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Pathogens
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Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective
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Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2023) | Viewed by 21577

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Giulia Simonato

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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (Padua), Italy
Interests: veterinary parasitology; vector-borne diseases; zoonotic helminths; cardio-pulmonary nematodes; zoonotic protozoa; arthropod surveillance; control measures; epidemiology; diagnosis; pet animals; human-animal interaction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Simone Morelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: feline and canine parasitology; clinical parasitology; vector borne Diseases; intestinal and cardiopulmonary nematodes; zoonoses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mariasole Colombo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Interests: feline and canine parasitology; clinical parasitology; cardiopulmonary and intestinal nematodes; vector borne disease; zoonoses

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Arthropod- and gastropod-borne diseases in domestic and wild animals are of growing interest for the scientific community due to their spread in new areas and their high zoonotic potential. Their global distribution is caused by several drivers that contribute to the spread of vectors and their introduction into non-endemic regions. Climate change, travel, global trade, animal movement (e.g., migration, travel, adoption, etc.), and urbanization (due to deforestation, modern agricultural practices, and factors affecting the ecological balance) favor the establishment of arthropods and gastropods in new areas and the introduction of invasive species able to transmit pathogens.

Furthermore, the interaction of wild and domestic animals sharing environments, vectors, and diseases is crucial in the epizootiology and epidemiology of these diseases. Mosquitoes, lice, mites, fleas, ticks, and gastropods (e.g., snails, slugs) may transmit a huge range of pathogens, such as parasitic helminths and protozoa, bacterial systemic agents of human and animal concern, and, last but not least, viruses of sanitary importance that use animals as their natural reservoirs. Therefore, surveillance strategies are of utmost importance for public health, prevention of new epidemic foci, and preservation of animal health and welfare.

Continuous monitoring, new control strategies, appropriate diagnostic techniques, and adequate prevention protocols are strongly requested to face emerging and re-emerging pathogens transmitted by arthropods and gastropods. In this context, the aim of this Special Issue “Arthropod- and Gastropod-borne diseases in a One health perspective” is to collect innovative studies by outstanding research teams working in this field.  

Original research, review articles, and short communications will be considered. The following potential research topics are suggested:

  • Epizootiology and epidemiology of arthropod- and gastropod-borne pathogens;
  • Updates in geographic distribution of arthropod- and gastropod-borne diseases;
  • New diagnostic assays and treatment measures;
  • Innovative strategies of prevention and control;
  • Novel clinical cases.

Dr. Giulia Simonato
Dr. Simone Morelli
Dr. Mariasole Colombo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • arthropods
  • gastropods
  • zoonoses
  • parasites
  • bacteria
  • viruses

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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12 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
Seroexposure to Zoonotic Anaplasma and Borrelia in Dogs and Horses That Are in Contact with Vulnerable People in Italy
by Donato Traversa, Piermarino Milillo, Raffaella Maggi, Giulia Simonato, Angela Di Cesare, Carlo Pezzuto, Marika Grillini, Simone Morelli, Mariasole Colombo, Alessandra Passarelli, Antonio Grassano, Paola Serio, Michele Losurdo and Roberto Brueckmann
Pathogens 2023, 12(3), 470; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12030470 - 16 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1658
Abstract
Equine and canine anaplasmosis and borreliosis are major tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and various species of Borrelia (the most important being Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.), respectively. This study evaluated the seroexposure to Anaplasma and Borrelia in dogs and horses used in Animal-Assisted [...] Read more.
Equine and canine anaplasmosis and borreliosis are major tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum and various species of Borrelia (the most important being Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.), respectively. This study evaluated the seroexposure to Anaplasma and Borrelia in dogs and horses used in Animal-Assisted Interventions or living in contact with children, elderly people or immunocompromised persons. A total of 150 horses and 150 dogs living in Italy were equally divided into clinically healthy animals and animals with at least one clinical sign compatible with borreliosis and/or anaplasmosis (present at clinical examination or reported in the medical history). Serum samples were tested with ELISA and immunoblot for the presence of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l., and the association between seropositivity and possible risk factors was analyzed using multivariate and univariate tests. Overall, 13 dogs (8.7%) and 19 horses (12.7%) were positive for at least one of the two pathogens. In addition, 1 dog (0.7%) and 12 horses (8%) were positive for antibodies against A. phagocytophilum, while 12 dogs (8.0%) and 10 horses (6.7%) had antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. Tick infestation in the medical history of the dogs was significantly associated with seropositivity to at least one pathogen (p = 0.027; OR 7.398). These results indicate that, in Italy, ticks infected with A. phagocytophilum and/or B. burgdorferi circulate in places where horses and dogs are in contact with people at risk of developing severe diseases. Awareness should be increased, and adequate control plans need to be developed to protect human and animal health, especially where vulnerable, at-risk individuals are concerned. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
12 pages, 521 KiB  
Article
Ticks, Fleas, and Harboured Pathogens from Dogs and Cats in Cyprus
by Anastasia Diakou, Dimitra Sofroniou, Barbara Paoletti, Androniki Tamvakis, Stanislav Kolencik, Dimitris Dimzas, Simone Morelli, Marika Grillini and Donato Traversa
Pathogens 2022, 11(12), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11121403 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3557
Abstract
Ticks and fleas are blood-sucking ectoparasites that cause irritation and anaemia to their hosts and act as vectors of pathogens (vector-borne pathogens, VBPs) of relevance for animal and human health. In the present study, tick and flea species in dogs and cats from [...] Read more.
Ticks and fleas are blood-sucking ectoparasites that cause irritation and anaemia to their hosts and act as vectors of pathogens (vector-borne pathogens, VBPs) of relevance for animal and human health. In the present study, tick and flea species in dogs and cats from Cyprus were recorded and VBPs were detected in the collected specimens. Ectoparasites were collected from 220 animals (161 dogs and 59 cats), and a questionnaire including demographic, clinical, and other information was filled out for each animal. The ectoparasites were morphologically identified and the detection of VBPs was performed by PCR-coupled sequencing. Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato was found on 108 dogs and 13 cats, and Ixodes gibbosus on 2 dogs. Ctenocephalides felis was the predominant flea species (on 62 dogs and 45 cats), while one dog and one cat were infested by Ctenocephalides canis and Echidnophaga gallinacea, respectively. The VBPs in ticks were Anaplasma platys, Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia conorii, Rickettsia felis, Hepatozoon felis and Hepatozoon canis, while Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia sp., Bartonella koehlerae, Bartonella clarridgeiae, and Bartonella henselae were recorded in fleas. Statistical analysis (chi-square test and multiple univariate generalized linear model) showed that animals up to 6 months of age were less likely to be infested with ticks than older animals, but more likely to be infested with fleas. Ticks were more prevalent in sheltered than in owned animals, while the odds ratio of flea presence was higher in owned animals than those living in shelters. The present study is the first investigation on the occurrence of ticks and fleas in dogs and cats from Cyprus, showing the presence of different VBPs in these important ectoparasites. The results point out the importance of systematic ectoparasite control in dogs and cats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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11 pages, 693 KiB  
Article
A Novel High Discriminatory Protocol for the Detection of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto and Borrelia garinii in Ticks
by Giulia Chiappa, Matteo Perini, Alessandra Cafiso, Riccardo Nodari, Peter Wilhelmsson, Per-Eric Lindgren, Anna Omazic, Karin Ullman, Sara Moutailler, Petter Kjellander, Chiara Bazzocchi and Giulio Grandi
Pathogens 2022, 11(11), 1234; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11111234 - 25 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2140
Abstract
Bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex are the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis (LB). Even if the conventional diagnosis of LB does not rely on the species itself, an accurate species identification within the complex will provide a deepened epidemiological scenario, [...] Read more.
Bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex are the causative agents of Lyme borreliosis (LB). Even if the conventional diagnosis of LB does not rely on the species itself, an accurate species identification within the complex will provide a deepened epidemiological scenario, a better diagnosis leading to a more targeted therapeutic approach, as well as promote the general public’s awareness. A comparative genomics approach based on the 210 Borrelia spp. genomes available in 2019 were used to set up three species-specific PCR protocols, able to detect and provide species typing of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) and Borrelia garinii, the three most common and important human pathogenic Lyme Borrelia species in Europe. The species-specificity of these protocols was confirmed on previously identified B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. garinii specimens detected in Ixodes ricinus samples. In addition, the protocols were validated on 120 DNA samples from ticks collected in Sweden, showing 88% accuracy, 100% precision, 72% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The proposed approach represents an innovative tool in epidemiological studies focused on B. burgdorferi s.l. occurrence in ticks, and future studies could suggest its helpfulness in routine diagnostic tests for health care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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11 pages, 720 KiB  
Article
Evidence of Dirofilaria immitis in Felids in North-Eastern Italy
by Marika Grillini, Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono, Cinzia Tessarin, Paola Beraldo, Rudi Cassini, Erica Marchiori and Giulia Simonato
Pathogens 2022, 11(10), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101216 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2598
Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne nematode, causing heartworm (HW) disease in wild and domestic canids. HW can also affect felids with different clinical patterns from asymptomatic pictures to sudden death, making the monitoring and diagnosis complicated. Canine HW is endemic in North-eastern Italy; [...] Read more.
Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne nematode, causing heartworm (HW) disease in wild and domestic canids. HW can also affect felids with different clinical patterns from asymptomatic pictures to sudden death, making the monitoring and diagnosis complicated. Canine HW is endemic in North-eastern Italy; however, very little information has been recorded for felids. This study aims to provide new information on HW in felids in North-eastern Italy. Two hundred and six domestic cats from Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto-Adige regions (North-eastern Italy), nine captive felids from zoological parks from Veneto, and nineteen European wildcats from Friuli Venezia Giulia were recruited. Sera/plasma was analysed for the detection of anti-HW antibodies (Ab) and HW antigens (Ag); positive blood samples were molecularly analysed, targeting the HW DNA (5S-rRNA gene). Twelve out of two hundred and six (5.8%) cats presented with Ab, and three out of two hundred and six (1.5%) presented with Ag, mainly those from the Veneto region, already known as a canine HW-endemic area. Among Ab-positive cats, two were from Belluno, a mountain province previously considered free, suggesting the expansion of HW into the northern areas. No cats were positive for both Ab and Ag. Three out of nineteen (15.8%) wildcats were Ag-positive, constituting the first HW report in Italy. No captive felids were positive. Dirofilaria immitis DNA was not amplified in positive samples, suggesting the low sensitivity of PCR on blood. This study provides new data on the occurrence of HW in domestic cats and wildcats in North-eastern Italy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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13 pages, 3175 KiB  
Article
Mammalian and Avian Larval Schistosomatids in Bangladesh: Molecular Characterization, Epidemiology, Molluscan Vectors, and Occurrence of Human Cercarial Dermatitis
by Sharmin Shahid Labony, Md. Shahadat Hossain, Takeshi Hatta, Anita Rani Dey, Uday Kumar Mohanta, Ausraful Islam, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Muhammad Mehedi Hasan, Md. Abdul Alim, Naotoshi Tsuji and Anisuzzaman
Pathogens 2022, 11(10), 1213; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11101213 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2387
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by blood flukes (Schistosoma spp.). Schistosomatids affect a wide array of vertebrate hosts, including humans. In the present study, multiple species of schistosomatids were identified by isolating schistosomatid cercariae (SC) from naturally infected snails. [...] Read more.
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by blood flukes (Schistosoma spp.). Schistosomatids affect a wide array of vertebrate hosts, including humans. In the present study, multiple species of schistosomatids were identified by isolating schistosomatid cercariae (SC) from naturally infected snails. We also described different biotic and abiotic factors influencing SC infections in snails and reported human cercarial dermatitis (HCD) for the first time in Bangladesh. A total of 22,012 snails of seven species: Lymnaea auricularia, L. luteola, Indoplanorbis exustus, Physa acuta, Viviparus bengalensis, Brotia spp., and Thiara spp., were collected and examined. Among these snails, 581 (2.6%) belonging to five species: L. luteola, L. auricularia, P. acuta, I. exustus, and V. bengalensis, were infected with SC. The rate of infection was the highest for L. luteola (11.1%), followed by L. auricularia (5.3%), and was the lowest for V. bengalensis (0.4%). Prevalence in snails was the highest in September (16.8%), followed by October (9.5%) and November (8.8%), and was the lowest in colder months, such as January (1.8%) and February (2.1%). Infections with schistosomatids were more common in larger snails and snails collected from sunny areas. We confirmed the presence of Schistosoma indicum, S. incognitum, S. nasale, S. spindale, and Trichobilharzia szidati by PCR and sequencing. Through a questionnaire survey, we detected HCD in 214 (53.5%) individuals, and the infection rate was almost equally distributed across all professions. Collectively, the present results suggest that lymnaeid snails are the main vector for Schistosoma spp. prevalent in Bangladesh, and schistosomatids with zoonotic potential are also prevalent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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10 pages, 1911 KiB  
Article
Molecular Characterization of Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, 1903 (Diptera: Culicidae) Populations from Europe
by Michela Menegon, Alexandru Tomazatos, Francesco Severini, Donato Antonio Raele, Tobias Lilja, Doreen Werner, Daniela Boccolini, Luciano Toma, Ilaria Vasco, Renke Lühken, Helge Kampen, Maria Assunta Cafiero and Marco Di Luca
Pathogens 2022, 11(9), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11090990 - 30 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1835
Abstract
Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, 1903, considered a competent vector of Plasmodium parasites, is a mosquito species widely distributed in the Mediterranean area but rare in Northern and Central Europe. The disappearance of its suitable breeding sites in Italy is having a detrimental effect on [...] Read more.
Anopheles algeriensis Theobald, 1903, considered a competent vector of Plasmodium parasites, is a mosquito species widely distributed in the Mediterranean area but rare in Northern and Central Europe. The disappearance of its suitable breeding sites in Italy is having a detrimental effect on the occurrence of this species once common along the Southern coasts and on the islands. Recently, molecular investigations have renewed interest in this species, highlighting a genetic heterogeneity among European populations. In this study, An. algeriensis populations from Italy, Germany, Romania, and Sweden were analyzed by molecular typing of the intergenic transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was also analyzed from specimens collected in Southern Italy. With the aim of investigating the population structure of this species, the obtained data were compared to all publicly available ITS2 and COI sequences of An. algeriensis, adding specimens from Spain and Portugal. The analyses of both markers indicate a split between Iberian populations (Spain for ITS2 and Spain/Portugal for COI) and those from the rest of Europe, revealing two cryptic species. The analysis of the COI barcode revealed a third clade representing a cryptic species present in Danube Delta (Romania). The high levels of genetic divergence among the clades of An. algeriensis indicate that this taxon represents a species complex, potentially harboring several distinct cryptic species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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10 pages, 789 KiB  
Article
Detection of Leishmania spp. in Chronic Dermatitis: Retrospective Study in Exposed Horse Populations
by Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Giulia Morganti, Ilaria Porcellato, Paola Roccabianca, Giancarlo Avallone, Stefano Gavaudan, Cristina Canonico, Giulia Rigamonti, Chiara Brachelente and Fabrizia Veronesi
Pathogens 2022, 11(6), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11060634 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2409
Abstract
Leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing human zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) and visceral–cutaneous canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in the Mediterranean Basin. L. infantum is able to infect a large number of wild and domestic species, including cats, dogs, and horses. Since the 1990s, clinical [...] Read more.
Leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing human zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) and visceral–cutaneous canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in the Mediterranean Basin. L. infantum is able to infect a large number of wild and domestic species, including cats, dogs, and horses. Since the 1990s, clinical cases of equine leishmaniasis (EL), typically characterized by cutaneous forms, have been increasingly diagnosed worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of clinical forms of EL in CanL-endemic areas in Italy, where exposure of equine populations was ascertained from recent serological surveys. For this purpose, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of 47 horses presenting chronic dermatitis compatible with EL were retrospectively selected for the study and subjected to conventional and q-PCR. A singular positivity for L. infantum was found; BLAST analysis of sequence amplicons revealed a 99–100% homology with L. infantum sequences. The histological examination revealed a nodular lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltrate; immunohistochemistry showed rare macrophages containing numerous positive amastigotes. The present retrospective study reports, for the first time, a case of a cutaneous lesion by L. infantum occurring in an Italian horse. Pathological and healthy skin samples should be investigated on a larger scale to provide information on the potential clinical impact of EL in the practice, and to define the role of horses in epidemiological ZVL and CanL scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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9 pages, 903 KiB  
Case Report
Dermanyssosis in the Urban Context: When the One Health Paradigm Is Put into Practice
by Alessandra Barlaam, Antonella Puccini, Maria Filomena Caiaffa, Danilo Di Bona, Luigi Macchia and Annunziata Giangaspero
Pathogens 2022, 11(12), 1396; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11121396 - 23 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1596
Abstract
Poultry red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are primarily ectoparasites of laying hens but also parasitize synanthropic birds in urban contexts. This mite can occasionally attack mammals, including humans, and cause mild to severe dermatitis. Attacks by zoonotic Mesostigmata mites are currently an [...] Read more.
Poultry red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are primarily ectoparasites of laying hens but also parasitize synanthropic birds in urban contexts. This mite can occasionally attack mammals, including humans, and cause mild to severe dermatitis. Attacks by zoonotic Mesostigmata mites are currently an increasing but still neglected problem of urban life. The authors present two cases of dermanyssosis involving two health workers at a hospital, linked to air conditioning outdoor units colonized by pigeons. Videos that describe the environmental contamination by D. gallinae and show where the infestation originated are presented. In addition, the authors update the literature of all urban cases, which, to date, reports over 240 clinical cases, mostly in private homes but also in public buildings. Dermatitis due to these mites is often unrecognized and, therefore, misdiagnosed. This report describes how the two cases herein reported were rapidly resolved thanks to the close cooperation between veterinary parasitologists and allergologists. It is crucial to raise awareness of the problem among general practitioners and specialists. In addition, the authors suggest a reconsideration of urban architectural choices that increase the public health risk posed by dermanyssosis and other diseases related to synanthropic birds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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8 pages, 3552 KiB  
Case Report
Systemic Infection by Angiostrongylus vasorum in a Fennec (Vulpes zerda) in an Italian Zoological Garden
by Valentina Galietta, Claudia Eleni, Caterina Raso, Cristiano Cocumelli, Klaus G. Friedrich, Pilar Di Cerbo, Manuela Iurescia, Elena L. Diaconu, Patricia Alba and Claudio De Liberato
Pathogens 2022, 11(9), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11090965 - 24 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1879
Abstract
This paper reported a case of a metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a fennec (Vulpes zerda) kept in a zoo in central Italy. The fennec had shown paralysis of the hind limbs, anorexia, weakness and respiratory signs before death. Cardiomegaly [...] Read more.
This paper reported a case of a metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a fennec (Vulpes zerda) kept in a zoo in central Italy. The fennec had shown paralysis of the hind limbs, anorexia, weakness and respiratory signs before death. Cardiomegaly and granulomatous pneumonia were the major anatomopathological findings. Inflammatory lesions associated with parasitic larvae were observed in the lungs, brain, liver, heart, spinal cord and kidney of the fennec at histology. A. vasorum diagnosis was confirmed by both morphological and molecular identification of adult worms recovered at necropsy. Fennecs are active predators and maintain their hunting behaviour in captivity. Hence, it is likely that the animal was exposed to infection by preying on parasitised gastropods, intermediate hosts of A. vasorum, entering zoo enclosures from the surrounding environment. This is the first report of A. vasorum systemic infection in a captive fennec (V. zerda) in a zoo in Italy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arthropod- and Gastropod-Borne Diseases in a One Health Perspective)
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