Prognostic Value of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Patterns by Western Blotting Immunodetection in Treated Dogs Previously Infected with .

Leishmaniasis is a heterogeneous group of neglected tropical diseases with various clinical syndromes, which is caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus and transmitted by the bite of a female phlebotomine sandfly. Humans and several animal species are considered as reservoirs of the disease. Among other animal species, dogs are the most important reservoirs in a domestic environment, maintaining the endemic focus of the parasite.

Feline Leishmaniosis in Northwestern Italy: Current Status and Zoonotic Implications.

Leishmaniasis remains one of the major neglected tropical diseases. The epidemiological profile of the disease comprises a wide range of hosts, including dogs and cats. Despite several studies about feline Leishmaniosis, the role of cats in disease epidemiology and its clinical impact is still debated.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of Toxoplasma gondii in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Europe.

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the available knowledge on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Europe. A computerized literature search of electronic databases (PubMed and CAB abstracts) was performed along with hand searches of library resources for relevant papers, books, abstracts and conference proceedings.

Molecular Survey on Vector-Borne Pathogens in Alpine Wild Carnivorans.

In Europe, free-ranging wildlife has been linked to the emergence of several vector-borne diseases such as rodents for s.l. In particular, wild carnivorans are one of the most important sources of emerging zoonotic pathogens worldwide, although little information is available regarding the epidemiology of vector-borne parasites in these animals.

Tick-borne pathogens in Ixodidae ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy: a country-wide molecular survey.

Background: Ticks and tick-borne diseases are increasingly recognized as a cause of disease in dogs worldwide. The epidemiology of ticks and tick-transmitted protozoa and bacteria has changed due to the spread of ticks to urban and peri-urban areas and the movement of infected animals, posing new risks for animals and humans. This countrywide study reports information on distribution and prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from privately-owned dogs in Italy.

Epidemiological evaluation of Leishmania infantum zoonotic transmission risk in the recently established endemic area of Northwestern Italy.

Leishmania infantum infection had been expanding into new areas due to changes in vector and host biology. Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis has become endemic in previously unsuitable areas as vectors find favourable climatic conditions and an increasing number of reservoir dogs are moved between traditionally and new endemic areas. Monitoring vector and disease expansion in areas of recent colonization is needed to understand transmission mechanisms and patterns of disease establishment.

Circulating genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in Northwestern Italy.

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that in Europe is genetically characterized by three main clonal genotypes, with a lesser prevalence of atypical patterns. Data on the genotypes of T. gondii circulating both in wildlife and livestock in Northern Italy are scarce.

Horses infected by Piroplasms different from Babesia caballi and Theileria equi: species identification and risk factors analysis in Italy.

Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi is a disease affecting the health and the international movement of horses. In order to assess prevalence of Piroplasmid infection in the Northwestern part of Italy and to evaluate the associated risk factors, whole blood was collected from 135 horses from 7 different stables across the study area. PCR and sequencing were used to assess prevalence of infection and to identify detected Piroplasms to species level.

Detection of Leishmania DNA in wild foxes and associated ticks in Patagonia, Argentina, 2000 km south of its known distribution area.

Background: Zoonotic Visceral Leishmaniasis (ZVL) is a vector-borne disease affecting humans and other mammals and caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum (syn. L. chagasi), belonging to the L.

The use of loop-mediated isothermal amplification improves Toxoplasma gondii detection in wildlife.

Toxoplasma gondii is among the most widespread parasites worldwide. Wildlife is recognized as an important reservoir and source of infection of T. gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii in sympatric wild herbivores and carnivores: epidemiology of infection in the Western Alps.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that is able to infect almost all warm blooded animals. In Europe, the domestic cat is the main definitive host. Worldwide, 6 billion people are infected with this parasite.

Piroplasmosis in wildlife: Babesia and Theileria affecting free-ranging ungulates and carnivores in the Italian Alps.

Background: Piroplasmosis are among the most relevant diseases of domestic animals. Babesia is emerging as cause of tick-borne zoonosis worldwide and free-living animals are reservoir hosts of several zoonotic Babesia species. We investigated the epidemiology of Babesia spp.

Epidemiology of Leishmania infantum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum in Rattus rattus in absence of domestic reservoir and definitive hosts.

Isolated environments are privileged settings to study transmission of infection. Montecristo is a small island where no wild or domestic carnivores are present. Invasive Black rats Rattus rattus (n=78) were captured and tested by PCR for Leishmania infantum, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum.

Leishmania infantum (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) phlebotomine sand fly vectors in continental Mediterranean Spain.

Leishmania infantum-the causal agent of human and canine leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin-remains the most important of the phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens in the area. However, information on phlebotomine sand flies in certain European regions remains scarce and consequently epidemiological modeling, risk prediction, and disease control are difficult. Thus, we aimed to investigate the presence and distribution of phlebotomine sand fly vectors of L.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infection in invasive Eastern Cottontail Rabbits Sylvilagus floridanus in Northwestern Italy.

Sylvilagus floridanus is a lagomorph introduced for hunting purposes from North America to Europe where, in certain areas like Northern Italy, its population reached high densities. Brain, kidney and skeletal muscle of 144 Eastern Cottontail Rabbits S. floridanus were examined by PCR for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum.

Evaluation of a rapid device for serological diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs as an alternative to immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting.

In this study, we compared a rapid immunochromatographic test (Speed Leish K; BVT Groupe Virbac, La Seyne sur Mer, France) with an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT) and Western blotting (WB) for the detection of Leishmania infantum antibodies in dogs. A total of 250 serum samples were collected from 125 L. infantum-positive and 125 L.

Canine leishmaniosis: in vitro efficacy of miltefosine and marbofloxacin alone or in combination with allopurinol against clinical strains of Leishmania infantum.

Despite the availability of different therapeutic options, canine visceral leishmaniosis (CVL) remains a challenging disease to treat. Recently miltefosine has been registered for use in dogs, and different studies have demonstrated its leishmanicidal effect. Moreover, it has been suggested that fluoroquinolones, compared to standard chemotherapeutic agents, could be an effective and pragmatic alternative to treat CVL.

An investigation into alternative reservoirs of canine leishmaniasis on the endemic island of Mallorca (Spain).

The role of wild and free-roaming domestic carnivores as a reservoir of Leishmania infantum was investigated on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), an endemic area for this disease. Serum, blood and/or spleen samples from 169 animals [48 dogs from a kennel, 86 wild-caught feral cats, 23 pine martens (Martes martes), 10 common genets (Genetta genetta) and two weasels (Mustela nivalis)] were analysed. Seroprevalence determined by Western blotting was 38% in dogs and 16% in feral cats, while the prevalence of infection determined by PCR was 44% in dogs, 26% in cats, 39% in pine martens and 10% in genets.

Immunoblot diagnosis of infection with Neospora caninum in cattle based on recombinant NcSAG4 Antigen.

The Neospora caninum (N. caninum) NcSAG4 gene was subcloned into a pET-28a (+) vector and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion body, and confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using anti-His monoclonal antibody. The purified protein was then purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography column and recognized by positive serum from N.

Distribution of Phlebotomus perniciosus in North-Italy: a study on 18S rDNA of phlebotomine sand flies.

Leishmaniasis has recently spread, and is now endemic, in many parts of North Italy, even if it is not clear how sand flies vectors have reached this area. In order to clarify the origin of the Phlebotomus perniciosus, the main sand flies specie found in these areas, we analyzed and compared the 18S rDNA sequence from 33 out of 122 P. perniciosus collected in new endemic areas, from neighbor ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Asymptomatic Leishmania infantum infection in an area of northwestern Italy (Piedmont region) where such infections are traditionally nonendemic.

The prevalence of Leishmania infantum-specific antibodies and asymptomatic infection was assessed in a randomized sample of 526 healthy adults from a continental area of northwestern Italy where L. infantum is not endemic and where autochthonous cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were recently reported. L.

Physaloptera sibirica in foxes and badgers from the Western Alps (Italy).

We investigated the presence of Physaloptera sibirica and its distribution as well as the association among the parasite, host (i.e. mange due to Sarcoptes scabiei) and environmental factors (i.

Comparison of two PCR protocols for the detection of Neospora caninum DNA in rodents.

The objective of the present study was, due to increasing interest in the epidemiological role of small mammals as potential reservoir of Neospora caninum, to compare two different PCR protocols for the diagnosis of N. caninum in rodents. We tested tissue samples from 50 house mice (Mus musculus), 50 rats (Rattus norvegicus) and 35 field mice (Apodemus sylvaticus).

Characterization of widespread canine leishmaniasis among wild carnivores from Spain.

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is an emerging zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum in Mediterranean countries, with sand flies (Phlebotomus spp.) as vectors and dogs as the main domestic reservoir. The role of wild carnivores in the epidemiology of leishmaniasis is still controversial.