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Biomedical subjects

P Lanfranchi

Publications and source records attributed to P Lanfranchi.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Contribution to the knowledge of helminthofauna of wild mammals of Somalia.

Within a survey of parasitic infections in wild mammals of Somalia, during the first semester of 1983 and the second of 1984, endoparasites were collected from 11 host species: Gazella soemmeringi, Gazella spekei, Madoqua saltiana, Phacochoerus aethiopicus, Xerus rutilus, Lepus sp., Genetta genetta, Herpestes (Galerella) sanguineus, Felis sylvestris libyca, Felis caracal, Canis mesomelas. A total of 22 species of helminths (20 nematode and 2 metacestode species) were identified. Lepus sp. is a new host for Heteroxinema (P.) proboscidiphora and Herpestes sanguineus for Oxinema sp. Teladorsagia hamata had not been previously reported in G. spekei; the genital cone and the corresponding supporting apparatus of this nematode are described. Two metacestodes were collected from the mesenteric membranes of a P. aethiopicus. The shape, number and length of their rostellar hooks, the size of the larvocysts, the occurrence of pseudostrobilum, are similar to those of the Taenia regis metacestode: but the size and shape of the hooks of the Somalian warthog larvocysts are slightly different and they have not been recovered from the musculature as previously reported in the intermediate hosts of T. regis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Contribution to the knowledge of Ixodidae ticks of wild mammals of Somalia.

This study was based on material collected in 1983-1984 from wild mammals of the Middle Scebeli. Low Scebeli and Bay Regions of Somalia. A total of 292 specimens (156 males, 65 females, 70 nymphase, 1 larva) from 13 host species were examined. The following species of ixodidae were identified. Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius, 1794); Haemaphysalis calcarata Neumann, 1902; Haemaphysalis spinulosa Neumann, 1906; Rhipicephalus armatus Pocock, 1900; Rhipicephalus pravus Donitz, 1910; Rhipicephalus pulchellus Gerastcker, 1873; Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806); Rhipicephalus simus Koch, 1844. H. spinulosa was found throughout the majority of host species (10 mammalian species).

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Decreased heart rate variability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Autoregressive spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was performed in 29 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 33 age-matched healthy subjects to evaluate the involvement of the autonomic nervous system. HRV analysis provides a means to recognize low (LF) and high (HF) frequency components, respectively mediated by sympathetic and parasympathetic heart control. An increase in the mean heart rate at rest (P < 0.001), a decrease in standard deviation of R-R interval as well as in PNN50 (P < 0.001), and an increase in the LF/HF component ratio (P < 0.01) were found in the ALS patients, indicating a vagal-sympathetic imbalance. These alterations were not related to the clinical features and to the duration of the disease. Our results suggest a subclinical involvement of the autonomic nervous system in ALS, particularly affecting parasympathetic cardiovascular control.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Seroepidemiologic investigations in the Alpine ibex (Capra i. ibex) of Piz Albris in the canton of Grigioni (Switzerland)].

Sero-epidemiological investigations in wild animals may allow to assess distribution of selected pathogens that sometimes seem to be involved in sanitary interrelationships between wild and domestic ungulates sharing the same areas. Serological studies were carried out to investigate the prevalence of antibody against 8 pathogens in Alpine ibex of Albris colony (Grisons, Switzerland). Investigated sera came from 89 animals shot by gamekeepers in 1990-1991. Antibody against smooth Brucella, Coxiella burnetti, Leptospira interrogans, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, BHV-1 and ovine-caprine lentiviruses were not detected in the tested sera. However, 31% of sera analysed were found to be positive for Chlamydia psittaci. Three sera showed high antibody titres ( > or = 1/128) suggestive of active infection in the animals. Any influence of Chlamydia psittaci in reproductive performance of free-ranging alpine ibex should be investigated through isolation of the agent. Results are discussed with reference to methods used and with epidemiological picture in Switzerland and were compared with results of serological investigations carried out in ibex in Italy and France.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Decreased heart rate variability in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

To evaluate possible autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the absence of any hypoxic neuronal damage, we studied 31 patients with COPD patients aged 31 to 68 years (55 +/- 10) and 32 age-matched healthy subjects (control). Respiratory function in the patients was as follows: FEV1 = 52 +/- 8 percent; PaO2 = 71 +/- 14 mm Hg; and PaCO2 = 40 +/- 10 mm Hg. The ANS was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain (SD of mean RR interval) and frequency domain (autoregressive spectral analysis recognizing low [LF] and high [HF] frequency components, vagal and sympathetic related, respectively). Patients and controls were evaluated at rest and during vagal (controlled breathing [CB]) and sympathetic (passive head-up tilt) maneuvers. Patients with COPD showed a depressed global HRV (rest SD = 34 +/- 20 ms vs 45 +/- 15 ms, p < 0.05; tilt SD = 28 +/- 14 ms vs 38 +/- 13, p < 0.01) with a predominant respiratory drive (rest HF = 44 +/- 28 vs 28 +/- 18, p < 0.05; tilt HF 42 +/- 28 vs 16 +/- 12, p < 0.01) as compared with normal subjects. In the control group, vagal and sympathetic responses were in opposite directions following a stimulus, whereas there was no significant HRV response in the COPD group. We conclude that patients with COPD have abnormalities of ANS function, with in particular a depressed HRV response to sympathetic and vagal stimuli.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pattern of abomasal helminths in fallow deer farming in Umbria (central Italy).

Five helminth species were seen in the abomasa of 29 farmed fallow deer. Spiculopteragia asymmetrica was most common in both prevalence (96.6%) and abundance (166.2). Ostertagia drozdzi, Ostertagia arctica and Spiculopteragia quadrispiculata were also recovered with high prevalence (79.3-93.1%); Trichostrongylus axei was sporadic (3.4%). Yearlings had worm counts of 496-1480, adult males of 168-1720 and females of 18-2008. For nine of 13 deer, the faecal egg counts were negative and post-mortem examinations were positive, with 18-1140 worms per deer. The results are discussed in relation to helminth population, its epidemiological significance and management strategies.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1992

Long-term adaptation of 24-h heart rate variability after myocardial infarction. The EAMI Study Group. Exercise Training in Anterior Myocardial Infarction.

To investigate the effects of physical training on neurovegetative profile of patients with previous anterior myocardial infarction (MI), we studied 38 patients out of the EAMI study at 4 to 6 weeks after anterior MI (test 1), who were then assigned randomly to a training group (n = 22) or to a control group (n = 16) and studied again 6 months later (test 2). Neurovegetative function was assessed by analyzing the heart rate variability (HRV) of 24 h, from ambulatory ECG recording, both in time domain, as standard deviation of sinus rhythm RR intervals (sdRR) and percentage of differences greater than 50 ms for successive sinus rhythm R-R intervals (pNN50), and in frequency domain, as low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of RR variability power spectrum. At test 1, HRV was almost in normal range or slightly decreased in few subjects. HRV increased on average at test 2: sdRR augmented significantly (p less than 0.05) without significant differences between training group and control group; mean LF/HF ratio increased slightly (p less than 0.05) at test 2. This might suggest a shift of neurovegetative balance toward a sympathetic rule, but the difference is too small and the patient population limited to reach firm conclusions. Analysis of 24-h dynamics of HRV in single patients showed different patterns and different adaptations during the time course of 6 months after anterior MI.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1981

[Potamopyrgus and Bulinids in Corsica (October 1980) (author's transl)].

A survaey of Corsican Molluscs, in October 1980, confirms the extension of Potamopyrgus jenkinsi. However two types of biotopes could be distinguished. In the first Potamopyrgus is very abundant and Isidora truncata (= Bulinus truncatus) was not found. In the second type Potamopyrgus are less numerous and coexist with Bulinids. That the colonization by Potamopyrgus is relatively ancient leads us to believe that the second type does not correspond to a preliminary stage of contamination, but rather reflects a stage of equilibrium.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Dissemination of Fasciola Hepatica in cattle of Novara Province].

The diffusion of F. hepatica in the cattle of the Novara Province was studied by means of a necroscopic survey on 2184 regularly slaughtered animals and a copro-microscopic survey on 5063 feaces samples picked up from 162 breedings farms. The 28.40% of the slaughtered animals resulted infected with F. hepatica. The parasite also resulted present in 52.74% of the examined breeding farms. A large diffusion of Paramphistomum sp. was shown, too. The diffusion areas of these Trematodes may be seen in the figures 1, 3, 6 and 7.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experimental transmission of a sarcosporidian from Alpine ibex to domestic sheep and goats.

Sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. from dogs fed with ibex meat were orally inoculated into kids and lambs. Three kids, given 4 x 10(6) and 4 x 10(4) sporocysts, respectively, died from acute sarcocystosis. Schizonts, though found in all the tissues of these kids, were particularly numerous in the kidneys, brain and spinal cord. Another three kids inoculated with 5 x 10(3) sporocysts and two lambs, inoculated with 1 x 10(6) and 5 x 10(3) sporocysts, respectively, showed no clinical signs and were sacrificed between 111 and 130 days after infection. Mature sarcocysts were found both in the heart and striated muscles of these animals. No parasitic stage was found in two kids and two lambs used as uninoculated controls. Biological differences between Sarcocystis sp. from ibex and the other sarcosporidians with a canine-caprine or canine-ovine cycle are stressed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of Siphonaptera in Somalia].

In the period 1982-1984 samples of fleas were collected from wild animals of the Middle Scebeli, Low Scebeli and Bay Regions of Somalia. In total 1,335 specimens (486 males and 849 females) were obtained from 17 species of mammalian hosts out of the 19 examined. The following species of fleas were identified: Echidnophaga gallinacea, E. larina, E. murina, Ctenocephalides felis strongylus, Synosternus burtoni, S. somalicus, S. burtoni, S. somalicus, C. felis strongylus and E. larina are known to be widespread in Somalia; on the contrary, the presence of E. gallinacea in this country has not been reported in the literature, though the flea collection of the Institute of Parasitology of the University of Rome owns five females of this species which were collected by Zavattari in South Somalia during the year 1933. Moreover, as far as it is known, E. murina has not been reported in Somalia until now. The spermatheca of the females identified as S. burtoni is described in detail as it shows characteristics which have not been apparently reported before.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Distribution of nematode parasites of the digestive system in sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus) of the Piedmontese and Valdostano Alpine arc].

A survey, carried out on gastro-intestinal nematodes of sheep and goats of Piemonte and of Valle d'Aosta (87 sheep and 12 goats) has shown the presence of the following species in sheep, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Cooperia curticei, Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus abnormalis, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spathiger, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia trifurcata, Skrjabinema ovis, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostronglus colubriformis, Trichostronglus vitrinus, Trichuris ovis and Trichuris skrjabini; in goats, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Chabertia ovina, Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus filicollis, Nematodirus helvetianus, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia trifurcata, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Trichostrongylus vitrinus. The percentage of each species in the two host is given in the text table.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diffusion of helminth parasites of the digestive system and respiratory system in deer (Cervus elaphus) of the La Mandria Regional Park (Piedmont)].

A study was carried out on the diffusion of helminth parasites of liver, gastrointestinal system and bronchial system in 68 red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Regional Park "La Mandria" (Piedmont, Italy). The following species of nematodes were identified: Trichostrongylus axei, Spiculopteragia spiculoptera, Rinadia mathevossiani, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia pectinata, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia zurnabada, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Dictyocaulus eckerti, Varestrongylus sagittatus. Studies on some nematodes, belonging to the genera Spiculopteragia and Ostertagia, are still in progress. A large diffusion of Fascioloides magna was also present (only two young specimens resulted negative).

Animals↗