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Keratinophylic fungi in off-leash areas soil of Bologna (Northern Italy)
No full textINTRODUCTION. Off-leash areas, created for dogs to exercise and play in a controlled environment, are increased in urban areas all around the world. Together the benefit, public health considerations can concern also zoonotic risk (Rahim et al., 2017 J. Comm. Health, 43:433–440). It is known that the presence and quantity of keratinophilic fungi in the soil is closely related to the animalization process: soils rich in keratin material of animal origin constitute a suitable pabulum for the survival and multiplication of potentially pathogenic agents for humans and animals (Mantovani,1978, Mycopathol., 65: 61-66). The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of keratinophilic fungi in the soil of off-leash areas in Bologna.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. Six areas were selected; every ones was divided in two subareas in each of which a x sampling scheme was used (according to DM 11/5/1992), collecting a sample of superficial soil every 2 meters along the diagonals. From each area, 8 pools for mycological examination (see figure) were obtained, and handled according to Vanbreuseghem et al., (1978. Guide pratique de mycologie medicale et veterinaire, Masson, Paris) to isolate keratinophilic fungi, using human hair as baits. A total of 56 pools were examined.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. All the off-leash areas were positive for the geophilic M. gypseum, potentially pathogenic for humans and animals, found in 43/56 samples (76.8%); also the geophilics Trichophyton ajelloi (2/56-3.6%) and Chrysosporium sp (4/56-7.1%) were occasionally found. In this research, the assortment of genera of keratinophilic fungi was lower than other surveys carried out in soil from parks of urban areas or in soil from lairs of wild animals (Morganti and Tampieri, 1984, Nuovi Ann Ig. Microbiol, XXXV: 43-50; Gallo et al., 2005, Med Mycol. 43,:373-379; Galuppi et al., 2002, VI congresso FIMUA, 127-128), and no zoophilic dermatophytes were found. The lack of the latter should not be surprising, because they do not replicate in the ground and are rapidly destroyed by the environmental microflora, so their occasional finding in the soil is usually considered a consequence of a recent contamination due to infected animals (Lostia and Pinetti, 1970 , rassegna medica sarda, 73: 71). Vice versa, a higher percentage of positive samples for M. gypseum was found. Probably, the high attendance of a single animal species (dog) in these areas may promote the development of an ecological niche favourable to the development of this mycete. It could be of interest to verify, in collaboration with dermatologists, if an higher prevalence of dermatophytoses due to M. gypseum is observed in people attending off-leash areas
Canine faecal contamination and parasitic risk in the city of Bologna
No full textINTRODUCTION. Canine faecal contamination of urban areas represents an important public-health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of both canine faecal pollution and presence of canine parasitic elements in the city of Bologna, with particular attention to the Bolognina district, where a previous similar experience was done.
MATERIALS AND METHODS. The methods used in the previous study (Martini and Cassani,1984, Ann. Ist. Super. Sanità, 20:291-296) were employed to evaluate the canine faecal contamination of Bolognina district after more than 35 years, following a 6.2 km route structured in the middle of the quarter, for 12 times in a year. The centre of Bologna was also examined, dividing the overall area included in the circular avenue in 6 sub-areas. A sampling was performed just once in each sub-area, following a continuous route including the highest number of streets, for a total of 50.14 km. All the faeces found were collected and submitted to qualitative microscopic analysis by centrifugation-flotation technique. For each sample, a form was filled to specify date, time, address of the findings and some characteristics (weather in previous days, type of road, location, fresh state, aspect, presumed dog size, traces of trampling). All the data were reported in a Geographical Information System (QGIS 2.18) and on Excel datasheet (v. 2016).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. A total of 228 faecal samples was collected, of which 192 from Bolognina district (daily faecalization level: 2.6 faeces/km) and 36 from Bologna centre (total faecalization level: 0.7 faeces/km). A part of collected faeces was dried and traces of trampling were found in both areas. The prevalence of faeces attributed to large dogs resulted significantly higher in samples collected in Bolognina (17.19%), respect to the centre of city (2.78%) (χ2 y = 3,89; p< 0.05). In Martini and Cassani study (1984 l.c.), 2204 faeces were found in 10 months following the same route in Bolognina (daily faecalization level: 35.5 faeces/km). Comparing this value with our results, we can observe that the faecalization of the area decreased during past decades. Only two faecal samples (0.88%) were positive for parasitic elements, both from Bolognina district: eggs of Trichuris vulpis were found in both and Ancylostomatidae in one of them. The faecalization level and the presence of canine parasitic elements in the centre of Bologna and in Bolognina district, are lower compared to other studies (Poglayen et al., 2000, parassitologia, 42 (suppl1):220; Rinaldi et al., 2006, BMC Vet. Res. 2: 29; Zanzani et al., 2014, Sc. World J. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/132361, Beraldo et al., 2014, Atti XXVII SoIPa, 258). The low parasites prevalence in this area agree with the results of the diagnostic routine of our lab
Pathological investigation on crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard 1852) from canals in Padana Plain.
No full textSegnalazione di due casi di micosi della vescica natatoria in Sparus aurata e Carassius auratus.Two cases of mycosis of the swimbladder in Sparus aurata and Carassius auratus.
No full textInfezione da Saprolegniaceae in gamberi di fiume, Austropotamobius pallipes complex, in un allevamento sperimentale del nord Italia. / Saprolegniaceae infection in white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes complex, in an experimental hatchery in Northern Italy.
No full textRIASSUNTO - In una troticoltura sperimentale in provincia di Belluno, nel periodo compreso tra autunno 2004 e
autunno 2005, è stata condotta una prova sperimentale di allevamento intensivo di Austropotamobius pallipes
complex. Nell’ottobre del 2004 sono stati pescati 32 gamberi (15 maschi e 17 femmine) nella roggia tributaria
dell’allevamento. Gli animali sono stati stabulati prima in una vasca di cemento, poi in una di vetroresina. In
aprile le femmine con uova (11 individui), sono state spostate in una vasca californiana. Nel giugno 2005, si è
verificata una moria totale dei gamberi nella vasca in vetroresina, che presentava problemi igienici per la
permanenza di materiale in decomposizione. In agosto le femmine rimanenti, alla schiusa delle uova, sono state
spostate in una vasca simile a quella in cui si è verificata la mortalità. Complessivamente 23 gamberi sono stati
sottoposti ad indagini sanitarie: 19 ad esame microscopico a fresco, micologico, batteriologico e tutti all’esame
istopatologico. All’esame micologico sono state isolate Saprolegniaceae da branchie, arti e addome di tutti i
campioni, e Fusarium sp. in un solo esemplare. All’esame istologico si osservava un’abbondante presenza di ife
fungine ramificate nelle branchie, nello spessore dei gonopodi, nella porzione ventrale del carapace addominale
molle (sternum) e nelle giunzioni delle articolazioni, con gravi lesioni all’ipoderma, reazioni flogistiche e necrosi.
La muscolatura e la ghiandola verde talvolta risultavano colonizzate. In alcuni casi le ife si presentavano
incapsulate da melanina. La mortalità è stata attribuita ad infezione da Saprolegniaceae, sviluppatesi in maniera
abnorme a causa della mancata rimozione dei residui di alimento.
SUMMARY - The white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex, is a protected European native
species as it is considered endangered organism. In order to preserve this crustacean, carefully planned
restocking programs with production of the juveniles in captivity are essential. An episode of mortality occurred
during an intensive crayfish breeding trial from autumn 2004 to autumn 2005 in a North-eastern Italy
experimental trout farm. In October 2004, 32 crayfish (15 males and 17 females) captured in Ardo river were
housed inside the hatchery, initially in a concrete tank, then were moved to a fibreglass tank, where mating took
place. In the spring 2005, 11 barred females were transferred in a Californian tank for the incubation of the eggs.
In June 2005 all crayfish in the fiberglass tank died in presence of low hygienic conditions. In August, after the
hatching of the eggs, the females were placed in a fiberglass tank, like to the previous, where a total mortality
occurred after two weeks. Twenty-three crayfish were submitted at histological and 19 of these at microscopical,
mycological, and bacteriological surveys. Saprolegniaceae were isolated from gills, legs and abdomen in all
samples, while Fusarium sp. in only one specimen. At the histology coenocytic, branched fungal hyphae were
observed in the gonopods, abdominal exoskeletons, eye stalks and in the joints of the legs, with heavy
inflammatory lesions and necrosis in the hypoderm. The skeletal muscle and the green gland were sometimes
colonized; in some cases the hyphae were surrounded by melanin. The mortality was related to Saprolegniaceae
infection, induced by food remnants
Pathological investigation on crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard 1852) from canals in Padana Plain
No full textSeveral populations of allochthonous crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) were studied in order to observe
the presence and effects of pathogenic organisms. A total of 178 animals were analysed over a 3 year period. The
specimens were collected from the canals and the ditches of Rena Land Reclamation Consortium (Province of
Bologna) during the summer seasons from 2001 to 2003. The study involved mycological, parasitological,
bacteriological and histopathological investigations.
At mycological examination, 95.51% of the samples were infected and Fusarium sp. was the most frequently
isolated fungus (27.52%). During parasitological investigation, Epistylis spp. and Cothurnia spp. were frequently
isolated from the gills and the cuticle of the exoskeleton. One commensal Nematode in the gills and four intestinal
Nematodes whose determination is still under study were found. Bacteriological examination of crayfish which died
during transport and in laboratory tanks led to the isolation of Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas sp.
Histopathological investigation is described
Saprolegniaceae infection in white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes complex) in an experimental hatchery in northern Italy.
No full textMortality of white-clawed crayfish, Austropotamobius pallipes complex, occurred in a Northeastern Italian trout hatchery during an intensive breeding trial between autumn 2004 and summer 2005. The crayfish were submitted to postmortem histological, microscopical, mycological and bacteriological examinations. Saprolegniaceae were isolated from gills, legs and abdomen of all crayfish samples, while Fusarium sp. was found in only one specimen. The ectosymbiotic peritrichous ciliate protozoan, Cothurnia sieboldii, and a clitellate annelid, Branchiobdella hexodonta, were found on gill filaments and exoskeletons of all specimens examined. Fungal hyphae were observed on gonopods, abdominal exoskeletons, eye stalks and leg joints. These infections were occasionally observed causing heavy inflammatory lesions in skeletal muscle and green gland, and necrosis in the hypoderm; in some cases the hyphae were surrounded by melanin. The cause of mortality was attributed to a Saprolegniaceae infection, induced by poor water quality conditions
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