AND METHODS – Between November 2009 and April 2010, the intestine of ten donkeys was collected from a slaughterhouse. All animals, five male foals and five adult females, belonged to an organic farm and never had anthelmintic treatments. Following a proven technique for parasites’ isolation in Equidae (Bu Y et al, 2009, Acta Parasitol, 54: 263-268; Matthee S et al, 2000, J of Parasitol, 86:756-762), after dilution in water, 10% of the whole intestinal content was collected by each intestinal tract and repeatedly washed before parasite isolation. Adult parasites were identified following Lichtenfels’ keys. If available, a faecal specimen was collected from rectum for coprocolture (seven animals); 100 larvae were identified for each faecal specimen following Euzeby’s keys. RESULTS – Adult parasites: 21 species of Strongylidae were identified (Strongylus vulgaris, Strongylus edentatus (first report in Italian donkeys: frId), Triodontophorus serratus, Triodontophorus brevicauda (frId), Triodontophorus minor (frId), Cyathostomum alveatum, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cyathostomum tetracanthum, Coronacyclus coronatus, Coronocyclus labratus, Cylicocyclus adersi (frId), Cylicocyclus asini (frId), Cylicocyclus auriculatus, Cylicocyclus leptostomum, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus radiatus, Cylicostephanus calicatus, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus minutus, Cylicodontophorus bicoronatus). Critical points verified in Lichtenfels’ keys and descriptions were the following:  the key for the identification on the genus Cyathostomum report that the insertion point of the internal leaf crown is at about ¼ - ½ of buccal capsule depth; actually it is not true for C. alveatum, as clearly appears from the figures and description of this species;  the dorsal gutter of C. asini is described as short, little, button-like. It is clearly a mistake as, consistently with other descriptions of this species (Matthee S et al, 2002, Syst Parasitol, 51: 29-35) and with the photos and pictures of Lichtenfels himself, the dorsal gutter is long and well developed;  the photos of C. radiatus are not consistent with its descriptions;  C. calicatus and C. minutus are very difficult to distinguish as the only morphological difference regards the number of external leaf crown elements (12-18 vs. 8). Larvae: 3 types of strongylid larvae were observed. According to Euzeby’s descriptions they were Cyathostomum spp. sensu lato, Oesophagodontus spp. and Strongylus vulgaris. However the following critical points, verified comparing larval identification with adult parasites isolated in the same host, were observed:  larval length of Strongylus vulgaris was constantly less than the length reported; it is remarkably critical given that the larval length is the starting dichotomous character for identification in Euzeby’s keys;  larvae with 16 intestinal cells couldn’t be Oesophagodontus spp. larvae, as suggested by Euzeby, as there were no adult specimens in the corresponding faecal samples; they probably belong to the species Triodontophorus serratus (isolated...

One of the key feature of the ecology of host-parasite relationship is macroparasite aggregation within host population, with most individuals harbouring low numbers of parasites and few individuals playing host to many. The actual effect of parasites in host population dynamic is related to the degree of aggregation but also the category of hosts in which parasites aggregate is important. If parasites aggregate in mating animals the impact on the host’s reproductive number should be higher. Equus quagga lives in multi-level societies. Females live in closed groups, called harems, with their offspring and a single male. A dominant female in harems is recognizable, such as a dominant stallion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between the social hierarchy of E. quagga and the level of parasitism. Individual faecal samples from 141 zebras were collected within the two major populations of E.quagga of Uganda (Lake Mburo Conservation Area and Kidepo Valley National Park). Quantitative (eggs per gram of faeces) parasite assessment were performed with standard methods. The relationship between parasite burden and individual host features was analyzed using Generalised Linear Models. The main result of the present study was the evidence that social status influences parasite level with dominant zebras shedding less parasite eggs than subordinate ones. Social rank appears, therefore, as an important factor giving rise to parasite aggregation in zebras.

Introduzione. Mentre l’uso dei modelli matematici per i parassiti degli animali selvatici si è ormai consolidato negli ultimi trent’anni, pochi modelli sono disponibili in letteratura per i domestici e nessuno per i parassiti degli equidi, malgrado la loro importanza. Tra questi parassiti, i piccoli strongili, comprendenti oltre 50 specie, sono considerati attualmente, dopo il declino di Strongylus vulgaris, il gruppo di strongili più patogeno negli equidi. Il ciclo di questi parassiti prevede una fase ambientale di schiusa delle uova eliminate con le feci e di sviluppo delle larve fino al terzo stadio infettante (L3). L’ingestione delle L3 dà inizio alla fase endogena del ciclo che si svolge dapprima nello spessore delle mucosa intestinale per poi concludersi con lo sviluppo di parassiti adulti maturi nel lume. Le L3 di piccoli strongili, in uno stadio precoce di sviluppo mucosale, hanno la capacità di entrare in uno stato di arresto metabolico (ipobiosi) la cui durata sembrerebbe regolata dai parassiti adulti attraverso un meccanismo densità-dipendente di feedback negativo. Scopo del lavoro sono stati l’elaborazione di un modello per i piccoli strongili, la modellizzazione ed analisi delle conseguenze dell’ipobiosi, regolata o meno da feedback negativo, e la simulazione di diversi mezzi per il controllo e l’eradicazione dei parassiti. Metodi. E’ stato sviluppato un modello deterministico a popolazione ospite costante. Per simulare la dinamica di popolazione dei piccoli strongili sono stati rivisitati i modelli classici per macroparassiti a ciclo diretto introdotti nel 1978 da Anderson e May che permettono di descrivere la dinamica dei parassiti adulti e delle larve ambientali, con l’introduzione di un’equazione anche per le larve ipobiotiche. Sono stati confrontati modelli in cui la durata dell’ipobiosi era fissa con altri in cui questa era regolata con feedback negativo dal numero di adulti. La mortalità dell’ospite dovuta al parassita è stata trascurata mentre è stata mantenuta la distribuzione Binomiale Negativa dei parassiti nella popolazione ospite ed è stata introdotta una mortalità dei parassiti densità-dipendente. I parametri sono stati impostati sulla base dei dati disponibili in letteratura o stimati sulla base di dati sperimentali raccolti in un allevamento biologico di asini in provincia di Reggio Emilia (Stancampiano et al., questo volume) finalizzato allo studio della dinamica temporale dei piccoli strongili a partire da dati coprologici (numero di uova per grammo di feci: UPGcyath). In aggiunta, sono stati effettuati esami necroscopici e copromicroscopici su asini macellati provenienti dallo stesso allevamento al fine di stimare la relazione esistente tra il numero di adulti e le loro UPG tramite modelli di regressione. La dinamica temporale osservata sperimentalmente ha reso possibile la stima del coefficiente di trasmssione sulla base dell’adattamento dell’output del modello alla dinamica stessa. Il valore dei diversi parametri è stato inoltre aggiustato tramite analisi di sensibilità. Sui modelli così concepiti sono stati simulati trattamenti adulticidi o larvicidi periodici. Per la stima del modello di regressione è stato utilizzato STATA 9.1; per la costruzione del modello matematico è stato usato il programma ModelMaker 4. Risultati. ...

Clenbuterol is a beta2-agonist licensed in Europe solely as a muscle relaxant in pregnant cattle, usually during calf delivery, and for tocolysis and treatment of respiratory diseases in horses. Different use in animals is considered illegal because this growth promoter can endanger human health. The aim of this work was to monitor the presence of clenbuterol in a not official and inedible matrix (where there is strong evidence of its potential accumulation), as ocular bulb, collected in 2007-2009 from turkeys at public slaughterhouses in Central-Northern Italy. The 280 collected samples were analysed with a new and effective method of extraction and purification based on HPLC analysis with UV-DAD detection. The average extraction recoveries were 80.60 ± 1.57%. All the samples were below the quantification limit (0.010 μg/mL). At 95% confidence level the percentage of positive turkeys breeding-farms was below 14%. This allows extending positive evaluations on the safety of edible tissues of Italian turkey.

Lo studio dei macroparassiti in ospiti domestici raramente viene affrontato da un punto di vista epidemiologico quantitativo. In letteratura non sono disponibili lavori che affrontino la dinamica di infezione da piccoli strongili negli equidi, malgrado l’importanza e la diffusione di questi parassiti. Per forza di infezione si intende la velocità di acquisizione di nuove infezioni. Bisogna sottolineare che nel caso dei macroparassiti si possono intendere per nuove infezioni le acquisizioni di nuovi parassiti da parte di ospiti anche già infetti; ciò differenzia il concetto da quello usato per i microparassiti, per i quali la forza di infezione sostanzialmente coincide con l’incidenza. Scopo del lavoro è la stima della forza di infezione per piccoli strongili nell’asino; tale stima è stata possibile grazie all’uso di dati coprologici quantitativi raccolti sul campo da animali vivi. Il campionamento è stato effettuato per classi di età, con lo scopo specifico di studiare la dinamica temporale delle infezioni da strongili. Per ciascun campione sono stati eseguiti esami coprologici quantitativi per la stima del numero di uova di strongili per grammo di feci (UPG) e coprocolture per la schiusa delle uova e lo sviluppo delle larve fino al terzo stadio (L3), momento in cui è possibile la discriminazione tra piccoli e grossi strongili. La percentuale di L3 di piccoli strongili è stata utilizzata per calcolare il numero di uova di piccoli strongili per grammo di feci (UPGcyath). Allo scopo di studiare la dinamica delle infezioni, l’età degli asini è stata utilizzata come proxy del tempo. La relazione tra tempo e UPGcyath è stata individuata adattando ai dati diverse funzioni, lineari o meno, tramite modelli di regressione OLS. Tra queste è stata scelta la funzione che, adattandosi meglio ai dati, potesse spiegare la relazione tra età degli animali e numero di uova di piccoli strongili. La derivata di tale funzione rappresenta la forza di infezione. Per l’analisi statistica è stato utilizzato STATA 9.1. Per lo studio della funzione stimata ed il calcolo della derivata è stato usato il programma Derive 6.

A 13-month-old male Yorkshire terrier from Modena (Northern Italy) was submitted to physical examination because of coughing, diarrhea and progressive weight loss, which worsened in the last week of life. Depression and dyspnea were noted on clinical examination. Radiolography of the thorax indicated interstitial involvement of the diaphragmatic lobe of the right lung and ultrasound of the abdomen showed a diffuse thickening of the small intestine wall. Blood chemistry was indicative of pan-hypoproteinaemia and low folate and fecal examination revealed numerous Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform and vital larvae. The subject died after two days and the anatomo-histopathological and parasitological exams confirmed the morphological features of adult S. stercoralis (a well-known agent of zoonosis). This is the first reported case of Strongyloides in Italy in the dog. Un cane Yorkshire terrier maschio di 13 mesi proveniente da Modena, veniva condotto in visita per un complesso di sintomi (tosse, diarrea e graduale perdita di peso) aggravatisi nell’ultima settimana. L’esame clinico rilevava depressione del sensorio, dispnea ed ispessimento della parete delle anse intestinali. Gli esami radiologici (torace) ed ecografici (addome) evidenziavano la presenza di un’interstiziopatia del lobo diaframmatico destro e di un ispessimento diffuso della parete del piccolo intestino. L’esame ematobiochimico indicava esclusivamente panipoproteinemia e calo dei folati. L’esame coprologico rilevava la presenza di numerose larve rabditiformi vitali, riferibili a Strongyloides stercoralis. La morte sopraggiungeva dopo due giorni non consentendo l’attuazione di una terapia specifica. L’esame anatoistopatologico e parassitologico, evidenziando le caratteristiche morfologiche dei parassiti adulti, hanno permesso la conferma della diagnosi e l’identificazione di S. stercoralis, importante agente di zoonosi. Si tratta del primo caso di strongiloidosi segnalato in Italia nel cane.

Aim of the work. The aim of this work was to develop a method for calculating the temporal dynamics parameters of gastrointestinal strongyles infection in a donkey population. In particular the force of infection, defined as the changement rate of the number of parasites, was estimated on the basis of quantitative coprological results. Materials and methods. The research was conducted in an organic farm of donkeys in Salvarano di Quattro Castella (Reggio-Emilia) which is the largest donkeys farm in Europe housing a population of about 600 individuals. This population can be considered just like a free-living population primarily because of the animals are never treated with antihelminthic and because it is essentially an outdoor and closed-cycle farming. During the month of July 2009, 66 individual samples of faeces were collected from animals identified by microchip. A stratified sampling by age was performed in order to study the temporal dynamics of intestinal strongyles infection. Each specimen was examined using quali-quantitative coprological analysis and individual coprocoltures were performed for the strongyle eggs development up to the third larval stage (L3). The number of L3 belonging to different genera or species was compared to the number of strongyle EPG so as to estimate the number of L3/g both for small strongyles (Cyathostominae) and Strongylus vulgaris. In order to assess the progress of infections over time, the age of the donkeys was used as a proxy of the time of infection itself; therefore, the OLS regression model (linear or not) that best fits the observed data, so as to explain the relationship between the age of the donkeys and the quantity of larvae of parasites, was chosen. For the statistical analysis the software STATA 9.1 was used. For the study of the estimated functions and in particular for the calculation of the derivatives, the software Derive 6 was used. Results. The dynamic of the infection over time (age of animals), both for small strongyles and S. vulgaris, fitted a logistic growth curve, whose study made it possible to estimate the force of infection of parasites and the maximum L3/g density reachable (carrying capacity K). The force of infection for small strongyles gets to a peak, equal to 3.3 L3/g month, at 5.3 months. The force of infection then decreases and becomes zero in 47 months, therefore the L3s remain stable after this time. In the case of S. vulgaris the force of infection was approximately equal to 0.22 L3/g month during the whole temporal range. The carrying capacity of the population of S. vulgaris is never reached, continuing to grow during the whole lifetime of the host. Conclusions. This work has allowed to develop a method to calculate the force of infection and therefore to study the temporal dynamic of the major parasites of the donkey. It represents an important basis for models building, estimation of R0 and the realization of parasite control based on ecological data. Furthermore, the difference between the dynamic of small and large strongyles infections has been highlighted, showing that while the population of small strongyles attains its maximum level, the population of S. vulgaris never reaches its carrying potential. We want to point up that the true dynamic paramethers usually refers to the adult parasite population; nevertheless the force of infection estimated from coprological data represents a valid indicator of parasite dynamic, obtainable also in living animals and with a quite simple method.

Aim of the work. This paper presents a method to evaluate if competition is involved in determining the spatial niche of intestinal parasites. Materials and methods. This method has been applied to the study of large intestinal helminths of 50 slaughtered horses. The whole study has recently been published (Stancampiano et al, 2010 Vet Parasitol doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.01.031). Results. Here we present the results regarding the relationship between two similar species, Strongylus vulgaris and Strongylus edentatus, found throughout the large intestine, but more abundant in the caecum and ventral colon respectively, according to the typical species composition of each intestinal region. The role of ecological interactions on the spatial niche occupation, in particular the interspecific competition, is considered to be absent because of the absence of negative pairwise correlations between helminth species. In our opinion, the absence of these correlations does not demonstrate that competition is not occurring. Therefore, after a preliminary Spearman’s test highligting positive pairwise correlations only, two negative binomial regressions were performed with S. vulgaris as dependent variable, in the caecum and ventral colon respectively, demostrating that the presence of S. vulgaris in a particular site is influenced by the presence of S. edentatus. Conclusions. This kind of negative relations has never been highlighted before because the positive relation between the overall abundances of the two species, due to similar epidemiological frameworks, usually hides the ecological phenomenon of spatial competition avoiding its disclosure. This aspect was controlled in the model by the peculiar inclusion of the total number of S. vulgaris itself as independent variable.

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

The authors firstly provide a brief hystory of ecology and ecological approach to parasitology, with special reference to the italian situation where in 1992, the scientific italian society for wildlife diseases (SIEF: Società Italiana di Ecopatologia della Fauna) was founded. Thereafter, a review of papers published by italian authors regarding parasitology in wild mammals and birds is given, with special emphasys to the year and type of publication and to the use of an ecological approach. The authors conclude that, despite ecopathology was created in Italy by parasitologists, the role of ecology in the study of parasites still remain restricted to a limited number of research groups and host species and hope that in future an ecological approach, providing both an alternative point of view and additional instruments for the study of parasites, will be viewed as an opportunity without limiting it to a restricted group of host such as wildlife.

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

A cross-sectional study was performed on pigs of the Emilia Romagna region (Italy). Sampling was stratified by farms (#54), with 75 samples selected within each randomly selected farm. In two farms only, 80 samples were collected. Qualitative coprological examinations were performed on individual faecal samples, and results entered in a working sheet together with data about animals (in particular categories) and indicators of farm management. Due to the great number of variables potentially confounding one-another and of possible interactions, in order to evaluate the risk of being parasitized the use of multivariate logistic regressions was preferred. The number of variables was reduced and/or summary variables created before analysis, in order to avoid variables with missing values and because too many information had been collected in relation to the number of observation (Noordhuizen JPTM et al, 1997, Application of quantitative methods in veterinary epidemiology, Wageningen Pers, The Netherlands. Dohoo I et al, 2003, Veterinary epidemiologic research, AVC Inc, Canada).

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.

Between December 2005 and November 2006, mouflon faecal samples were collected approximately every two months. A total of 96 samples were collected, 55 of which were from wild mouflons and 41 of which were from captive mouflons. Qualitative and quantitative parasitological analyses were performed by using several copromicroscopic parasitological tests. Qualitative data were statistically evaluated using Χ2 test. Quantitative data (OPG or UPG) were converted using the y= log(OPG + 25) formula in order to obtain a normal distribution (Baker, 1997) and therefore variance analysis was used to compare wild and captive mouflons and samples collected in different periods of the year. Main results obtained as regards prevalences are syntetized in the following table where significant differences between wild and captive mouflons are observable when P

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

A deterministic model considering the population dynamic of chamois and three parasite species (gastrointestinal nematodes) is presented. The model considers the logistic growth of host population, exploitation and/or interference competition among different parasite populations and intraspecific competition between parasite individuals. In vertebrates-parasites systems, intraspecific competition is well known and is probably mediated by host immunity. The sensitivity of the parameter alpha (representing the parasite induced host mortality) and the comparison with field data suggest that intraspecific competition plays an important role in determining host and parasites abundances and in stabilizing chamois-parasites relationship.

Centodiciannove bovini da carne di età media 12 mesi importati dalla Francia nel periodo marzo-agosto 2003 sono stati trattati, 3-4 settimane dopo l’arrivo, con ivermectina (n=38) o con doramectina (n=81) in soluzione iniettabile. Esami coprologici (quantitativi solo per nematodi e cestodi), effettuati il giorno successivo all’arrivo e 8-10 settimane dopo il trattamento, hanno evidenziato uova di Nematodirus spp. (Ne), altri strongili gastrointestinali (Sgi), Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp., cestodi (Ce), trematodi e oocisti di coccidi (Co). Al controllo post-trattamento, sono risultati inferiori (p