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Villa L, Allievi C, Cerbo ARD, Zanzani SA, Sommariva F, Zanini L, Mortarino M, Manfredi MT. Neospora caninum antibodies in bulk tank milk from dairy cattle herds in Italy in relation to reproductive and productive parameters and spatial analysis. Acta Trop 2024:107194. [PMID: 38521123 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107194] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Among the available diagnostic techniques, antibody detection in bulk tank milk (BTM) represents a useful tool to estimate and monitor Neospora caninum herd prevalence. To evaluate the prevalence of N. caninum and the effect of parasite infection on herd performances, BTM samples collected from 586 dairy herds located in one of the largest dairy production areas in Italy (Lombardy) were analyzed by an indirect ELISA to detect anti-N. caninum specific antibodies. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were developed. A purely spatial analysis scanning for clusters with high or low rates for N. caninum using the Bernoulli model was performed. A maximum entropy approach was used to estimate the probability of distribution of the parasite based on occurrence records together with environmental variables. Overall, 180 herds resulted positive for N. caninum antibodies on bulk tank milk (P=30.7%). A higher risk of seropositivity was evidenced in the provinces of Milano, Cremona, Brescia, and Bergamo (P=32-40%); a lower risk was evidenced in Lodi, Pavia, and Mantova (P=13-24%). A higher risk of seropositivity was revealed for small-medium farms (101-300 animals) (O.R.=2.8) and for older animals with more than 4 years (O.R.=4.4). Regarding the effect of N. caninum infection on herd performances, the number of inseminations for conception was higher (> 3 inseminations), and the period from calving to conception was longer (> 150 days) for positive farms (O.R.=2.0 and O.R.=2.3, respectively); besides, lower head daily milk production (<20 kg and 21-25kg) and mature equivalent milk yield (<11000), and somatic cell counts higher than 300000 cells/ml were observed for N. caninum positive herds (O.R.=0.4, O.R.=0.4 and O.R.=1.9 respectively). The geographical distribution of N. caninum positive farms with the highest level of probability covers the central sector of the Po Plain where a significant cluster for high risk of parasite infection was shown by spatial scan statistic and Maximum entropy ecological niche modelling. A further significant cluster of low risk occurred in the southern. The climatic and environmental variables with the highest training gain when used in isolation resulted altitude, land use/land cover, and other variables related to temperature and precipitation. Neosporosis is widely distributed in Italian dairy herds and an impact of the parasite on herd performances could be hypothesized. Even if the role of N. caninum in alterations of reproductive and productive parameters should be further explored, veterinarians and farmers should be aware of neosporosis, and control plans should be adopted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Carolina Allievi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Di Cerbo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Flavio Sommariva
- Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Lombardia, Via Kennedy, 30 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Lucio Zanini
- Associazione Regionale Allevatori della Lombardia, Via Kennedy, 30 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - Michele Mortarino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6 26900 Lodi, Italy.
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Villa L, Allievi C, Gazzonis AL, Ventura G, Gradassi M, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. Serological Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis in Wild Boars ( Sus scrofa) Hunted in a Highly Anthropized Area in Italy. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1730. [PMID: 37889677 PMCID: PMC10251892 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111730] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing expansion into urban and rural areas, wild boars represent a potential source of infection with zoonotic and animal-specific parasites for both humans and animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the serological prevalence to Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis in blood samples from wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in an anthropized area in Italy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were used to detect antibodies anti-T. gondii and anti-S. scabiei and an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) for antibodies anti-N. caninum. 81 out of 128 wild boars (P = 63.3%) resulted positive for at least one of the three parasites. 68 of them were seropositive to T. gondii (P = 53.1%) and 14 to N. caninum (P = 10.9%). 9 wild boars resulted seropositive to S. scabiei var. suis (P = 7.0%). Sampling season was the only significant risk factor related to S. scabiei var. suis seroprevalence (OR = 7.8). The high occurrence of T. gondii supports the role of this species as a source of infection for other animals and humans. Furthermore, the serological prevalence of N. caninum and S. scabiei var. suis in wild boars from the study area characterized by the presence of numerous dairy cattle and pig farms is relevant to demonstrate its suitability for the circulation of these parasites both in domestic and wild species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.A.); (A.L.G.); (S.A.Z.)
| | - Carolina Allievi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.A.); (A.L.G.); (S.A.Z.)
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.A.); (A.L.G.); (S.A.Z.)
| | - Giordano Ventura
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Cardinal Massaia 7, 26100 Cremona, Italy; (G.V.); (M.G.)
| | - Matteo Gradassi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Cardinal Massaia 7, 26100 Cremona, Italy; (G.V.); (M.G.)
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.A.); (A.L.G.); (S.A.Z.)
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (C.A.); (A.L.G.); (S.A.Z.)
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Battelli M, Colombini S, Parma P, Galassi G, Crovetto GM, Spanghero M, Pravettoni D, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT, Rapetti L. In vitro effects of different levels of quebracho and chestnut tannins on rumen methane production, fermentation parameters, and microbiota. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1178288. [PMID: 37152691 PMCID: PMC10154982 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1178288] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Both condensed and hydrolysable tannins (CTs and HTs, respectively) have the ability to reduce enteric CH4 production in ruminants. However, the precise mechanism of action is not fully understood. Among the proposed hypotheses are the reduction of ruminal digestibility, direct control action on protozoa, reduction of archaea, and a hydrogen sink mechanism. In this in vitro study, which simulated rumen fermentation, two additives, one containing CTs (70% based on DM) from quebracho and one with HTs (75% based on DM) from chestnut, at four levels of inclusion (2, 4, 6, 8% on an as-fed basis) were added to the fermentation substrate and tested against a negative control. Both types of tannins significantly reduced total gas (GP) and CH4 (ml/g DM) production during the 48 h of incubation. The lower GP and CH4 production levels were linked to the reduction in dry matter digestibility caused by CTs and HTs. Conversely, no significant differences were observed for the protozoan and archaeal populations, suggesting a low direct effect of tannins on these rumen microorganisms in vitro. However, both types of tannins had negative correlations for the families Bacteroidales_BS11 and F082 and positive correlations for the genera Prevotella and Succinivibrio. Regarding the fermentation parameters, no differences were observed for pH and total volatile fatty acid production, while both CTs and HTs linearly reduced the NH3 content. CTs from quebracho were more effective in reducing CH4 production than HTs from chestnut. However, for both types of tannins, the reduction in CH4 production was always associated with a lower digestibility without any changes in archaea or protozoa. Due to the high variability of tannins, further studies investigating the chemical structure of the compounds and their mechanisms of action are needed to understand the different results reported in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Battelli
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Colombini
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Parma
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Galassi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianni Matteo Crovetto
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Mauro Spanghero
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Davide Pravettoni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | | | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Rapetti
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Rapetti,
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Aloisio G, Migliorati E, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Gastrointestinal parasitic infections in intensive dairy cattle breeding: Update on the epidemiology and associated risk factors in northern Italy. Parasitol Int 2022; 91:102641. [PMID: 35933035 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102641] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Parasitic infections such as Strongylida and Eimeria still represent a major health problem of dairy cattle impacting their health, welfare, and productivity. In view of the scarcity of data on risk factors contributing to the spread of parasitic infections in cattle breeding, an epidemiological study in intensive dairy farms in northern Italy was planned. 495 animals (lactating and dry cows, heifers, and calves) from 19 farms were enrolled in the study. Individual fecal samples were analyzed by a quantitative copromicroscopic analysis to detect the number of Strongylida eggs or Eimeria oocysts per gram of faeces (EPG/OPG). Data concerning management, sanitary and biosecurity measures were collected using a questionnaire; a management measures score (MMS) was also calculated. The possible influence of risk factors on Strongylida and Eimeria was thus assessed by statistical analysis using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). Eimeria spp. was the most frequently detected parasitic taxon (herd and individual prevalence: 89.5% and 46.2%, respectively), followed by Strongylida (herd and individual prevalence: 63.1% and 16.6%, respectively). The presence of Strongylida resulted associated to the productive category (p-value = 0.028), with heifers and dry cows at higher risk of infection than lactating cows and calves, and to the MMS (p-value = 0.007). Higher prevalence values were recorded in farms with intermediate or low MMS compared to those with optimal MMS. As regard Eimeria infection, a greater effect of MMS on OPG counts was recorded in calves when compared to those recorded in heifers (OR = 0.228, p-value = 0.003) and dry cows (OR = 0.241, p-value = 0.009). Gastrointestinal parasitic infections still remain an underestimated problem in intensive dairy cattle breeding. MMS may help in the choice of strategies aimed at minimizing the impact of parasites on animal health, thus improving the productivity of the entire herd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Giulia Aloisio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Elisa Migliorati
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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Meazzi S, Lauzi S, Martini V, Ferriani R, Peri M, Zanzani SA, Giordano A. Gut Microbiota and Lymphocyte Subsets in Canine Leishmaniasis. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:868967. [PMID: 35909678 PMCID: PMC9326463 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.868967] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota seems to interact with immune system. Canine leishmaniasis pathogenesis and severity of disease lean on the host immunity, but there is no information in literature about gut microbiota in infected animals. Thus, this study aims to compare the microbiota composition and leukocyte subset of healthy dogs with those of asymptomatic dogs exposed to Leishmania spp. and dogs with clinical leishmaniasis. Thirty-nine dogs were enrolled and grouped into three groups: healthy, exposed asymptomatic and infected symptomatic for Leishmania spp. Flow cytometry on whole blood evaluated the prevalence of CD4, CD5, CD8, CD11b, CD14, and CD21 positive cells. Gut microbiota was investigated using a next generation sequencing (NGS) technique. Firmicutes resulted significantly more abundant in the healthy dogs compared with the other two groups. Conversely, Proteobacteria were more abundant in symptomatic dogs. Even in rarest phyla comparison some significant differences were found, as well as in comparison at classes, order, family and genus levels. The symptomatic group had lower concentration of all the lymphocyte classes (CD5, CD21, CD4, CD8) compared to the other groups. A lower abundance of Firmicutes is reported in literature in diseased animals compared to the healthy ones and this is in agreement with the results of this study. Increased Proteobacteria in sick animals could suggest a dysbiosis status, even without distinct gastrointestinal signs. The leukocyte classes results indicate a decreased Th1 response in symptomatic dogs. Studies also investigating the cytokine response could deepen the knowledge on the pathogenesis of canine leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Meazzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Stefania Lauzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Stefania Lauzi
| | - Valeria Martini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | | | - Margherita Peri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Giordano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Allievi C, Zanzani SA, Mortarino M, Manfredi MT. Prevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies in fattening pigs and sows from intensive farms in northern Italy. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1033-1040. [PMID: 35118513 PMCID: PMC8858266 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07457-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) is a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle. In pigs, only a few studies investigated the effects of this parasite on reproductive efficiency. Considering the relevance of swine farms in northern Italian regions, an epidemiological survey was designed to investigate the spread of N. caninum infection. Three hundred seventy fattening pigs and sows from 23 intensive farms in Lombardy were sampled. Sera were analyzed by a commercial immunofluorescence antibody test. Statistical analysis through univariate and multivariate generalized linear models was conducted to detect farm management practices enhancing the risk of infection. At the farm level, 52.1% (12/23) of the selected farms, 72.7% housing sows and 40% fattening pigs, scored positive. At the individual level, 25 animals (25/370, P = 6.7%) were positive to N. caninum antibodies: one fattening pig and two sows showed an antibody titer of 1:100, and in two sows, an antibody titer of 1:400 and 1:6400 was evidenced. A higher seroprevalence was detected in sows (17/151, P = 11.2%) if compared to fattening pigs (8/219, P = 3.6%) (OR = 1.19, P value = 0.000 in sows). Moreover, a higher seroprevalence was recorded in farms with low and moderate sanitary score (P = 100% and P = 64.2%, respectively) if compared to farms with high sanitary score (P = 22.2%) (OR = 1.24, P value = 0.007 in score = 1 and OR = 1.10, P value = 0.050 in score = 2). This study provides the first data on the circulation of N. caninum in intensive swine farms in Italy, demonstrating the spread of the parasite in fattening pigs and sows in Lombardy region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Carolina Allievi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Michele Mortarino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Giuliani G, Alberti E, Villa L, Manfredi MT. COMPARISON OF NATURALLY OCCURRING EIMERIA INFECTIONS IN ALPINE AND NERA DI VERZASCA GOAT BREEDS REARED IN A SUB-ALPINE ENVIRONMENT. J Parasitol 2021; 107:463-471. [PMID: 34086926 DOI: 10.1645/20-153] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to describe the natural trend of Eimeria spp. oocysts shedding in different breeds of adult goats raised in a sub-Alpine ecosystem by quantitative copromicroscopic analysis. A 1-yr long longitudinal study was planned in a goat herd composed of non-native (Alpine) and autochthonous (Nera di Verzasca) breeds. FLOTAC double technique was implemented to analyze individual fecal samples collected monthly from 2 groups (non-native and native) of 10 goats each. A generalized linear mixed model, in which each goat was included as a random intercept effect, identified 4 predictors of logarithmically transformed oocysts per gram shedding: the number of days from parturition (F = 27.744; P < 0.001), the interaction between the goat breed and the number of days from parturition (F = 8.407; P = 0.004), the interaction between the number of days from parturition and the number of parturitions (F = 6.371; P = 0.012), and the interaction between the monthly rainfalls and temperatures (F = 4.536; P = 0.023). These results indicate that the physiological status (number of days from parturition) of adult goats and its interaction with other individual features (number of parturitions and breed) can affect Eimeria spp. oocysts shedding. Besides, a combination of climatic variables can pose a risk for Eimeria spp. infection in goats reared in the sub-Alpine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriele Giuliani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eric Alberti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Diezma-Diaz C, Perlotti C, Zanzani SA, Ferrucci F, Álvarez-García G, Manfredi MT. Besnoitiosis in donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease of equids in Italy. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:1811-1819. [PMID: 33723661 PMCID: PMC8084774 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07089-9] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Besnoitiosis is an emerging parasitic disease of equids. Italy is one of the few European countries where the circulation of Besnoitia spp. antibodies was demonstrated. In this study, a case of clinical besnoitiosis in two donkeys in northern Italy is reported. The two animals were clinically examined. Serum and blood samples were analyzed for the detection of Besnoitia spp. antibodies and for hematology, biochemistry, and enzyme activity, respectively. ITS-1 PCR and sequencing were carried out on DNA extracted from skin biopsies. Clinical examination revealed numerous scleral pearls in eyes of both animals; alopecia and hyperkeratosis with skin nodules in the region of the neck, hind leg, and on the pinnae were detected. No cysts were evidenced by endoscopy in respiratory and genital tracts. Both animals resulted seropositive to Besnoitia spp. antibodies by Western Blot. Hematology evidenced light anemia, leukocytosis with eosinophilia, and lymphocytosis; biochemistry and enzyme activity revealed hypoalbuminemia with decreased albumin/globulin ratio and elevated alkaline phosphatase values. Parasitic DNA extracted from skin biopsies of both donkeys demonstrated a homology of 100% with Besnoitia spp. This first clinical case of besnoitiosis in two donkeys in Italy both confirms the circulation of Besnoitia spp. in Italian equids and demonstrates that the distribution area of equine besnoitiosis in Europe could be wider than expected. Further studies are needed to infer its relevance, in relation to seroprevalence and clinical disease, and to identify the species of Besnoitia infecting donkeys. Besnoitiosis may be a neglected disease of donkeys in Europe: an early and accurate diagnosis is fundamental to implement adequate control measures to prevent a “silent” spread of Besnoitia spp. infection in equids populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Carlos Diezma-Diaz
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Mazzola S, Giordano A, Manfredi MT. Exploring alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected dairy cattle. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:154. [PMID: 33722267 PMCID: PMC7962361 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04626-4] [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: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Besnoitia besnoiti is an Apicomplexan protozoa causative of bovine besnoitiosis, a chronic and debilitating disease of cattle, with a variety of pathological findings that could alter some laboratory parameters. A study was conducted in a bovine besnoitiosis endemically infected dairy herd located in Italy characterized by high intra-herd seroprevalence and cattle with clinical signs of the disease. In the study, alterations in laboratory parameters, i.e. hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol levels, in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected cows were investigated in depth. Methods Laboratory parameters in 107 cows, of which 61 were seronegative and 46 were seropositive to B. besnoiti, including 27 with clinical signs of bovine besnoitiosis, were compared. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the effect of Besnoitia infection on the considered laboratory parameters. Results Hematological analyses revealed that B. besnoiti infection determined a significant alteration to the leukocyte differential, with a higher percentage of granulocytes and a lower percentage of lymphocytes in seropositive and clinically affected animals (Mann–Whitney U-test, P = 0.022); erythrocyte and platelet counts did not show any difference between the considered groups of cows. Biochemistry tests evidenced that the parasite infection influenced serum protein values in seropositive cows and glutamate dehydrogenase values in clinically affected animals. No or only slight differences were revealed for all of the other biochemical and enzyme activity parameters in B. besnoiti-infected animals. In addition, despite the lack of statistical significance, seropositive and clinically affected cows evidenced higher concentrations of serum cortisol values compared to seronegative animals. Conclusions Although physiological, pathological and farm-related factors could have influenced the results in investigated animals, further studies involving more animals from different farms would be advisable to infer the role of B. besnoiti on these alterations, since laboratory parameters could help veterinarians in the diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis in cattle.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Silvia Mazzola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Alessia Giordano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Bertero F, Moretta I, Morganti G, Mortarino M, Villa L, Zanzani SA, Morandi B, Rinnovati R, Vitale F, Manfredi MT, Cardoso L, Veronesi F. Detecting antibodies to Leishmania infantum in horses from areas with different epizooticity levels of canine leishmaniosis and a retrospective revision of Italian data. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:530. [PMID: 33092640 PMCID: PMC7583181 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04385-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne pathogen endemic in countries in the Mediterranean basin, including Italy. Dogs act as the primary reservoir for this parasite, but other animal species may also be infected. Low-to-moderate seroprevalence levels of infection have been reported in apparent healthy equine populations in southern Europe, reinforcing the importance of exploring those species, including horses, that act as a food source for vectors and may thus participate in the epizoological scenario of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) and zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis (ZVL). Since little is known regarding the exposure to L. infantum in horses in Italy, we assessed the seroprevalence in healthy equine populations from different CanL endemic areas. Methods The survey was conducted on 660 apparently healthy horses distributed throughout central and northern regions of Italy between 2016 and 2019. Blood samples were collected and the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies (IgG) was investigated by the immunofluorescence antibody test. Information on the location and altitude of the stables, along with the horses’ breed, age, sex, and reproductive status was obtained by filling in a questionnaire. This was then used for statistical analysis by generalized linear models to explore risk factors associated with seroreactivity to L. infantum. Results An average seroprevalence of 13.9% was detected for L. infantum in the equine populations investigated, with statistically significant associations between seroprevalence, geographical variables (northern vs central Italy, origin and altitude) and individual factors (i.e. age and breed morphotype). Conclusions Our results highlight that horses are frequently exposed to L. infantum. Further prevalence surveys in horses, also using direct methods (e.g. PCR), are warranted to clarify the role of these hosts in the epidemiology of Leishmania in Italy.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Filippo Bertero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Iolanda Moretta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Morganti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Mortarino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Benedetto Morandi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università Degli Studi Di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Riccardo Rinnovati
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, Università Degli Studi Di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Vitale
- National Reference Center for Leishmaniasis (C.Re.Na.L.), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Luis Cardoso
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre, University of Trás-Os-Montes E Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
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11
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Gazzonis AL, Marino AMF, Garippa G, Rossi L, Mignone W, Dini V, Giunta RP, Luini M, Villa L, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in beef cattle raised in Italy: a multicenter study. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3893-3898. [PMID: 32920650 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06878-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis represents an important public health issue, with the consumption of raw or undercooked meat being a major way of human infection. The role of beef in the transmission of the parasite to humans is questioned due to lower quantity of tissue cysts compared with other meat-producing species. However, the habit of consuming raw beef is regionally diffused, and the risk posed by Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle should not be overlooked. Therefore, to update information on T. gondii in cattle reared in Italy, a multicentric seroepidemiological survey was designed and implemented in four Northern regions (Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Trentino Alto Adige) and Sardinia. Overall, a convenience sampling was performed, collecting 1444 serum samples from 57 beef cattle herds. Thirteen beef breeds were sampled, besides cross-breed; bovines age varied from 3 months to over 12 years. Sera were tested with a commercial ELISA for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Individual and herd data were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. A T. gondii seroprevalence of 10.2% was recorded, with differences among regions and values ranging from 5.3% in Liguria to 18.6% in the Piedmont region (p value = 0.0001). Both young and adult animals and males and females tested positive, without any significant difference (age and gender: p value > 0.05). Lower seroprevalence values were recorded in cattle born in Italy (8.7%) if compared with animals imported from abroad (13.4%) (p value = 0.046). The spread of T. gondii in beef cattle destined to Italian consumers is confirmed, suggesting the need of continuous monitoring of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Maria Fausta Marino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Toxoplasmosi (Ce.Tox.), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Garippa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Walter Mignone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Imperia Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Imperia, Italy
| | - Valter Dini
- Health Veterinary Service, A.S.L. Savonese 2, Savona, Italy
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Toxoplasmosi (Ce.Tox.), Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Luini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Zanzani SA, Gazzonis AL, Alberti E, Neilly TM, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats: differences between strongyle faecal egg counts and specific antibody responses to Teladorsagia circumcincta in Nera di Verzasca and Alpine goats. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2539-2548. [PMID: 32562068 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Strongylida are gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of greatest importance in small ruminants throughout the world. Differences in resistance and resilience to GIN among goat breeds were reported. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the breed-associated differences using a cosmopolitan (Alpine, AB) and an autochthonous (Nera di Verzasca, NV) goat breed. At first, fifteen goats from the same herd (NV = 7, AB = 8) at day 0 were infected with infective larvae (L3) of mixed GIN. From the 15th day post-infection (DPI), individual parasite egg excretion (faecal egg counts, FEC) was performed on all goats, once per week, until the 63rd DPI. Afterwards, in goats under field conditions (30 AB and 30 NV reared on the same farm), individual faecal and blood samples were collected; FEC-specific antibody and PCV levels were explored. In goats with experimental GIN infection, mean eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) values were consistently lower in NV goats. In goats with natural GIN infection, EPG and prevalence values showed high variability in both breeds; among individual variables, breed had a significant influence on EPG. Further, PCV and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by the breed. Lower PCV values were also associated with higher strongyle EPG in AB goats, and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by both strongyle EPG and breed, with IgA levels being higher in AB vs. NV goats and positively associated with EPG. Neither EPG nor breed had any influence on IgE levels. Both studies on experimental and natural infection confirmed that goats of NV are more resistant to infection with gastrointestinal nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - E Alberti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - T Mc Neilly
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, UK
| | - L Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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13
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii infection in meat-producing small ruminants: Meat juice serology and genotyping. Parasitol Int 2020; 76:102060. [PMID: 31962194 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The consumption of ovine and caprine meat is considered one of the major transmission routes for Toxoplasma gondii infection in humans. The present study aimed at obtaining epidemiological and molecular data on T. gondii infection in small ruminants slaughtered or commercialized in Italy. Meat juices from 227 sheep and 51 goats were analyzed with a commercial ELISA and antibodies were detected in 28.6% sheep and 27.5% goats. A significant difference was highlighted between adult sheep and the other considered categories (young sheep, young and adult goats) concerning the detection of antibodies (94.1%; p-value = .008). Muscles of positives samples were submitted to molecular analysis, and T. gondii DNA was detected in 15 sheep and three goats; sequencing of B1 gene showed that all belonged to Type II. The present study confirmed small ruminants' meat as a possible source of T. gondii infection for consumers eating raw or undercooked meat, particularly in those countries where the consumption of sheep and goats' meat products is a traditional gastronomic habit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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14
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Perlotti C, Zanzani SA, Sironi G, Manfredi MT. First report of Demodex bovis infestation in bovine besnoitiosis co-infected dairy cattle in Italy. Parasitol Int 2019; 75:102021. [PMID: 31706901 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.102021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A form of generalized demodectic mange in two dairy cows infected with Besnoitia besnoiti is described. The herd was endemically infected with bovine besnoitiosis; an overall seroprevalence of B. besnoiti antibodies of 23.5%, that increased up to 43.5% considering only cows, was reported. Two out of the cows seropositive to B. besnoiti, at clinical examination presented skin nodules, widespread all over the body, and in particular in anterior regions. Skin biopsies from the region of the neck were collected and the nodules were microscopically examined through compression method. B. besnoiti tissue cysts were not revealed but a semi-solid yellowish content was evidenced with the presence of several mites, morphologically identified as Demodex bovis. Histological examination of skin biopsies evidenced slight acanthosis and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and superficial dermatitis with oedema and macrophagic and eosinophilic infiltration. Cystic formations located in the deep dermis were lined by metaplastic squamous epithelium and severe cellular infiltration. A treatment with eprinomectin was attempted and clinical improvement of both cows was observed, particularly at the fifteenth day after treatment, with nodules reduced in size and mites in there degenerated. This is the first report of the co-infection of D. bovis infestation and bovine besnoitiosis in cattle. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that D. bovis circulates in the Italian cattle population, but subclinical forms could be underdiagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Chiara Perlotti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sironi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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15
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Perlotti C, Sironi G, Manfredi MT. Bovine besnoitiosis in an endemically infected dairy cattle herd in Italy: serological and clinical observations, risk factors, and effects on reproductive and productive performances. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3459-3468. [PMID: 31659452 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06501-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Bovine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti) is an emerging parasitic disease of cattle in Europe. This study reports a case of bovine besnoitiosis in a dairy farm housing 217 cattle in Italy. A serological screening was performed on the whole herd using the recommended approach of ELISA and confirmatory Western Blot. Seropositive animals were clinically examined to reveal symptoms and lesions of besnoitiosis. Risk factors and the effects of the parasite infection on reproductive and productive performances were evaluated. Histopathology and molecular analyses on tissues from a slaughtered cow affected by the chronic phase of the disease were carried out. An overall seroprevalence of 23.5%, which increased up to 43.5% considering only cows, was recorded. Clinical examination of 33 of the seropositive cows evidenced the presence of tissue cysts in at least one of the typical localizations (sclera, vulva, or skin) in 25 animals. Statistical analysis did not evidence any significative impact of the parasite infection on herd efficiency; however, a decrease of productive parameters was recorded in cows showing cutaneous cysts. Concerning the chronically affected cow, histopathology revealed B. besnoiti tissue cysts in the skin of the neck, rump, hind legs, eyelid and vulva, in the muzzle, in mucosal membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and in the lungs. Parasite DNA was detected also in masseter muscles, tonsils, mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, cardiac muscle, aorta wall, ovaries, uterus, and vulva. Bovine besnoitiosis continues to spread in the Italian cattle population. Breeders and veterinarians should be aware of this parasitic disease, and control programs should be developed based on surveillance through a diagnostic procedure including both clinical examination and laboratory tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Chiara Perlotti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sironi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Savarese A, Probo M, Locatelli C, Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Traini G, Vitiello T, Brambilla PG. Iron status in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Pol J Vet Sci 2019; 21:507-515. [PMID: 30468339 DOI: 10.24425/122625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In humans, iron deficiency represents a relevant occurrence in heart failure (HF), with or without anaemia, and is associated with the worst outcome. Moreover, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a well-known comorbidity of HF and is strongly associated with the risk of developing anaemia. The most common cause of HF in dogs is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the iron status in dogs with HF, with and without CKD. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the iron status in dogs affected by MMVD and how strong is the relation with HF. The retrospective study included 54 dogs with complete case records, echocardiography and laboratory analyses. Iron status was evaluated by measuring serum iron concentration (SIC), un- saturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and percentage of saturation (%SAT). The prevalence of dogs showing low serum iron concentration (SIC) was 18% in the whole population, 33% in symptomatic patients, 100% in dogs with acute decompensated HF. No signif- icant differences in SIC, UIBC, TIBC and %SAT median values were found among dogs classi- fied in different ACVIM (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine) classes, between symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients, and among IRIS (International Renal Interest Soci- ety) classes. Azotemic and non-azotemic patients presented a significant difference in SIC mean values (p=0.02). Generalised linear model (GLM) revealed that dogs with low SIC were at high- er risk of being included in a higher ACVIM class (OR=6.383, p-value=0.014). Log-rank analysis showed shorter survival in dogs with low SIC (p=0.020), multivariate Cox analysis revealed that only HF symptoms can affect survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Savarese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - M Probo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - C Locatelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - G Traini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - T Vitiello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - P G Brambilla
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Marangi M, Zanzani SA, Villa L, Giangaspero A, Manfredi MT. Molecular epidemiology of Blastocystis sp. in dogs housed in Italian rescue shelters. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:3011-3017. [PMID: 31418113 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06424-5] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a ubiquitous protozoan with a wide range of hosts. In humans, its presence has been associated with gastrointestinal disorders, although its role as a pathogen still needs to be elucidated. Until now, 17 Blastocystis subtypes (STs) have been identified, with ST1-ST4 the most commonly found in humans. Among domestic animals, the same STs reported in humans have been detected in dogs. An epidemiological survey on dog kennels was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis and the STs involved. Overall, 99 faecal samples were collected from the rescue shelters. Blastocystis detection was performed through conventional barcoding PCR targeting the 1800-bp SSU-rDNA, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Blastocystis DNA was found in 21 faecal samples (21.2%), and all samples were successfully sequenced and identified as ST3 in a unique monophyletic group. The presence of Blastocystis was reported for the first time in dogs from Italy, with the identification of ST3, the subtype most commonly found in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Marangi
- Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Annunziata Giangaspero
- Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected goats: Monitoring of specific IgG levels in serum and milk during lactation and parasitic DNA detection in milk. Prev Vet Med 2019; 170:104738. [PMID: 31421505 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2019.104738] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The zoonotic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii is one of the major abortive pathogens in small ruminants. Nevertheless, data on T. gondii infection in goats during lactation and on the presence of T. gondii in goat milk are lacking. A longitudinal study was planned in a T. gondii naturally infected dairy goat farm with the aim of (i) evaluating the variation of anti-T. gondii antibodies in blood and milk during the lactation; (ii) identifying the optimal phase during lactation for T. gondii monitoring; (iii) detecting the presence of T. gondii DNA in the milk. From March to July 2017, 30 goats in a farm were fortnightly visited seven times and sampled for blood and, when in lactation, for milk. Individual data regarding age, reproductive disorders, and the day of lactation were recorded. For the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in blood and milk a commercial ELISA kit was used. Milk samples (n = 63) of selected nine seropositive animals were also molecularly analysed to amplify a sequence within the ITS1 region of T. gondii. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 63.3% (19/30); a high agreement was obtained between serum and milk results (Spearman's coefficient = 0.793 and Kendall's tau = 0.624), particularly between the 15th and the 60th day of lactation. In the statistical analysis, performed with generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), the variable "phase of lactation" was strongly associated to ELISA values obtained in both serum and milk (p-value = 0.0001, F = 5.197, and p-value = 0.016, F = 2.755, respectively). Finally, molecular analyses revealed the presence of parasitic DNA in 20.6% (13/63) of milk samples, with a discontinuous parasite excretion; statistical analyses did not reveal any association among the parasite excretion and the considered variables. Milk could be considered as a valid alternative to blood for monitoring T. gondii infection in goat herds. Moreover, the detection of T. gondii DNA in milk enhanced the possibility for raw goat's milk consumption to be considered as a risk to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Zanzani SA, Pintore E, Olivieri E, Columbano N, Scanu A, Melosu V, Sanna Passino E, Careddu G, Gazzonis AL, Manfredi MT, Garippa G. Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors. Med Vet Entomol 2019; 33:238-246. [PMID: 30569463 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12355] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The Sardinian coloured donkey Equus asinus (Perissodactyla: Equidae) and its albino colour morph represent the wildlife species most typical of the island of Asinara. This Mediterranean island represents a favourable context for ticks and tick-borne diseases; however, knowledge of the tick fauna on Asinara is scarce. A total of 106 Sardinian donkeys were inspected for tick infestation from June to November 2015. All ticks found were collected, classified by stage and sex, and identified to species level. The level of infestation of each donkey was determined; both the overall tick infestation and infestations of each detected species were classified on a scale of 1-3 to give an infestation score (IS). Overall, 256 hard ticks were collected from 60 of 106 donkeys (56.6%). Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and Hyalomma marginatum (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae) infested 26.4%, 28.3% and 6.6% of donkeys, respectively. Different variables affected the IS. With reference to overall tick infestation, a higher IS was observed in donkeys grazing on grassland and Mediterranean shrubland and in albino donkeys compared with coloured donkeys. The collected ticks included species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans, which highlights the risks for public health in a tourist destination such as Asinara National Park.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - E Pintore
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - N Columbano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - A Scanu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - V Melosu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - E Sanna Passino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - G Careddu
- Parco Nazionale dell'Asinara, Sassari, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - G Garippa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università di Sassari, Sassari, 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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Gazzonis AL, Gjerde B, Villa L, Minazzi S, Zanzani SA, Riccaboni P, Sironi G, Manfredi MT. Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Italy. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:1271-1287. [PMID: 30788573 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [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: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
A sample of the diaphragm was collected from each of 100 wild boars legally hunted in the Val Grande National Park in north-western Italy and examined for the presence of Sarcocystis infection by histological and molecular methods. In histological sections, thick-walled sarcocysts consistent with those of Sarcocystis miescheriana were detected in 32 wild boars. Genomic DNA extracted from diaphragm samples was initially subjected to PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, and 97 wild boars were found to harbour a Sarcocystis infection at this screening. Selected DNA samples were then subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 region and the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes of the nuclear ribosomal DNA unit, while all positive samples were subjected to PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene. S. miescheriana was identified in 97 wild boars (97%), while the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis was identified in one wild boar (1%), which also harboured S. miescheriana. Intra-specific sequence variation was found in all four DNA regions of S. miescheriana examined and in the 18S rRNA gene and ITS1 region of S. suihominis. The partial cox1 gene was amplified and sequenced from 72 isolates of S. miescheriana, yielding 43 haplotypes with pairwise sequence identities of 97.6-99.9%. These haplotypes were 79.1-79.8% identical with the cox1 sequence of S. suihominis. Phylogeny based on cox1 sequences placed S. miescheriana and S. suihominis as sister species within a clade comprising mainly Sarcocystis spp. of ruminants with felids as known or presumed definitive hosts. The same was true for the phylogeny based on 18S rRNA gene sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Bjørn Gjerde
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P. O. Box 369, Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Minazzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Riccaboni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sironi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Santoro A, Veronesi F, Olivieri E, Villa L, Lubian E, Lovati S, Bottura F, Epis S, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii infection in raptors from Italy: Seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018; 60:42-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 09/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Savarese A, Probo M, Locatelli C, Zanzani SA, Gazzonis AL, Papa M, Brambilla PG. Reliability of symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease as kidney biomarker. Open Vet J 2018; 8:318-324. [PMID: 30237979 PMCID: PMC6140385 DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v8i3.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common cause of heart failure in the canine population is myxomatous mitral valve disease, sometimes complicated by chronic kidney disease. Many studies have been done on the use of symmetric dimethylarginine as biomarker of renal impairment in dogs affected by chronic kidney disease, few studies have examined his reliability as biomarker in dogs affected by heart diseases. Aim of this study was to evaluate symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs affected by mitral valve disease in order to assess his reliability in heart diseases. This was a retrospective case-control study on a clinical population of dogs affected by mitral valve disease (cases) vs healthy dogs (controls). Both groups underwent a complete physical evaluation, echocardiographic examination, complete blood count, biochemical panel, including serum creatinine and urea and urine analysis with protein-to-creatinine ratio. Serum was frozen and sent to IDEXX laboratories for symmetric dimethylarginine determination. General linear model was applied to data. A total number of 24 cases and 7 controls were included. Symmetric dimethylarginine value was in the reference value in the 75% (n=18) of cases, and in the 43% (n=3) of controls. Once set symmetric dimethylarginine as dependent variable, no statistical significant differences were found for each variable considered (breed, age, sex, weight, class of cardiomyopathy, presence/absence of valvular disease, presence/absence of congestive heart failure, pharmacological therapy, creatinine and urea concentration). Blood concentration of SDMA resulted not influenced by the variables mentioned above, so it could be considered a reliable marker of early renal impairment in dogs affected by mitral valve disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Savarese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Probo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Locatelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Melissa Papa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Zanzani SA, Stradiotto K, Olivieri E, Villa L, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Bulk Tank Milk Samples of Caprine Dairy Herds. J Parasitol 2018; 104:560-565. [PMID: 29906217 DOI: 10.1645/17-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A major public health issue, Toxoplasma gondii infection can affect humans mainly via the consumption of animal products from certain species, including small ruminants. Therefore, a regular monitoring of the infection in ovine and caprine populations is advisable for the control of human and animal toxoplasmosis. Antibody detection in individual and bulk tank milk (BTM) may represent a valid alternative to serological analysis, in that its collection is easy and does not affect animal welfare. Many serological tools for milk analysis have already been validated for several parasites, including Apicomplexa. Thus, the aim of the present study was to obtain epidemiological data on T. gondii infection through the detection of antibodies in BTM of dairy goat herds from an important area for caprine dairy production (northern Italy). The performance of a commercial ELISA was first evaluated for analysis of caprine milk samples, using a panel of serum-milk pairs of goats naturally infected by T. gondii. The analysis of BTM confirmed the presence of anti- T. gondii antibodies in 59% of the samples. Toxoplasma gondii antibody positivity was more frequently found in goats reared on farms under extensive (64.9%) or semi-intensive systems (68.7%) in comparison with intensive farms (51.1%). Analysis of milk was a valid alternative to serological tests, being easily applied in large-scale epidemiological surveys and for continuous monitoring of T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Gazzonis
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - S A Zanzani
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - K Stradiotto
- 2 Associazione Regionale degli Allevatori della Lombardia, 26013 Crema, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- 3 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - L Villa
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy
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Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Álvarez-García G, Diezma-Díaz C, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. First detection of anti-Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in horses and donkeys in Italy. Parasitol Int 2018; 67:640-643. [PMID: 29935266 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Among Apicomplexa protozoa infecting equids, Besnoitia spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. represent important issues from a sanitary and zootechnical viewpoint. However, only scarce epidemiological data are available on the spread of the infections in horses and donkeys in Europe. Therefore, a serosurvey was planned to estimate the prevalence of these Sarcocystidae species in Italian equids. Serum samples from 268 horses and 18 donkeys raised in Italy were collected and serologically analyzed to detect anti-Besnoitia spp., anti-T. gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies: an approach based on an initial screening by in-house ELISA followed by a confirmatory WB was used. Two horses (0.7%) and four donkeys (22.2%), showed antibodies anti-Besnoitia spp. Ten horses (3.7%) resulted positive to T. gondii and one of these (0.4%) was seropositive also to Neospora spp. This is the first detection of anti-Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in Italian horses and donkeys. The study confirmed the circulation of Besnoitia spp. among equids in Europe. Low prevalence of T. gondii and Neospora spp. in horses raised in Italy was reported. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy to consider that consumption of horse meat could represent a source for human toxoplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Gema Álvarez-García
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Diezma-Díaz
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Gazzonis AL, Villa L, Riehn K, Hamedy A, Minazzi S, Olivieri E, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. Occurrence of selected zoonotic food-borne parasites and first molecular identification of Alaria alata in wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Italy. Parasitol Res 2018; 117:2207-2215. [PMID: 29748713 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5908-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [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: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Wild boar is a source of human infections with zoonotic pathogens, including food-borne parasites. With the aim of a characterization of the human exposure risk, a survey on wild boars intended for human consumption was planned, selecting three pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii, Alaria alata, and Trichinella spp., as markers of meat infection. Diaphragm muscle samples from 100 wild boars hunted in Piedmont region (Northern Italy) in two hunting seasons (2015-2016) were collected. Concerning T. gondii, a combined approach of antibody detection and molecular techniques with genotyping was performed. For the detection of A. alata and Trichinella spp., the larva migration technique and the magnetic stirrer method were employed, respectively; in addition, molecular confirmation of the morphological identification of the recovered specimen was performed. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in meat juice samples (43.3%) and T. gondii DNA (type II) was detected in three animals (7.1%) out of 42 seropositive examined. In none of the sampled wild boars (0%), Trichinella spp. larvae were found, whereas one animal (1%) scored positive to A. alata mesocercariae. The molecular diagnosis proved the morphological identification of the trematode. This is the first finding of A. alata in Italian wild boar population. The present study confirmed the role of wild boars as a source of parasitic zoonotic diseases and thus the risk derived for humans posed by the consumption of game meat. Considering the zoonotic implications, the results underline the importance of monitoring and surveillance of zoonotic parasites in Italian wild boar populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Libera Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Katharina Riehn
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ahmad Hamedy
- Institute of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefano Minazzi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Cavallero S, Zanzani SA, Olivieri E, Malandra R, Ranghieri V, D'Amelio S, Manfredi MT. Anisakis sp. and Hysterothylacium sp. larvae in anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) and chub mackerel (Scomber colias) in the Mediterranean Sea: Molecular identification and risk factors. Food Control 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Olivieri E, Zanzani SA, Gazzonis AL, Giudice C, Brambilla P, Alberti I, Romussi S, Lombardo R, Mortellaro CM, Banco B, Vanzulli FM, Veronesi F, Manfredi MT. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs from a cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis endemic area of Northwestern Italy: a case study and a retrospective data analysis. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:165. [PMID: 28592295 PMCID: PMC5463301 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Italy, Angiostrongylus vasorum, an emergent parasite, is being diagnosed in dogs from areas considered free of infection so far. As clinical signs are multiple and common to other diseases, its diagnosis can be challenging. In particular, in areas where angiostrongylosis and dirofilariosis overlap, a misleading diagnosis of cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis might occur even on the basis of possible misleading outcomes from diagnostic kits. Case presentation Two Cavalier King Charles spaniel dogs from an Italian breeding in the Northwest were referred to a private veterinary hospital with respiratory signs. A cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis was diagnosed and the dogs treated with ivermectin, but one of them died. At necropsy, pulmonary oedema, enlargement of tracheo-bronchial lymphnodes and of cardiac right side were detected. Within the right ventricle lumen, adults of A. vasorum were found. All dogs from the same kennel were subjected to faecal examination by FLOTAC and Baermann’s techniques to detect A. vasorum first stage larvae; blood analysis by Knott’s for Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae, and antigenic tests for both A. vasorum (Angio Detect™) and D.immitis (DiroCHEK® Heartworm, Witness®Dirofilaria). The surviving dog with respiratory signs resulted positive for A. vasorum both at serum antigens and larval detection. Its Witness® test was low positive similarly to other four dogs from the same kennel, but false positive results due to cross reactions with A. vasorum were also considered. No dogs were found infected by A. vasorum. Eventually, the investigation was deepened by browsing the pathological database of Veterinary Pathology Laboratories at Veterinary School of Milan University through 1998–2016, where 11 cases of angiostrongylosis were described. Two out of 11 dogs had a mixed infection with Crenosoma vulpis. Conclusion The study demonstrates the need for accurate surveys to acquire proper epidemiological data on A. vasorum infection in Northwestern Italy and for appropriate diagnostic methods. Veterinary clinicians should be warned about the occurrence of this canine parasite and the connected risk of a misleading diagnosis, particularly in areas endemic for cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sergio Aurelio Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Giudice
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Brambilla
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Romussi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rocco Lombardo
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Mortellaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Banco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Fabrizia Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, 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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Gazzonis AL, Alvarez Garcia G, Zanzani SA, Ortega Mora LM, Invernizzi A, Manfredi MT. Neospora caninum infection in sheep and goats from north-eastern Italy and associated risk factors. Small Rumin Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Gazzonis AL, Veronesi F, Di Cerbo AR, Zanzani SA, Molineri G, Moretta I, Moretti A, Piergili Fioretti D, Invernizzi A, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii in small ruminants in Northern Italy - prevalence and risk factors. Ann Agric Environ Med 2015; 22:62-68. [PMID: 25780830 DOI: 10.5604/12321966.1141370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the survey was to evaluate Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in small ruminants and possible risk factors associated with the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sera from 474 goats and 502 sheep reared on 42 farms in northern Italy were collected and tested for IgG antibodies to T. gondii by IFAT (indirect immunofluorescence antibody test). To identify risk factors, a binary logistic regression analysis of the variables was performed. An audit form about farm management was used. RESULTS Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 96.6% of goat farms and in 87.5% of sheep farms; 41.7% goats and 59.3% sheep resulted positive. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in sheep than in goats. Seroprevalence values were similar in goats from eastern and western areas, whereas goats from the southern area were at lower risk of infection. Saanen goats presented the lowest seroprevalence (30.7 %), whereas cross-breed exhibited the highest rate (48.7%). Goats from farms housing both sheep and goats had an infection risk 1.39 times higher than goats from farms that did not house sheep. Animals bred on intensive farms showed lower prevalence (22.1%) in comparison with those from extensive (45.6%) or semi-intensive farms (60%). Sampling area was one of the strongest predictors of T. gondii infection in sheep flocks. Transhumant flocks showed a higher risk of infection by T. gondii compared with semi-intensive farms (66.8% vs. 38.4%). CONCLUSIONS The highest T. gondii seroprevalence values were registered in transhumant flocks of sheep and in family businesses rearing goats. As these traditional activities represent an important resource for the conservation of the territory and its economy, management practices for a better control of the disease should be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Rita Di Cerbo
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Molineri
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Iolanda Moretta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - Anna Invernizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Milan, Italy
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Alberti EG, Zanzani SA, Gazzonis AL, Zanatta G, Bruni G, Villa M, Rizzi R, Manfredi MT. Effects of gastrointestinal infections caused by nematodes on milk production in goats in a mountain ecosystem: Comparison between a cosmopolite and a local breed. Small Rumin Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2014.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Zanzani SA, Gazzonis AL, Di Cerbo A, Varady M, Manfredi MT. Gastrointestinal nematodes of dairy goats, anthelmintic resistance and practices of parasite control in Northern Italy. BMC Vet Res 2014; 10:114. [PMID: 24886141 PMCID: PMC4030072 DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-10-114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are one of the main constraints to ruminant production worldwide. Anthelmintic resistance (AR) has been reported in goats throughout Europe, yet little is known about the AR status in Italy. The aims of the study were: i) determine the frequency of AR in GINs in goat flocks in Northern Italy, Italy, ii) survey goat farmers on the current practices of parasite control, iii) update the species composition of the gastrointestinal helminthofauna. Thirty three flocks were enrolled and 1288 individual fecal samples were collected. Based on the egg per gram (EPG), 15 flocks were selected to evaluate the presence of AR in GINs with the Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). A questionnaire surveyed 110 dairy goat farmers to acquire information about farm management and drenching practices against GINs. Further, the gastrointestinal tracts of 42 goats were analyzed. Results The FECRs indicated that five of the 15 flocks had problems of AR, which was identified in all two of the anthelmintic classes tested. Resistance and suspected resistance was found in 40% of the flocks selected for AR testing that were treated with benzimidazoles while 20% of the flocks treated with eprinomectin had resistant GINs. Teladorsagia/Trichostrongylus L3 were isolated from the post-treatment coprocultures of all flocks with resistance but not from the flock with suspected oxfendazole resistance. Treatments against helminths were performed once annually in 73.63% of the flocks, but 20.00% of farmers declared not regularly treating their goats every year. Annual treatments usually occurred in autumn or winter at dose rate for sheep. Te. circumcincta, H. contortus, Tr. colubriformis, Skrjabinema caprae and Oesophagostomum venulosum were the most abundant and prevalent species of the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusions Strategies to prevent the development of AR should be widely adopted in Northern Italy. Further, farmers and practitioners should be educated about the importance of using the correct dose rates in goats. In addition, the presence of highly pathogenic GINs coupled with high worm burden in all sector of gastrointestinal tract and the prevalence values further suggest that improved diagnosis and active surveillance of GINs infection is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Maria Teresa Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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