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

INTRODUCTION: 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. Of the overall dog samples analysed, 9,2 % (95 % CI = 8,6-9,8) resulted positive for T. canis while 0,5 % (95 % CI = 0,4-0,7) resulted positive for T. leonina. Co-infections with T. canis and T. leonina were found in 0,1 % of dogs (95 % CI = 0,0-0,1). The results obtained by the FLOTAC and Mini-FLOTAC examinations showed a nearly perfect k agreement (k = 0,99, P < 0,001) between these two techniques. Chi-square test showed positivity to T. canis and T. leonina significantly (P < 0,001) associated with dogs housed outdoor (i.e., that lived in garden or in kennel). Moreover, the positivity for T. canis was significantly associated (P < 0,001) also with age (i.e., puppies), as shown by the logistic regression. The decreasing overall prevalence both for T. canis and T. leonina during the years of monitoring, showed that, as suggested by the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites, the regular diagnosis could contribute to an efficient control of these parasites.

INTRODUCTION: Une analyse rétrospective sur 5 ans des infections à ascaris (Toxocara canis et Toxascaris leonina) chez les chiens du sud de l'Italie a été réalisée afin de mettre à jour le scénario épidémiologique de ces parasites et d'identifier les facteurs de risque pouvant favoriser ces infections chez les animaux de cette zone d'étude. Au total, 8149 chiens ont été analysés dans notre laboratoire avec une analyse copromicroscopique en utilisant la technique FLOTAC. De plus, un sous-échantillon de 500 échantillons fécaux a été analysé avec la technique Mini-FLOTAC. Sur l'ensemble des échantillons fécaux canins analysés, 9,2 % (IC à 95 % = 8,6 à 9,8) se sont révélés positifs pour T. canis tandis que 0,5 % (IC à 95 % = 0,4 à 0,7) ont été positifs pour T. leonina. Des co-infections avec T. canis et T. leonina ont été trouvées chez 0,1 % des chiens (IC à 95 % = 0,0­0,1). Les résultats obtenus par les examens FLOTAC et Mini-FLOTAC ont montré un coefficient Kappa presque parfait (k = 0,99, p < 0,001) entre ces deux techniques. Le test du chi carré a montré une positivité significative quant aux infections à T. canis et T. leonina (P < 0,001) associées à des chiens hébergés à l'extérieur (jardin ou chenil). De plus, la positivité pour T. canis était également significativement associée (P < 0,001) à l'âge (c'est-à-dire aux chiots), comme le montre la régression logistique. La diminution de la prévalence globale au cours de la période de surveillance a montré que le diagnostic régulier pourrait contribuer à un contrôle efficace de ces parasites à la fois pour T. canis et T. leonina, comme suggéré par le the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites.

Giardia and Cryptosporidium in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

A cross-sectional survey of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium parvum infection in the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was carried out in central Italy. A geographical information system (GIS) was constructed utilizing as data-layers the topographic base map and the digital aerial photographs of the study area, as well as the geo-referenced points of all the buffalo farms. The survey was conducted on a sample of 90 farms, selected using a grid approach followed by proportional allocation. For this purpose, a grid representing quadrants of 5 x 5 km was overlaid on the study area within the GIS. As a result, the study area was divided in equal quadrants, and the number of farms sampled in each quadrant was proportional to the total number of study population in that quadrant. On each farm, faecal samples were collected per rectum from three to five asymptomatic buffalo calves, aged from 1 to 9 weeks. The total number of faecal samples collected was 347. Each faecal sample was tested for the presence of copro-antigens of G. duodenalis and of C. parvum using two commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Out of the 90 farms, 27 (30.0%) resulted positive for G. duodenalis and 22 (24.4%) for C. parvum. Co-infection was found in ten (11.1%) farms. With respect to animals, out of the 347 faecal samples, 63 (18.1%) were found to have antigens of G. duodenalis and 51 (14.7%) of C. parvum. Co-infection was found in ten buffalo calves (2.9%). The results of the logistic regression models showed a positive association between the positivity to G. duodenalis and the presence of sheep on farm and between the positivity to C. parvum and the high number of buffaloes on farms. No significant co-infection between the two protozoa was found. In conclusion, the findings of the present study, derived from a systematic territorial survey planned with GIS, are noteworthy because they provided additional data on C. parvum and the first evidence of G. duodenalis infection in water buffaloes.