Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Domenico Otranto

Publications and source records attributed to Domenico Otranto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Cross-transmission studies with Hypoderma lineatum de Vill. (Diptera: Oestridae): attempted infestation of goats (Capra hircus).

The potential for cross-transmission of Hypoderma lineatum from cattle to domestic goats (Capra hircus) was examined using artificial infestation techniques. Two routes of infestation, subcutaneous injection and dermal penetration, were used to expose goats to newly hatched first instars. Presence of antibodies and appearance of circulating antigen (hypodermin C) were evaluated at selected intervals for up to 40 weeks post-infestation. In addition, immunoblots against H. lineatum first-instar proteins were conducted using sera taken at 10 weeks post-infestation. Goats were palpated for the presence of developing larvae at sub-dermal sites beginning at week 30 pi. No developing larvae were palpated at any time, regardless of the route of infestation nor was circulating antigen detected in any infested goats. Antibodies were present at weeks 6 and 10 and week 27 pi in both infested groups. Immunoblots indicated all infested goats produced antibodies to first instar H. lineatum antigens. H. lineatum appears to be incapable of completing development in domestic goats although the transient appearance of ELISA detectable antibodies and the presence of bands on immunoblots suggests that at least some larvae survive long-enough to engender a humoural response. The host specificity of H. lineatum is discussed in light of the general concepts of host-parasite relationships of oestrids.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Molecular cross-sectional survey of gastric habronemosis in horses.

Gastric habronemosis of horses caused by Habronema microstoma and Habronema muscae (Nematoda, Spirurida) is characterized by catarrhal gastritis, diarrhoea, progressive weight loss and ulcers. Despite its importance in the equine industry and in clinical practice, knowledge of the epidemiology of this infection is still incomplete as diagnosis in live animals is challenging. A two-step semi-nested PCR assay using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) markers has recently been used for the molecular diagnosis in vivo of gastric habronemosis based on the detection of H. microstoma and/or H. muscae DNA in equine faeces. To evaluate the field efficacy of this assay, a molecular epidemiological survey was carried out on equid gastric habronemosis in central Italy. One hundred and fifty-three individual faecal samples were collected from live native horses and subjected to both coprological examination and the two-step semi-nested PCR. When flotation procedures were performed no horse tested positive for Habronema spp. larvated eggs while 96 animals (61.2%) were positive for other endoparasites (i.e. strongyles, oxyurids, ascarids). Two-step semi-nested PCR detected 86 samples (53.6%) that were positive for H. microstoma and/or H. muscae DNA. H. microstoma prevalences showed statistically significant differences; the highest prevalence was observed in horses infected by other gastrointestinal parasites and concomitantly by H. muscae. No statistical differences were found between the prevalence of Habronema spp. infection and sex, age, breeding management, and antiparasitic treatments. This field survey provided further information on habronemosis and its epidemiology.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2006

A new approach for the diagnosis of myiasis of animals: the example of horse nasal myiasis.

The myiasis caused by larvae of Rhinoestrus purpureus and Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus (Diptera, Oestridae) are of importance in the horse medicine since it causes severe respiratory diseases. Therefore an accurate diagnosis of rhinoestrosis is central to its epidemiology and control. This paper describes concisely a molecular diagnostic tool that overcomes the current inherent diagnostic constraints and, therefore, is of importance to understand the actual incidence and epidemiology of this myiasis in live horses.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Human and livestock migrations: a history of bot fly biodiversity in the Mediterranean region.

The bot fly (oestrid) is responsible for myiasis in domestic animals. The presence in some regions of southern Europe of an unusually large number of different species of bot fly suggests a high degree of oestrid biodiversity in this area. The many factors that can influence parasitic species composition (e.g. host and parasite genetics, relationships with their hosts and environment, and animal management) include the movement of domestic animals in association with migrating human populations in southern Europe over thousands of years. From its geographical position, which was strategically important in controlling commercial trade routes in early Western civilization, the Mediterranean sea has for more than 3000 years constituted the hub of many different cultures, populations, genes and agricultural practices. The movement of animals and their associated parasites in this region can help to explain the evolution of parasitic biodiversity.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The evolution of myiasis in humans and other animals in the Old and New Worlds (part II): biological and life-history studies.

Myiasis, which is the dipteran parasitism of living vertebrates, occurs in several forms - ranging from benign to fatal, opportunistic to obligate - and seems to have evolved through two distinct routes: saprophagous and sanguinivorous. However, the convergent evolution of morphological and life-history traits seems to have had a major role in confusing the overall picture of how myiasis evolved and this simplistic division is further complicated by the existence of both ectoparasitic and endoparasitic species of myiasis-causing Diptera, the evolutionary affinities of which remain to be resolved. As discussed in part I of this review, if we are to elucidate how the different forms of parasitism arose, it is essential to separate the evolution of the various groups of myiasis-causing flies from the evolution of the myiasis habit per se. Accordingly, whereas we focused on recent landmark phylogenetics studies in part I, we use this framework to analyse relevant biochemical, immunological, behavioural, biogeographical and fossil evidence to elucidate the evolution of myiasis in part II.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Isolation of Microsporum canis from the hair coat of pet dogs and cats belonging to owners diagnosed with M. canis tinea corporis.

Microsporum canis has been frequently isolated from human cases of tinea capitis and tinea corporis. The infection may be acquired from infected animals with cutaneous lesions but also from asymptomatic carriers or from the environment. As asymptomatic M. canis carriers are considered to be a critical factor in the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in humans, this study investigated the relationship between the presence of dermatophytes on the hair coats of dogs and cats without cutaneous lesions and the occurrence of the disease in their respective owners. A total of 136 dogs and 248 cats were sampled from January 1999 to January 2005. Seventy-eight animals (22 dogs and 56 cats) belonged to individuals affected by tinea corporis caused by M. canis and 306 (114 dogs and 192 cats) to individuals without dermatophytosis. Age, sex, breed, habitat and season were recorded for each animal and examined as potential risk factors. Dermatophytes were isolated from 20.5% of the dogs and 28.2% of the cats. Microsporum canis was isolated from 36.4% of dogs cohabiting with owners diagnosed with tinea corporis but it was never isolated from dogs whose owners had no lesions. By contrast, M. canis was isolated from 53.6% of cats cohabiting with owners diagnosed with tinea corporis and from 14.6% of cats whose owners had no signs of the disease. These results clearly indicate that both cats and dogs should be considered as a major source of pathogenic dermatophytes for humans even when they do not present clinical signs of dermatophytosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Human thelaziosis--a neglected parasitic disease of the eye.

The oriental eyeworm, Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae), infects a range of definitive hosts, such as dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, and humans. This parasite usually lives under the nictitating membrane of the eye, where the adult females release first-stage larvae into the lachrymal secretions; these larvae are subsequently ingested by the intermediate arthropod host within which they develop to the infective, third-stage larvae. The latter larvae are then deposited into the eyes of the definitive host. Recently, T. callipaeda has been reported to infect dogs, foxes, and/or cats in Europe (Italy, France, and Germany). Human thelaziosis (HT) is considered to be an underestimated parasitic disease, whose prevalence appears to have increased in poor socioeconomic settings in many Asian countries, including China. In humans, the disease can be subclinical or symptomatic, exhibiting epiphora, conjunctivitis, keratitis, excessive lachrymation, corneal opacity, and/or ulcers. Knowledge about HT is presently fragmentary and mainly limited to clinical case reports. This article provides a background on the parasite and its life cycle, reviews cases of human thelaziosis, summarizes key aspects regarding the diagnosis of thelaziosis, and proposes future research and methods of control of the disease in humans, particularly in Asia.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Species composition of Gasterophilus spp. (Diptera, Oestridae) causing equine gastric myiasis in southern Italy: parasite biodiversity and risks for extinction.

Horse gastrointestinal myiasis caused by larvae of Gasterophilus spp. (Diptera, Oestridae) flies has a worldwide distribution and, where present, it is primarily caused by larvae of Gasterophilus intestinalis and Gasterophilus nasalis. Other species, i.e., Gasterophilus inermis, Gasterophilus pecorum and Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis, present in different or in the same regions of the gastrointestinal tract, were only occasionally reported in very limited areas of eastern European Countries and in central Italy. With the aim to contribute data on the species composition of Gasterophilus and on the seasonal variation of the infection pattern in southern Italy, 152 native horses were necropsied from January to December 2003 and Gasterophilus larvae were collected from the stomach, the small intestine and the rectum of each of them. On the whole, 125 (82.2%) horses were infected by larvae of Gasterophilus spp. and 214 second stage larvae (L2) and 13,342 third stage larvae (L3) collected. Five species of Gasterophilus were identified with the following prevalence: G. intestinalis=95.2%, G. nasalis=44.8%, G. inermis=15.2%, G. pecorum=2.6% and G. haemorrhoidalis=0.8%. L3 were retrieved throughout the observation period with the highest mean burdens from January to August 2003 while the lowest mean was registered from September to November 2003. L2 were collected in February-March 2003 and from September to December 2003. The majority of the animals (n=66, 43.4%) were infected with a single Gasterophilus species, however, 45 animals (29.6%) harboured 2 species, 12 animals (7.9%) 3 species and 2 animals (1.3%) 4 species. The trend of abundance in the L3 of G. intestinalis and G. nasalis, the most represented species, was highly concordant (r=0.5, p<0.001). A retrospective comparison of our results and of other data from four seasons of observation (1983-1986) in central Italy showed that the number of G. inermis, G. pecorum and G. haemorrhoidalis have been decreasing relative to G. intestinalis and G. nasalis which may suggest tendency toward the extinction of the three former species of Gasterophilus.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid 10%/permethrin 50% versus fipronil 10%/(S)-methoprene 12%, against ticks in naturally infected dogs.

Preventing tick bites is a fundamental step towards reducing the impact of tick-borne protozoal, bacterial and viral diseases (TBDs) in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combination of imidacloprid 10%/permethrin 50% and of fipronil 10%/S-methoprene 12% against ticks in naturally infected dogs and to assess methodological parameters to calculate drug efficacy on tick immature stages. From July to August 2004, 45 privately owned dogs of various sexes, ages, breeds, coat length and habits were enrolled in a trial carried out in an area (radius approximately 50km) in Southern Italy. Three homogeneous groups (both for dog population and tick population) were formed: 15 dogs treated with imidacloprid 10% and permethrin 50% spot-on (group A), 15 dogs treated with fipronil 10% and methoprene 12% spot-on (group B) and 15 untreated dogs (group C). The dogs in each group were then sub-grouped according to their age and weight. Two different treatments were administered (time 0 and +28 days) to groups A and B, and the dogs were checked weekly for tick infestation until day +56 post-treatment (p.t.). Twenty-four areas distributed on the whole body surface were examined for ticks at each follow-up, while only at time 0 and at day +56 p.t., ticks were collected from the dogs and identified. For the immature stages a semi-quantitative method was adopted and the load of immature stages was evaluated and grouped into four classes up to day +56 p.t. when the mean number of immature ticks (MIT) for each infection class was evaluated. All the adult ticks collected were identified as brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). Immature stages were first compared at day +28 p.t.. The efficacy of both products used in groups A and B on adult ticks was high and generally very similar. Conversely, the efficacy of imidacloprid 10% and permethrin 50% against immatures was higher than that of fipronil 10% and methoprene 12% throughout the observation period with statistically significant differences (p<0.05) at day +28 p.t. (i.e. group A=98.52%, group B=72.40%). On the whole, in analysing the efficacy of both products against adult plus immature ticks, it was found that the combination of imidacloprid 10% and permethrin 50% was more effective than fipronil 10% and methoprene 12%, with the differences being statistically significant at day +28 p.t. (group A=98.43%, group B=77.56%).

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Molecular characterization of Thelazia lacrymalis (Nematoda, Spirurida) affecting equids: a tool for vector identification.

Equine thelaziosis caused by the eyeworm Thelazia lacrymalis is a parasitic disease transmitted by muscid flies. Although equine thelaziosis is known to have worldwide distribution, information on the epidemiology and presence of the intermediate hosts of T. lacrymalis is lacking. In the present work, a PCR-RFLP based assay on the first and/or second internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) of ribosomal DNA was developed for the detection of T. lacrymalis DNA in its putative vector(s). The sensitivity of the technique was also assessed. The restriction patterns obtained readily differentiated T. lacrymalis from four species of Musca (Diptera, Muscidae) (i.e. Musca autumnalis, Musca domestica, Musca larvipara and Musca osiris), which are potential vectors of equine eyeworms. The molecular assay presented herein is a useful tool to identify the intermediate host(s) of T. lacrymalis in natural conditions and to study its/their ecology and epidemiology.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of moxidectin injectable and pour-on formulations in a pilot control program against bovine hypodermosis in Southern Italy.

Bovine hypodermosis is a myiasis caused by Hypoderma bovis and Hypoderma lineatum (Diptera, Oestridae) larvae, which has a severe economic impact on the livestock industry. Though myiasis is widespread throughout Italy, no nationwide eradication program has ever been planned, unlike in other European Countries. With a view to setting up a national control program, a pilot study was carried out in Southern Italy on 9939 cattle bred in an area with a high prevalence of cattle hypodermosis, using moxidectin 0.5% pour-on (Cydectin, Fort Dodge) and 1% injectable (Cydectin, Fort Dodge) formulations. At the recommended dosage, moxidectin displayed efficacy levels of 99.9% in the pour-on and 100% in the injectable formulation, whereas the microdose (1 mg per head regardless of body weight) was less effective (65.7%). This trial contributed to a significant reduction in infestation rates in the study area and represented the first step through which a national program for eradicating warble fly infestation in Italy.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2005

Occurrence and population size of Malassezia spp. in the external ear canal of dogs and cats both healthy and with otitis.

Malassezia yeasts are commensal organisms of human and animal skin that occasionally act as pathogens; lipid-dependent species are associated with human skin disorders. The aim of this work was to evaluate the occurrence, risk factors and population size of different species of Malassezia in the external ear canal of dogs and cats with and without otitis externa. Between 2001 and 2003, 107 healthy animals (25 cats and 82 dogs) and 123 animals with chronic otitis exteirna (48 cats and 75 dogs) were clinically examined. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect specimens from the external ear canal and culture tests and cytological examinations were performed to detect the presence and population size of Malassezia yeasts. Malassezia yeasts were isolated from 72.9% and 40% of the cats and from 57.3% and 28.0% of the dogs, with and without otitis externa, respectively. Malassezia was frequently isolated from animals under 5 years of age. The highest prevalence of positive samples was reported in winter for cats and in autumn for dogs. Dogs with pendulous ears showed a higher incidence of infection than dogs with erect ears. More Malassezia yeasts were recovered from animals with otitis (i.e. 59.6 colony forming units - CFUs - for cats and 66.0 CFUs for dogs) than healthy animals. Out of the 413 isolates obtained from animals with and without otitis, 403 (97.6%) were identified as M. pachydermatis and 10 (2.4%) as M. globosa. A statistical evaluation of the occurrence of Malassezia yeasts in dogs and cats revealed that predisposing factors for Malassezia infections are sampling period for cats, and type of ear for dogs. The largest population of Malassezia yeasts was detected in animals with otitis, suggesting a role in the occurrence of lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Thelazia eyeworm: an original endo- and ecto-parasitic nematode.

The genus Thelazia comprises several parasites, commonly named eyeworms, which infect the eyes and associated tissues of mammals, including humans. Transmission of eyeworms occurs via non-biting diptera that feed on the ocular secretions, tears and conjunctiva of animals. The disease, thelaziosis, is characterized by a range of subclinical to clinical signs, such as epiphora, conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal opacity and ulcers. Human thelaziosis is common in poor socio-economic settings in many Asian countries. The relationship between eyeworms and their hosts are discussed here, together with recent molecular insights that are instrumental in investigating the biology of Thelazia in their definitive and intermediate hosts.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Utility of mitochondrial and ribosomal genes for differentiation and phylogenesis of species of gastrointestinal bot flies.

Larvae of Gasterophilus spp. (Diptera: Oestridae) cause gastrointestinal myiasis of equids. However, their identification may be problematic due to morphological similarities between species infesting identical regions of the digestive tract. In this study, genes encoding for mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) and for the 16S and 28S ribosomal subunits of the most commonly encountered Gasterophilinae subfamily species [i.e., Gasterophilus haemorrhoidalis (L.), Gasterophilus inermis (Brauer), Gasterophilus intestinalis (De Geer), Gasterophilus nasalis (L.), and Gasterophilus pecorum (F.)] were studied, together with Gyrostigma pavesii (Corti), a rhinoceros parasite, and Hypoderma lineatum (De Villers), as outgroup taxa. Analysis identified interspecific differences that allowed their unequivocal identification. The high genetic homology among the sequences of G. haemorrhoidalis and G. intestinalis (i.e., 100, 99.86, and 99.46% in the 28S, COI, and 16S genes, respectively) strongly support the hypothesis that they are morphotypes of the same species. Phylogenetic analyses (maximum-likelihood and parsimony) were performed using PAUP; all analyses supported monophyly of subfamily Gasterophilinae. This study confirms the utility of the COI and 16S and 28S rRNA genes to address diagnostic and phylogenetic questions in Gasterophilus species.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Recombinant K39 dipstick immunochromatographic test: a new tool for the serodiagnosis of canine leishmaniasis.

The spread of human leishmaniasis has prompted the scientific community to study dogs as reservoirs for Leishmania infantum. Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is widespread in the Mediterranean area with a prevalence of up to 50%. The first step toward controlling the disease is to monitor its distribution, mainly in stray dogs. The validity of a recombinant K39 (rK39) dipstick test, commercially available for the serodiagnosis of human leishmaniasis, was evaluated using sera from 165 dogs selected on the basis of positive or negative lymph node smears at parasitological examination. The results were compared with the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) (cutoff 1:80). Sera from a group of dogs with other diagnosed diseases but negative for leishmaniasis were also tested to evaluate any cross-reactivity. Various procedures were used for testing whole blood samples. The relative specificity of the rK39 dipstick and IFAT was 100% (97 of 97) and 98.97% (96 of 97), whereas the relative sensitivity was 97.06% (66 of 68) and 98.53% (67 of 68), respectively. The results of the dipstick and IFAT corresponded except for 2 sera (k = 0.987). This data confirm the usefulness of rK39 antigen for diagnosing CanL both in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. The rK39 dipstick proved to be a rapid, sensitive, and specific test that may be very useful in the field for large-scale screening and also in veterinary practice, requiring minimal equipment and operator expertise.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Frequency, body distribution, and population size of Malassezia species in healthy dogs and in dogs with localized cutaneous lesions.

Malassezia species are commensal organisms of human and animal skin that occasionally act as opportunistic pathogens. The lipid-dependent species are associated with human skin disorders, whereas the non-lipid-dependent species (Malassezia pachydermatis) is considered as an opportunistic secondary pathogen affecting the canine skin surface and ear canal. This study evaluated the relationship between Malassezia yeasts, their population size, and the occurrence of skin lesions from healthy and skin-diseased dogs. The efficiency of cytological examination and fungal culture for Malassezia detection was also evaluated. From March 2002 to July 2003, 33 healthy dogs and 54 dogs with pruritic localized skin diseases were examined; skin swabs (1218) were collected from 7 anatomical sites for culture and cytological examination. Malassezia prevalence according to anatomical site and the agreement between cytological results and fungal cultures were statistically analyzed. Differences in mean colony forming unit counts between positive healthy and diseased dogs were evaluated using the Bonferroni test for post hoc pair-wise comparisons. In healthy dogs, Malassezia yeasts were most frequently isolated in the perianal and perioral areas. The frequency of isolation and population size of Malassezia species were higher in dogs with localized dermatitis, especially in affected areas, indicating a role for Malassezia in the occurrence of skin lesions. Malassezia pachydermatis was the species most commonly cultured from the skin and external ear canal of healthy and diseased dogs; isolation of lipid-dependent yeasts from healthy dogs was less frequent. Using fungal culture as the gold standard, cytological examination showed good relative specificity (95%) but very low relative sensitivity (30%).

Animals↗