Epidemiological survey of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa in Testudines from Sardinia, Italy.

The order Testudines comprises some of the most endangered groups of vertebrates. Under specific circumstances, infectious and parasitic diseases may affect the survival and fecundity of these animals, potentially threatening Testudines populations. In Sardinia, besides the three species of tortoises present in the wild (Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca and Testudo marginata), many others are kept as pets.

Treatment and management of coenurosis by Taenia multiceps: field data from outbreaks in endemic regions and literature review.

Background: Taenia multiceps coenurosis is endemic in sheep from various regions worldwide. Dogs, the key hosts, shed T. multiceps eggs in their feces contaminating the pasture, and lambs are mostly infected during their first turnout into pastures.

Hepatobiliary Ascariasis in a Piglet.

Purpose: Ascariasis caused by the helminth Ascaris suum is the most common parasitosis of swine worldwide and it may involve all age categories of pigs. The present study reports an unusual localization of A. suum worms in the biliary system of a piglet slaughtered for human consumption.

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.

The groundbreaking impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence in sheep farming.

The integration of digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has marked the onset of a new era of efficient sheep farming in multiple aspects ranging from the general well-being of sheep to advanced web-based management applications. The resultant improvement in sheep health and consequently better farming yield has already started to benefit both farmers and veterinarians. The predictive analytical models embedded with machine learning (giving sense to machines) has helped better decision-making and has enabled farmers to derive most out of their farms.

Seroepidemiological and biomolecular survey on in Sardinian wild boar ().

is a zoonotic parasite able of infecting all warm-blooded animals. Toxoplasmosis is one of the major foodborne diseases globally. The consumption of wild boar () meat from recreational hunting has been linked to outbreaks of human toxoplasmosis.

Morphometric, histopathological and molecular findings of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus infection in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from continental Italy.

Although Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a neglected acanthocephalan of suids occasionally responsible for severe infections in humans, the spread of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe could promote the circulation. Herein, we report the first morphometric, histological and molecular characterization of a severe M. hirudinaceus infection in a boar from continental Italy.

Redescription and resurrection of the status of () (Eucestoda, Dipylidiidae).

A study of the parasite fauna of feral cats in Dubai revealed the presence of two species, (Diamare, 1893) and (Baer, 1924). While the wide distribution of includes countries of the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, was previously reported from felid hosts from southern Africa and has not been found in other cat parasite surveys in the Middle East, except from Dubai. The availability of historical references, however, raised doubts about the correctness of the allocation of the small sp.

Establishment and application of unbiased in vitro drug screening assays for the identification of compounds against Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto.

Echinococcus multilocularis and E. granulosus s.l.

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.

Laboratory associated zoonotic parasitic infections: a review of main agents and biosecurity measures.

Laboratory workers are exposed to the risk of acquiring infections due to the manipulation of infectious materials. The biological hazard for researchers is seven times higher when compared with hospital and public health laboratory workers. Despite the implementation of standardized practices to control infections, multiple cases of Laboratory Associated Infections (LAIs) usually go unreported.

First report of Echinococcus ortleppi and genotype G6 of E. canadensis cluster from southern Punjab, Pakistan and a global overview on genetic structure and host adaptation of E. ortleppi.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, is a neglected tropical disease known mainly for its zoonotic nature. CE is endemic to Pakistan, however, the disease is not given due consideration and millions of people remain at health risk. This study was undertaken to assess the species and genotypes of E.

Cardio-pulmonary nematodes of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) of Sardinia, Italy.

Cardio-pulmonary parasites, such as Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, and Eucoleus aerophilus, pose a significant concern on account of pulmonary and cardiac problems they induce in dogs. While the red fox is known to be a key reservoir host for A. vasorum and may also play a role in transmitting C.

Appraising the Genetic Makeup of an Allochthonous Southern Pike Population: An Opportunity to Predict the Evolution of Introgressive Hybridization in Isolated Populations?

Biological invasions are a major threat to the conservation of biodiversity, as invasive species affect native biota through competition, predation, pathogen introduction, habitat alteration, and hybridisation. The present study focuses on a southern pike population, (Teleostei: Esocidae), that has been introduced outside the species' native range. Using microsatellite markers, this study's objective was to gather baseline genetic information and assess the presence of hybrids between this species and in the introduced population.

'Fight the parasite': raising awareness of cystic echinococcosis in primary school children in endemic countries.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread zoonosis and a significant economic concern and cause of morbidity in humans. A scarcity of education on the sources of CE infection and containment measures is considered to be a key factor responsible for persistent transmission within communities. Recently, edutainment approaches have captured the attention of health education (HE) professionals due to the benefits of integrating cognitive and emotional learning processes.

Description of (Cestoda: Dipylidiidae) from an Italian domestic dog, with a call for further research on its first intermediate host.

Although is frequently detected in cats from Mediterranean Europe, information on its biology is still scarce. This cestode is relatively less frequently reported in dogs, possibly because it is often misdiagnosed with the better-known . The occurrence of proglottids in a dog living in a closed environment triggered us to delve into the biology of this cestode by collecting biological samples from lizards and a road-killed cat.

Global epidemiology and molecular biology of : a comparative meta-analysis and analysis study.

In the present study, all published data on the epidemiology and molecular characters of were systematically collected from relevant databases (e.g. PubMed, Scopus, National Center for Biotechnology Information), and combined in various statistical and genetic analyses as a contribution to a better understanding of the epidemiology of this ubiquitous taeniid worldwide.

Ultrasonography of Parasitic Diseases in Domestic Animals: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the application of ultrasonography in diagnosis, staging and monitoring of helminthic diseases in domestic animals. Only peer reviewed papers written in English language were included in this systematic review. All papers concerning unicellular parasites, wild animals, non-domestic experimental animals, or ex vivo or in vitro applications of ultrasonography were excluded from the review.

First description of Eucoleus garfiai (Gallego and Mas-Coma, 1975) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Italy.

Eucoleus garfiai (syn. Capillaria garfiai) is a nematode infecting lingual tissue of domestic and wild swine. Prevalence data for this parasite are scant and often related to accidental findings, occurring only in Japan and a few European countries.

Taenia multiceps coenurosis: a review.

Taenia multiceps is a taeniid cestode that inhabits the small intestines of both wild and domestic carnivores. The larval stage, Coenurus cerebralis, is typically found in the central nervous system (CNS) of a wide range of livestock and, to a lesser extent, in the extra-cerebral tissues of sheep and goats. This review covers all aspects of the life cycle of T.

A survey on Apicomplexa protozoa in sheep slaughtered for human consumption.

Infections with the Apicomplexa Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, and Sarcocystis spp. are common causes of reproductive disorders in sheep. However, few epidemiological studies regarding co-infections with these three protozoa are reported in sheep in Italy.

External ophthalmomyiasis by Oestrus ovis in tourists visiting Italy. Report of three cases and a literature review.

Background: Oestrus ovis is a dipteran parasite responsible of myiasis in small ruminants and reported as the causative agent of myiasis in humans particularly in sheep farming areas. In recent years, several human cases had been reported without any previous history of exposure to livestock or visit to rural areas.

Case Presentation: We describe three clustered cases of ophthalmomyiasis externa in tourists in Sardinia and Sicily and discuss them in the light of the published literature.

Genetic structure and phylogeography of Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto genotypes G1 and G3 in Pakistan and other regions of the world based on nad5 gene.

Pakistan is a neglected endemic focus for Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato, a zoonotic parasite species complex with the ability to infect wide spectrum of hosts. Wide gaps exist in literature for etiological agents of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Pakistan due to a very low number of studies on identifying the exact genotypes involved in epidemiological manifestation of this disease. Focusing on transmission patterns and epidemiological dynamics, this study aimed at investigating infective genotypes among the cattle population of south Punjab, Pakistan, employing a mitochondrial marker nad5 (680 bp).