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Morandi B, Sabetti MC, Napoleoni M, Pascucci I, Orlandi G, Pietra M, VanLeeuwen JA, Greenwood SJ, Poglayen G, Galuppi R. Endoparasites in dogs diagnosed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH)-University of Bologna, combined with clinicopathological results. A long-term retrospective secondary data study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293330. [PMID: 37862344 PMCID: PMC10588848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans and dogs commonly share the same domestic environment. Europe, and Italy specifically, have a substantial and growing dog population. Potentially zoonotic parasites may be harbored even by dogs receiving regular veterinary care. Thus, transmission of zoonotic or potentially zoonotic parasites to owners and their families should not be underestimated. Frequently, endoparasite infections occur as a subclinical infection and clinicopathological alterations have been documented including anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and eosinophilia. The aim of this large retrospective secondary data study was to analyze coprological endoparasite results and putative risk factors obtained from owned dogs, through a 9-year-period (2011-2019). Possible associations between diagnosed endoparasites and sex, age, seasonality, and year of examination were evaluated. Additionally, parasitological diagnoses were combined to complete blood count parameters and biochemical profiles, when available, to check for any possible hematological alteration from parasitism. A total of 1,972 dogs were evaluated for endoparasites using common fecal diagnostic tests over a 9-year period. The overall proportion of endoparasite-positive animals was 10%. The most common endoparasites detected were Cystoisospora spp. (3%), Toxocara canis (2.8%), Giardia duodenalis (1.6%), and Trichuris vulpis (1.2%). Of these parasites detected, Toxocara poses the greatest zoonotic risk, while Giardia species are considered to have a low potential to be zoonotic. There was no significant diagnostic trend across the years through the study period. Dogs were more frequently diagnosed endoparasite-positive when young and during cold seasons compared to the baselines of mature dogs and warm seasons. The clinicopathological profiles indicated that parasitized dogs had mild hematological alterations. The frequency of detected potentially zoonotic endoparasites in this study highlights that the risk should not be underestimated. Parasitic infection was found to be mostly dependent on age and season. Having this information may help clinicians to develop anthelmintic protocols to reduce the risk of transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Morandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Maira Napoleoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Pascucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Perugia, Italy
| | - Gionata Orlandi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Pietra
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - John A. VanLeeuwen
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Spencer J. Greenwood
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, Charlottetown, Canada
| | - Giovanni Poglayen
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Galuppi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Crotti S, Brustenga L, Cruciani D, Bonelli P, D'Avino N, Felici A, Morandi B, Sebastiani C, Spina S, Gobbi M. Molecular Screening of Echinococcus spp. and Other Cestodes in Wild Carnivores from Central Italy. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050318. [PMID: 37235401 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tapeworm infections are among the most relevant parasitic diseases in humans and animals. Tapeworms from the Genus Echinococcus are particularly important as they can cause cystic or alveolar echinococcosis. A molecular screening was performed on 279 fecal samples collected from carcasses of wild carnivores from Central Italy using PCR targeting diagnostic fragments of nad1, rrnS, and nad5 genes. Samples positive for either Taenia spp. or Echinococcus granulosus were sequenced to taxonomically identify the parasitic DNA. Of the 279 samples, 134 (48.0%) gave positive results in the multiplex PCR. Only one (0.4%) sample from an Apennine wolf tested positive for Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotype G3), whereas no sample tested positive for E. multilocularis. The most frequently detected tapeworms were: Mesocestoides corti (syn M. vogae) (12.9%), M. litteratus (10.8%), Taenia serialis (9.3%), and T. hydatigena (6.5%), other tapeworms were rarely detected. The results suggest that Echinococcus infections in Central Italy do not seem to be sustained by sylvatic cycles, confirming the absence of E. multilocularis in Central Italy. The survey corroborates, yet again, the importance of passive surveillance of wild animals that can serve as reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens, especially on wild canids that in other areas are strongly implicated in the transmission of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Crotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Leonardo Brustenga
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 6, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cruciani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Piero Bonelli
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Centro Nazionale di Referenza per l'Echinococcosi/Idatidosi (Ce.NRE), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna "G. Pegreffi", Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Nicoletta D'Avino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Andrea Felici
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Benedetto Morandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Carla Sebastiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Spina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati" (IZSUM), Via G. Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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Morelli S, Colombo M, Traversa D, Iorio R, Paoletti B, Bartolini R, Barlaam A, Di Cesare A. Zoonotic intestinal helminthes diagnosed in a 6-year period (2015-2020) in privately owned dogs of sub-urban and urban areas of Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 29:100689. [PMID: 35256130 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal helminthes of dogs have a relevant role for health and welfare of canine populations and many of them are zoonotic. Thus, a constant surveillance is pivotal to safeguard companion dogs and human health. Data from faecal examinations of pet dogs obtained in the last six years during the routine activity of the laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic diseases of the University Teaching Veterinary Hospital of the University of Teramo, Italy, are here reported. From 2015 to 2020 a total of 1083 individual faecal samples from privately owned dogs were examined using conventional copro-microscopic techniques. Endoparasite elements were found in 278 (25.7%) dogs, and among them, eggs of intestinal zoonotic helminthes were detected in 184 (17%) samples. The most common zoonotic parasites were Toxocara canis and hookworms (8.9% positivity rate for both). Most dogs (88%) were positive for a single zoonotic parasite while 12% of the positive animals harbored two or more zoonotic helminthes. A statistical analysis showed a significant association between dogs with less than one year of age and positivity to at least one intestinal zoonotic helminth, and that infections by T. canis are significantly more prevalent in dogs under one year of age. Despite being well known in canine clinical practice, these results indicate that zoonotic helminthes are still frequent in owned dogs. Thus, increased awareness of veterinary practitioners and pet owners is necessary to implement current diagnostic and control strategies to minimize the risk of zoonotic transmission of intestinal helminthes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Raffaella Iorio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Barbara Paoletti
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Roberto Bartolini
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Barlaam
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio snc, 64100 Teramo, Italy.
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Morandi B, Bazzucchi A, Gambini S, Crotti S, Cruciani D, Morandi F, Napoleoni M, Piseddu T, Di Donato A, Gavaudan S. A novel intermediate host for Taenia serialis (Gervais, 1847): The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L. 1758) from the Monti Sibillini National Park (MSNP), Italy. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:110-113. [PMID: 35024334 PMCID: PMC8733149 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Taeniids are multi-host parasites with an indirect life cycle that strictly depends on a predator-prey relationship. Parasites with a complex life cycle may exhibit different degrees of host-specificity at each life stage. Knowing the host breadth is a fundamental concept of the biology and epidemiology of these multi-host parasites. Morphological identification of tapeworms is challenging and occasionally may produce misdiagnosis. Thus, molecular investigations were carried out for the identification of parasitic cysts detected from muscle tissues in a male roe deer necropsied at the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” (Central Italy). Sanger sequencing showed 99% query cover, 2e-109 e-value, and 100% identity with Taenia serialis. The exact definitive host was not revealed in this report, but red foxes and Italian wolves may play a significant role as being widespread within the area. Wildlife surveillance is crucial to monitor for human and animal health since global distribution and flexibility in intermediate hosts of many and even more critical taeniids species may enlarge their host range. A new intermediate host for a not commonly detected tapeworm was documented. A new ecological niche might be hypothesized. Molecular investigation is crucial for the diagnosis of tapeworms to avoid misdiagnosis. To perform necropsy on wildlife is essential for the local and global understanding of free-living animal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Morandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
- Corresponding author.
| | - Alessandra Bazzucchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sofia Gambini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Crotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Deborah Cruciani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Federico Morandi
- Monti Sibillini National Park, P.zza Del Forno 1, 62039, Visso, Italy
| | - Maira Napoleoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Toni Piseddu
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, National Reference Laboratory for Cystic Echinococcosis (CeNRE), Istituto Zooprofilattico Della Sardegna (IZS), Via Vienna 2, Sassari, 07100, Italy
| | - Alessandra Di Donato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Gavaudan
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell’Umbria e Delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via G.Salvemini, 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
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Samorek-Pieróg M, Karamon J, Brzana A, Bilska-Zając E, Zdybel J, Cencek T. Molecular Confirmation of Massive Taenia pisiformis Cysticercosis in One Rabbit in Poland. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081029. [PMID: 34451493 PMCID: PMC8399545 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to provide molecular characterization, together with phylogenetic analysis, of Taenia pisiformis cysts isolated from rabbit. On the basis of morphological features and molecular analysis, the cysticerci were identified as T.pisiformis metacestodes. PCR was performed with three different protocols to obtain partial sequences of 12S ribosomal RNA (12S rRNA), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1), and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) of Taenia spp. The products from the PCRs were sequenced. Interpretation of the sequencing results of the obtained amplicons, by comparing them with the GenBank database, proved that the causative agent, in this case, was T. pisiformis. The phylogenetic analysis of the received sequences identified a new haplotype. The received data can be used to supplement the species description. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular confirmation of T. pisiformis metacestodes infection in the rabbit, in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (E.B.-Z.); (J.Z.); (T.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-889-3124
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (E.B.-Z.); (J.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Adam Brzana
- Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Wrocławska 170, 46-020 Opole, Poland;
| | - Ewa Bilska-Zając
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (E.B.-Z.); (J.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jolanta Zdybel
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (E.B.-Z.); (J.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (E.B.-Z.); (J.Z.); (T.C.)
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