Automating parasite egg detection: insights from the first AI-KFM challenge.

In the field of veterinary medicine, the detection of parasite eggs in the fecal samples of livestock animals represents one of the most challenging tasks, since their spread and diffusion may lead to severe clinical disease. Nowadays, the scanning procedure is typically performed by physicians with professional microscopes and requires a significant amount of time, domain knowledge, and resources. The Kubic FLOTAC Microscope (KFM) is a compact, low-cost, portable digital microscope that can autonomously analyze fecal specimens for parasites and hosts in both field and laboratory settings.

Effect of pomegranate () anthelmintic treatment on milk production in dairy sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes.

Anthelmintic drug resistance has proliferated across Europe in sheep gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Sheep welfare and health are adversely impacted by these phenomena, which also have an impact on productivity. Finding alternatives for controlling GINs in sheep is thus of utmost importance.

Recovering ancient parasites from Andean herbivores: test of the Mini-FLOTAC technique in archaeological samples.

The optimization of techniques for recovering parasitic remains is key in paleoparasitology. The Mini-FLOTAC technique (MF) is based on passive flotation and is used for diagnosis of parasites and was never tested on ancient samples. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of MF in paleoparasitology, aiming at improving the techniques for the recovery of parasitic remains in order to upgrade the interpretative potential of the paleoparasitological evidence.

Gastrointestinal parasite assemblages from the wild rodent capybara () inhabiting a natural protected area from Argentina.

Knowledge about parasitic diseases of wildlife will help us to understand the dynamics of parasites and their effects on host populations. The capybara () is the largest living rodent in the world, and its distribution is associated with the presence of tropical and subtropical wetlands in South America. The Los Padres Lake Integral Reserve (LPLIR) is an important conservation zone in the pampean region of Argentina.

and anthelmintic efficacy of peppermint ( L.) essential oil against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

Nowadays, the exclusive use of commercial anthelmintics for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants is less sustainable due to anthelmintic resistance, as well as the problem of drug residues in animal products and the environment. Therefore, an integrated therapeutic approach is needed, including the search for alternatives to synthetic anthelmintic drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using the essential oil of peppermint ( L.

Comparison of Mini-FLOTAC, Flukefinder and sedimentation techniques for detection and quantification of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron daubneyi eggs using spiked and naturally infected bovine faecal samples.

Background: Fasciolosis (Fasciola hepatica) and paramphistomosis (Calicophoron daubneyi) are two important infections of livestock. Calicophoron daubneyi is the predominant Paramphistomidae species in Europe, and its prevalence has increased in the last 10-15 years. In Italy, evidence suggests that the prevalence of F.

Challenges of copro-parasitological surveys in wild Iberian ibex () populations addressed through a combination of molecular and statistical tools.

Copro-parasitological surveys in wildlife face challenges due to the secretive nature of many species and the unknown performance of the diagnostic tests employed. To overcome these issues, we used a combination of hierarchical models (site-occupancy and N-mixture models) applied to copro-parasitological data obtained from fecal samples assigned to the host species by molecular methods in the Iberian ibex in north-western Iberian Peninsula. The aims were to compare the performance of four diagnostic tests (Mini-FLOTAC, McMaster, Willis flotation, and natural sedimentation) and to use this methodological approach (molecular analysis with hierarchical models) to better estimate positivity proportion and shedding intensity in a wild ibex population.

Use of perennial plants in the fight against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep.

Background: Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are a serious problem in ruminant pastures worldwide. They generate production losses, from the point of view of both the food chain and animal mortality. This study provides preliminary results concerning the use of pasture plants in the Campania region (of southern Italy) to control GINs in sheep.

A general framework to support cost-efficient fecal egg count methods and study design choices for large-scale STH deworming programs-monitoring of therapeutic drug efficacy as a case study.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) control programs currently lack evidence-based recommendations for cost-efficient survey designs for monitoring and evaluation. Here, we present a framework to provide evidence-based recommendations, using a case study of therapeutic drug efficacy monitoring based on the examination of helminth eggs in stool.

Methods: We performed an in-depth analysis of the operational costs to process one stool sample for three diagnostic methods (Kato-Katz, Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAKG2).

Do natural catastrophic events and exceptional climatic conditions also affect parasites?

Parasites and parasitologists have always lived together in good and bad luck in a sort of forced marriage. In recent times bad luck certainly prevailed, because of increasing man-made emergencies such as wars, chemical disasters, but also because of natural disasters, amplified by climate change, that condition more and more parasite–host equilibrium. The symposium at the National Congress of the Italian Society for Parasitology, was a first occasion for Italian parasitologists to reason about ‘disaster parasitology’ and researchers’ responsibilities.

Efficacy of oral, topical and extended-release injectable formulations of moxidectin combined with doxycycline in Dirofilaria immitis naturally infected dogs.

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.

Potential New Therapeutic Approaches Based on Fruits Compared to Synthetic Anthelmintics for the Sustainable Control of Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep.

Parasites, in particular, gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) represent one of the main burdens affecting small ruminant farming and pose a serious threat to their health, welfare, productivity, and reproduction. The correct management of animals and the correct use of anthelmintic drugs are the pillars of the GIN control programs for small ruminants. However, globally due to the indiscriminate use of synthetic anthelmintics, there is a significant increase in anthelmintic resistance phenomena to one or more classes of drugs.

The FLOTAC basic technique as a new extraction method for root-knot nematodes ( spp.) from soil and roots.

FLOTAC Techniques have been widely acknowledged as an effective method for the extraction of human and animal parasites. The present study is the first application of FLOTAC basic technique (FBT) for the extraction of phytoparasitic nematodes from soil and infested plant roots. Eggs and second stage juveniles (J) of the root-knot nematode were extracted from infested soil and tomato roots either by FBT and conventional nematode extraction methods, such as centrifugal flotation and root maceration techniques, respectively.

Advances in diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals has been neglected for years and there has been an historical underinvestment in the development and improvement of diagnostic tools, undermining the undoubted utility of surveillance and control programmes. However, a new impetus by the scientific community and the quickening pace of technological innovations, are promoting a renaissance of interest in developing diagnostic capacity for nematode infections in veterinary parasitology. A cross-cutting priority for diagnostic tools is the development of pen-side tests and associated decision support tools that rapidly inform on the levels of infection and morbidity.

Single and Synergistic Effects of Fenbendazole and Metronidazole Against Subclinical Infection by in Non-Human Primates in a Zoological Garden in Southern Italy.

The aim of this study was to assess the single and synergistic effects of fenbendazole (Fenb) and metronidazole (Metro) for the treatment of infection in different species of non-human primates (NHPs) housed in a zoological garden of southern Italy. Moreover, the study also aimed to better define the circulation of zoonotic assemblages in NHP and the potential occurrence of zoonotic transmission between the staff from the zoo and NHP. Briefly, six species that belonged to four families (Lemuridae, Cercopithecidae, Atelidae, and Hylobatidae) of NHP and housed in six cages (CG) were identified as positive and divided into two groups.

Development of a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction tool for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in meat samples.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Infection in humans has usually been related to the consumption of raw, undercooked or cured meat. The aim of this study was to develop a droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR)-based assay for the detection and quantification of T.

Anthelmintic Properties of Essential Oils to Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep-In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Herbal products such as essential oils may play a promising role in the treatment of infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro potential of 11 essential oils (EOs) and one binary combination of isolated EO compounds, as well as the in vivo anthelmintic efficacy of two EO formulations. Four GIN genera were identified in the coproculture examination: , , and .

A five-year retrospective study on ascarid infections in dogs in southern Italy.

A 5-year retrospective analysis of ascarid infections (Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina) in dogs from southern Italy was performed to update the epidemiological scenario of these parasites and to identify the risk factors which may favour these infections in animals in this study area. A total of 8,149 dogs, referred to our labs for copromicroscopic analysis using the FLOTAC technique, was considered. A sub-sample of 500 faecal samples were analysed also with the Mini-FLOTAC technique.

Development of a public geographical information system-based website to follow the impact of control activities of soil-transmitted helminths in endemic countries.

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common neglected tropical diseases worldwide causing high morbidity and mortality rates in endemic areas. Preventive chemotherapy (PC) programmes and health education are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the impact of STH in endemic countries. Following our role as WHO collaborating centre (WHO CC ITA-116), we have developed a WebGIS and a dataset to support PC programmes to monitor the impact of STH control.

Laboratory evidence that dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen and permethrin combination abrogates Leishmania infantum transmissibility by sick dogs.

Dogs are reservoir hosts of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum and transmitted by phlebotomine vectors. The effect of dinotefuran, pyriproxyfen and permethrin spot-on solution (Vectra®3D, Ceva Santé Animale, Libourne, France) on Leishmania transmissibility by naturally infected dogs via reared Phlebotomus perniciosus, was assessed. Dogs affected by leishmaniasis were submitted to xenodiagnosis and 6 infecting >10% of insects were treated topically on day 0.

Occurrence of Species and Co-Infection with in Symptomatic Dogs and in Their Ticks in Eastern Romania.

Although the distribution of spp. and is well known in Romania, there is still a marked lack of information in many places of the country. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these haemoparasites in symptomatic dogs and in their ticks in Iasi, eastern Romania.

Green Veterinary Pharmacology Applied to Parasite Control: Evaluation of , , Aqueous Macerates against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep.

Resistance to anthelmintic drugs in gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of sheep is of high concern for livestock production worldwide. In Calabria (southern Italy), many plants have been used in ethnoveterinary medicine for parasite control in small ruminants. Here, we present an in vivo evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy of three plant extracts.