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Massetti L, Schnyder M, Wiethoelter A, Brianti E, McDonagh P, Traub R, Colella V. A Taq-Man-based multiplex quantitative PCR for the simultaneous detection and quantification of Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, and species of respiratory capillarids in canids. Int J Parasitol 2024; 54:185-193. [PMID: 38097033 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) and Eucoleus boehmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi), commonly referred to as canine lungworms, have gained a growing interest worldwide as the result of their geographical expansion. Each of these nematode species differs considerably in its biology and pathogenicity. Despite their impact on dogs' health, these parasites are often underdiagnosed owing to diagnostic challenges. Here, we describe the development and validation of a Taq-Man-based multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the simultaneous detection of the main species of canine lungworms in faeces of infected dogs. Using 10-fold serial dilutions of synthetic gene block fragments containing individual sequence targets of each lungworm species, the analytical sensitivity of the assay ascertained was 1.84 ng/μl for A. vasorum, 3.08 ng/μl for C. vulpis and 0.79 ng/μl for Eucoleus spp. The sensitivity of the assays and their ability to detect mixed species infections were compared with microscopy-based techniques (faecal floatation and Baermann technique) applied to faecal samples submitted for lungworm testing through an accredited diagnostic laboratory at the Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Switzerland, and from community dogs as part of a research project on canine endoparasites in Cambodia. The multiplex qPCR displayed high diagnostic sensitivity (42/46, 91.3%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 79.1-97.1%) and a diagnostic specificity of 100% (45/45, 95% CI: 90.6-100%), and was able to detect 42.9% additional mixed lungworm species infections compared with microscopy-based methods. Kappa statistics showed substantial agreement between the qPCRs and microscopy for mixed infections (κ = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.4-1) and Eucoleus spp. (κ = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45-0.85) and almost perfect agreement for C. vulpis (κ = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.63-1) and A. vasorum (κ = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84-1). This multiplex qPCR enables timely, accurate, and sensitive diagnosis of canine lungworm species in faecal samples and can be used to monitor the geographical distribution and emergence of these parasitic species, globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Massetti
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Anke Wiethoelter
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Phillip McDonagh
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Australia, North Ryde, New South Wales 2113, Australia
| | - Rebecca Traub
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Vito Colella
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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Dantas-Torres F, Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Lia RP, Perles L, Barrera JP, Fagundes-Moreira R, Carbonara M, Varcasia A, Brianti E, Deak G, Rojas A, Miró G, Volf P, Baneth G, Otranto D. ParSCo: celebrating 10 years of a unique parasitology summer course. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:89. [PMID: 38409043 PMCID: PMC10895767 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06174-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, with the support of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) and Parasites and Vectors. The course, which is conducted in southern Italy, is planned for parasitologists and post-graduate students working in the field of parasitology. The course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, which include the collection, identification and diagnosis of parasites of pets, livestock and wildlife. The participants in ParSCo are afforded the opportunity to be involved in clinical examination and sample collection for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases (e.g. leishmaniosis, thelaziosis and many tick-borne diseases) present in the Mediterranean Basin. The course is conducted at Casa di Caccia, a hunting lodge situated in the Gallipoli Cognato Forest near the Basento River in the Basilicata region in southern Italy. In addition to the training purpose, ParSCo is a great opportunity for sharing knowledge and expertise while becoming part of the parasitology community in a pleasant environment. In this editorial, we share some information and celebrate 10 years of ParSCo, looking forward to forthcoming sessions of this unique parasitology summer course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy.
| | | | | | - Riccardo Paolo Lia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Livia Perles
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Juan Pedro Barrera
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mariaelisa Carbonara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alicia Rojas
- Laboratory of Helminthology, Faculty of Microbiology, University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary Faculty, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Dantas-Torres F, Ramos RAN, Brianti E, Otranto D. Cercopithifilaria spp. of dogs: little known but prevalent filarioids beneath the skin. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:386. [PMID: 37880799 PMCID: PMC10601261 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06007-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Filarioids of the genus Cercopithifilaria are little studied, yet widespread parasites, that are relatively unique in being one of the very few nematodes transmitted by hard ticks. These filarioids live in the subcutis while microfilariae are found in the dermis. Definitive hosts include domestic dogs as well as a wide range of vertebrates, such as ruminants, non-human primates, murids, marsupials, porcupines, viverrids, bears and lagomorphs. The genus Cercopithifilaria contains three taxa (i.e. C. bainae, C. grassii and a yet undescribed species, namely Cercopithifilaria sp. II) that are known to infect dogs worldwide, with their occurrence overlapping the distribution of the main tick vector, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. In recent decades, more attention has focused on these filarioids since they have been associated with clinical signs of infection, such as dermatitis, chronic polyarthritis and cutaneous cysts, and possibly with facilitating infections caused by other tick-borne pathogens. Nevertheless, these parasites remain largely underdiagnosed in clinical practice due to the lack of awareness of veterinary practitioners and to major obstacles to their diagnosis. In this review, we have assessed currently available data on Cercopithifilaria spp. infecting dogs worldwide and discussed the biological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of these filarioids, with the overall aim to gain a better understanding of their potential role in skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Brianti E, Napoli E, De Benedetto G, Venco L, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Basile A, Bezerra-Santos MA, Drake J, Schaper R, Otranto D. Elimination of Dirofilaria immitis Infection in Dogs, Linosa Island, Italy, 2020-2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1559-1565. [PMID: 37486185 PMCID: PMC10370836 DOI: 10.3201/eid2908.221910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
On Linosa Island, Italy, Dirofilaria immitis infection has been hyperendemic in dogs and seroprevalent among islanders. In 2020, we implemented a heartworm disease elimination program on Linosa Island. Of 54 dogs tested for D. immitis antigen and microfilariae, 28 had positive results and received treatment with oral doxycycline twice daily for 4 weeks plus topical imidacloprid/moxidectin monthly for 12 months. The 26 dogs with negative results received monthly topical imidacloprid/moxidectin as preventive. During month 1, the number of microfilaremic dogs was reduced by 76.5%. From month 2 on, all animals were microfilariae negative, and during months 3 to 9, the number of antigen-positive dogs decreased progressively. Treatment of positive dogs coupled with chemoprophylaxis for noninfected dogs was effective, protecting them from new infections. The elimination program reduced the risk for human infection, representing a One Health paradigm. Monitoring and chemoprophylaxis are advocated to maintain the status of heartworm disease-free area.
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Napoli E, De Benedetto G, Ciuca L, Bosco A, Lia RP, Veneziano V, Bezerra Santos MA, Otranto D, Rinaldi L, Brianti E. New distribution patterns of Dirofilaria immitis in Italy. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1162403. [PMID: 37215465 PMCID: PMC10193386 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1162403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, the number of autochthonous cases and foci of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from southern regions has increased considerably, suggesting that the distribution of the species is not limited to northern Italian regions. This epidemiological picture emerges from case reports or studies in specific locations where outbreaks of heartworm disease have occasionally been reported together with the presence of mosquito vectors. To obtain a more comprehensive picture of the current distribution of D. immitis in southern Italy, a multicenter cross-sectional survey of canine filariasis was conducted. Owned and sheltered dogs (n = 1,987) were included in the survey regardless their breed, attitude and/or sex. All included dogs were older than 1 year and had no history of chemoprophylactic treatment against filarioses. A blood sample was collected from enrolled dogs and screened by modified Knott's test and, when positive, tested using D. immitis specific ELISA rapid test (SNAP 4DX, IDEXX). The overall microfilaremia prevalence was 17% (n = 338) being single-species infection (92.6%) more common that mixed (7.4%). Remarkably, D. immitis was the most frequent species detected with an overall prevalence of 11.4% (n = 227), followed by Dirofilaria repens (n = 74; 3.7%), and Acanthocheilonema reconditum (n = 12; 0.6%). Sheltered dogs were significantly more infected by D. immitis, as well as mongrel dogs and animals housed in rural areas. Data here reported indicate that D. immitis is largely present in southern Italy, raising awareness about the necessity of proper screening and chemoprophylactic treatments in exposed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Napoli E, Sfacteria A, Rifici C, Mazzullo G, Gaglio G, Brianti E. Reaction of Cornu aspersum Immune System against Different Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Developmental Stages. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040542. [PMID: 37111428 PMCID: PMC10144845 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cornu aspersum, the land snail, is recognized as a suitable intermediate host of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus; however, there is little information both on larval development as well as on the intermediate host’s immune system reaction to the parasite. The aim of the study was to assess the histological reaction of C. aspersum’s immune system against A. abstrusus. Sixty-five snails were provided by a snail farm. Five of them were digested to assess the absence of natural parasitic infections. The remaining sixty were divided into five groups. Three groups of snails were infected with A. abstrusus using by-contact or injection methods; one group was injected only with saline solution and one group was left untreated as the control. The snails of group A were sacrificed and digested on study days 2, 10, and 18; snails of the other groups were collected and examined for histopathological analysis on study days 2, 10, and 18. On study day 2, in the infected snails, several free L1s were observed along with the absence of immune system reactions. On day 10, the L2s elicited an intense reaction in the internal layer of the muscular foot. On day 18, all L3s partially encapsulated by the snail’s immune system were observed in the outermost part of the muscular foot, which is near and among the goblet cells. This last finding suggests that L3s could be shed with the snail’s mucus and spread in the environment, representing an alternative route of transmission for this feline lungworm.
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Basile A, Napoli E, Brianti E, Venco L. Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility Index in Heartworm Infected Dogs: Are the Different Methods Leading to Same Results? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13030418. [PMID: 36766307 PMCID: PMC9913324 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine Heartworm Disease (HWD) is mainly a pulmonary vascular disease. The reduction of the Pulmonary Artery Distensibility (PAD) is an early index of pulmonary vascular disease. Echocardiographic evaluation of the Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility index (RPADi) is calculated as the percentage change in diameter of the right pulmonary artery (RPA) between systole and diastole. Historically, two main methods have been used for RPADi calculation: The Venco method and Visser method; however, different hybrid methods have also been used by other authors. Therefore, it could be difficult for a clinician to decide which method to apply and how to interpret the results based on the reference values reported. The aim of this study was to compare the RPADi obtained by five different techniques (Venco classic, Venco modified, Visser classic, Visser modified 1, and Visser modified 2). The study design was a retrospective, single center, observational study. Forty-seven client-owned dogs were included. The measurements were performed off-line as an average of three consecutive cardiac cycles by a single investigator blinded to the dogs' diagnosis. The RPADi was satisfactorily obtained by all methods in all dogs. Intra-observer measurement variability was clinically acceptable both for systolic and diastolic measurements. Although the Bland-Altman test showed a statistical agreement between the various methods used to calculate the RPADi, these methods cannot be used interchangeably in a clinical setting. Instead, the measurement method and reference values should always be specified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Basile
- Centro Nefrologico Veterinario, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-338-681-153
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Venco
- Ospedale Veterinario Città di Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan J, Napoli E, Perles L, Marino M, Spadola F, Berny P, España B, Brianti E, Beugnet F, Otranto D. Afoxolaner (NexGard®) in pet snakes for the treatment and control of Ophionyssus natricis (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae). Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:6. [PMID: 36609309 PMCID: PMC9825044 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05611-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ophionyssus natricis is the main species of mite that infests captive reptiles. High infestations may result in the host experiencing general discomfort and deleterious effects, even death. Moreover, O. natricis is an important vector of reptile vector-borne diseases and is considered to be the putative vector of the Reptarenavirus, the causal agent of the inclusion body disease. Despite the cosmopolitan distribution of O. natricis in captive reptiles, treatment options are limited. The aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of afoxolaner (NexGard®; Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany) in heavily infested, privately owned snakes, evaluate the prevalence of mites and drug availability in the plasma of treated snakes (pharmacokinetics) and perform a clinical examination of animals. METHODS The study was conducted in two snake breeding facilities, where many snakes were infested with mites. Each animal was clinically examined and weighed, and mite infestations were assessed on the animals and in their enclosures (environment). Animals were treated with a dose of 2.5 mg afoxolaner per kilogram body weight (2.5 mg/kg) administered orally. All animals were examined pre-treatment (T0) and at various time points post-treatment (T1, 6 h; T2, 24 h; T3, 14 days; T4, 28 days). The collected mites were morphologically identified at the species level and the species identity also confirmed molecularly. RESULTS Overall, 81 snakes from the two participating facilities (i.e. 70 from site 1 and 11 from site 2) were screened, and 31 (38.3%) snakes were found to have at least one mite. All mites were identified morphologically and molecularly as O. natricis. Lampropeltis was the genus of snakes with highest number of infested individuals. Mites were found to be alive on snakes at T1, but at T2 only dead mites were observed, and at T3 and T4 mites were no longer present on the animals or in their environment. No side effects were observed in the treated snakes. CONCLUSIONS A single oral administration of afoxolaner at 2.5 mg/kg was a safe treatment for snakes and 100% effective for the eradication of natural O. natricis infestation without the need to treat the environment of the snake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ettore Napoli
- grid.10438.3e0000 0001 2178 8421Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Livia Perles
- grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Matteo Marino
- grid.10438.3e0000 0001 2178 8421Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Filippo Spadola
- grid.10438.3e0000 0001 2178 8421Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Philippe Berny
- grid.434200.10000 0001 2153 9484Toxicology Lab, Vetagro Sup., 1 Av Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’étoile, France
| | - Bernadette España
- grid.434200.10000 0001 2153 9484Toxicology Lab, Vetagro Sup., 1 Av Bourgelat, 69280 Marcy L’étoile, France
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- grid.10438.3e0000 0001 2178 8421Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Frederic Beugnet
- grid.484445.d0000 0004 0544 6220Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, Lyon, France
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy. .,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Louzada-Flores VN, Kramer L, Brianti E, Napoli E, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Bezerra-Santos MA, Latrofa MS, Otranto D. Treatment with doxycycline is associated with complete clearance of circulating Wolbachia DNA in Dirofilaria immitis-naturally infected dogs. Acta Trop 2022; 232:106513. [PMID: 35598650 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Wolbachia are endosymbionts of parasitic filarial nematodes, including Dirofilaria immitis, and are a target for the treatment of canine heartworm disease. In the present study, 53 naturally-infected dogs were divided in three groups, based on their positivity to D. immitis by antigen and Knott tests, to assess the efficacy of doxycycline treatment in eliminating Wolbachia from circulating blood. At T0, dogs that scored positive to both tests (G1) or to antigen only (G2) were submitted to doxycycline (10 mg/kg BID PO) treatment and to 10% Imidacloprid + 2.5% Moxidectin (Advocate®), while those negative to both tests (G3) received only 10% Imidacloprid + 2.5% Moxidectin (Advocate®). All dogs were followed-up for one year, monthly treated with Advocate® and regularly monitored by antigen and Knott tests. During the whole period, all blood samples were screened for Wolbachia-D. immitis DNA load by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). At T0, 88.2% of the microfilariemic dogs were positive for Wolbachia DNA, while none of the dogs from G2 or G3 were positive. Wolbachia DNA was no longer detectable in dogs from G1 following 1 month of doxycycline treatment and microfilariae (mfs) were cleared at T2. All dogs from the G1 and G2 were negative for D. immitis antigen at 12 months. Results of this study suggest that successful elimination of mfs by doxycycline is associated with complete clearance of Wolbachia DNA in D. immitis-naturally infected dogs.
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Napoli E, Panarese R, La Russa F, Cambera I, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Otranto D, Brianti E. Detection of Dirofilaria DNA and host blood-meal identification in Culicoides paolae biting-midges. Parasitology 2022; 149:1-17. [PMID: 35356873 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022000440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe vectorial role of blood-sucking arthropods, other than mosquitoes, has been explored for Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens which are filarioids of increasing interest due to their zoonotic potential. Given the expansion of canine heartworm infection in southern Europe due to D. immitis and the report of the infection in Linosa Island (Sicily, Italy), we investigated and focused on the potential involvement of Culicoides spp. in Dirofilaria spp. transmission as well as the blood-meal source in Dirofilaria spp. molecularly positive biting midges. Out of 1791 specimens collected 1773 were morphologically and molecularly identified as Culicoides paolae and 18 as Culicoides obsoletus complex. Of the 1596 females, 4 (0.26%) parous C. paolae tested positive for D. immitis and D. repens (i.e. 2 Culicoides specimens for each filarial species), of which D. immitis-positive samples fed on both humans and dogs and D. repens-positive samples fed only on humans. The detection of D. immitis and D. repens DNA in Culicoides midges suggests their potential involvement in the epidemiology of the filarial nematodes, which may be of medical and veterinary importance in hyper-endemic areas. Findings of this study shed new light on the epidemiology of Dirofilaria spp. infections indicating that further investigations are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - R Panarese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - F La Russa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - I Cambera
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - D Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
| | - E Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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De Benedetto G, Giannetto A, Riolo K, Iaria C, Brianti E, Gaglio G. Anisakis pegreffii Larvae in Sphyraena viridensis and Description of Granulomatous Lesions. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123449. [PMID: 34944226 PMCID: PMC8697904 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Fish-borne zoonoses are caused by bacteria and parasites, while no viral fish-borne zoonoses have been reported, to date. Regarding zoonoses caused by parasites, Anisakiasis is one of the most important, with Anisakis simplex and Anisakis pegreffii agents in the central Mediterranean Sea. Humans can be infected by accidental ingestion of third-stage larvae in raw, undercooked or improperly processed fish or cephalopods. After ingestion, the larvae migrate from the gastrointestinal tract to gastrointestinal tissue, causing pain and, subsequently, inflammatory reaction leading to eosinophilic granuloma. This kind of reaction has not been described to date, in fish, and the aim of this study is to describe gastric wall lesions caused by A. pegreffii in Sphyraena viridensis and to compare them to those reported in humans, which appear macroscopically identical, albeit showing significant microscopic differences. Abstract The aim of the present study was to describe gastric granuloma caused by Anisakis pegreffii in Sphyraena viridensis caught in the central Mediterranean Sea. Sixty-eight S. viridensis specimens were collected from different fish markets on the east coast of Sicily. Coelomic organs were observed both macroscopically and with the aid of stereomicroscope. Parasite specimens and lesioned tissues were collected for identification, histological and molecular analyses. Twelve specimens (p = 17.6%) were positive for the presence of nematode larvae, morphologically identified as larvae of Anisakis sp., with values of mean abundance and mean intensity of 0.9 and 4.8, respectively. One large female specimen showed massive parasite infection associated with nodular lesions of the gastric wall. By histology, several nematode larvae encysted through the gastric wall were found. The parasite bodies were surrounded by a granulomatous reaction made up of macrophages, epithelioid cells, some lymphocytes and an external connective sheet. Molecular analysis of 18S rRNA and cox2 genes from Anisakis sp. collected larvae, identified them as A. pegreffii. The lesions here described, though macroscopically superimposable on human eosinophilic granuloma, microscopically showed significant differences in the inflammatory cells involved and in the type of immune reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni De Benedetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (E.B.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-3503-717
| | - Alessia Giannetto
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.G.); (K.R.); (C.I.)
| | - Kristian Riolo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.G.); (K.R.); (C.I.)
| | - Carmelo Iaria
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.G.); (K.R.); (C.I.)
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (E.B.); (G.G.)
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy; (E.B.); (G.G.)
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Mendoza-Roldan JA, Gabrielli S, Cascio A, Manoj RR, Bezerra-Santos MA, Benelli G, Brianti E, Latrofa MS, Otranto D. Zoonotic Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens infection in humans and an integrative approach to the diagnosis. Acta Trop 2021; 223:106083. [PMID: 34364896 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Dirofilariosis by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens is endemic in dogs from countries of the Mediterranean basin. Both species may infect humans, with most of the infected patients remaining asymptomatic. Based on the recent description of the southernmost hyperendemic European focus of heartworm disease in dogs from the Pelagie archipelagos, we performed a serological and molecular survey in human population of that area. Human blood samples were collected in the islands of Linosa (n=101) and Lampedusa (n=296) and tested by ELISA and molecular test for the detection of D. immitis and D. repens. Samples were also screened for filarioid-associated endosymbionts, Wolbachia sp. The seroprevalence of D. immitis and D. repens was, respectively, 7.9% and 3.96% in Linosa, and 7.77% and 19.93% in Lampedusa. Out of 397 human blood samples tested molecularly, 4 scored positive (1%) for Dirofilaria spp. by qPCR (i.e., three for D. immitis and one for D. repens) and 6 (1.5%) for Wolbachia. Of the qPCR positive for Dirofilaria spp., only D. repens was amplified by cPCR and was positive for Wolbachia. In the phylogenetic analysis, the sequence of Wolbachia detected in D. repens positive samples clustered along with other C supergroup filarioids. Our results overlap with the recent prevalence data collected on dogs from the same area, where D. immitis is prevalent in Linosa and D. repens prevails in Lampedusa. Molecular detection of D. immitis in human blood is quite unusual considering that humans are dead-end hosts for dirofilarial infection and most of the human cases described so far in Europe were ascribed to D. repens. An integrative diagnostic approach using serum analysis and Wolbachia detection is also presented. In endemic areas for canine dirofilarioses humans are exposed to the infection, suggesting the importance of One Health approach in diagnosing, treating and controlling this zoonotic parasitosis.
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Iatta R, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Latrofa MS, Cascio A, Brianti E, Pombi M, Gabrielli S, Otranto D. Leishmania tarentolae and Leishmania infantum in humans, dogs and cats in the Pelagie archipelago, southern Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009817. [PMID: 34555036 PMCID: PMC8491888 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic in the Mediterranean basin with most of the infected human patients remaining asymptomatic. Recently, the saurian-associated Leishmania tarentolae was detected in human blood donors and in sheltered dogs. The circulation of L. infantum and L. tarentolae was investigated in humans, dogs and cats living in the Pelagie islands (Sicily, Italy) by multiple serological and molecular testing. Human serum samples (n = 346) were tested to assess the exposure to L. infantum by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot (WB) and to L. tarentolae by IFAT. Meanwhile, sera from dogs (n = 149) and cats (n = 32) were tested for both Leishmania species by IFAT and all blood samples, including those of humans, by specific sets of real time-PCR for L. infantum and L. tarentolae. The agreement between serological tests performed for human samples, and between serological and molecular diagnostic techniques for both human and animal samples were also assessed. Overall, 41 human samples (11.8%, 95% CI: 8.9–15.7) were positive to L. infantum (5.2%, 95% CI: 3.3–8.1), L. tarentolae (5.2%, 95% CI: 3.3–8.1) and to both species (1.4%, 95% CI: 0.6–3.3) by serology and/or molecular tests. A good agreement among the serological tests was determined. Both Leishmania spp. were serologically and/or molecularly detected in 39.6% dogs and 43.7% cats. In addition to L. infantum, also L. tarentolae circulates in human and animal populations, raising relevant public health implications. Further studies should investigate the potential beneficial effects of L. tarentolae in the protection against L. infantum infection. Leishmania infantum is the major agent of canine and human leishmaniasis being endemic throughout the Mediterranean basin, including Italy. The protozoan is transmitted through the bite of infected phlebotomine sand flies mainly represented by the species Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi as proven vectors in Italy. The sand fly fauna in this country includes, among others Sergentomyia minuta, considered herpetophilic vectors of Leishmania tarentolae. This species non-pathogenic to mammalians has recently been detected in human blood donors and in sheltered dogs. Our data demonstrate the occurrence of both L. infantum and L. tarentolae in humans and animal population living in leishmaniasis endemic area opening new perspectives into the study of this human disease. Therefore, the ecology of L. tarentolae highlights the need of a more comprehensive study on the spread of this parasite and on its potential beneficial role in public health through a cross-protection that could occur against pathogenic Leishmania spp. when L. tarentolae occurs in sympatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Cascio
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties "G. D’Alessandro", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marco Pombi
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Gabrielli
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Malattie Infettive, "Sapienza" Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
- * E-mail:
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14
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Genchi M, Vismarra A, Zanet S, Morelli S, Galuppi R, Cringoli G, Lia R, Diaferia M, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Venegoni G, Solari Basano F, Varcasia A, Perrucci S, Musella V, Brianti E, Gazzonis A, Drigo M, Colombo L, Kramer L. Prevalence and risk factors associated with cat parasites in Italy: a multicenter study. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:475. [PMID: 34526126 PMCID: PMC8441231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04981-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasites that infect cats include protozoa, helminths and arthropods, many of which are transmissible to humans. Effective control relies on a good knowledge of parasite distribution and the risk factors for infection. The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of major feline parasites in Italy and the risk factors associated with their occurrence. Methods Over a 12-month study period, feces, hair and ectoparasites from naturally infected cats from feral colonies, shelters and private households were analyzed at 13 study centers across Italy. Samples from these cats (n = 987) were analyzed at all centers using the same diagnostic methods. Prevalence values and risk factors were evaluated statistically for the identification of predictors of risk. Results The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal and broncho-pulmonary (BP) nematodes was 35.9% (354/987). Toxocara cati was the most prevalent species (253/987; 25.6%), followed by Ancylostomatidae (98/987; 9.9%). Among BP nematodes, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the most common (76/987; 7.7%). Approximately 35.7% (352/987) of the study population was infested by ectoparasites, of which the most common were fleas (29.4%, 290/987), followed by ear mites Otodectes cynotis (9.8%, 97/987). Predictors of risk for parasite infection included age, a predominantly or exclusively outdoor lifestyle, geographic area and lack of antiparasitic treatment. Conclusions Both ecto- and endoparasites are still common in cats throughout Italy, many of them being of zoonotic concern and vectors of pathogens to humans. Given the presence of parasites throughout the entire study period, year-round treatment should be considered. Furthermore, data confirm the need to protect the human–animal bond using proper endo- and ectoparasiticides to reduce the risk of human infection, in application of the One-Health concept. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04981-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Zanet
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Di Torino, L.Go Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Simone Morelli
- Facoltà Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Italy
| | - Roberta Galuppi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università Di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria E Produzioni Animali, Università Di Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Lia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Diaferia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Animale, Produzioni E Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Varcasia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Degli Studi Di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Di Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Degli Studi Di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Gazzonis
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Michele Drigo
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Animale, Produzioni E Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Liliana Colombo
- MSD Animal Health, Via Fratelli Cervi, 20090, Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy.
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Napoli E, Remesar S, Mendoza-Roldan J, De Benedetto G, Di Giorgio S, Sfacteria A, Marino G, Arfuso F, Catone G, Brianti E. Bovine besnoitiosis in a cattle herd in Sicily: an isolated outbreak or the acknowledgment of an endemicity? Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3547-3553. [PMID: 34477910 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07298-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis is a debilitating infectious disease caused by Besnoitia besnoiti (Apicomplexa; Sarcocystidae). The disease is mainly characterized by cutaneous and systemic signs, infertility in bulls, and abortion in cows. The current study describes an autochthonous outbreak of bovine besnoitiosis in Sicily, Southern Italy, being the first report of B. besnoiti infection in the island so far. In a cattle farm located in Syracuse province, a 4-year-old Belgian blue bull born in Sicily displayed typical clinical signs of the sub-acute/chronic disease phase with thickening of the skin of the scrotum and testicular degeneration. Histological examination of scrotal biopsies revealed the presence of several tissue cysts of B. besnoiti. The serological analysis of the herd using a commercial ELISA revealed a high seroprevalence (45 out of 55; 82%) of antibodies against B. besnoiti. Few seropositive animals (5 out of 45; 11%) showed clinical signs, cysts in vestibulum vaginae (1 out of 31; 3.2%), and testicular degeneration (4 out of 14; 28.6%) assessed by ultrasonographic investigations. The paucity of clinical signs associated with the high seroprevalence in the farm led to hypothesize that bovine besnoitiosis is endemic in the area though further studies are needed. Local practitioners should be more aware of the disease to facilitate the early detection of cases, prevent the spread of infection, and avoid economic losses and animal health problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Susana Remesar
- Department of Animal Pathology, Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Gabriele Marino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Catone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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Savioli G, Archer J, Brianti E, Benelli G, Schnyder M, Iatta R, Otranto D, Cantacessi C. Serum amyloid A levels and alpha 2 and gamma globulins on serum protein electrophoresis in cats exposed to and infected with Leishmania infantum. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:217. [PMID: 33883004 PMCID: PMC8059178 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04710-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dogs are the main reservoir hosts of Leishmania infantum; nevertheless, recent investigations indicate a likely role for cats in the epidemiology of Leishmania infection. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) remains poorly characterised, partly due to the lack of suitable diagnostic tools. This study aimed to compare serum amyloid A (SAA) levels and serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) profiles (specifically, alpha 2 and gamma globulins) in cats naturally exposed to or infected by L. infantum from southern Italy versus those of healthy controls and versus cats with neoplastic or inflammatory conditions from non-endemic areas. Methods Serum or plasma samples from four cohorts of cats were analysed for SAA levels and by SPE: (i) G1: healthy controls from Leishmania-non-endemic regions of Switzerland; (ii) G2: cats pre-diagnosed with neoplastic or inflammatory conditions available from the University of Cambridge sample archive; (iii) G3: L. infantum-seropositive, quantitative (q)PCR-negative cats from southern Italy; (iv) G4: L. infantum-seropositive and qPCR-positive cats from southern Italy. SAA data were assessed for normality and homoscedasticity using the Shapiro–Wilk and Levene’s tests, respectively; the Kruskall–Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s test with Bonferroni correction were subsequently used to compare SAA serum levels between groups. A weighted generalised linear model with a binomial distribution was used to assess statistically significant differences in the numbers of animals displaying elevated gamma globulins and increased alpha 2 globulins between groups. Results Overall, 68 samples were analysed (G1: n = 16, G2: n = 20, G3: n = 20, G4: n = 12). Cats suffering from neoplastic and inflammatory conditions (G2 ) showed significantly higher SAA levels than healthy controls (G1) (median values [interquartile range]: G1: 0.00 [0.00–0.00] mg/l versus G2: 0.85 [0.00–49.55] mg/l). G2, G3 and G4 cats showed higher percentages of individuals with increased alpha 2 globulins (percentages ± standard error: G1 = 20.0% ± 10.3, G2 = 80.0% ± 8.9, G3 = 70.0% ± 10.2, G4 = 75.0% ± 12.5) and gamma globulins (G1 = 0.0% ± 0, G2 = 65.0% ± 10.7, G3 = 50.0% ± 11.2, G4 = 58.3% ± 14.2) than healthy control cats (G1). For all three markers, no significant difference between cats within G2, G3 and G4 was recorded. Conclusions This study indicates that the proportions of animals with elevated levels of alpha 2 and gamma globulins are significantly higher in cats exposed to and infected with L. infantum. Levels of SAA and alpha 2 and gamma globulins may not be used to differentiate between L. infantum infection or exposure, and neoplastic and/or inflammatory conditions. Graphic Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Savioli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Joy Archer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Brianti E, Panarese R, Napoli E, De Benedetto G, Gaglio G, Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Otranto D. Dirofilaria immitis infection in the Pelagie archipelago: The southernmost hyperendemic focus in Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1274-1280. [PMID: 33787005 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are mosquito-borne filarioids of zoonotic concern, which primarily cause canine heartworm disease (HWD) and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. The geographical distribution of these nematodes is constantly changing, due to many factors such as the colonization by new invasive mosquito species, the increased movement of animals and the absence of chemoprophylactic strategies in non-endemic regions. Although HWD has always been considered endemic in northern Italy, an increase in the prevalence of this disease has been recorded in the last decades in central and southern regions. We describe the southernmost hyperendemic European focus of heartworm disease in the Pelagie archipelagos. From June to November 2020, 157 dogs and 46 cats were sampled in Linosa and Lampedusa islands for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens by modified Knott's, rapid antigen and molecular tests. Mosquitoes were collected using CDC light and BG sentinel-2 traps and aspirators, and tested for host blood meal and Dirofilaria spp. DNA. Out of 56 dogs in Linosa and 101 in Lampedusa, 33 (i.e. 58.9%) and 8 (i.e. 7.9%) were positive to D. immitis and D. repens, respectively. Three cats scored positive to D. immitis (i.e. 17.6%) in Linosa. Six mosquito species were identified, and the abdomen of a non-engorged Aedes albopictus was positive for D. immitis and human DNA. The results suggest that D. immitis infection could spread to new previously non-endemic territories in southern Europe, representing a real threat to animal and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Rossella Panarese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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Remesar S, Díaz P, Prieto A, García-Dios D, Panadero R, Fernández G, Brianti E, Díez-Baños P, Morrondo P, López CM. Molecular detection and identification of piroplasms (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.) and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing ticks from northwest Spain. Med Vet Entomol 2021; 35:51-58. [PMID: 32757238 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum and some piroplasm species are pathogens mainly transmitted by Ixodes ricinus. Considering that this tick species is predominant in north-western Spain, individual specimens (652 nymphs, 202 females and 202 males) and 23 larval pools were processed to determine the prevalence of these pathogens in questing I. ricinus from that region. Additionally, Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Ixodes frontalis and Ixodes acuminatus were individually analysed. The groESL operon as well as the 16S rRNA and msp2 genes of Anaplasma were analysed. Similarly, piroplasms were identified at the 18S rRNA gene and the ITS1 of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. Babesia venatorum (1.5%), A. phagocytophilum (0.7%), Babesia microti (0.3%) and Theileria sp. OT3 (0.2%) were detected in I. ricinus. A single I. frontalis (8.3%) tested positive to A. phagocytophilum. Although a low percentage of I. ricinus were infected with A. phagocytophilum and piroplasms, a potentially human pathogenic variant of A. phagocytophilum was detected, and both Babesia species found were zoonotic. Since the vector of Theileria sp. OT3 remains unknown, further investigations are needed to unravel the role of I. ricinus in the transmission of this piroplasm.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Remesar
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - P Díaz
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - A Prieto
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - D García-Dios
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - R Panadero
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - G Fernández
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - E Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - P Díez-Baños
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - P Morrondo
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - C M López
- Investigación en Sanidad Animal: Galicia (Grupo INVESAGA), Facultade de Veterinaria, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
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Brianti E, Varcasia A, Otranto D. Troglostrongylus brevior. Trends Parasitol 2020; 37:569-570. [PMID: 33279398 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2020.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy; Ospedale Veterinario Universitario Didattico, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Parasitology, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy; Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
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20
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Arfuso F, Bazzano M, Brianti E, Gaglio G, Passantino A, Tesei B, Laus F. Nutritional Supplements Containing Cardus mariano, Eucalyptus globulus, Gentiana lutea, Urtica urens, and Mallotus philippinensis Extracts Are Effective in Reducing Egg Shedding in Dairy Jennies ( Equus asinus) Naturally Infected by Cyathostomins. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:556270. [PMID: 33251253 PMCID: PMC7676897 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.556270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance together with the restrictions in the use of drugs in food producing animals have enforced the search for sustainable alternative approaches for parasite control. The current study aimed to investigate the safety and the efficacy of a commercially available phytotherapic formulation against gastrointestinal strongyles in donkeys. Twenty-two Ragusana jennies (2.6 ± 0.5 years old) were assigned to two equal groups. One group was treated with two doses of a phytotherapic supplement Paraxitebio® containing Cardus mariano, Eucalyptus globulus, Gentiana lutea, Urtica urens, and Mallotus philippinensis, 14 days apart (Group A). One group was used as negative control (Group B). Individual fecal samples were collected at the beginning of the study (T−1), and after 7, 14, and 28 days (T7, T14, T28). Blood samples were collected on T−1 and T28 in order to assess changes in donkeys' hematological profile. After the initial rise in EPG values observed on T7, Group A showed a significant EPG decrease with lower eggs per gram (EPG) count compared to Group B on T28 and an overall fecal egg count reduction of 56.9% on the same time-point. Hematological parameters were within the normal physiological ranges for enrolled donkeys. However, significant differences in the values of RBCs, Hb, MCHC, MCV, WBCs, eosinophils, and basophils were recorded between groups after phytotherapic treatments, with Group A showing a general improvement in the hemogram picture. The phytotherapic supplement used in the current study was helpful in controlling intestinal parasites allowing a significant reduction in the fecal egg count 28 days after treatment. Further studies are needed to better explore the specific mode of action of the plant-derived formulation herein tested as well as to encourage their use as tool for the control of equine strongylosis under multimodal integrated approach in dairy donkey farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marilena Bazzano
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Beniamino Tesei
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - Fulvio Laus
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Macerata, Italy
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21
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Abramo F, Lia RP, Tarallo VD, Salant H, Brianti E, Baneth G, Otranto D. Transmammary transmission of Troglostrongylus brevior feline lungworm: a lesson from our gardens. Vet Parasitol 2020; 285:109215. [PMID: 32862125 PMCID: PMC7428694 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Transmammary transmission of Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats is suggested. Snails, rats and lizards play a role in the epidemiology of this feline lungworm. Observational parasitology is important in studying events that may occur in small ecological niches around us.
Feline lungworms such as Aerulostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior are snail-borne pathogens causing respiratory disease in domestic cats. Paratenic hosts such as rodents and reptiles have also been implicated in the epidemiology of these parasites. Although A. abstrusus has been recognized for a long time as the most prevalent lungworm among cats worldwide, T. brevior is of major concern in kittens. Bearing in mind that disease due to T. brevior occurs mainly in pediatric patients younger than 6 months of age, the diagnosis of this parasite in two kittens presenting severe respiratory disease from the garden of one of the authors inspired us to investigate the potential routes of transmission for T. brevior in domestic cats. Of the three queens (A, B and C) that delivered kittens (n = 8), only cat A was positive for T. brevior, presenting her two kittens severe respiratory clinical signs, which lead to the exitus in one of them, 18 days of age. In addition, three kittens, the offspring of queen B, turned to be positive at the coprological examination after suckling from queen A, whereas those from queen C (that suckled only on their own mother) remained negative. A series of coprological, histological and molecular tests were conducted to confirm the presence of T. brevior in the patients as well as in the other cats cohabiting the same garden. Adult nematodes were retrieved from the trachea and bronchi of the dead kitten (kitten 1A), and larvae at the histology of the lung and liver parenchyma associated with bronco pneumonitis and lymphocytic pericholangitis, respectively. Cornu aspersum (n = 60), Eobania vermiculata (n = 30) snails (intermediate hosts) as well as lizards and rats (potential paratenic hosts) were collected from the same garden and processed through tissue digestion and molecular detection. Troglostrongylus brevior larvae were recovered through tissue digestion from two C. aspersum (3.33 %) and it was confirmed by PCR-sequencing approach, which also detected T. brevior DNA in the liver and lungs of one rat and in the coelomatic cavity of one gecko lizard. During the COVID-19 lockdown, when scientists spent more time at home, we grasp the opportunity to decipher T. brevior biology and ecology starting in a small ecological niche, such as the garden of our house. Data herein presented led us to suggest: i) the transmammary transmission of T. brevior in domestic cats; ii) the role of intermediate and paratenic hosts (including reptiles) in the epidemiology of the infection which they transmit; as well as iii) the importance of observational parasitology in studying any event that certainly occurs in small ecological niches, as it could be in our home gardens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francesca Abramo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Abbate JM, Maia C, Pereira A, Arfuso F, Gaglio G, Rizzo M, Caracappa G, Marino G, Pollmeier M, Giannetto S, Brianti E. Identification of trypanosomatids and blood feeding preferences of phlebotomine sand fly species common in Sicily, Southern Italy. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229536. [PMID: 32155171 PMCID: PMC7064173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, the presence of Leishmania DNA and blood feeding sources in phlebotomine sand fly species commonly present in Sicily were investigated. A total of 1,866 female sand flies including 176 blood fed specimens were sampled over two seasons in five selected sites in Sicily (southern Italy). Sergentomyia minuta (n = 1,264) and Phlebotomus perniciousus (n = 594) were the most abundant species at all the sites, while three other species from the genus Phlebotomus (i.e., P. sergenti n = 4, P. perfiliewi n = 3 and P. neglectus n = 1) were only sporadically captured. Twenty-eight out of the 1,866 (1.5%) sand flies tested positive for Leishmania spp. Leishmania tarentolae DNA was identified in 26 specimens of S. minuta, while the DNA of Leishmania donovani complex was detected in a single specimen each of S. minuta and P. perniciosus. Interestingly, seven S. minuta specimens (0.4%) tested positive for reptilian Trypanosoma sp. Blood sources were successfully identified in 108 out of 176 blood fed females. Twenty-seven out of 82 blood sources identified in fed females of P. perniciosus were represented by blood of wild rabbit, S. minuta mainly fed on humans (16/25), while the sole P. sergenti fed specimen took a blood meal on rat. Other vertebrate hosts including horse, goat, pig, dog, chicken, cow, cat and donkey were recognized as blood sources for P. perniciosus and S. minuta, and, surprisingly, no reptilian blood was identified in blood-fed S. minuta specimens. Results of this study agree with the well-known role of P. perniciosus as vector of L. infantum in the western Mediterranean; also, vector feeding preferences herein described support the hypothesis on the involvement of lagomorphs as sylvatic reservoirs of Leishmania. The detection of L. donovani complex in S. minuta, together with the anthropophilic feeding-behaviour herein observed, warrants further research to clarify the capacity of this species in the transmission of pathogens to humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (IHMT), New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Rizzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Caracappa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Marino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Arfuso F, Gaglio G, Ferrara MC, Abbate F, Giannetto S, Brianti E. First record of infestation by nasal leeches, Limnatis nilotica (Hirudinida, Praobdellidae), from cattle in Italy. J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:1419-1423. [PMID: 31391384 PMCID: PMC6863714 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In July 2017, twenty cattle of a free-grazing herd were found to be infested with leeches
in the mouth. Main signs were bloody sialorrhea and/or a purple-red colour of the lower
lip. Leeches, in a variable number (1 to 3) per animal, were found at the lingual frenulum
or on the sublingual vestibular mucosa and were morphologically identified as
Limnatis nilotica. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first
report of cattle infestation by L. nilotica in Italy. Besides recalling
the attention to leech infestation and suggesting its inclusion in the differential
diagnosis of animals with suggestive signs, this short report also provides practitioners
with easy-going morphological keys for proper diagnosis and discrimination among
species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Catena Ferrara
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily "A. Mirri", Territorial Area of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto, 98051, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Abbate
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Iatta R, Furlanello T, Colella V, Tarallo VD, Latrofa MS, Brianti E, Trerotoli P, Decaro N, Lorusso E, Schunack B, Mirò G, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. A nationwide survey of Leishmania infantum infection in cats and associated risk factors in Italy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007594. [PMID: 31306417 PMCID: PMC6667148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Though scantly investigated, Leishmania infantum infection and clinical cases of leishmaniasis in cats have been recently reported in several countries of the Mediterranean basin, with large variability in prevalence data. A major limitation in the comparability of the data available is attributed to the differences in diagnostic techniques employed and cat populations sampled. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of L. infantum infection in owned cats across Italy by serological and molecular tests and the identification of potential risk factors. Blood samples from 2,659 cats from northern (n = 1,543), central (n = 471) and southern (n = 645) Italy were tested for antibodies against L. infantum, by an immunofluorescence antibody test and for the parasites’ DNA, by real-time PCR. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. An overall cumulative L. infantum prevalence of 3.9% was recorded by serology (3.3%) and/or qPCR (0.8%), with a higher rate (10.5%) in southern Italy. The risk of L. infantum infection in cats was significantly associated to the geographical areas (South vs North and Centre; p<0.0001), age class (from 19 months to 6 years old vs ≤18 months old, p = 0.0003), neutering status (not neutered vs neutered, p = 0.0028) and FIV infection (p = 0.0051).Though the role of cats in the epidemiology of L. infantum is still debated, our findings indicate that cats are exposed to and/or infected by this protozoan, mainly in endemic regions of Italy. Hence, a standardization of procedures for a prompt diagnosis of L. infantum infection in cats and for screening cat population is crucial for a better understanding of the epidemiology of feline leishmaniasis, and of the potential role of cats in the transmission cycle of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially fatal parasitic disease, which is caused by Leishmania infantum. Its distribution is associated with the occurrence of the sand fly vectors and reservoir hosts. Since L. infantum infection can occur in cats with clinical or subclinical outcomes, the role of cats in the epidemiology of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis needs to be thoroughly assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors for infection with L. infantum in a large subset of cats across Italy, a known endemic area with records of human cases of visceral leishmaniasis. Serum and blood samples from 2,659 cats from northern (n = 1,543), central (n = 471) and southern (n = 645) Italy were tested for antibodies against L. infantum and parasites’ DNA, respectively. A cumulative L. infantum prevalence of 3.9% was recorded by serology (3.3%) and/or real-time PCR (0.8%). The risk of L. infantum infection in cats was associated to the geographical areas, age class, neutering status and feline immunodeficiency virus infection. These findings reveal that cats are exposed to and/or infected by this protozoan across the country, warranting further investigation to assess their role in the epidemiology of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis to refine surveillance and prevention strategies against this veterinary and medically important ailment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | | | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Paolo Trerotoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Oncologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lorusso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Guadalupe Mirò
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Department of Immunology, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
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Napoli E, Bono V, Gaglio G, Giannetto S, Zanghì A, Otranto D, Brianti E. Unusual localization of Dirofilaria repens (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) infection in the testicle of a dog. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 66:101326. [PMID: 31437684 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This report describes an uncommon localization of Dirofilaria repens in the testicle of a nine-year-old dog from southern Italy. The dog underwent neutring and three adult nematodes were found in the tunica vaginalis. At gross anatomy, no pathological changes were observed on the tunica, in the testicle or epididymis. The parasites, one female and two males, were morphologically and molecularly identified as D. repens. This is the first report of D. repens in the canine testicle in Italy. This case report highlights the asymptomatic nature of D. repens infection, suggesting that dogs living in endemic areas may act as silent carriers. Careful screening and an effective chemoprophylaxis should be ensured for all animals potentially exposed to D. repens infection in order to reduce the risk of infection to humans in areas where the parasite is endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Bono
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonina Zanghì
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Cavalera MA, Schnyder M, Gueldner EK, Furlanello T, Iatta R, Brianti E, Strube C, Colella V, Otranto D. Serological survey and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in Italy. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2377-2382. [PMID: 31230159 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06373-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Feline lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north (n = 700), the centre (n = 227) and the south (n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Individual cat data (i.e., age, sex, neutering status and provenience) were analysed as potential risk factors for exposure to lungworm infections. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. Overall, 9% (98/1087; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-10.9%) of the animals tested seropositive to lungworm antibodies. Positive cats were identified in the north (7.1%; CI 5.5-9.3%), in the centre (5.3%; CI 3.0-9.0%) and in the South (22.5%; CI 16.7-29.6%), with more seropositive animals in the latter area (p < 0.05). The risk of lungworm infection in cats was significantly associated with age less than 6 months (i.e. 24.4%, p < 0.05) and FIV infection (p < 0.05). This large-scale serological survey confirms the exposure of cats to lungworm infections in Italy and that serological tests can be used to assess the distribution of lungworm infections in large populations of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alfonsa Cavalera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emily Katharina Gueldner
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tommaso Furlanello
- San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, 35030 Veggiano, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, 3010 Parkville, Australia
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Arfuso F, Gaglio G, Abbate JM, Caracappa G, Lupia A, Napoli E, Giarratana F, Latrofa MS, Giannetto S, Otranto D, Brianti E. Identification of phlebotomine sand flies through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and in-house reference database. Acta Trop 2019; 194:47-52. [PMID: 30871992 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies are vectors for many pathogens responsible for human and animal diseases worldwide. Their identification at species level is of importance in epidemiological studies and control programmes. MALDI-TOF MS has been increasingly investigated as an alternative approach to the conventional identification of arthropods species. To establish an in-house protein spectra database for a quick and reliable species identification of phlebotomine sand flies, 166 field-caught sand fly specimens, morphologically identified as Phlebotomus perniciosus (no = 56; 26 males and 30 females), Phlebotomus neglectus (no = 4 males), Phlebotomus sergenti (no = 6; 4 males and 2 females) and Sergentomyia minuta (no = 100; 45 males and 55 females), were subjected to MALDI-TOF MS analyses. Out of 166, 149 specimens (89.8%) produced consistent species-specific protein spectra. Good quality database for P. perniciosus and S. minuta were generated; no databases have yet constructed for P. neglectus and P. sergenti due to the low number of specimens examined. The identification of 80 sand flies (no = 20 P. perniciosus; no = 60 S. minuta) were confirmed using the new generated SuperSpectra as validation test. The results reported support the use of MALDI-TOF MS for rapid, simple and reliable phlebotomine sand fly species identification suggesting its usefulness in accurate survey studies, ultimately improving biological and epidemiological knowledge on these important vectors of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Jessica Maria Abbate
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giulia Caracappa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Angelo Lupia
- Biologist Practitioner, Via A. Gramsci 15, 88050, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Filippo Giarratana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Latrofa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada prov.le per Casamassima km. 3, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada prov.le per Casamassima km. 3, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
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Veronesi F, Gazzonis AL, Napoli E, Brianti E, Persichetti MF, Santoro A, Zanzani SA, Olivieri E, Diaferia M, Giannetto S, Pennisi MG, Manfredi MT. Corrigendum to "Cross-sectional survey on Tritrichomonas foetus infection in Italian cats" [Vet. Parasitol. Reg. Stud. Rep.] 6C (2016) 14-19]. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2019; 16:100284. [PMID: 31027588 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - E Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - E Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M F Persichetti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - A Santoro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - M Diaferia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - S Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M G Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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Brianti E, Celi N, Napoli E, Abbate JM, Arfuso F, Gaglio G, Iatta R, Giannetto S, Gramiccia M, Otranto D. Treatment and long-term follow-up of a cat with leishmaniosis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:121. [PMID: 30909954 PMCID: PMC6434852 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3388-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leishmania infection in cats is being increasingly reported in endemic areas. Nevertheless, only a few clinical cases have been described in cats, and even fewer have provided information on the response to treatment and a proper follow-up. Here we report a case of feline leishmaniosis not associated with any other disease or co-infection and document its response to allopurinol treatment and long-term follow-up data. RESULTS A 6-year-old domestic shorthair female cat was referred for nodular blepharitis, mucocutaneous ulcerative lesions of the mouth and lymph node enlargement. The cat was moderately anaemic, hyperglobulinaemic and tested negative for feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Fine needle aspirates of nodules and mucocutaneous lesions showed the presence of numerous amastigote forms of Leishmania. Leishmania infection was further confirmed by serology (IFAT test, 1:640) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) on blood and conjunctival swabs. The cat was treated with allopurinol (20 mg/kg SID), which was clinically effective, although the cat remained Leishmania-positive in serology and RT-PCR on blood and conjunctival swabs. Allopurinol treatment was interrupted after seven months because of the healing of all lesions and lack of compliance by the owner. After two years, the cat relapsed displaying almost the same clinical signs and clinicopathological alterations. On this occasion, the parasite was isolated by culture and identified as belonging to L. infantum. Allopurinol treatment was started again but was interrupted several times because of the itching side effect observed. The cat worsened progressively and died two months after the relapse without any chance to shift the treatment to another molecule (e.g. meglumineantimoniate or miltefosine). CONCLUSIONS Out of all documented cases of feline leishmanosis, the present case has the longest follow-up period and it is one of the few in which the parasite was isolated and identified. It further confirms the potential progression of Leishmania infection to disease in cats even in the absence of comorbidities. Veterinarians practicing in endemic areas should be aware of this susceptibility, properly include feline leishmaniosis in the differential diagnosis and propose preventative measures to those cats at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
| | | | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Jessica M Abbate
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, St. prov. per Casamassima km 3, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Marina Gramiccia
- Unit of Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, St. prov. per Casamassima km 3, Bari, Italy
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Cavalera MA, Colella V, Napoli E, Arfuso F, Panarese R, Brianti E, Otranto D. Shedding of feline lungworm larvae and their infectivity to snail intermediate hosts after anthelmintic treatment. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:449-453. [PMID: 30904621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior are snail-transmitted helminths causing respiratory diseases in infected cats. The shedding of feline lungworm L1s and their infectivity to the snail intermediate host, after administration of anthelminthic products to cats, are poorly documented. To assess the efficacy of 8.3% fipronil, 10% (S)-methoprene, 0.4% eprinomectin and 8.3% praziquantel (i.e. eprinomectin formulation) and 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin (i.e. moxidectin formulation) against these nematodes and to determine the number of days post-treatment until viable L1s are released in the faeces, 384 animals were screened by faecal examination. Of the 54 positive animals (i.e., 14.1%; 7.3% A. abstrusus, 6.2% T. brevior and 0.5% coinfected), 36 were randomly allocated to four groups. Groups A and B were composed of cats positive for T. brevior and treated with the eprinomectin and with the moxidectin formulations, respectively, whereas cats in groups C and D were positive to A. abstrusus and treated with the eprinomectin and the moxidectin formulations, respectively. Prior to and every day after treatment, faecal samples were analysed by the Baermann technique and the number of larvae per gram of faeces determined, and again four weeks after treatment, to assess the efficacy of a single administration of the products. In addition, to evaluate the pre- and post-treatment infectivity of L1s to snail intermediate hosts, one/two snails per cat were infected with 100 L1s collected from the faeces of enrolled animals and then digested 28 days p.i. Based on L1s faecal counts, the efficacy of the eprinomectin and the moxidectin formulations at 28 days was 100% for both A. abstrusus and T. brevior, with a mean number of days of 7.9 ± 1.2 in group A, 7.8 ± 1.9 in B, 6.9 ± 1.6 in C and 8.9 ± 2.0 in D to become negative. Following the artificial digestion, active L3s of T. brevior and A. abstrusus were found in 160 (87.4%) experimentally infected snails. The results of this study demonstrate that a single administration of the two formulations is effective in the treatment of A. abstrusus and T. brevior infections and that during the post-treatment period live L1s are shed for up to 8.9 ± 2.0 days. L1s of both lungworm species released in the faeces after drug administration are still able to reach the infective larval stage in the infected snails. Hence, preventative measures after the treatment of infected animals should include keeping cats indoors and disposal of their faeces for approximately 10 days to avoid environmental contamination and infection of gastropod intermediate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Rossella Panarese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Greco G, Brianti E, Buonavoglia C, Carelli G, Pollmeier M, Schunack B, Dowgier G, Capelli G, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. Effectiveness of a 10% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin polymer matrix collar in reducing the risk of Bartonella spp. infection in privately owned cats. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:69. [PMID: 30709361 PMCID: PMC6359753 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bartonella henselae, Bartonella clarridgeiae and the rare Bartonella koehlerae are zoonotic pathogens, with cats being regarded as the main reservoir hosts. The spread of the infection among cats occurs mainly via fleas and specific preventive measures need to be implemented. The effectiveness of a 10% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin polymer matrix collar (Seresto®, Bayer Animal Health), registered to prevent flea and tick infestations, in reducing the risk of Bartonella spp. infection in privately owned cats, was assessed in a prospective longitudinal study. METHODS In March-May 2015 [Day 0 (D0)], 204 privately-owned cats from the Aeolian Islands (Sicily) were collared (G1, n = 104) or left as controls (G2, n = 100). The bacteraemia of Bartonella spp. was assessed at enrolment (D0) and study closure (D360) by PCR and DNA sequencing both prior to and after an enrichment step, using Bartonella alpha proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM). RESULTS A total of 152 cats completed the study with 3 in G1 and 10 in G2 being positive for Bartonella spp. Bartonella henselae genotype I ZF1 (1.35%) and genotype II Fizz/Cal-1 (6.76%) as well as B. clarridgeiae (5.41%) were detected in cats of G2. Bartonella clarridgeiae was the only species detected in G1. Based on the yearly crude incidence of Bartonella spp. infection (i.e. 3.85% in G1 and 13.51% in G2; P = 0.03) the Seresto® collar achieved a preventative efficacy of 71.54%. The incidence of Bartonella spp. infection was more frequent in flea-infested cats (6/33, 18.18%) than in uninfested ones (7/112, 5.88%) (P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS Cats living in the Aeolian Islands are exposed to B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae. The Seresto® collar provided significant risk reduction against Bartonella spp. infection in outdoor cats under field conditions. Such a preventative tool could be a key contribution for decreasing the risk of Bartonella spp. infection in cats and thus ultimately to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grazia Greco
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Carelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Giulia Dowgier
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.,The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.,Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Capelli G, Genchi C, Baneth G, Bourdeau P, Brianti E, Cardoso L, Danesi P, Fuehrer HP, Giannelli A, Ionică AM, Maia C, Modrý D, Montarsi F, Krücken J, Papadopoulos E, Petrić D, Pfeffer M, Savić S, Otranto D, Poppert S, Silaghi C. Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:663. [PMID: 30567586 PMCID: PMC6299983 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Dirofilaria repens is a nematode affecting domestic and wild canids, transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. It usually causes a non-pathogenic subcutaneous infection in dogs and is the principal agent of human dirofilariosis in the Old World. In the last decades, D. repens has increased in prevalence in areas where it has already been reported and its distribution range has expanded into new areas of Europe, representing a paradigmatic example of an emergent pathogen. Despite its emergence and zoonotic impact, D. repens has received less attention by scientists compared to Dirofilaria immitis. In this review we report the recent advances of D. repens infection in dogs and humans, and transmission by vectors, and discuss possible factors that influence the spread and increase of this zoonotic parasite in Europe. There is evidence that D. repens has spread faster than D. immitis from the endemic areas of southern Europe to northern Europe. Climate change affecting mosquito vectors and the facilitation of pet travel seem to have contributed to this expansion; however, in the authors' opinion, the major factor is likely the rate of undiagnosed dogs continuing to perpetuate the life-cycle of D. repens. Many infected dogs remain undetected due to the subclinical nature of the disease, the lack of rapid and reliable diagnostic tools and the poor knowledge and still low awareness of D. repens in non-endemic areas. Improved diagnostic tools are warranted to bring D. repens diagnosis to the state of D. immitis diagnosis, as well as improved screening of imported dogs and promotion of preventative measures among veterinarians and dog owners. For vector-borne diseases involving pets, veterinarians play a significant role in prevention and should be more aware of their responsibility in reducing the impact of the zoonotic agents. In addition, they should enhance multisectorial collaboration with medical entomologists and the public health experts, under the concept and the actions of One Health-One Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioia Capelli
- Laboratory of Parasitology, National reference centre/OIE collaborating centre for diseases at the animal-human interface, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Claudio Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Patrick Bourdeau
- Veterinary School of Nantes ONIRIS, University of Nantes, LUNAM, Nantes, France
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Patrizia Danesi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, National reference centre/OIE collaborating centre for diseases at the animal-human interface, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alessio Giannelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Fabrizio Montarsi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, National reference centre/OIE collaborating centre for diseases at the animal-human interface, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Jürgen Krücken
- Institute for Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dušan Petrić
- Laboratory for medical and veterinary entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute “Novi Sad”, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Sven Poppert
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Silaghi
- National Centre of Vector Entomology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Infectology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Isle of Riems, Greifswald, Germany
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Abbate JM, Arfuso F, Gaglio G, Napoli E, Cavalera MA, Giannetto S, Otranto D, Brianti E. Larval survival of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus lungworm in cat litters. J Feline Med Surg 2018; 21:992-997. [PMID: 30417739 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x18811168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The dehydrating power of cat litters may reduce the vitality of first-stage larvae (L1s) of feline lungworms, limiting copromicroscopical diagnosis. This study assessed the effect of the most commonly used cat litters on Aelurostrongylus abstrusus L1 survival. METHODS Four types of cat litters were used: clumpling clay (group A); non-clumpling clay (group B); silica crystals (group C); and biodegradable (group D). A control group without litter (group E) was also included. On study day 0 (T0), L1s were obtained by the Baermann-Wetzel technique from the faeces of a naturally infected cat and ~100 larvae were injected in each of the 20 lungworm larvae-free faecal samples (~2 g each). Thereafter, four faecal samples per group were transferred into plastic cups containing the four different types of cat litters, or into empty cups (group E). The survival of L1s was assessed in each group after 3 (T3), 6 (T6), 12 (T12) and 24 (T24) h, using the Baermann-Wetzel technique. RESULTS A decreasing trend of L1 survival was observed in all groups, with highest significant values at T0 compared with T3, T6, T12 and T24 (P <0.001). However, at T24, a significantly higher number (P <0.05) of L1s was extracted from faeces of the control group compared with the four groups with cat litters. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study demonstrates how the survival of A abstrusus L1s, and therefore diagnosis, may be negatively influenced by the litter. The effect is time dependent, with a reduction in the number of vital larvae according to the type of litter, over time. False-negative results may be obtained, especially in cases of low parasitic load or when the sample is collected many hours after the emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Abbate
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria A Cavalera
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo University Annunziata, Messina, Italy
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Abbate JM, Napoli E, Arfuso F, Gaglio G, Giannetto S, Halos L, Beugnet F, Brianti E. Six-month field efficacy and safety of the combined treatment of dogs with Frontline Tri-Act® and NexGard Spectra®. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:425. [PMID: 30012179 PMCID: PMC6048810 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2957-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safety and efficacy of the combined monthly use of spot-on fipronil 6.76% w/v / permethrin 50.48% w/v (Frontline Tri-Act®) and chewable tablets of afoxolaner 1.9% w/w / milbemycin oxime 0.4% w/w (NexGard Spectra®) in dogs was evaluated in a field study over a period of 6 months. METHODS Forty-one healthy dogs living in highly endemic area for canine leishmaniosis and other canine vector borne diseases (VBD) were included in the study at the beginning of the Leishmania transmission season. Sixteen dogs were pet dogs living each in a single household; twenty-five dogs were hunting dogs living in three kennels. At inclusion, the dogs were ELISA (rapid test) negative for antibodies to Anaplasma, Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and for antigens of Dirofilaria. The dogs were also negative for blood microfilariae at the Knott's test, and no clinical or haematological abnormalities were observed. Of the included dogs, six hunting, apparently healthy, dogs were ELISA (rapid test) positive to Leishmania, and some were naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes (58.5%) and/or infested by fleas (58.5%) and ticks (9.8%). All the included dogs were treated at Days 0, 28, 56, 84, 112 and 140, and followed-up for efficacy until the study end (Day 168). RESULTS No adverse events related to the two products, nor skin reactions, general signs, or changes in the haematological profile, were observed during the study. At Day 14, anthelminthic efficacy was 100% for Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Capillaria aerophila, while few hunting dogs were still shedding eggs of Trichuris vulpis (1/25 hunting dog) and Ancylostomatidae (9/25 hunting dogs). All pet dogs were nematode free at the end of the study. Hunting dogs were free of roundworms and whipworms. Twenty-four hours after the first treatment, 95.8% of the ectoparasite infested dogs were free from fleas and ticks. Ectoparasites were significantly controlled during the 6-month study period, with 100% efficacy on both fleas and ticks from Day 56 to Day 168. Blood and serum samples collected on Day 168 were tested for vector-borne pathogens using same methods of the inclusion and no new seroconversions or circulating blood microfilariae were observed. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant use of Frontline Tri-Act® and NexGard Spectra® in dogs for six months was well tolerated. The combination was effective in controlling fleas, ticks, gastro-intestinal nematodes, and neither new seroconversion to the tested vector-borne pathogens nor blood microfilariae were detected in treated dogs at the end of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Abbate
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Lenaig Halos
- Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health, 29 Av Tony Garnier, Lyon, France
| | - Frederic Beugnet
- Boehringer-Ingelheim Animal Health, 29 Av Tony Garnier, Lyon, France
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Pichler V, Bellini R, Veronesi R, Arnoldi D, Rizzoli A, Lia RP, Otranto D, Montarsi F, Carlin S, Ballardini M, Antognini E, Salvemini M, Brianti E, Gaglio G, Manica M, Cobre P, Serini P, Velo E, Vontas J, Kioulos I, Pinto J, Della Torre A, Caputo B. First evidence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in Italian Aedes albopictus populations 26 years after invasion. Pest Manag Sci 2018; 74:1319-1327. [PMID: 29278457 DOI: 10.1002/ps.4840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aedes albopictus has spread during the last few decades all over the world. This has increased significantly the risk of exotic arbovirus transmission (e.g. chikungunya, dengue, and Zika) also in temperate areas, as demonstrated by the Chikungunya 2007 and 2017 outbreaks in northeastern and central Italy. Insecticides are an important tool for limiting the circulation of these mosquito-borne viruses. The aim of the present study was to address the gap in current knowledge of pyrethroid insecticide resistance of European Ae. albopictus populations, focusing on populations from Italy, Albania and Greece. RESULTS Bioassays for resistance to permethrin (0.75%), α-cypermethrin (0.05%) or deltamethrin (0.05%) were performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols and showed reduced susceptibility (<90% mortality) of some Italian populations to permethrin and α-cypermethrin, but not to deltamethrin. CONCLUSION This study reports the first evidence of resistance to pyrethroids in adult Italian Ae. albopictus populations. Results refer to the season preceding the Chikungunya 2017 outbreak in central Italy and highlight the need to increase efforts to monitor the spread of insecticide resistance and the need to develop strategies to limit the spread of insecticide resistance, particularly in areas where extensive treatments have been carried out to contain disease outbreaks. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Pichler
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Department of Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Veronesi
- Department of Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "G. Nicoli", Crevalcore, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Sara Carlin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Marco Ballardini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Torino, Italy
| | - Elisa Antognini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria e Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Salvemini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Mattia Manica
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Pietro Cobre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Serini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - John Vontas
- Agricultural University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Joao Pinto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Alessandra Della Torre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Beniamino Caputo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Cavalera MA, Iatta R, Colella V, Dantas-Torres F, Corsaro A, Brianti E, Otranto D. Troglostrongylus brevior: a feline lungworm of paediatric concern. Vet Parasitol 2018; 253:8-11. [PMID: 29605009 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The immature immune system of cats in their paediatric age (i.e., first six months of life) favours the establishment of infectious respiratory tract diseases mainly caused by well recognized viruses and bacteria species. Conversely, lungworm infections are less investigated during respiratory disorders in kittens. In the last decade, Troglostrongylus brevior has been found affecting the respiratory tract of cats, along with the better-known Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Given the scant data available on the epidemiology of feline troglostrongylosis, faecal samples from 575 domestic animals living in three Italian municipalities (i.e., Bari, Messina and Siena) were screened for lungworm infection by Baermann and molecular tecniques. Animals were grouped according to their age as ≤6 months (i.e., paediatric patients), 6-24 months, or >24 months. Paediatric cats were further sub-divided in infant (2-6 weeks), weanling (6-12 weeks) and juvenile (3-6 months). Of the 575 animals tested, 241 (42.0%) were younger than 6 months, 188 (33%) were 6-24-month-old and 146 (25%) were older than 24 months. Lungworm infection was diagnosed in 84 (14.6%) of the examined cats. Of the 49 (20.3%) paediatric animals positive for lungworms, T. brevior was the nematode species most frequently diagnosed (n = 44; 89.8%), followed by A. abstrusus (n = 2; 4.1%), and three cats (6.1%) were co-infected by both species. The diagnosis of T. brevior infection was significantly associated with animals aging ≤6 months (18.2%; P < 0.01) than elder cats. Indeed, the prevalence of infection by T. brevior decreased in animals aging 6-24 months (3.2%) being not detected in cats older than two years. Results of this study indicate that paediatric cats are at higher risk of T. brevior infection compared to adults (P < 0.01).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alfonsa Cavalera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy; Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 50670-420 Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Angelo Corsaro
- Clinica Borgo Nuovo, 53034 Colle di val D'Elsa, Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Otranto D, Dantas-Torres F, Napoli E, Solari Basano F, Deuster K, Pollmeier M, Capelli G, Brianti E. Season-long control of flea and tick infestations in a population of cats in the Aeolian archipelago using a collar containing 10% imidacloprid and 4.5% flumethrin. Vet Parasitol 2017; 248:80-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Gaglio G, Napoli E, Falsone L, Giannetto S, Brianti E. Field evaluation of a new light trap for phlebotomine sand flies. Acta Trop 2017; 174:114-117. [PMID: 28705611 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Light traps are one of the most common attractive method for the collection of nocturnal insects. Although light traps are generally referred to as "CDC light traps", different models, equipped with incandescent or UV lamps, have been developed. A new light trap, named Laika trap 3.0, equipped with LED lamps and featured with a light and handy design, has been recently proposed into the market. In this study we tested and compared the capture performances of this new trap with those of a classical light trap model under field conditions. From May to November 2013, a Laika trap and a classical light trap were placed biweekly in an area endemic for sand flies. A total of 256 sand fly specimens, belonging to 3 species (Sergentomyia minuta, Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus neglectus) were collected during the study period. The Laika trap captured 126 phlebotomine sand flies: P. perniciosus (n=38); S. minuta (n=88), a similar number of specimens (130) and the same species were captured by classical light trap which collected also 3 specimens of P. neglectus. No significant differences in the capture efficiency at each day of trapping, neither in the number of species or in the sex of sand flies were observed. According to results of this study, the Laika trap may be a valid alternative to classical light trap models especially when handy design and low power consumption are key factors in field studies.
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Brianti E, Falsone L, Napoli E, Gaglio G, Giannetto S, Pennisi MG, Priolo V, Latrofa MS, Tarallo VD, Solari Basano F, Nazzari R, Deuster K, Pollmeier M, Gulotta L, Colella V, Dantas-Torres F, Capelli G, Otranto D. Prevention of feline leishmaniosis with an imidacloprid 10%/flumethrin 4.5% polymer matrix collar. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:334. [PMID: 28705248 PMCID: PMC5513130 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is one of the most important vector-borne diseases affecting animals and humans worldwide. Dogs are considered main reservoirs of the zoonotic forms, though in the last years the role of cats as reservoirs has been increasingly investigated. Feline leishmaniosis (FeL) occurs in endemic areas and no specific preventive measures have been investigated so far. In this study the efficacy of a 10% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin polymer matrix collar, licensed for tick and flea prevention, has been assessed against FeL in a longitudinal study on 204 privately owned cats from the Aeolian islands (Sicily), an area highly endemic for the disease. From March to May 2015 [Study Day 0 (SD 0)], cats negative for FeL were collared (G1, n = 104) or left untreated (G2, n = 100). Diagnosis consisted of serology and qPCR on blood and conjunctival swabs, which were collected at baseline (SD 0) and at the end of the study (SD 360). Interim clinical examinations were performed on SD 210 (when collars were replaced in G1) and SD 270. Results Of the 159 cats which completed the study, 5 in G1 and 20 in G2 were positive for L. infantum infection, in at least one of the diagnostic tests leading to a yearly crude incidence of 6.3% and 25.0% in G1 and G2, respectively (P = 0.0026). This translates into an efficacy of the collar of 75.0% in preventing feline Leishmania infection. The collar was generally well tolerated with no systemic adverse reactions and few local skin reactions were observed in the application area in four out of 104 treated cats (3.8%). Conclusions The 10% imidacloprid/4.5% flumethrin collar significantly reduced the risk of L. infantum infection in cats. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which a preventative strategy against feline Leishmania infection is assessed under natural conditions. These findings close a gap in veterinary medicine, in that they confirm this collar as a tool in reducing the risk of Leishmania infection in cats. Such a preventative tool could contribute to the reduction of the risk of the disease in animal and in human populations when included in integrated leishmaniosis control programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Luigi Falsone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Vito Priolo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura Gulotta
- Veterinary practitioner, Ambulatorio Veterinario S. Lucia, Via F. Crispi 56, Lipari, Italy
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy.,Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Recife, Brazil
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
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Tamponi C, Varcasia A, Pinna S, Melis E, Melosu V, Zidda A, Sanna G, Pipia AP, Zedda MT, Pau S, Brianti E, Scala A. Endoparasites detected in faecal samples from dogs and cats referred for routine clinical visit in Sardinia, Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2017; 10:13-17. [PMID: 31014584 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to update data on the prevalence of intestinal and lung parasitic infections in owned dogs and cats in Sardinia, Italy. Examinations on faecal samples from 619 dogs and 343 cats routinely referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Sassari were performed between the years of 2011 and 2015. Individual faecal samples were analysed using the Wisconsin technique for copro-microscopic examination and the Baermann technique for the presence of lungworm larvae. Endoparasites were found in 34.9% and 43.4% of examined dogs and cats, respectively. Helminthic infections (21.2% in dogs and 32.6% in cats) occurred more frequently than protozoan infections (17.9% in dogs and 17.8% in cats). In both dogs and cats, the most common parasites were ascarids (12.1% and 15.7%), Cystoisospora spp. (10.2% and 10.8%), Giardia duodenalis (9.4% and 8.5%), and hookworms (7.9% and 5.5%). Evidence of bronchopulmonary nematode infections were found in 0.8% of examined dogs and in 15.8% of examined cats. Age was identified as a risk factor, with animals younger than 6months more frequently infected than older animals, while no significant association was observed for gender. This study demonstrated that endoparasites in owned dogs and cats of Sardinia have considerably high prevalence. Veterinary practitioners and pet owners should be more aware of these infections and should adopt more effective and standardized control practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tamponi
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A Varcasia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy.
| | - S Pinna
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - E Melis
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - V Melosu
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A Zidda
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - G Sanna
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - A P Pipia
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - M T Zedda
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - S Pau
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
| | - E Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - A Scala
- Laboratorio di Parassitologia, Ospedale Didattico Veterinario, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy
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Giannelli A, Capelli G, Joachim A, Hinney B, Losson B, Kirkova Z, René-Martellet M, Papadopoulos E, Farkas R, Napoli E, Brianti E, Tamponi C, Varcasia A, Margarida Alho A, Madeira de Carvalho L, Cardoso L, Maia C, Mircean V, Mihalca AD, Miró G, Schnyder M, Cantacessi C, Colella V, Cavalera MA, Latrofa MS, Annoscia G, Knaus M, Halos L, Beugnet F, Otranto D. Lungworms and gastrointestinal parasites of domestic cats: a European perspective. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:517-528. [PMID: 28455237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
With the exception of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, feline lungworms have been poorly studied. Information on their distribution is patchy and mostly limited to case reports. In this study, the occurrence of feline lungworms and co-infecting gastrointestinal parasites has been investigated in 12 European countries (i.e. Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). An average of 10 domestic cats, with regular outdoor access, was sampled each month for 12months, and freshly passed faeces were collected. Stools were processed using a McMaster assay and a quantitative Baermann-Wetzel method. Animals positive for lungworms and/or gastrointestinal parasites were treated with a formulation containing fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin, and praziquantel (Broadline®, Merial), and re-sampled 28days post-treatment. The association between lungworm infection and risk factors was analysed using statistical medians/means and the efficacy of the treatment against each lungworm species was assessed. Of 1990 cats sampled, 613 (30.8%) were positive for at least one parasite, while 210 (10.6%) were infected by lungworms. The prevalence of lungworm infection varied between the sampled sites, with the highest recorded in Bulgaria (35.8%) and the lowest in Switzerland (0.8%). None of the cats from Austria or the United Kingdom were infected by lungworms. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the species most frequently detected (78.1%), followed by Troglostrongylus brevior (19.5%), Eucoleus aerophilus (14.8%) and Oslerus rostratus (3.8%). The overall efficacy of the treatment was 99% for A. abstrusus and 100% for T. brevior, O. rostratus and E. aerophilus. Data presented provide a comprehensive account of the diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment of feline lungworms in Europe, as well as of the occurrence of co-infections by gastrointestinal parasites.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cat Diseases/drug therapy
- Cat Diseases/epidemiology
- Cat Diseases/parasitology
- Cats
- DNA, Helminth/chemistry
- Europe/epidemiology
- Feces/parasitology
- Female
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology
- Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary
- Larva/anatomy & histology
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/drug therapy
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology
- Lung Diseases, Parasitic/veterinary
- Male
- Metastrongyloidea/classification
- Metastrongyloidea/genetics
- Metastrongyloidea/isolation & purification
- Parasitic Diseases, Animal/drug therapy
- Parasitic Diseases, Animal/epidemiology
- Parasitic Diseases, Animal/parasitology
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Strongylida Infections/drug therapy
- Strongylida Infections/epidemiology
- Strongylida Infections/parasitology
- Strongylida Infections/veterinary
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Giannelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gioia Capelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bertrand Losson
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Zvezdelina Kirkova
- Department of Parasitology, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magalie René-Martellet
- Laboratoirede Parasitologie et Maladies Parasitaires, VetAgro Sup campus vétérinaire de Lyon, UR 0346 EPIA, INRA, 69280 Marcy l'Etoile, France
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Róbert Farkas
- Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Claudia Tamponi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Ana Margarida Alho
- Interdisciplinary Animal Health Research Centre (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Animal Health Research Centre (CIISA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Viorica Mircean
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Guadalupe Miró
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology University of Zurich, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cinzia Cantacessi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, CB3 0ES Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Giada Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Martin Knaus
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, 83101 Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Lénaïg Halos
- Merial SAS, 29 Avenue Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Veronesi F, Gazzonis AL, Napoli E, Brianti E, Santoro A, Zanzani SA, Olivieri E, Diaferia M, Giannetto S, Pennisi MG, Manfredi MT. Cross-sectional survey on Tritrichomonas foetus infection in Italian cats. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2016; 6:14-19. [PMID: 31014522 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The feline genotype of Tritrichomonas foetus is a widespread cause of large-bowel diarrhoea in cats. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the T. foetus infection in cat populations across Italy. Fresh, individual faecal samples were collected from 267 cats, kept in different environments (i.e., private households, breeding structures, municipal catteries and colonies) in three different sites across Italy. The faecal samples were tested by PCR to detect T. foetus. Moreover, the same samples were subjected to a concentration-flotation technique and a commercial direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) test to detect additional enteric parasites, including Giardia duodenalis. The overall prevalence of T. foetus infection was 5.2%. All the infected cats showed diarrhoea at the time of sampling: 9 out of 14 positive cats were co-infected with G. duodenalis, 1 with Toxocara cati and 3 with Dipylidium caninum. The risk factor analysis showed that not only the breed, but also co-infections with G. duodenalis and Dipylidium caninum were significantly associated with the presence of T. foetus. This study confirms the presence of T. foetus in cats living in Italy, suggesting that this protozoan parasite should always be included in the differential diagnosis of patients referred with large-bowel disease symptoms, especially if they were purebred animals, or affected by other enteric protozoa, such as G. duodenalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - E Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - E Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - A Santoro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - M Diaferia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - S Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M G Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
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Rehbein S, Knaus M, Mallouk Y, Breiltgens T, Brianti E, Capári B, Dantas-Torres F, Gau M, Joachim A, Kaulfuß KH, Kirkova Z, Lechner J, Mihalca AD, Mirabito R, Petkevičius S, Rapti D, Shukullari E, Sedeilhan M, Dollhofer D, Kley K, Lebon W, Visser M, Jeannin P. Efficacy against nematode infections and safety of afoxolaner plus milbemycin oxime chewable tablets in domestic dogs under field conditions in Europe. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:259-269. [PMID: 27771803 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5287-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Afoxolaner (AFX) plus milbemycin oxime (MO) combination chewable tablets (NexGard Spectra®, Merial) were evaluated for safety and efficacy against naturally acquired nematode infections in domestic dogs in a multi-centre, positive control, blinded field study using a randomized block design based on the order of presentation for allocation. In total, 408 dogs confirmed positive for naturally acquired infections of intestinal nematodes by pre-treatment faecal examination were studied in ten countries in Europe (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia). Pre-treatment faecal examination revealed Toxocara, Toxascaris, hookworm, Trichuris and/or Capillaria nematode infections in 134, 30, 223, 155 and 14 dogs, respectively. Dogs were allocated to one of two treatment groups in a ratio of 1, AFX + MO chewables (≥2.5 mg AFX + ≥0.5 mg MO per kg body weight, according to dose bands; 207 dogs), and 1, MO plus praziquantel (PRZ) chewables (Milbemax®, Novartis; ≥0.5 mg MO + ≥5 mg PRZ per kg body weight, according to the manufacturer's instructions; 201 dogs) and treated once. For evaluation of efficacy based on reduction of faecal nematode egg counts, two faecal samples, one collected prior to treatment and one collected 9 to 21 days after treatment, were examined using modified McMaster techniques. For evaluation of systemic safety, dogs were examined by a veterinarian before treatment administration and at study end, and dog owners observed the health status of their dogs until the end of the study and reported any abnormal observation. For dogs treated with AFX + MO chewables, the efficacy was 99.7, 99.7, 97.2, 99.7 and 99.7 % for Toxocara, Toxascaris, hookworm, Trichuris and Capillaria, respectively; and the efficacy was 99.5, 99.4, 94.3, 99.9 and 98.0 %, respectively, for the MO + PRZ-treated dogs (p ≤ 0.002 for all nematodes and both treatments). For Toxocara, hookworm and Trichuris, non-inferiority analysis demonstrated that the efficacy of AFX + MO chewable tablets was equal to or better than that of MO + PRZ. In spite that both treatments were ≥98 % efficacious against Toxascaris and Capillaria, a hypothesis of non-inferiority for both genera could not be established due to the low number of dogs infected with these parasites. No treatment-related adverse experiences were observed throughout the study. For both treatments, all dogs were given a systemic safety score of 'excellent' apart from one dog in each treatment group which received a score of 'acceptable'. AFX + MO combination chewables were shown to be safe and demonstrated a high level of efficacy when administered once to dogs infected with a broad range of parasitic nematodes under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Rehbein
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101, Rohrdorf, Germany.
| | - Martin Knaus
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101, Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Yasmina Mallouk
- Merial S.A.S., Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, 1 allée des Cyprès, 01150, Saint-Vulbas, France
| | | | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Zootecnia, Università degli Studi di Bari, Animali Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Valenzano, Bari, 70010, Italy.,Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, 50740465, Recife, Brazil
| | - Michel Gau
- Clinique Vétérinaire, Le Sialat les Hauts, 81100, Castres, France
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Zvezdelina Kirkova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Student Campus, 6000, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Joerg Lechner
- Tierärztliche Klinik Nürnberg, Wertachstr. 1, 90451, Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Andrei D Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Mănăştur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Romania
| | - Rosamaria Mirabito
- Ambulatorio Medico Veterinario "Peloro", Via Consolare Pompea 2077 - Granatari, 98165, Messina, Italy
| | - Saulius Petkevičius
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Veterinary Academy, Tilzes str. 18, 47181, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Dhimitër Rapti
- Fakulteti i Mjekësisë Veterinare, Universiteti Bujqësor, Kodër, Kamëz, Tirana, Albania
| | - Enstela Shukullari
- Fakulteti i Mjekësisë Veterinare, Universiteti Bujqësor, Kodër, Kamëz, Tirana, Albania
| | - Michel Sedeilhan
- Clinique Vétérinaire des 3 Vallées, 44, avenue Pechiney, 09400, Tarascon sur Ariège, France
| | - Doris Dollhofer
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101, Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Katrin Kley
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101, Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Wilfried Lebon
- Merial S.A.S., Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, 1 allée des Cyprès, 01150, Saint-Vulbas, France
| | - Martin Visser
- Merial GmbH, Kathrinenhof Research Center, Walchenseestr. 8-12, 83101, Rohrdorf, Germany
| | - Philippe Jeannin
- Merial S.A.S., Centre de Recherche de Saint-Vulbas, 1 allée des Cyprès, 01150, Saint-Vulbas, France
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Latrofa MS, Giannelli A, Persichetti MF, Pennisi MG, Solano-Gallego L, Brianti E, Parisi A, Wall R, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. Ixodes ventalloi: morphological and molecular support for species integrity. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:251-258. [PMID: 27761719 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5286-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite their medical and veterinary importance, some tick species are so poorly studied, that their role within pathogen vector transmission cycles is difficult to assess. The tick Ixodes ventalloi is one such species, and its biology and phylogenetic status remain an issue of debate. In the present study, specimens of adult I. ventalloi (n = 65 females; n = 31 males) infesting cats in the Lipari Island (Aeolian archipelago, Sicily, southern Italy) were characterized morphologically and molecularly, the latter based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) genes. The genetic data and phylogenetic analyses for both mitochondrial genes suggest the existence of two distinct genogroups. The ecological and epidemiological significance of the genetic structure within the I. ventalloi endemic population remains to be determined. The results highlight the need for further analysis of this tick species, including whole mitochondrial genome sequencing and crossbreeding studies, which will be pivotal to complement features of its status as a vector of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessio Giannelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Maria Grazia Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Laia Solano-Gallego
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Autonomous University of Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Puglia e della Basilicata, 70017, Putignano, Bari, Italy
| | - Richard Wall
- University of Bristol, School of Biological Sciences, BS8 1TQ, Bristol, UK
| | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.,Aggeu Magalhães Research Centre, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Pernambuco, 50670-420, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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45
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Brianti E, Napoli E, Gaglio G, Falsone L, Giannetto S, Solari Basano F, Nazzari R, Latrofa MS, Annoscia G, Tarallo VD, Stanneck D, Dantas-Torres F, Otranto D. Field Evaluation of Two Different Treatment Approaches and Their Ability to Control Fleas and Prevent Canine Leishmaniosis in a Highly Endemic Area. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004987. [PMID: 27632527 PMCID: PMC5025139 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of two collars for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations. Additionally the effect of these collars on the incidence of Leishmania infantum infection as compared with a group of vaccinated dogs was evaluated. A total of 224 young dogs from private animal shelters were enrolled in April/May into four groups: G1, 55 dogs treated with 10% imidacloprid + 4.5% flumethrin collar (Seresto, Bayer Animal Health); G2, 60 dogs treated with 4% deltamethrin collar (Scalibor protector band, MSD Animal Health); G3, 54 dogs vaccinated with CaniLeish (Virbac Animal Health); and G4, 55 dogs left non-treated as controls. Dogs were followed up at days 120 (September), 210 (December), and 360 (April-May). At those time points, clinical assessments, ectoparasite counts and blood, bone marrow and skin samples, to detect the presence of L. infantum, were performed. The efficacy of Seresto in protecting dogs from flea infestation was 100% (P < 0.01) on day 120 and 210, while animals treated with Scalibor showed a prevalence of the infestation ranging from 23.3% to 33.3% on day 120 and 210, respectively. At the end of the study, the incidence of L. infantum infection in collared dogs-based on animals being positive in any of the tests-was 5.5% in Seresto-treated dogs and 20% in Scalibor-treated dogs, resulting in overall efficacy of prevention of 88.3% for Seresto and 61.8% for Scalibor. No statistical difference was detected in L. infantum positive dogs for bone marrow PCR and/or cytology at day 360 between the CaniLeish (15.4%) and non-treated control dogs (10.0%). Both collars proved to be effective (P < 0.01) in preventing L. infantum infection throughout one transmission season, whereas no significant difference was recorded in the frequency of active infections between dogs vaccinated with CaniLeish and control dogs, emphasizing the importance of using repellent/insecticide actives as a priority measure for protection against canine leishmaniosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Falsone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giada Annoscia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | - Filipe Dantas-Torres
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
- Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Brazil
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy
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Napoli E, Falsone L, Gaglio G, Colella V, Otranto D, Giannetto S, Brianti E. Evaluation of different methods for the experimental infection of the land snail Helix aspersa with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus lungworm. Vet Parasitol 2016; 225:1-4. [PMID: 27369568 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The laboratory maintenance of parasitic life cycles is crucial to support research in many fields of parasitology. The land snail Helix aspersa (syn. Cornu aspersum), an intermediate host of feline lungworms Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior, is adopted to produce infective stages of those nematodes in laboratory condition. The aim of this study was to compare the most common methods of experimental infection of H. aspersa with first stage larvae (L1) of A. abstrusus (i.e., contact of the snail foot with the L1) with the injection of these larvae in the foot of the snail, instrumental to reduce the infection time and to maximize the output of third-stage larvae (L3). Three groups (i.e., A, B, C) of 15 H. aspersa snails were infected with L1 of A. abstrusus (n=250 for each snail), whereas a fourth group (group D) was not infected (control). Snails were individually placed for 48h on a microfilm containing L1 (group A), on a potato slice previously irrigated with a suspension of L1 (group B), or they were inoculated by injection of L1 in the posterior-ventral portion of the foot (group C). Eighteen days after the infection all snails were analyzed and tissues were digested to recover L3. No difference in mortality rate was recorded among snail groups and the mean number of retrieved L3 was significantly larger in group C (71.5±52.9) compared to group B (38.2±44.9; p=0.0161) and group A (19±23.3; p<0.0001). The injection of A. abstrusus L1 in the foot of H. aspersa proved to be a fast, easy to apply and effective method, resulting in the largest number of infective larvae retrieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Falsone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy.
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Hodžić A, Alić A, Klebić I, Kadrić M, Brianti E, Duscher GG. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a potential reservoir host of cardiorespiratory parasites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Vet Parasitol 2016; 223:63-70. [PMID: 27198779 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered as reservoir of different cardiorespiratory parasites of veterinary and medical importance. Since data on cardiorespiratory parasites in foxes in Bosnia and Herzegovina are still lacking, the aims of the present study were to (i) investigate the prevalence and geographical distribution of these parasites, (ii) determine genetic diversity of detected parasite species, and (iii) to estimate the role of foxes in the transmission cycle to companion animals and humans. Four species, morphologically and molecularly identified as Eucoleus boehmi (64.6%; 51/79), Eucoleus aerophilus (69.7%; 154/221), Crenosoma vulpis (45.7%; 101/221) and Linguatula serrata (1.3%; 1/79) were retrieved from nasal cavity and lungs in 184 (83.3%) animals. The occurrence of heartworms, Angiostrongylus vasorum and Dirofilaria immitis was not detected by necropsy or PCR. Furthermore, three distinct haplotypes of E. aerophilus (I, III, XV) and two of C. vulpis (I, II) previously reported in pet animals and wild carnivores were confirmed in this study. A new haplotype of C. vulpis (designated as haplotype V) was also identified based on 12S rRNA gene for the first time. The present study indicates a high prevalence and wide distribution of nasal and lung nematodes in fox population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and supports the existence of transmission patterns between wildlife and pet animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Hodžić
- Department of Pathobiology, Institut of Parasitology, Universiy of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Amer Alić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ismar Klebić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mirsad Kadrić
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Georg Gerhard Duscher
- Department of Pathobiology, Institut of Parasitology, Universiy of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Gaglio G, Brianti E, Ferrara M, Falsone L, Napoli E, Giannetto S. Seasonality of goat warble fly infection by Przhevalskiana silenus (Diptera, Oestridae) in Italy. Small Rumin Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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49
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Falsone L, Brianti E, Severini F, Giannetto S, Romi R. Oviposition substrate in Asian tiger mosquito surveillance: Do the sizes matter? J Vector Ecol 2015; 40:256-261. [PMID: 26611959 DOI: 10.1111/jvec.12162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Ovitraps are regarded as a reliable system to monitor Aedes albopictus dynamics. However, the dimensions of the oviposition substrate are not standardized, and no studies have investigated which should be the most effective sizes. In this study, the effect of paddle sizes in tiger mosquito egg collection was evaluated. Egg count and density on the wide surfaces and margins of different-sized oviposition substrates have been evaluated in two studies (A and B). In study A, a total of 29,995 Ae. albopictus eggs was counted in 250 classic oviposition substrates. Eggs were found on both wide surfaces (53.1%) and margins (46.9%). Egg density was significantly larger in margins compared to wide surfaces. Overall in study B, 983 Ae. albopictus eggs were collected. According to paddle sizes, 51.8% of eggs were on large and 48.2% on small paddles. Mean egg density of wide surfaces was significantly larger in small paddles (0.25 eggs/cm(2) ) compared to large paddles (0.06 eggs/cm(2) ). Results indicate that wider oviposition substrates do not mean larger number of Ae. albopictus eggs. Indeed, on paddles four times thinner than others, the number of eggs counted was not statistically different. These findings suggest that small paddles may be routinely employed in ovitraps, thus allowing savings of materials and money.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Falsone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Universitàdegli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Universitàdegli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Severini
- Vector-Borne Diseases and International Health Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic, and Immuno-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giannetto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Universitàdegli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberto Romi
- Vector-Borne Diseases and International Health Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic, and Immuno-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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50
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Napoli E, Anile S, Arrabito C, Scornavacca D, Mazzamuto MV, Gaglio G, Otranto D, Giannetto S, Brianti E. Survey on parasitic infections in wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris Schreber, 1777) by scat collection. Parasitol Res 2015; 115:255-61. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4742-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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