Diagnosis of Sarcoptic Mange in Slaughtered Swine

Veterinary Research Communications - Galuppi, R., Avenoso, A.M., Leotti, G., Ostanello, F., Poglayen, G. and Tampieri, M.P., 2007. Diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in slaughtered swine. Veterinary...     

Comparison of diagnostic methods to detect piroplasms in asymptomatic cattle

This study was carried out to compare different diagnostic techniques to reveal the presence of piroplasms in asymptomatic cattle kept at pasture. Nineteen blood samples were collected from animals of two different areas of Emilia Romagna Region of Italy and processed for microscopic observation, PCR, serological test (IFAT) for Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina antibodies and in vitro cultivation. The cultures were performed on both bovine and ovine erythrocytes. Seventeen blood smears (89%) were positive for piroplasms, while PCR was positive on 18 samples (95%). DNA sequencing of 18S rRNA identified the piroplasms as Theileria spp. In vitro cultures were successful for 6 samples (32%) cultured on bovine blood and subsequent identified these as Babesia major by PCR. On IFAT analyses of 16 samples, 36.8% resulted positive for B. bovis and 31.6% positive for B. bigemina. These results show, in the same animals, the co-infection with Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.; the detection of B. major was possible only using the in vitro cultures.     

Antimycotic effectiveness against dermatophytes: comparison of two in vitro tests

Seven antimycotic drugs (econazole, enilconazole, fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole) were tested against 36 dermatophyte strains (19 M. canis, 7 T. mentagrophytes, 5 M. gypseum, 2 M. cookei, 1 T. rubrum, 1 T. ajelloi, and 1 T. terrestre) isolated from animals, humans, and the environment. Two in vitro methods were compared: a micro-dilution test based on the CLSI M38-A method, and a disk-diffusion test. Fluconazole was not effective in vitro against the dermatophytes. Econazole and enilconazole were the most effective. Thirteen strains were griseofulvin-resistant. The correlation between the two methods was statistically significant for enilconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and miconazole.     

New insights into the epidemiology of bovine piroplasmoses in Italy

Few studies have been published on bovine piroplasmoses in Italy, and therefore a clear picture of the epidemiology of these infections is difficult to obtain. Vertebrate and invertebrate hosts in Central and Northern Regions of Italy were investigated in 2005 and 2006, when microscopy, molecular tools and serological tests were applied to 468 blood samples drawn from cattle in order to evaluate the presence of these protozoa and identify possible risk factors. Ticks were also collected, identified and analyzed by molecular techniques.Microscopy identified 6.5% of the animals as positive, whereas PCR detected piroplasm DNA in 21.6%. BLAST analysis showed 67 amplicons (17.0%) referable to the Theileria sergenti/buffeli/orientalis group, 17 (4.3%) to Theileria annae, and 1 to Babesia divergens. Serology evidenced a prevalence of 45.4% for Babesia bovis, 17.4% for Babesia bigemina, and 34.9% for B. divergens. The 127 collected ticks were identified as belonging to 5 species, mostly represented by Rhipicephalus bursa, Hyalomma marginatum and Ixodes ricinus. Molecular analyses evidenced the presence of B. bovis and B. bigemina, in 3 and 5 ticks, respectively.Our findings suggest that different species of piroplasms are circulating in bovine populations in Central and Northern Italy, and provide new insights into the complex epidemiology of bovine piroplasmoses in Italy.     

Dermatitis associated with "hypopodes" in a horse: the first case reported in Italy

The authors report, for the first time in Italy, a case of dermatitis of "hypopodes" origin in a horse. The hypopodes are a particular nymphal stage of mites of the suborder Astigmata. The "hypopus" is non-feeding, lacks a mouth and has a ventral suctorial plate with suckers and conoids for attaching itself to insects as a mode of dispersal. Some of these larval stages can enter into the hair follicles and into the subcutaneous layers causing lesions similar to mange. There are few reports of dermatitis in horses specifically associated with the presence of hypopodes and these have been attributed to an allergic response to the body fluid of crushed hypopial stage. It may be that infestations of these nymphal stages are widespread, but the nature of the condition is not yet clear; therefore, they may be underdiagnosed.     

Yeast Flora in Oropharyngeal and Rectal Mucous Membranes of Healthy and Critically Ill Neonatal Foals

Little is known about the normal or pathologic yeast flora in healthy and critically ill neonatal foals. The aims of this study were to evaluate the yeast flora colonizing the mucous membranes of the digestive tract (oropharynx and rectum mucous membranes) of healthy and hospitalized foals and to find out risk factors involved in yeast colonization of foals referred to a neonatal intensive care unit. A total of 240 swabs were collected from 21 healthy (group A) and 39 sick (group B) foals. In 14 of the 60 foals, yeast was isolated in at least one sample (23.3%): 3 of the 21 foals (14.3%) were positive in group A and 11 of 39 foals (28.2%) were positive in group B. The yeasts were isolated from rectal swabs obtained from none in healthy foals, whereas 5 of the 39 sick foals were positive; however, this difference was not statistically significant. No significant difference was also detected regarding oropharyngeal swabs between healthy (3/21) and sick (10/39) foals. The risk factors significantly associated with the isolation of yeasts from rectal swabs were female sex, treatment with oral antibiotics, and stressful diagnostic–therapeutic procedures. The only risk factor significantly associated with the isolation of yeast from oropharyngeal swabs was the treatment with antacids and gastroprotectants. The results show that fungi present in the gastrointestinal tract of neonatal foals were mainly environmental yeasts and suggested the absence of a stable fungal colonization. Candida was the genus frequently isolated in hospitalized foals, just as it is isolated in critically ill human neonates.     

Evidence for bovine parafilariosis in Italy: first isolation of Parafilaria bovicola (Tubangui, 1934) from autochthonous cattle

In May and July 2010 and in March 2011, the presence of multiple bleeding nodules at the level of the neck, shoulders, withers, back and rump in five cattle from three herds in north-central Italy were observed. A diagnosis of parafilariosis was made. Fragments of adult females of Parafilaria bovicola could be identified from the derma of three to five bioptic extirpates. Larvated eggs and free larvae were observed in serohemorrhagic exudates.This paper is the first report of the occurrence of parafilariosis in Italy and subsequent to the various outbreaks reported, it can now be said that bovine parafilariosis is also currently present in Italy.     

In vitro activity of chemicals and commercial products against Saprolegnia parasitica and Saprolegnia delica strains

Oomycetes of the genus Saprolegnia are responsible for severe economic losses in freshwater aquaculture. Following the ban of malachite green in food fish production, the demand for new treatments pushes towards the selection of more safe and environment‐friendly products. In the present work, in vitro activity of ten chemicals and three commercial products was tested on different strains of Saprolegnia, using malachite green as reference compound. The compounds were screened in agar and in water to assess the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum lethal concentration (MLC), respectively. Two strains of Saprolegnia parasitica and one isolate of Saprolegnia delica were tested in triplicate per each concentration. Among tested chemicals, benzoic acid showed the lowest MIC (100 ppm) followed by acetic acid, iodoacetic acid and copper sulphate (250 ppm). Sodium percarbonate was not effective at any tested concentration. Among commercial products, Virkon^?S was effective in inhibiting the growth of the mycelium (MIC = MLC = 1,000 ppm). Actidrox® and Detarox® AP showed MIC = 5,000 and 1,000 ppm, respectively, while MLCs were 10‐fold lower than MICs, possibly due to a higher activity of these products in water. Similarly, a higher effectiveness in water was observed also for iodoacetic acid.