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Genchi M, Escolar IR, García RM, Semeraro M, Kramer LH, Colombo L, Vismarra A. Dirofilaria immitis in Italian Cats and the Risk of Exposure by Aedes albopictus. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:151-158. [PMID: 38039375 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Dirofilaria immitis, the agent of canine and feline heartworm disease (HWD), is a widespread mosquito-borne helminth. The true prevalence of HW infection in cats is likely underestimated due to the difficulty in establishing a definitive diagnosis. Aedes albopictus, a recognized competent vector for D. immitis, is currently considered the most invasive mosquito species worldwide and Italy presents the highest abundance of Ae. albopictus in Europe. Materials and Methods: The present study was aimed at evaluating the current seroprevalence of D. immitis antibodies in cats in Italy. Further, the ecological niche model (ENM) was applied to evaluate the potential future risk of feline HWD associated with the presence of Ae. albopictus. Results: Sera of 812 Italian cats were analyzed, and the average prevalence of D. immitis antibodies was 12%. Seropositivity was significantly associated with age (<6 years), whereas there was no association with sex or geographical area. Data obtained with the risk map showed that the highest risk of infection was found in northern inland areas and along coastal areas, whereas the lowest risk was identified at higher altitudes. The ENM correctly classified most of the areas where D. immitis seropositive cats were found, with 80.4% occurring in high and very high-risk areas. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that cats in Italy are exposed to D. immitis infection, and that routine prevention should be part of the general health care protocols in cats. Moreover, the resulting risk maps indicate that areas with a suitable habitat for Ae. albopictus may put cats at risk of exposure to D. immitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Manuela Semeraro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Helen Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Genchi M, Kramer L, Valentini G, Allievi G, Ciuca L, Vismarra A. Efficacy of topical administration of prallethrin-permethrin-piperonyl butoxide (Bronco® Equine Fly Spray) for the treatment and control of flies and other nuisance insects of horses. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:3139-3145. [PMID: 37921904 PMCID: PMC10667147 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-08004-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Numerous biting and nuisance insects are a noted cause of discomfort and stress to horses. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids have been used for many years in numerous formulations for the control of insect pests in animals, humans and environment. There are, however, few studies reporting their field efficacy in horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the repellent activity of a spray formulation based on prallethrin and permethrin synergized with piperonyl butoxide (BRONCO® Equine Fly Spray, Farnam Companies, Inc., USA) against annoying and harmful insects for horses in field conditions. Nine horses of mixed breed were divided into 2 groups (treatment and control). Pre-treatment insect counts were compared to daily counts for 4 days post-treatment (pt). One minute after the administration of the product (day 0), all the horses were negative for the presence of insects. All counts up to the 6-h pt check remained negative for Hippobosca equina, tabanid flies and Simulium spp., showing 100% efficacy. This remained above 90% throughout the study. For the H. equina, the repellent efficacy remained > 99.7% for all 4 days pt, for tabanid flies > 93.3% and for Simulium spp. > 97.4%. The efficacy against Musca spp. decreased from 82.2% at day 0 to 62.2% at day 3. Treatment was well-tolerated. In conclusion, despite the low number of tested horses, Bronco® has demonstrated high insecticide and repellent efficacy and a good persistence, maintained for up to 4 days post-treatment, against the most common species of insects harmful for horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia E Malattie Parassitarie, University of Parma, Via Del Taglio 10, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia E Malattie Parassitarie, University of Parma, Via Del Taglio 10, Parma, Italy
| | - Gaia Valentini
- Maneggio Le Chianine Dei Tognoli, Via Castel Dell'Aquila, Gragnola, MS, Italy
| | - Giulia Allievi
- Maneggio Le Chianine Dei Tognoli, Via Castel Dell'Aquila, Gragnola, MS, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia E Malattie Parassitarie, University of Parma, Via Del Taglio 10, Parma, Italy.
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Genchi M, Kramer L, Venco L, Ciuca L, Vismarra A. How Italian practitioners manage dirofilariosis in dogs and cats? Data of a second national survey. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 46:100934. [PMID: 37935535 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The zoonotic nematodes Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are endemic in many European countries and their distribution is changing. A correct diagnosis is the starting point to reduce their spread and veterinary practitioners represent the first line of defense against these two vector-borne diseases in pets and humans. With the aim to better understand current knowledge by veterinarians and to compare them with the previous survey, an online questionnaire was sent to Italian companion animal veterinary facilities. The overall response rate was 22.3%. Approximately 50% and 5% of facilities have diagnosed at least one case of Dirofilaria spp. in the last year in dogs and cats, respectively. In agreement with international guidelines, of the 665 facilities that responded to the questionnaire, 16.8% used Knott's test in combination with serology (Antigenic test-Ag-) to diagnose heartworm infection in dogs. For the diagnosis of D. repens infection, 13.8% used Knott's test in dogs and cats, and 10.5% used Knott's test only in dogs. Most facilities recommended beginning prevention of canine heartworm disease in April and ending in November. Injectable moxidectin and oral ivermectin were the two most commonly used preventives for D. immitis in dogs, while selamectin was most frequently used in cats. The drug most commonly used for heartworm adulticide treatment in dogs was melarsomine followed by the combined ivermectin-doxycycline treatment. The results of this study suggest that, on the one hand, veterinarians are aware of the recent developments in adulticide therapy, while on the other hand, diagnosis is not always made according to what is recommended by international guidelines and that the start and end times of prevention may not be optimal. Furthermore, the data show an increase in cases of coinfection compared to the previous survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Luigi Venco
- Ospedale Veterinario Città di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples "Federico II", Parasitology Unit, via Delpino, 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy.
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Alsarraf M, Carretón E, Ciuca L, Diakou A, Dwużnik-Szarek D, Fuehrer HP, Genchi M, Ionică AM, Kloch A, Kramer LH, Mihalca AD, Miterpáková M, Morchón R, Papadopoulos E, Pękacz M, Rinaldi L, Alsarraf M, Topolnytska M, Vismarra A, Zawistowska-Deniziak A, Bajer A. Diversity and geographic distribution of haplotypes of Dirofilaria immitis across European endemic countries. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:325. [PMID: 37700369 PMCID: PMC10498598 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dirofilaria immitis, also known as heartworm, is one of the most important parasitic nematodes of domestic dogs, causing a potentially serious disease, cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis, which can be lethal. This species seems to be less 'expansive' than its sister species Dirofilaria repens, and it is believed that climate change facilitates the spread of this parasite to new non-endemic regions. METHODS In total, 122 heartworm isolates were analysed from nine endemic countries in Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine) and a single isolate from Bangladesh by amplification and sequencing of two mitochondrial (mt) DNA markers: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and dehydrogenase subunit 1 (NADH). The main aim of the current study was to determine the genetic diversity of D. immitis and compare it with D. repens haplotype diversity and distribution. DNA was extracted from adult heartworms or microfilariae in blood. Most isolates originated from dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) while 10 isolates originated from wildlife species from Romania, including eight isolates from golden jackals (Canis aureus), one isolate from a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) and one isolate from a red fox (Vulpes vulpes). RESULTS Median spanning network analysis was based on the combined sequence (1721 bp) obtained from two mt markers and successfully delineated nine haplotypes (Di1-Di9). Haplotype Di1 was the dominant haplotype encompassing 91 out of the 122 sequences (75%) from all nine countries and four host species. Haplotype Di2 was the second most common haplotype, formed solely by 13 isolates from Italy. The remaining sequences were assigned to Di3-Di9 haplotypes, differing by 1-4 SNPs from the dominant Di1 haplotype. There was evidence for geographical segregation of haplotypes, with three unique haplotypes associated with Italy and four others associated with certain countries (Di4 and Di7 with Slovakia; Di8 with Greece; Di6 with Hungary). CONCLUSION Diversity in D. immitis mt haplotypes was lower by half than in D. repens (9 vs. 18 haplotypes in D. immitis and D. repens, respectively), which may be associated with the slower expansion of heartworm in Central and NE Europe. NADH gene appears to be conserved in Dirofilaria sp. by showing lower genetic diversity than the analysed COI gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Alsarraf
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elena Carretón
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Arucas, Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dorota Dwużnik-Szarek
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Hans-Peter Fuehrer
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Parasitology Unit, University of Parma, strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Agnieszka Kloch
- Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Laura Helen Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Science, Parasitology Unit, University of Parma, strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Andrei D. Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Martina Miterpáková
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, IBSAL-CIETUS (Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca-Research Centre for Tropical Diseases University of Salamanca), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Mateusz Pękacz
- Division of Parasitology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Mohammed Alsarraf
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mariia Topolnytska
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, Parasitology Unit, University of Parma, strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Anna Zawistowska-Deniziak
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Functional Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Bajer
- Department of Eco-Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Developmental Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
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Vismarra A, Schnyder M, Strube C, Kramer L, Colombo L, Genchi M. Diagnostic challenges for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats from endemic areas in Italy. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:187. [PMID: 37280698 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05808-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infects wild and domestic feline species worldwide and is considered a primary respiratory parasite of cats. Definitive diagnosis is based on the identification of first-stage larvae (L1s) released in faeces approximately 5 to 6 weeks after infection. More recently, serology has been shown to be a diagnostic alternative for A. abstrusus infection in cats. The present study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of serological antibody detection compared to faecal examination for A. abstrusus infection in a population of cats with known infection status from endemic areas in Italy and to identify factors (larval scores, age, co-infections with other helminths) that may influence test sensitivity and specificity of serology. METHODS All cats resulting positive using the Baermann technique (n = 78) were tested with the A. abstrusus ELISA. An additional 90 serum samples from cats living in three geographical areas with infection prevalence > 10%, but that resulted negative on Baermann, were also tested. RESULTS Among 78 cats copromicroscopically positive for L1s of A. abstrusus (Group 1), 29 (37.2%) were seropositive in ELISA. Of the 90 cats from Group 2 (cats living in three geographical areas in Italy with A. abstrusus prevalence > than 10%, but negative on Baermann examination), 11 (12.2%) were positive on ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 23.8%. There was no statistical difference either between average optical density (OD) values of cats excreting > 100 L1s vs. cats excreting < 100 L1s (0.84 vs. 0.66; P value = 0.3247) or comparing the OD values with age of infected cats. Few Baermann-negative cats positive for Toxocara cati or hookworms were seropositive, supporting lack of cross-reactivity to these nematodes. CONCLUSIONS Results from the present study suggest that relying solely on faecal examination may underestimate prevalence of A. abstrusus infection in cats and that field surveys based on antibody detection are useful for establishing true prevalence of infected and/or exposed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Liliana Colombo
- MSD Animal Health, Via Fratelli Cervi, 20090, Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
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Carrillo Heredero AM, Segato G, Menotta S, Faggionato E, Vismarra A, Genchi M, Bertini S. A New Method for Ivermectin Detection and Quantification through HPLC in Organic Matter (Feed, Soil, and Water). J Anal Methods Chem 2023; 2023:6924263. [PMID: 36909924 PMCID: PMC9995184 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6924263] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone widely used in veterinary medicine for its broad-spectrum antiparasitic properties. It has been proven to be effective and safe. The purpose of this study was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography method with a diode array detector for ivermectin screening in feed and water for animal consumption. Furthermore, the objective was to quantify ivermectin levels that were higher than 0.5 mg/kg in solid matrixes and 0.1 mg/kg in water. Doramectin was used as process standard. Samples were extracted using solid phase extraction with silica and C-18 columns. The method involved the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD). The results were interpreted using a calibration curve built with ivermectin standards at multiple concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 12.5 mg/kg). Statistical evaluation of data was done using ANOVA. The data analysis showed that the linear regression was highly significant (P < 0.001), the intercept values were not significantly different from zero, and the correlation coefficient values (>0.999) indicated excellent linearity. Further tests demonstrated that this method is also useful when studying soil matrixes. The soil was dried and analyzed in the same way as feed; the same recoveries were realized on the spiked samples. The method is easy, inexpensive, precise, and repeatable; it requires very small amounts of sample.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Segato
- Food and Feed Chemical Department, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, Brescia 25124, BS, Italy
| | - Simonetta Menotta
- Food and Feed Chemical Department, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, Brescia 25124, BS, Italy
| | - Elena Faggionato
- Food and Feed Chemical Department, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Via Antonio Bianchi, 7/9, Brescia 25124, BS, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Simone Bertini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, Parma 43126, Italy
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Ciuca L, Vismarra A, Constanza D, Di Loria A, Meomartino L, Ciaramella P, Cringoli G, Genchi M, Rinaldi L, Kramer L. Efficacy of oral, topical and extended-release injectable formulations of moxidectin combined with doxycycline in Dirofilaria immitis naturally infected dogs. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:54. [PMID: 36740705 PMCID: PMC9901089 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05673-9] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies in both experimentally and naturally infected dogs have reported the adulticide effect of a combination of macrocyclic lactones and doxycycline against Dirofilaria immitis, showing that these protocols can be used as an alternative to melarsomine. The present study evaluated the efficacy of oral, topical and extended-release injectable formulations of moxidectin when combined with doxycycline in dogs naturally infected with D. immitis from a shelter located in southern Italy. METHODS Thirty dogs with naturally acquired D. immitis infection were divided in three groups (G) and treated with oral moxidectin (G1) once a month for 9 consecutive months, topical moxidectin (G2) once a month for 9 consecutive months or extended release moxidectin injectable (G3) at enrolment and again at 6 months (Day 180). All treatment groups received doxycycline for the first 30 days. Microfilarial concentrations in 1 ml (mff/ml) blood were determined monthly for 9 months with the modified Knott's test. A clinical scoring system was employed for each dog enrolled in the study based on thoracic radiography and cardiac ultrasound (CU) examinations performed at Day - 15 (before treatment) and at Day 180. RESULTS Results from the present study suggest that the majority of dogs from all treatment groups became antigen negative, as evaluated at Day 270: 9/10 dogs (90.0%) from G1, 6/10 dogs (60.0%) from G2 and 8/10 dogs (80.0%) from G3. Improvement of radiographic alterations was observed in all treatment groups, and almost all dogs were cleared of pulmonary abnormalities by 6 months from the beginning of treatment (P = 0.000). Cardiac ultrasound examination showed a progressive improvement of cardiac function in a limited number of animals (4/30). CONCLUSIONS The combination of doxycycline and three different formulations of moxidectin leads to antigen-negative status in naturally infected dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Ciuca
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Dario Constanza
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Loria
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Leonardo Meomartino
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Ciaramella
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- grid.4691.a0000 0001 0790 385XDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- grid.10383.390000 0004 1758 0937Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
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Vismarra A, Lenti A, Genchi M, Kramer L, Geldhof P. Seroprevalence of Ascaris suum compared to milk spot prevalence at slaughter in Italian fattening pigs. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2023; 37:100828. [PMID: 36623900 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ascaris suum is one of the most important parasites of pigs. Apart from liver condemnation due to lesions caused by migrating larvae ("milk spots"), A. suum infections can compromise weight gain, feed conversion efficacy, as well as meat quality. The true prevalence of infection depends on the diagnostic test used and is often underestimated. We compared liver inspection at slaughter with serology, based on the recognition of a purified A. suum haemoglobin or complete homogenate of the 3rd stage larvae isolated from lungs, in nine pig farms in northern Italy. Liver lesions were found on all farms with prevalence ranging from 3.8% to 98.3%. All farms were also positive for circulating antibodies against As-Hb and As-Lung-L3, with prevalence among pigs on each farm ranging from 36.4-100% and 54.5-100%, respectively. Seroprevalence was consistently higher when compared to the prevalence of milk spots at slaughter. The higher sensitivity of the ELISA tests combined with their ease of use makes them an interesting tool to evaluate A. suum infection levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vismarra
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy.
| | - Antonio Lenti
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy
| | - Peter Geldhof
- University of Ghent, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Parasitology Lab, Ghent, Belgium
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Calzolari M, Bonilauri P, Grisendi A, Dalmonte G, Vismarra A, Lelli D, Chiapponi C, Bellini R, Lavazza A, Dottori M. Arbovirus Screening in Mosquitoes in Emilia-Romagna (Italy, 2021) and Isolation of Tahyna Virus. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0158722. [PMID: 36165787 PMCID: PMC9602283 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01587-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Several viruses can be transmitted by mosquitoes. We searched some of these viruses in 20,778 mosquitoes, collected in 95 traps on the plains of Emilia-Romagna (North of Italy) in 2021. We detected West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) in pools of Culex (Cx.) pipiens. In addition, we detected two insect-specific flaviviruses in three pools of Aedes (Ae.) caspius and in two of Ae. vexans. Tahyna virus (TAHV) was detected in six pools, three of Ae. caspius and three of Cx. pipiens, and one isolated strain was obtained from one of the Ae. caspius pools. Moreover, we detected TAHV in pools of several mosquito species (Ae. caspius, Ae. vexans, Ae. albopictus, Anopheles maculipennis s.l.) collected in the previous year of surveillance. Our data indicate Ae. caspius as the species most infected with TAHV in the surveyed area. Together with the likely plasticity of the cycle, we reported strong genome stability of the TAHV, probably linked to a successful adaptation of the virus to its ecological niche. Interestingly, in six pools of Cx. pipiens we detected two associated viruses among USUV, WNV, TAHV and all the three viruses in two pools. This result allows us to assume the presence of particular conditions that prompt the circulation of arboviruses, creating the conditions for viral hot spots. While no human diseases related to Tahyna virus were reported in Italy, its detection over the years suggests that it is worth investigating this virus as a potential cause of disease in humans in order to assess its health burden. IMPORTANCE We reported in this work the detection of three Arboviruses (Arthropod-borne viruses) in mosquitoes collected in Emilia-Romagna in 2021. In addition to West Nile and Usutu viruses, which were reported from more than 10 years in the study area, we detected and isolated Tahyna virus (TAHV). We also reported detections of TAHV obtained in previous years of surveillance in different species of mosquitoes. TAHV is the potential causative agent of summer influenza-like diseases and also of meningitis. Even if human cases of disease referable to this virus are not reported in Italy, its relevant presence in mosquitoes suggests investigating the possibility they could.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonilauri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Grisendi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Gastone Dalmonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, UO di Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Università di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Chiapponi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente “G.Nicoli,” Crevalcore, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Dottori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” (IZSLER), Brescia, Italy
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Bazzocchi C, Genchi M, Lucchetti C, Cafiso A, Ciuca L, McCall J, Kramer LH, Vismarra A. Transporter gene expression and Wolbachia quantification in adults of Dirofilaria immitis treated in vitro with ivermectin or moxidectin alone or in combination with doxycycline for 12 hours. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 249:111475. [PMID: 35346758 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to their marked larvicidal activity, macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are used for the prevention of heartworm disease ( Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs. They have also been shown to eliminate adult parasites after long-term administration, with a so-called "slow-kill" effect. In addition, recent studies have established that a combination of doxycycline, which eliminates the endosymbiont Wolbachia, and MLs has superior adulticide effects when compared to MLs alone. It has been hypothesized that the apparent synergism between doxycycline/MLs may be due to interaction with drug efflux transport proteins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gene expression of several transport proteins in D. immitis adults treated in vitro either with doxycycline alone, ivermectin alone, moxidectin alone, or a combination of ivermectin or moxidectin with doxycycline for 12h. Quantitative PCR analysis showed a sex-dependent response to treatments. In female worms, Dim-pgp-10, Dim-haf-1 and Dim-haf-5 were upregulated compared to controls with doxycycline alone and when combined with ivermectin. Moxidectin did not induce any changes in gene expression. In males, moxidectin administered alone induced a slight increase in Dim-pgp-10, Dim-pgp-11and Di-avr-14, while ivermectin in combination with doxycycline produced significant upregulation of the ML receptor Di-avr-14. These results suggest possible synergism between the two drug classes and different susceptibility of males vs. females to adulticide effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Bazzocchi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cafiso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - John McCall
- TRS Labs Inc, 215 Paradise Blvd, Athens, GA 30607, USA
| | - Laura Helen Kramer
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy.
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11
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Genchi M, Vismarra A, Zanet S, Morelli S, Galuppi R, Cringoli G, Lia R, Diaferia M, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Venegoni G, Solari Basano F, Varcasia A, Perrucci S, Musella V, Brianti E, Gazzonis A, Drigo M, Colombo L, Kramer L. Prevalence and risk factors associated with cat parasites in Italy: a multicenter study. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:475. [PMID: 34526126 PMCID: PMC8441231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04981-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parasites that infect cats include protozoa, helminths and arthropods, many of which are transmissible to humans. Effective control relies on a good knowledge of parasite distribution and the risk factors for infection. The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of major feline parasites in Italy and the risk factors associated with their occurrence. Methods Over a 12-month study period, feces, hair and ectoparasites from naturally infected cats from feral colonies, shelters and private households were analyzed at 13 study centers across Italy. Samples from these cats (n = 987) were analyzed at all centers using the same diagnostic methods. Prevalence values and risk factors were evaluated statistically for the identification of predictors of risk. Results The overall prevalence of gastro-intestinal and broncho-pulmonary (BP) nematodes was 35.9% (354/987). Toxocara cati was the most prevalent species (253/987; 25.6%), followed by Ancylostomatidae (98/987; 9.9%). Among BP nematodes, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the most common (76/987; 7.7%). Approximately 35.7% (352/987) of the study population was infested by ectoparasites, of which the most common were fleas (29.4%, 290/987), followed by ear mites Otodectes cynotis (9.8%, 97/987). Predictors of risk for parasite infection included age, a predominantly or exclusively outdoor lifestyle, geographic area and lack of antiparasitic treatment. Conclusions Both ecto- and endoparasites are still common in cats throughout Italy, many of them being of zoonotic concern and vectors of pathogens to humans. Given the presence of parasites throughout the entire study period, year-round treatment should be considered. Furthermore, data confirm the need to protect the human–animal bond using proper endo- and ectoparasiticides to reduce the risk of human infection, in application of the One-Health concept. Graphical abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-04981-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Zanet
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Di Torino, L.Go Braccini, 2, 10095, Grugliasco, TO, Italy
| | - Simone Morelli
- Facoltà Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Località Piano d'Accio, Italy
| | - Roberta Galuppi
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università Di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra, 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria E Produzioni Animali, Università Di Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Riccardo Lia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Bari, Valenzano, 70010, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Diaferia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Animale, Produzioni E Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | | | | | - Antonio Varcasia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Degli Studi Di Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Di Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Veterinarie, Università Degli Studi Di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Alessia Gazzonis
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Michele Drigo
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Animale, Produzioni E Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Liliana Colombo
- MSD Animal Health, Via Fratelli Cervi, 20090, Segrate, MI, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Dipartimento Di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Università Di Parma, via del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy.
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12
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Venco L, Genchi M, Kramer L, Vismarra A. Successful treatment of pleural and peritoneal larval mesocestoidosis with fenbendazole in two dogs. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 25:100603. [PMID: 34474796 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100603] [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: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mesocestoides spp. are common intestinal tapeworms of dogs and cats. The presence of numerous larval stages in the pleural or peritoneal cavities causes larval mesocestoidosis, that is a potentially life-threatening disease in massive infection. In vivo diagnosis of larval mesocestoidosis is challenging and confirmed diagnosis is often made post-mortem. For this reason, therapeutic recommendations are empirical and there is currently no data on the best treatment options in dogs and cats. Both fenbendazole and praziquantel have been used to treat canine larval mesocestoidosis but failure of complete clearance of larvae has been described for both. Treatment with fenbendazole at 100 mg/kg orally twice a day, for 1-3 months has been reported as being effective. However, it is known that administration of high, off-label doses of fenbendazole can lead to adverse reactions. Here, we report the efficacy of fenbendazole at a lower dosage (50 mg/kg twice a day) in two dogs with pleural and peritoneal mesocestoidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Venco
- Clinica Veterinaria Lago Maggiore, 28041 Arona, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Italy.
| | - Laura Kramer
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Italy
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13
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Ciuca L, Pepe P, Bosco A, Caccio SM, Maurelli MP, Sannella AR, Vismarra A, Cringoli G, Kramer L, Rinaldi L, Genchi M. Effectiveness of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole Against Giardia Infection in Dogs Monitored for 50-Days in Home-Conditions. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:626424. [PMID: 33842570 PMCID: PMC8032893 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.626424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A field trial performed in-home conditions was conducted on 24 dogs naturally infected with Giardia, in order to compare the efficacy of fenbendazole and metronidazole. Animals were allocated in groups randomly in order to obtain two groups of 12 dogs each with similar parasitic loads of Giardia cysts: dogs in Group A were treated with fenbendazole (Panacur®, Intervet Italia Srl) administered at the dose of 50 mg/kg orally once a day for 5 consecutive days, dogs in Group B were treated with metronidazole (Flagyl®, Zambon Italia Srl) administered orally at the dose of 50 mg/kg, once a day for 5 consecutive days. All the dogs that were shedding Giardia cysts after the first treatment (Day 0) were retreated (either at Day 7 or at Day 14 or at Day 21) until a negative result was obtained with the same treatment. Additionally, all the dogs were re-examined at Day 50. All the dogs were tested for the presence of Giardia cysts using a fecal flotation method (FLOTAC). The percent efficacy of the treatments (A and B) was calculated at each sampling point (Days 7, 14, 21, and 50) as reduction in mean Giardia cysts. After the first therapy, on day 7, 4/12 (33.3%) dogs tested positive for Giardia cysts in the Group A and 5/12 (41.7%) in the Group B. Efficacies at (Days 7, 14, 21, and 50) of the treatments against Giardia infection were 80.9, 94, 100, and 97% in the Group A and 70.8, 99, 100, and 97.1% in the Group B. Statistically significant differences were not observed between the efficacy of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole against infection by G. duodenalis (P = 0.686). Molecular analysis revealed full homology (i.e., 100% with JN416550) with the canine specific assemblage D in six positive dogs. Different hypotheses might explain the re-appearance of the Giardia cysts in some dogs after treatment, e.g., re-infection from the home environment, the correct medication given by the owners, the diet, as well as treatment failure, but also biological issues related to the intermittent excretion of Giardia cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Pepe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Bosco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Simone Mario Caccio
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rosa Sannella
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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14
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Genchi M, Vismarra A, Favilli A, Bonilauri P, Prati P, Ciuca L, Passeri B, Armando F, Kramer L. First report of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato genotype G6/G7 in domestic pigs from mainland Italy. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 23:100536. [PMID: 33678389 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100536] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (CE; Echinococcus spp.) is widespread in many domestic animal species in Italy, with the G1-G3 genotype predominating. The G7 genotype ("pig strain"), which is much less common, has only been reported in pigs and wild boar from the island of Sardinia and in wild boars from southern mainland Italy. Ten pig livers with hydatid cysts were identified in a slaughterhouse in northwestern Italy. Multiplex PCR for Echinococcus granulosus gave positive results for two of these and subsequent sequencing confirmed the species as Echinococcus granulosusu s.l. G6/G7. Affected pigs came from an intensive farm in northeastern Italy. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first report of CE by Echinococcus granulosusu s.l. G6/G7 in the domestic pig in mainland Italy. E. granulosus s.l. G6/G7 is zoonotic and its circulation in Italy should be of concern for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Genchi
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Favilli
- Agenzia di Tutela della Salute (ATS) di Pavia, Dipartimento Veterinario e Sicurezza degli Alimenti di Origine Animale, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonilauri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Paola Prati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Pavia, Italy
| | - Lavinia Ciuca
- Università di Napoli Federico II, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Napoli, Italy
| | - Benedetta Passeri
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Anatomia Patologica, Parma, Italy
| | - Federico Armando
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Anatomia Patologica, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Università di Parma, Dip. Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, Parassitologia e Malattie Parassitarie, Parma, Italy
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15
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Ciuca L, Roman C, Prisco F, Miron L, Acatrinei D, Paciello O, Maurelli MP, Vismarra A, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L. First report of Dirofilaria repens infection in a microfilaraemic cat from Romania. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020; 22:100497. [PMID: 33308740 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100497] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study describes the first report of Dirofilaria repens infection with the presence of both microfilariae and adult nematodes in a cat from Northeastern Romania. Briefly, a 5-year-old male mixed breed cat was presented to a veterinary clinic in Iasi (Romania), for neutering, in early February 2020. During the surgery, two whitish worms were removed from the internal part of the scrotum. Two adult nematodes, one female and one male, were identified, on the basis of morphological features, as D. repens with whitish, cylindrical bodies, measuring 12.5 cm and 6.5 cm in length, respectively. At histology, the female nematode showed two cavitated structures containing myriads of variably arranged microfilariae. The male had a transversal diameter of 350 μm, a 10 μm thick cuticle and a ridge-period of 10 Μm. multiplex PCR confirmed the diagnosis of D. repens from both nematodes. The Knott's test revealed the presence of microfilariae of D. repens. Routine biochemistry panel was within range with one exception, urea serum level slightly increased. The haematology results revealed an increased number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils. The cat had an infection with Otodectes cynotis as well. The cat was discharged with the following therapy recommended: oral doxycycline (10 mg/kg) for 30 days and topical moxidectin, monthly doses. After six months, the Knott's test gave negative results. Further studies should include new insights of D. repens infection in cats concerning its epidemiology, diagnosis and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Ciuca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy; Ion Ionescu de la Brad, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu Alley No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Constantin Roman
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu Alley No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Francesco Prisco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy.
| | - Liviu Miron
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu Alley No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Dumitru Acatrinei
- Ion Ionescu de la Brad, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, M. Sadoveanu Alley No. 8, 700489, Iasi, Romania.
| | - Orlando Paciello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Paola Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy.
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy.
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via della Veterinaria, 1, Naples, Italy.
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16
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Bonardi S, Brémont S, Vismarra A, Poli I, Diegoli G, Bolzoni L, Corradi M, Gilioli S, Le Guern AS. Is Yersinia bercovieri Surpassing Yersinia enterocolitica in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa)? Ecohealth 2020; 17:388-392. [PMID: 33057833 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-020-01492-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Yersiniosis was the fourth reported zoonosis in the European Union in 2018. As well-known, pigs are recognized important reservoirs of Yersinia enterocolitica. The study was focused on Y. enterocolitica detection in mesenteric lymph nodes and faeces of 305 wild boars, but Yersinia bercovieri was more common, being isolated from 108 animals (35.4%). Cold season (p = 1.17 × 10-5) and young age (p = 0.004) significantly increased Y. bercovieri detection. Y. enterocolitica 1A belonging to six serotypes (O:4.32-4.33; O:5; O:6.30-6.31; O:7.8-8-8.19; O:10-34; O:12.25-12.26) was isolated from 8.2% (25/305) of the animals. Cold season significantly affected (p = 0.037) Y. enterocolitica detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bonardi
- Unit of Food Inspection, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Sylvie Brémont
- Yersinia Research Unit and National Reference Laboratory for Yersinia, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris, France
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Unit of Food Inspection, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Ida Poli
- Unit of Food Inspection, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Diegoli
- Emilia-Romagna Region, Collective Prevention and Public Health Service, Viale Aldo Moro 21, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Bolzoni
- Risk Analysis and Genomic Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Sezione di Parma, Strada dei Mercati 13/A, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Margherita Corradi
- Management Body for Parks and Biodiversity "Emilia Occidentale", Sala Baganza, PR, Italy
| | - Stefano Gilioli
- Management Body for Parks and Biodiversity "Emilia Occidentale", Sala Baganza, PR, Italy
| | - Anne Sophie Le Guern
- Yersinia Research Unit and National Reference Laboratory for Yersinia, Institut Pasteur, 28 Rue du Docteur Roux, 75724, Paris, France
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Cavadini P, Molinari S, Merzoni F, Vismarra A, Posautz A, Alzaga Gil V, Chiari M, Giannini F, Capucci L, Lavazza A. Widespread occurrence of the non-pathogenic hare calicivirus (HaCV Lagovirus GII.2) in captive-reared and free-living wild hares in Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:509-518. [PMID: 32603021 PMCID: PMC8247275 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The Lagovirus genus comprises both pathogenic viruses as European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV- GII.1) and rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses (RHDV-GI.1 and RHDV2-GI.2), that principally infect European brown hares (Lepus europeaus) and European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), respectively, causing severe necrotic hepatitis, spleen enlargement and disseminated haemorrhage. This genus includes also non-pathogenic agents, such as rabbit calicivirus (RCV-E1 - GI.3) and the non-pathogenic hare Lagovirus, provisionally named hare calicivirus (HaCV - GII.2). The latter had been identified for the first time in 2012 in the gut contents and faeces of healthy young hares raised in a breeding farm. In this study, we further investigated the presence of HaCV by testing the intestinal tract of 621 wild hares collected between 2010 and 2018 in Northern and Central Italy, and in 2011 in Austria, Germany and Spain. These wild hares were found dead for causes other than EBHS or were healthy hares shot during the hunting season. Forty-three out of 322 hare samples from Italy and 14 out of 299 samples from Austria and Germany were positive for HaCV-GII.2 by RT-PCR using universal primers for lagoviruses and primers specific for HaCV. Sequence analysis of the full capsid protein gene conducted on 12 strains representative of different years and locations indicated that these viruses belong to the same, single cluster as the prototype strain initially identified at the hares' farm (HaCV_Bs12_1). The relatively high level of genetic variation (88% nt identity) within this cluster suggests HaCVs may have been circulating widely in Europe for some time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Cavadini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Molinari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Merzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Annika Posautz
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Mario Chiari
- D.G. Welfare, Regional Health Authority of Lombardy, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Giannini
- Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano, Portoferraio, Località-Enfola, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Capucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna and OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
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18
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Iemmi T, Vismarra A, Mangia C, Zanin R, Genchi M, Lanfranchi P, Kramer LH, Formenti N, Ferrari N. Toxoplasma gondii in the Eurasian kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in northern Italy. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:262. [PMID: 32429990 PMCID: PMC7236205 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying factors that sustain parasite transmission is important for understanding their spread and emergence, including how changes in biodiversity may affect parasite prevalence and spread. Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite infecting humans and animals. Birds can acquire T. gondii infection through ingestion either of oocysts from the ground or of tissue cysts present in infected prey and are therefore suitable indicators of the presence of T. gondii in the natural environment. Methods The aim of the study included the evaluation of T. gondii seroprevalence in clinically healthy Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) using a modified agglutination test. Birds were captured in a small area of Parma (northern Italy) for two consecutive years (2016–2017), sex and age determined and serological study carried out. Food sources for the birds were also evaluated, in particular rodent and grasshopper population estimates in the study area. The biomass of rodents and grasshoppers per hectare was estimated in order to directly compare food availability. Statistical analyses were performed in order to evaluate factors influencing the probability of kestrels being T. gondii-seropositive using R 3.4.4 fitting linear mixed-effect models with the ‘glmer’ function of the package lme4, ‘lsmean’ in package lsmean for pair-wise post-hoc comparisons using differences of least square means (DLSM) and the ‘betareg’ function of the package betareg for beta regression. Results Seroprevalence for T. gondii was 33.3% (49/147) in 2016, while in 2017 seroprevalence decreased to 14.3% (13/91). An increase in the probability of kestrels being T. gondii-seropositive was associated with a higher rodent biomass in the environment, suggesting a positive feedback of the biotic factors driving infection risk. Conclusions These results underline the need for multidisciplinary studies aimed at better understanding pathogen-host relationships and for predictions in disease ecology.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Iemmi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,URCA (Unione Regionale Cacciatori dell'Appennino), Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Rolando Zanin
- URCA (Unione Regionale Cacciatori dell'Appennino), Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paolo Lanfranchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.,Centro di Ricerca Coordinata Epidemiologia e Sorveglianza Molecolare delle Infezioni, EpiSoMI, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Bacci C, Barilli E, Frascolla V, Rega M, Torreggiani C, Vismarra A. Antibiotic Treatment Administered to Pigs and Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolated from Their Feces and Carcasses. Microb Drug Resist 2020; 26:1081-1089. [PMID: 32240057 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2019.0247] [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: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a frequent and widespread phenomenon. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reports that multidrug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli is considered an important hazard to public health. The lack of data on the correlation between the administration of antibiotics to pigs and the diffusion of MDR E. coli necessitates an in-depth study. The aims of our study were first of all to determine the presence of MDR and/or extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESβL) E. coli isolated from feces and carcasses of pigs; and second, to evaluate the correlation between antibiotic resistance and the antibiotic treatment administrated to the animals considered. The examined E. coli was isolated from 100 fecal swabs and 100 carcass sponges taken from farms and slaughterhouses located in Reggio Emilia province in Italy. The MDR isolates were tested following the protocol defined by EUCAST (2015). Subsequently, a real-time PCR and an endpoint-PCR were used for the genomic analysis. Data highlighted 76.5% of MDR E. coli with a marked presence of the ampicillin (AMP)-streptomycin (STRE)-tetracycline (TETRA) pattern. Moreover, 13 isolates were ESβL producers, and the blaCTXM gene was the most frequently observed in genomic analysis. Results confirm the complexity of the AMR phenomenon showing a partial correlation between the administration of antibiotics and the resistance observed. Pigs destined to the production of Protected Designation of Origin items are colonized by bacteria resistant to a wide range of antibiotic classes even if data are encouraging for colistin and third generation cephalosporin. Furthermore, in-depth study focused on food production could be useful in a view of high safety standards for consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Viviana Frascolla
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Rega
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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20
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Barilli E, Vismarra A, Frascolla V, Rega M, Bacci C. Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Retail Meat Products: Evaluation of Biofilm Formation Ability, Antibiotic Resistance, and Phylogenetic Group Analysis. J Food Prot 2020; 83:233-240. [PMID: 31934774 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-19-330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is a ubiquitous organism capable of forming a biofilm. This is an important virulence factor and is critical in certain diseases and in the development of antibiotic resistance, which is increased by biofilm synthesis. In the present study, the potential health risk associated with handling and consumption of foods of animal origin contaminated with E. coli-producing biofilm was evaluated. We analyzed the ability of 182 E. coli strains isolated from pork, poultry, and beef, purchased in three different supermarkets in the area of the "Italian Food Valley" (Parma, northern Italy), to form biofilms. Positive strains were also tested for the presence of 12 biofilm-associated genes. Moreover, the 182 E. coli were characterized for antibiotic resistance, presence of multidrug resistance, extended-spectrum β-lactamase strains, and phylogenetic diversity through PCR. Twenty-five percent of the isolates produced biofilm. The majority showed weak adherence, five were moderate, and three were strong producers. E. coli with a strong adherence capability (three of three) harbored eight biofilm-associated genes, while weak and moderate producers harbored only five (frequencies ranging from 80 to 100%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 20 biofilm-producing E. coli, and 15 of these belonged to phylogenetic group D. Among nonbiofilm producers, the percentage of strains belonging to phylogenetic groups B2 and D was approximately 40%, highlighting a potential health risk for consumers and people handling contaminated products. The present study underlines the importance of monitoring the prevalence and characteristics of E. coli contaminating retail meat in relation to the potential virulence highlighted here. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Barilli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1006-5804 [A.V.]; https://orcid/org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1006-5804 [A.V.]; https://orcid/org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Viviana Frascolla
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1006-5804 [A.V.]; https://orcid/org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Martina Rega
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1006-5804 [A.V.]; https://orcid/org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126, Parma, Italy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1006-5804 [A.V.]; https://orcid/org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
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21
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Lucchetti C, Genchi M, Venco L, Bazzocchi C, Kramer LH, Vismarra A. Optimized protocol for DNA/RNA co-extraction from adults of Dirofilaria immitis. MethodsX 2019; 6:2601-2605. [PMID: 31763192 PMCID: PMC6861604 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis, the etiologic agent of canine heartworm disease, like several other filarial nematodes, harbors the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia. To investigate metabolic and functional pathways of D. immitis and Wolbachia individually, along with their interactions, the use of both transcriptomic and genome analysis has becoming increasingly popular. Although several commercial kits are available for the single extraction of either DNA or RNA, no specific protocol has been described for simultaneous extraction of DNA and RNA from such a large organism like an adult D. immitis, where female worms generally reach ∼25 cm in length. More importantly, adult worms of D. immitis can only be obtained either through necropsy of experimentally infected dogs or by minimally-invasive surgical heartworm removal of naturally infected dogs. This makes each individual worm sample extremely important. Thus, in the context of a project aimed at the evaluation of both gene expression analysis and Wolbachia population assessment following different treatments, an optimized protocol for co-extraction of DNA and RNA from a single sample of adult D. immitis has been developed. An optimized method for DNA/RNA co-extraction from large size nematodes using TRIzol® reagent. Allows maximum exploitation of unique samples as adults of D. immitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Lucchetti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, Parma, 43126, PR, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, Parma, 43126, PR, Italy
| | - Luigi Venco
- Clinica Veterinaria Lago Maggiore, Arona, 28041, NO, Italy
| | - Chiara Bazzocchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Milan, Milan, 20133, MI, Italy
| | - Laura H Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, Parma, 43126, PR, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, Parma, 43126, PR, Italy
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22
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Lucchetti C, Genchi M, Venco L, Menozzi A, Serventi P, Bertini S, Bazzocchi C, Kramer LH, Vismarra A. Differential ABC transporter gene expression in adult Dirofilaria immitis males and females following in vitro treatment with ivermectin, doxycycline or a combination of both. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:401. [PMID: 31409391 PMCID: PMC6693208 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3645-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Combination doxycycline/macrocyclic lactone (ML) protocols have been shown to provide a more rapid adulticidal and microfilaricidal effect than either MLs or doxycycline alone, although female worms were reported to have a higher tolerance to treatments compared to male worms. The present study aimed to evaluate how ABC transporters may be involved in the synergic effect of the combination treatment. Adult worms of D. immitis were treated in vitro for 24 hours with doxycycline (DOXY), ivermectin (IVM) and a combination of both, and changes in the modulation of ABC transporter genes were measured. Levels of doxycycline inside different treatment media, post-treatment, were determined through HPLC analysis. Results Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed the presence of changes in the modulation of ABC transporter genes evaluated in this study. In particular, in female worms, the combination treatment induced a substantial increase in gene expressions, especially of Dim-pgp-10 and Dim-haf-4; whereas in male worms, the greatest increase in gene expression was observed for Dim-pgp-10 and Dim-pgp-11 when treated with DMSO + IVM and DMSO + DOXY/IVM. HPLC analysis of the DOXY concentrations in the media after in vitro treatments of male worms showed a slight difference between the DMSO + DOXY samples and the combination (DMSO + DOXY + IVM), while no difference was observed among females. Conclusions Further studies are required to explain whether the modulation of cellular efflux plays a role, even partially, in the adulticide effect of doxycycline/macrocyclic lactone combinations in heartworm-infected dogs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate P-gp expression in adult D. immitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Lucchetti
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Luigi Venco
- Clinica Veterinaria Lago Maggiore, 28041, Arona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Menozzi
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Pharmacology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Paolo Serventi
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Pharmacology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Simone Bertini
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Pharmacology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Chiara Bazzocchi
- Dept. of Veterinary Science, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Helen Kramer
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Dept. of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parasitology Unit, 43126, Parma, Italy
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23
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Bacci C, Vismarra A, Dander S, Barilli E, Superchi P. Occurrence and Antimicrobial Profile of Bacterial Pathogens in Former Foodstuff Meat Products Used for Pet Diets. J Food Prot 2019; 82:316-324. [PMID: 30688534 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
European legislation stipulates that food no longer intended for human consumption, due to commercial reasons, manufacturing problems, or some defect, can be used in pet feed. However, the presence of former foodstuffs in pet diets could constitute a public health issue because pets can act as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes. In this study, for the first time, biological hazards due to the presence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in former foodstuff meat products were evaluated. Among the 112 samples of packaged fresh meat (poultry, pork, and beef) collected from cold storage warehouses of a mass market retailer, the overall prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella, the prevalence of strains with multidrug resistance, the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of strains that produce extended-spectrum β-lactamase, and the presence of biofilm producers were assessed. A high prevalence of E. coli was observed in former foodstuffs of poultry (100%), pork (100%), and beef (93.3%). Salmonella Derby and Salmonella Typhimurium were found in 11.5% of the poultry samples, and Salmonella Typhimurium was found in 13.3% of the pork samples. Salmonella was not recovered from the beef samples. Multidrug resistance was found in E. coli and Salmonella isolates from poultry, pork, and beef. Overall, 18.2% of E. coli isolates and 20% of Salmonella isolates were resistant to various types of antibiotics with various mechanisms of action. Salmonella isolates from pork are an important source of extended-spectrum β-lactamase production. Both E. coli and Salmonella were carriers of antibiotic resistance marker genes ( blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX-M) associated with β-lactamase production in poultry and pork. Approximately 30% of the E. coli isolates from the various types of meat were phenotypically biofilm producers, and all carried the fimH gene. These findings indicate that the use of former foodstuff meat products in pet diets can represent a risk for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Silvia Dander
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Elena Barilli
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
| | - Paola Superchi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1332-6080 [C.B.])
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24
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Mangia C, Vismarra A, Genchi M, Epis S, Bandi C, Grandi G, Bell-Sakyi L, Otranto D, Passeri B, Kramer L. Exposure to amitraz, fipronil and permethrin affects cell viability and ABC transporter gene expression in an Ixodes ricinus cell line. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:437. [PMID: 30064465 PMCID: PMC6069974 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over-expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins has been implicated in resistance of ticks to acaricides. Tick cell lines are useful for investigating resistance mechanisms, as development of an in vitro model for the study of acaricide resistance would contribute to improving knowledge of the molecular basis behind drug processing and exclusion in ticks. In the present study, cultures of the Ixodes ricinus-derived cell line IRE/CTVM19 were treated with the acaricides amitraz, permethrin or fipronil to determine modulation of ABC transporter gene expression. Cells were treated with different drug concentrations (25, 50, 100, 150 μM) and incubated for ten days. Cell morphology, viability, metabolic activity and relative expression of ABC (B1, B6, B8 and B10) genes were determined at day 10 post-treatment. RESULTS Cell morphology determined by light microscopy was altered following treatment with all drugs, but only at high concentrations, while total cell numbers decreased with increasing drug dose. Cell viability determined by trypan blue exclusion was not significantly different from untreated controls (P > 0.1) following treatment with amitraz and permethrin, but high concentrations of fipronil caused decrease (up to 37%, P < 0.01) in viability. At all drug concentrations, fipronil and permethrin induced dose-dependent reduction in cell metabolic activity measured by MTT assay (P < 0.01). Quantitative RT-PCR showed that the drugs significantly affected expression of ABC genes. In particular, fipronil treatment downregulated ABCB1 (P < 0.001) and upregulated ABCB6, ABCB8 and ABCB10 (P < 0.01); amitraz treatment down regulated ABCB1 (significant difference between 25 and 150 μM, P < 0.001) and upregulated ABCB8 and ABCB10 at lower concentrations (25 and 50 μM, P < 0.05); and permethrin upregulated ABCB6, ABCB8 and ABCB10 only at 150 μM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The adverse effects on cell viability and metabolic activity, and changes in expression of different ABC transporter genes, detected in IRE/CTVM19 cells following treatment with amitraz, permethrin and fipronil, support the proposed application of tick cell lines as in vitro models for the study of resistance to these acaricides in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Genchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Public Health, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale "Luigi Sacco", 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, 20133, Milan, Italy.,Pediatric Clinical Research Center Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, Ospedale "Luigi Sacco", 20157, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Grandi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health (BVF), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-757 56, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L3 5RF, UK
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Benedetta Passeri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
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Barilli E, Bacci C, StellaVilla Z, Merialdi G, D’Incau M, Brindani F, Vismarra A. Antimicrobial resistance, biofilm synthesis and virulence genes in Salmonella isolated from pigs bred on intensive farms. Ital J Food Saf 2018; 7:7223. [PMID: 30046559 PMCID: PMC6036996 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2018.7223] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Salmonella is the second cause of food-borne infection in humans in the USA and Europe. Pigs represent the second most important reservoir for the pathogen and the consumption of pork meat is a major risk factor for human salmonellosis. Here, we evaluated the virulence patterns of eleven Salmonella isolated from pigs (carcasses and faces) bred in intensive farms in the north of Italy. The two serotypes identified were S. Typhimurium and its monophasic variant 1,4,5,12:i:-. None of the isolates was an ESBL producer, as confirmed also by PCR. However, the presence of a multi-drug resistant pattern was evident, with all the isolates being resistant to at least to five antimicrobial agents belonging to various classes. Moreover, six out of eleven isolates showed important resistance profiles, such as resistance against colistin and ciprofloxacin, with nine to twelve recorded resistances. The isolates were negative for the biofilm synthesis test, while four different virulotypes were characterized. All the isolates showed the presence of invA, hilA, stn, ssrA, sipC. One sample also harbored ssaR and spvC genes. One strain was positive for all the virulence genes tested and was resistant to 12 antimicrobial agents. The present study contributes new data to the surveillance program for antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, the presence of eleven highly virulent isolates poses concern for human health in relation to their diffusion in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Barilli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Merialdi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia, Emilia Romagna, Bologna
| | - Mario D’Incau
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia, Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
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Giovati L, Santinoli C, Mangia C, Vismarra A, Belletti S, D'Adda T, Fumarola C, Ciociola T, Bacci C, Magliani W, Polonelli L, Conti S, Kramer LH. Novel Activity of a Synthetic Decapeptide Against Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoites. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:753. [PMID: 29731744 PMCID: PMC5920037 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00753] [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] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The killer peptide KP is a synthetic decapeptide derived from the sequence of the variable region of a recombinant yeast killer toxin-like microbicidal single-chain antibody. KP proved to exert significant activities against diverse microbial and viral pathogens through different mechanisms of action, but little is known of its effect on apicomplexan protozoa. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of KP against Toxoplasma gondii, a globally widespread protozoan parasite of great medical interest. The effect of KP treatment and its potential mechanism of action on T. gondii were evaluated by various methods, including light microscopy, quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In the presence of KP, the number of T. gondii tachyzoites able to invade Vero cells and the parasite intracellular proliferation were significantly reduced. Morphological observation and analysis of apoptotic markers suggested that KP is able to trigger an apoptosis-like cell death in T. gondii. Overall, our results indicate that KP could be a promising candidate for the development of new anti-Toxoplasma drugs with a novel mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Giovati
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudia Santinoli
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Silvana Belletti
- Laboratory of Histology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tiziana D'Adda
- Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Claudia Fumarola
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Tecla Ciociola
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Walter Magliani
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luciano Polonelli
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Conti
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura H Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Genchi M, Vismarra A, Mangia C, Faccini S, Vicari N, Rigamonti S, Prati P, Marino AM, Kramer L, Fabbi M. Lack of viable parasites in cured ‘Parma Ham’ (PDO), following experimental Toxoplasma gondii infection of pigs. Food Microbiol 2017; 66:157-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Vismarra A, Barilli E, Miceli M, Mangia C, Genchi M, Brindani F, Kramer L, Bacci C. Toxoplasma gondii in the Cornigliese sheep breed in Italy: Meat juice serology, in vitro isolation and genotyping. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:125-129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Vismarra A, Barilli E, Miceli M, Mangia C, Bacci C, Brindani F, Kramer L. Toxoplasma Gondii and Pre-treatment Protocols for Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of Milk Samples: A Field Trial in Sheep from Southern Italy. Ital J Food Saf 2017; 6:6501. [PMID: 28462207 PMCID: PMC5391509 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2017.6501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [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: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. Ingestion of raw milk has been suggested as a risk for transmission to humans. Here the authors evaluated pre-treatment protocols for DNA extraction on T. gondii tachyzoite-spiked sheep milk with the aim of identifying the method that resulted in the most rapid and reliable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity. This protocol was then used to analyse milk samples from sheep of three different farms in Southern Italy, including real time PCR for DNA quantification and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism for genotyping. The pre-treatment protocol using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and Tris-HCl to remove casein gave the best results in the least amount of time compared to the others on spiked milk samples. One sample of 21 collected from sheep farms was positive on one-step PCR, real time PCR and resulted in a Type I genotype at one locus (SAG3). Milk usually contains a low number of tachyzoites and this could be a limiting factor for molecular identification. Our preliminary data has evaluated a rapid, cost-effective and sensitive protocol to treat milk before DNA extraction. The results of the present study also confirm the possibility of T. gondii transmission through consumption of raw milk and its unpasteurised derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vismarra
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Barilli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maura Miceli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Franco Brindani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Passeri B, Mangia C, Vismarra A, Corradi A, Kramer L. Immunophenotyping of T-Cell Populations in Ovine Cystic Echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus). J Comp Pathol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2016.11.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bonardi S, Bruini I, Alpigiani I, Vismarra A, Barilli E, Brindani F, Morganti M, Bellotti P, Bolzoni L, Pongolini S. Influence of Pigskin on Salmonella Contamination of Pig Carcasses and Cutting Lines in an Italian Slaughterhouse. Ital J Food Saf 2016; 5:5654. [PMID: 27800446 PMCID: PMC5076739 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2016.5654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Ninety pig carcasses and twenty one food contact surfaces (FCSs) were tested for Salmonella in a slaughterhouse processing ca. 380 pigs/h between 2014-2015. Sampling was performed during seven sessions. Four carcass sites of 100 cm2 each (back, belly, jowl externally, and the diaphragmatic area internally) were swabbed after evisceration. Meat conveyors and dressing tables were tested swabbing areas of 200 to 400 cm2. After pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water, samples were tested by Salmonella MDS® assay and the presumptive positives were confirmed by the ISO 6579 method. Salmonella isolates were serotyped following the Kauffman-White-Le Minor scheme and genotyped by XbaI pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Salmonella was isolated from 16/90 [17.8%; confidence interval (CI) 95%=11.2-26.9] carcasses and 4/21 (19.0%; CI 95%=7.7-40.0) FCSs. Four serovars were identified on carcasses. S. enterica 4,[5],12:i:-was the most prevalent (43.75%), followed by S. Rissen (31.25%), S. Derby (12.5%) and S. Bovismorbificans (12.5%). Two serovars were found on FCSs, namely S. Derby (75%) and S. Livingstone (25%). During one sampling session, a failure in carcass dehairing occurred and caused significantly higher prevalence of carcass contamination (60%) than in the remaining sessions. Moreover, in the same session, Salmonella prevalence was marginally significantly higher on FCSs than in the remaining sampling days, suggesting that dehairing affects contamination not only on carcasses, but also on the working surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bonardi
- Food Hygiene Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Ilaria Bruini
- Food Hygiene Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Irene Alpigiani
- Food Hygiene Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Food Hygiene Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Elena Barilli
- Food Hygiene Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Franco Brindani
- Food Hygiene Unit, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma
| | - Marina Morganti
- Risk Analysis Unit, Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Parma, Italy
| | - Paola Bellotti
- Risk Analysis Unit, Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Bolzoni
- Risk Analysis Unit, Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Pongolini
- Risk Analysis Unit, Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, Parma, Italy
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Mangia C, Vismarra A, Kramer L, Bell-Sakyi L, Porretta D, Otranto D, Epis S, Grandi G. Evaluation of the in vitro expression of ATP binding-cassette (ABC) proteins in an Ixodes ricinus cell line exposed to ivermectin. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:215. [PMID: 27090214 PMCID: PMC4835901 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1497-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are among the most important vectors of pathogens causing human and animal disease. Acaricides are used to control tick infestation, although there are increasing reports of resistance. Recently, over-expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins (P-glycoproteins, PgP) has been implicated in resistance to the acaricide ivermectin in the ticks Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Ixodid tick cell lines have been used to investigate drug resistance mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate expression of several PgPs in the Ixodes ricinus-derived cell line IRE/CTVM19 and to determine modulation of expression following treatment with ivermectin. Findings IRE/CTVM19 cells were treated with different concentrations of ivermectin (0, 11, 22 or 33 μM) and incubated for 10 days. Evaluation of viability and relative expression of ABCB1, ABCB6, ABCB8 and ABCB10 genes were carried out at day 10 post treatment. Cell viability ranged between 84 % and 92 % with no significant differences between untreated and treated cells. qRT-PCR showed that ABC pump expression was not significantly modulated by ivermectin treatment. Expression of the ABCB8 PgP subfamily revealed a biphasic trend, based on the ivermectin concentration. ABCB6 and ABCB10 gene expression was not modulated by ivermectin treatment and ABCB1 expression was not detected. Conclusions This is the first report of PgP expression in an I. ricinus-derived tick cell line. Development of an in vitro model for the study of acaricide resistance mechanisms would greatly facilitate screening for drug resistance in ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, 43126, Parma, Italy.
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Surrey GU24 0NF, Pirbright, UK
| | - Daniele Porretta
- Department of Environmental Biology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010, Bari, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulio Grandi
- National Veterinary Institute, SVA, SE-751 89, Uppsala, Sweden
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Vismarra A, Mangia C, Barilli E, Brindani F, Bacci C, Kramer L. Meat Juice Serology for Toxoplasma Gondii Infection in Chickens. Ital J Food Saf 2016; 5:5586. [PMID: 27800433 PMCID: PMC5076709 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2016.5586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is an important foodborne zoonosis. Free-range chickens are at particularly high risk of infection and are also excellent indicators of soil contamination by oocysts. In the present study, hearts of 77 free-range chickens were collected at slaughter. T. gondii meat juice enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed with a commercial kit, following validation with positive controls, from experimentally infected chickens, and negative ones. Out of 77 samples, only 66 gave sufficient meat juice for serology. Of these, 24 (36.4%) were positive for T. gondii considering the 5*standard deviation values (calculated on the optical density of negative controls), while all the samples were negative considering sample/positive% values. Parasite-specific polymerase chain reaction was carried out on all samples obtained from heart tissue and none were positive for the presence of T. gondii DNA. Results would suggest that further study on the use of meat juice with a validated serological test to detect T. gondii in chickens could lead to widespread epidemiological studies in this important intermediate host. However, sample collection and test specificity require further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Mangia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Elena Barilli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Franco Brindani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Cristina Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Kramer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma , Parma, Italy
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Bacci C, Vismarra A, Mangia C, Bonardi S, Bruini I, Genchi M, Kramer L, Brindani F. Detection of Toxoplasma gondii in free-range, organic pigs in Italy using serological and molecular methods. Int J Food Microbiol 2015; 202:54-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 02/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Vismarra A, Mangia C, Passeri B, Brundu D, Masala G, Ledda S, Mariconti M, Brindani F, Kramer L, Bacci C. Immuno-histochemical study of ovine cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus) shows predominant T cell infiltration in established cysts. Vet Parasitol 2015; 209:285-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Bonardi S, Alpigiani I, Tozzoli R, Vismarra A, Zecca V, Greppi C, Bacci C, Bruini I, Brindani F. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157, O26 and O111 in cattle faeces and hides in Italy. Vet Rec Open 2015; 2:e000061. [PMID: 26392887 PMCID: PMC4567145 DOI: 10.1136/vetreco-2014-000061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 06/11/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ruminants are regarded as the natural reservoir for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), especially of serogroup O157. MATERIALS AND METHODS During 2011 and 2012, 320 samples (160 faecal samples from the rectum and 160 hide samples from the brisket area) were collected from 160 cattle at slaughter in Northern Italy during warm months (May to October). Cattle were reared in different farms and their age at slaughter ranged between nine months and 15 years, most of them being culled cattle (median age: six years; average age: 4.6 years). Samples were tested by immunomagnetic-separation technique for E coli O157 and O26 and by a screening PCR for stx genes followed by cultural detection of STEC. The virulence genes stx1, stx2, eae, and e-hlyA were detected and among stx2-positive isolates the presence of the stx2a and stx2c variants was investigated. RESULTS Twenty-one of 160 cattle (13.1 per cent; 95 per cent CI 8.3 to 19.4 per cent) were found to be faecal carriers of STEC. STEC O157 was found in 10 (6.3 per cent) samples, STEC O26 in six (3.8 per cent) and STEC O111 in one (0.6 per cent). Four isolates (2.5 per cent) were O not determined (OND). Six out of 160 (3.8 per cent; 95 per cent CI 1.4 to 8.0 per cent) hide samples were positive for STEC; four hides (2.5 per cent) were contaminated by STEC O157 and two (1.3 per cent) by STEC O26. In three cattle (1.9 per cent) STEC from both faeces and hides were detected. Among STEC O157, 87.5 per cent of them carried the stx2c gene and 12.5 per cent carried both stx1 and stx2c genes. No O157 isolate harboured stx2a variant. STEC O26 and O111 carried the stx1 gene only. One OND strain carried both the stx2a and stx2c genes. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that STEC O157 from cattle can harbour the stx2c variant, which is associated with haemolytic uraemic syndrome in humans, and that cattle hides may be a source of human pathogenic STEC O157 and O26 in the slaughterhouse environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bonardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - I Alpigiani
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - R Tozzoli
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety , Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Rome , Italy
| | - A Vismarra
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - V Zecca
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - C Greppi
- National Health Service, Veterinary Service, Local Unit of Cremona , Italy
| | - C Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - I Bruini
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
| | - F Brindani
- Department of Veterinary Science, Unit of Food Hygiene , University of Parma , Parma , Italy
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