Zoonotic Lagochilascaris minor and nine other parasites in a cat.

A case of polyparasitism in an 8-year-old female cat from Southern Brazil is reported. Among the described clinical signs, both gurltiosis and lagochilascariasis are of rare occurrence, being categorized as neglected diseases. The diagnosis of feline crural parasitic paraplegia was established through clinical signs, necropsy lesion observations, and the presence of Gurltia paralysans in histological sections of the spinal cord.

Expression of key cytokines in dog macrophages infected by Leishmania tarentolae opening new avenues for the protection against Leishmania infantum.

The detection of Leishmania tarentolae in sympatric areas where Leishmania infantum is endemic raised questions regarding the protective effect exerted in dogs by L. tarentolae when in coinfection. This study aimed monitoring the in vitro gene expression of pro- (IFN- γ; TNF-α; IL-12) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4; IL-6; IL-10) cytokines in primary canine macrophages infected by L.

Snakes as sentinel of zoonotic yeasts and bio-indicators of environmental quality.

Reptiles in the wild or as pets may act as spreaders of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. However, studies on the mycobiota of these animals are scanty. This study investigates the occurrence of yeasts from the cloacal swabs of snakes of different origins and the antifungal profile of the isolated strains.

Leishmania spp. in equids and their potential vectors in endemic areas of canine leishmaniasis.

Equids may be infected by zoonotic Leishmania spp., including Leishmania infantum, in regions where canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is endemic, and Leishmania martiniquensis, which has been reported in horses from Central Europe. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of both Leishmania spp.

Molecular detection of Colpodella sp. and other tick-borne pathogens in ticks of ruminants, Italy.

Colpodella species are close relatives of Apicomplexan protozoa. Although most species of this genus are free-living organisms that feed on other protists and algae, reports indicate their occurence in ticks and human patients, including an individual with a history of tick bite manifesting neurological symptoms. During an investigation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in blood samples of cattle, goats, and in ticks collected on them, Colpodella sp.

New paradigms in the prevention of canine vector-borne diseases.

The prevention of canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) is pivotal for the health and welfare of dogs as well as for reducing their zoonotic risk to humans. Scientific knowledge gained in recent years contributed to the development of new strategies for the control of these diseases in different social and cultural contexts. Here, we discuss recent advances in the prevention of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) affecting dogs with a focus on those of zoonotic relevance.

ParSCo: celebrating 10 years of a unique parasitology summer course.

ParSCo (Parasitology Summer Course) is an intense, 1-week-long summer course organized by the Parasitology Unit of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Italy, with the support of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), the European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) and Parasites and Vectors. The course, which is conducted in southern Italy, is planned for parasitologists and post-graduate students working in the field of parasitology. The course consists of theoretical and practical lessons, which include the collection, identification and diagnosis of parasites of pets, livestock and wildlife.

Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy.

While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated.

Assessment of the diagnostic performance of serological tests in areas where Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tarentolae occur in sympatry.

Background: Visceral leishmaniosis caused by infection with the zoonotic protozoan Leishmania infantum is a life-threatening disease affecting dogs and humans. The sympatric occurrence of L. infantum and Leishmania tarentolae in an area of southern Italy endemic for canine leishmaniosis, where dogs are also exposed to the latter species, suggests the persistence of herpetophilic L.

sp. and associated endosymbionts in ring-tailed coatis () in periurban areas from Midwestern Brazil.

Coatis () are wild carnivorous well adapted to anthropized environments especially important because they act as reservoirs hosts for many arthropod-borne zoonotic pathogens. Information about filarioids from coatis and associated spp. in Brazil is scant.

Elimination of Dirofilaria immitis Infection in Dogs, Linosa Island, Italy, 2020-2022.

On Linosa Island, Italy, Dirofilaria immitis infection has been hyperendemic in dogs and seroprevalent among islanders. In 2020, we implemented a heartworm disease elimination program on Linosa Island. Of 54 dogs tested for D.

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco.

The world-famous markets of Marrakech, also known in Arabic as souks, harbor a vast diversity of reptiles that are sold for medicinal/magic/pet purposes or used for snake charming. This unique epidemiological context has never been studied considering the interactions of humans, reptiles, and zoonotic pathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the parasites and pathogens present in blood and feces associated with handled reptiles in the markets of Marrakech to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission within the reptile-human interface.

Squamata reptiles as a potential source of helminth infections when preyed on by companion animals.

Background: Squamate reptiles cohabiting with companion animals may represent a source of helminth infections, especially through predation by dogs and cats with an outdoor lifestyle.

Methods: In order to assess the role of reptiles as intermediate/paratenic hosts of trophically transmitted helminths, synanthropic reptiles (n = 245) captured from different ecological settings (i.e.

Invasive mammalian wildlife and the risk of zoonotic parasites.

Invasive wild mammals are present in all continents, with Europe, North America, and the Asian-Pacific region having the largest number of established species. In particular, Europe has been the continent with the highest number of zoonotic parasites associated with invasive wild mammals. These invasive species may represent a major threat for the conservation of native ecosystems and may enter in the transmission cycle of native parasites, or act as spreaders of exotic parasites.

Identification of new astroviruses in synanthropic squamates.

Astroviruses have been identified in a wide variety of animal species and are associated with gastro-intestinal disease in humans. Pathologies due to extra-intestinal localization are known in different hosts. We report the detection of astroviruses in synanthropic squamate reptile species (Podercis siculus and Tarentola mauritanica).

Intracellular persistence of Leishmania tarentolae in primary canine macrophage cells.

Leishmania tarentolae is a non-pathogenic species first isolated from geckoes in the Mediterranean basin. The finding that dogs test positive against both Leishmania infantum and L. tarentolae raises questions regarding the ability of the latter species to persist and adapt to new hosts.

Experimental feeding of Sergentomyia minuta on reptiles and mammals: comparison with Phlebotomus papatasi.

Background: Sergentomyia minuta (Diptera: Phlebotominae) is an abundant sand fly species in the Mediterranean basin and a proven vector of reptile parasite Leishmania (Sauroleishmania) tarentolae. Although it feeds preferentially on reptiles, blood meal analyses and detection of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum DNA in wild-caught S. minuta suggest that occasional feeding may occur on mammals, including humans.

Molecular detection of Babesia spp. and Rickettsia spp. in coatis (Nasua nasua) and associated ticks from midwestern Brazil.

Procyonids are reservoirs of many zoonotic infectious diseases, including tick-borne pathogens. The role of coatis (Nasua nasua) in the epidemiology of piroplasmids and Rickettsia has not been fully addressed in Brazil. To molecularly study these agents in coatis and associated ticks, animals were sampled in two urban areas in Midwestern Brazil.

Into the large ears: otitis externa associated with nematodes, mites, and bacteria in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

Background: The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), which is an endangered species, harbors several parasites. Among the ectoparasites that it harbors, ear mites of the genus Loxanoetus have the potential to cause external otitis, an inflammation that may also be associated with the presence of other microorganisms. We assessed the relationships between ear mites, nematodes, yeast, bacterial rods, and cocci sampled from the ears of captive Asian elephants in Thailand.