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Dr. Sergio Zanzani
Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy

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0 Parasites
0 Sheep
0 Spatial Analysis
0 Vectors
0 Parasitic diseases

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goat
Parasites
Sheep
ruminants
Protozoa
NEOSPORA CANINUM
Apicomplexa
Spatial Analysis
Vectors
Parasitic diseases
Domestic carnivores

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Journal article
Published: 05 August 2021 in Applied Sciences
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In the last three decades, we assisted in a shift in the dairy product preferences in developed countries, with an increase in goat-derived products consumption. As already seen in the bovine sector, the diffusion of goat milk consumption has led to an abandonment of the local breeds in favor of the more productive cosmopolitan breeds, with an intense reduction in the livestock biodiversity. However, in several studies, it has been shown that local breeds present unique features such as a robust behavior towards the local climate and a high quality of their dairy products. This study aims to assess the differences between the basic lactation variables (milk yield, fat %, protein %, lactose % and somatic cell count) in the Alpine goat and the local breed Verzasca goat from a Bayesian point of observation. Results indicate that the Nera di Verzasca goat has overall lactation characteristics similar toa cosmopolite breed such as the Alpine goat, except for the milk daily yield reduced with respect to Alpine goats (1.68 ± 0.84 and 2.14 ± 1.03, respectively). Moreover, the Verzasca goat showed a tendency to maintain a lower level of somatic cell count along with lactation (798 ± 1734 and 1216 ± 2828, respectively). These findings help to increase the knowledge about the Italian local goat breeds and are important in the optic of biodiversity conservation.

ACS Style

Stella Agradi; Alessia Gazzonis; Giulio Curone; Massimo Faustini; Susanna Draghi; Gabriele Brecchia; Daniele Vigo; Maria Manfredi; Sergio Zanzani; Luisa Pulinas; Majlind Sulce; Albana Munga; Marta Castrica; Laura Menchetti. Lactation Characteristics in Alpine and Nera di Verzasca Goats in Northern Italy: A Statistical Bayesian Approach. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 7235 .

AMA Style

Stella Agradi, Alessia Gazzonis, Giulio Curone, Massimo Faustini, Susanna Draghi, Gabriele Brecchia, Daniele Vigo, Maria Manfredi, Sergio Zanzani, Luisa Pulinas, Majlind Sulce, Albana Munga, Marta Castrica, Laura Menchetti. Lactation Characteristics in Alpine and Nera di Verzasca Goats in Northern Italy: A Statistical Bayesian Approach. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (16):7235.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stella Agradi; Alessia Gazzonis; Giulio Curone; Massimo Faustini; Susanna Draghi; Gabriele Brecchia; Daniele Vigo; Maria Manfredi; Sergio Zanzani; Luisa Pulinas; Majlind Sulce; Albana Munga; Marta Castrica; Laura Menchetti. 2021. "Lactation Characteristics in Alpine and Nera di Verzasca Goats in Northern Italy: A Statistical Bayesian Approach." Applied Sciences 11, no. 16: 7235.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2021 in Microorganisms
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Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) are protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of intermediate hosts worldwide, including birds. Raptors acquire the infections through the ingestion of both infected preys and oocysts in the environment suggesting they might be used as indicators of the spread of these pathogens. Here, we report an epidemiological survey with the aim of determining the prevalence of T. gondii and N. caninum infections in wild birds of prey, hospitalized in two Wildlife Recovery Centres (WRCs) in Northern Italy. Genomic DNA extracted from brain tissue samples was submitted to Real Time PCR targeting T. gondii B1 and N. caninum Nc5 genes. T. gondii genotyping was then performed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis, targeting three polymorphic genes (GRA6, BTUB, and altSAG2). T. gondii DNA was found in 35 (62.5%) out of 56 examined samples; concerning genotyping, it was possible to amplify at least one gene for 26 animals, and obtained sequences belonged to Type II. N. caninum DNA was only detected in two (3.6%) common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), adding a new species to the list of suitable intermediate hosts for this pathogen. Data obtained in the present study thus confirmed the spread of both T. gondii and N. caninum in wild bird of prey, endorsing the role of WRCs in the epidemiological surveillance of wildlife.

ACS Style

Alessia Gazzonis; Luca Villa; Emanuele Lubian; Sara Ressegotti; Guido Grilli; Stefano Raimondi; Sergio Zanzani; Maria Manfredi. Molecular Survey on Toxoplasmagondii and Neosporacaninum Infection in Wild Birds of Prey Admitted to Recovery Centers in Northern Italy. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 736 .

AMA Style

Alessia Gazzonis, Luca Villa, Emanuele Lubian, Sara Ressegotti, Guido Grilli, Stefano Raimondi, Sergio Zanzani, Maria Manfredi. Molecular Survey on Toxoplasmagondii and Neosporacaninum Infection in Wild Birds of Prey Admitted to Recovery Centers in Northern Italy. Microorganisms. 2021; 9 (4):736.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessia Gazzonis; Luca Villa; Emanuele Lubian; Sara Ressegotti; Guido Grilli; Stefano Raimondi; Sergio Zanzani; Maria Manfredi. 2021. "Molecular Survey on Toxoplasmagondii and Neosporacaninum Infection in Wild Birds of Prey Admitted to Recovery Centers in Northern Italy." Microorganisms 9, no. 4: 736.

Journal article
Published: 15 March 2021 in Parasites & Vectors
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Background Besnoitia besnoiti is an Apicomplexan protozoa causative of bovine besnoitiosis, a chronic and debilitating disease of cattle, with a variety of pathological findings that could alter some laboratory parameters. A study was conducted in a bovine besnoitiosis endemically infected dairy herd located in Italy characterized by high intra-herd seroprevalence and cattle with clinical signs of the disease. In the study, alterations in laboratory parameters, i.e. hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol levels, in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected cows were investigated in depth. Methods Laboratory parameters in 107 cows, of which 61 were seronegative and 46 were seropositive to B. besnoiti, including 27 with clinical signs of bovine besnoitiosis, were compared. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the effect of Besnoitia infection on the considered laboratory parameters. Results Hematological analyses revealed that B. besnoiti infection determined a significant alteration to the leukocyte differential, with a higher percentage of granulocytes and a lower percentage of lymphocytes in seropositive and clinically affected animals (Mann–Whitney U-test, P = 0.022); erythrocyte and platelet counts did not show any difference between the considered groups of cows. Biochemistry tests evidenced that the parasite infection influenced serum protein values in seropositive cows and glutamate dehydrogenase values in clinically affected animals. No or only slight differences were revealed for all of the other biochemical and enzyme activity parameters in B. besnoiti-infected animals. In addition, despite the lack of statistical significance, seropositive and clinically affected cows evidenced higher concentrations of serum cortisol values compared to seronegative animals. Conclusions Although physiological, pathological and farm-related factors could have influenced the results in investigated animals, further studies involving more animals from different farms would be advisable to infer the role of B. besnoiti on these alterations, since laboratory parameters could help veterinarians in the diagnosis of bovine besnoitiosis in cattle.

ACS Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Silvia Mazzola; Alessia Giordano; Maria Teresa Manfredi. Exploring alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected dairy cattle. Parasites & Vectors 2021, 14, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Luca Villa, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Silvia Mazzola, Alessia Giordano, Maria Teresa Manfredi. Exploring alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected dairy cattle. Parasites & Vectors. 2021; 14 (1):1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Silvia Mazzola; Alessia Giordano; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2021. "Exploring alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters, enzyme activities and serum cortisol in Besnoitia besnoiti naturally infected dairy cattle." Parasites & Vectors 14, no. 1: 1-13.

Journal article
Published: 13 January 2021 in Parasites & Vectors
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Background Neospora caninum, a coccidian protozoan, represents an important cause of bovine abortion. Available N. caninum strains show considerable variation in vitro and in vivo, including different virulence in cattle. To which extent sexual recombination, which is possible in the intestines of domestic dogs and closely related carnivores as definitive hosts, contributes to this variation is not clear yet. Methods Aborted bovine foetuses were collected between 2015 and early 2019 from Italian Holstein Friesian dairy herds suffering from reproductive problems. A total of 198 samples were collected from 165 intensive farms located in Lombardy, northern Italy. N. caninum samples were subjected to multilocus-microsatellite genotyping using ten previously established microsatellite markers. In addition to our own data, those from a recent study providing data on five markers from other northern Italian regions were included and analysed. Results Of the 55 samples finally subjected to genotyping, 35 were typed at all or 9 out of 10 loci and their individual multilocus-microsatellite genotype (MLMG) determined. Linear regression revealed a statistically significant association between the spatial distance of the sampling sites with the genetic distance of N. caninum MLMGs (P < 0.001). Including data from this and a previous North Italian study into eBURST analysis revealed that several of N. caninum MLMGs from northern Italy separate into four groups; most of the samples from Lombardy clustered in one of these groups. Principle component analysis revealed similar clusters and confirmed MLMG groups identified by eBURST. Variations observed between MLMGs were not equally distributed over all loci, but predominantly observed in MS7, MS6A, or MS10. Conclusions Our findings confirm the concept of local N. caninum subpopulations. The geographic distance of sampling was associated with the genetic distance as determined by microsatellite typing. Results suggest that multi-parental recombination in N. caninum is a rare event, but does not exclude uniparental mating. More comprehensive studies on microsatellites in N. caninum and related species like Toxoplasma gondii should be undertaken, not only to improve genotyping capabilities, but also to understand possible functions of these regions in the genomes of these parasites.

ACS Style

Luca Villa; Pavlo Maksimov; Christine Luttermann; Mareen Tuschy; Alessia L. Gazzonis; Sergio A. Zanzani; Michele Mortarino; Franz J. Conraths; Maria Teresa Manfredi; Gereon Schares. Spatial distance between sites of sampling associated with genetic variation among Neospora caninum in aborted bovine foetuses from northern Italy. Parasites & Vectors 2021, 14, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Luca Villa, Pavlo Maksimov, Christine Luttermann, Mareen Tuschy, Alessia L. Gazzonis, Sergio A. Zanzani, Michele Mortarino, Franz J. Conraths, Maria Teresa Manfredi, Gereon Schares. Spatial distance between sites of sampling associated with genetic variation among Neospora caninum in aborted bovine foetuses from northern Italy. Parasites & Vectors. 2021; 14 (1):1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Villa; Pavlo Maksimov; Christine Luttermann; Mareen Tuschy; Alessia L. Gazzonis; Sergio A. Zanzani; Michele Mortarino; Franz J. Conraths; Maria Teresa Manfredi; Gereon Schares. 2021. "Spatial distance between sites of sampling associated with genetic variation among Neospora caninum in aborted bovine foetuses from northern Italy." Parasites & Vectors 14, no. 1: 1-14.

Journal article
Published: 06 November 2020 in Animals
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The aim of this study was to compare the sedative and physiological effects following either oral transmucosal (OTM) or intramuscular administration of dexmedetomidine–methadone combination in healthy dogs. Thirty dogs were randomly assigned to receive a dexmedetomidine–methadone combination either by the OTM (n = 15) or intramuscular (n = 15) route. Sedation was scored 10, 20, and 30 min after drugs administration. Heart rate (HR), non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), respiratory rate (fR), and body rectal temperature were recorded before drugs administration and then every 10 min for 30 min. Propofol dose required for orotracheal intubation was recorded. Sedation scores increased over time within both groups with higher values in intramuscular group (p < 0.05). Within each group, HR decreased significantly compared with baseline (p < 0.001) and was significantly lower in intramuscular group compared with the OTM group (p < 0.001). In both groups, NIBP increased significantly compared with baseline (p < 0.05). In the intramuscular group, fR was lower compared with the OTM group at all the observational time points (p < 0.001). Propofol dose was lower in the intramuscular group (p < 0.05). Compared to intramuscular dexmedetomidine–methadone, OTM combination produced lower but effective sedation in healthy dogs.

ACS Style

Daniela Gioeni; Federica Alessandra Brioschi; Federica Di Cesare; Vanessa Rabbogliatti; Martina Amari; Sergio Zanzani; Petra Cagnardi; Giuliano Ravasio. Oral Transmucosal or Intramuscular Administration of Dexmedetomidine–Methadone Combination in Dogs: Sedative and Physiological Effects. Animals 2020, 10, 2057 .

AMA Style

Daniela Gioeni, Federica Alessandra Brioschi, Federica Di Cesare, Vanessa Rabbogliatti, Martina Amari, Sergio Zanzani, Petra Cagnardi, Giuliano Ravasio. Oral Transmucosal or Intramuscular Administration of Dexmedetomidine–Methadone Combination in Dogs: Sedative and Physiological Effects. Animals. 2020; 10 (11):2057.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniela Gioeni; Federica Alessandra Brioschi; Federica Di Cesare; Vanessa Rabbogliatti; Martina Amari; Sergio Zanzani; Petra Cagnardi; Giuliano Ravasio. 2020. "Oral Transmucosal or Intramuscular Administration of Dexmedetomidine–Methadone Combination in Dogs: Sedative and Physiological Effects." Animals 10, no. 11: 2057.

Journal article
Published: 22 October 2020 in Parasites & Vectors
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Background Leishmania infantum is a vector-borne pathogen endemic in countries in the Mediterranean basin, including Italy. Dogs act as the primary reservoir for this parasite, but other animal species may also be infected. Low-to-moderate seroprevalence levels of infection have been reported in apparent healthy equine populations in southern Europe, reinforcing the importance of exploring those species, including horses, that act as a food source for vectors and may thus participate in the epizoological scenario of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) and zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis (ZVL). Since little is known regarding the exposure to L. infantum in horses in Italy, we assessed the seroprevalence in healthy equine populations from different CanL endemic areas. Methods The survey was conducted on 660 apparently healthy horses distributed throughout central and northern regions of Italy between 2016 and 2019. Blood samples were collected and the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies (IgG) was investigated by the immunofluorescence antibody test. Information on the location and altitude of the stables, along with the horses’ breed, age, sex, and reproductive status was obtained by filling in a questionnaire. This was then used for statistical analysis by generalized linear models to explore risk factors associated with seroreactivity to L. infantum. Results An average seroprevalence of 13.9% was detected for L. infantum in the equine populations investigated, with statistically significant associations between seroprevalence, geographical variables (northern vs central Italy, origin and altitude) and individual factors (i.e. age and breed morphotype). Conclusions Our results highlight that horses are frequently exposed to L. infantum. Further prevalence surveys in horses, also using direct methods (e.g. PCR), are warranted to clarify the role of these hosts in the epidemiology of Leishmania in Italy.

ACS Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Filippo Bertero; Iolanda Moretta; Giulia Morganti; Michele Mortarino; Luca Villa; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Benedetto Morandi; Riccardo Rinnovati; Fabrizio Vitale; Maria Teresa Manfredi; Luis Cardoso; Fabrizia Veronesi. Detecting antibodies to Leishmania infantum in horses from areas with different epizooticity levels of canine leishmaniosis and a retrospective revision of Italian data. Parasites & Vectors 2020, 13, 1 -9.

AMA Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Filippo Bertero, Iolanda Moretta, Giulia Morganti, Michele Mortarino, Luca Villa, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Benedetto Morandi, Riccardo Rinnovati, Fabrizio Vitale, Maria Teresa Manfredi, Luis Cardoso, Fabrizia Veronesi. Detecting antibodies to Leishmania infantum in horses from areas with different epizooticity levels of canine leishmaniosis and a retrospective revision of Italian data. Parasites & Vectors. 2020; 13 (1):1-9.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Filippo Bertero; Iolanda Moretta; Giulia Morganti; Michele Mortarino; Luca Villa; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Benedetto Morandi; Riccardo Rinnovati; Fabrizio Vitale; Maria Teresa Manfredi; Luis Cardoso; Fabrizia Veronesi. 2020. "Detecting antibodies to Leishmania infantum in horses from areas with different epizooticity levels of canine leishmaniosis and a retrospective revision of Italian data." Parasites & Vectors 13, no. 1: 1-9.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2020 in Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia
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Our data reported an high percentage of Lyme Disease infection (19%) in non endemic area. The definition of a multidisciplinary working group and a clinical care pathway allowed a better clinical management of Lyme disease cases treated in Sacco Hospital, Milan.

ACS Style

Sara G Rimoldi; Stefania Merli; Giovanna Bestetti; Vania Giacomet; Giuliana Cislaghi; Romualdo Grande; Sergio Sanzani; Cristina Pagani; Giusto Trevisan; Eleonora De Faveri; Maria R Gismondo; Eva Ruzić-Sabljić. Occurrence of Lyme disease infection in a non-endemic area in Northern Italy. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 2020, 155, 1 .

AMA Style

Sara G Rimoldi, Stefania Merli, Giovanna Bestetti, Vania Giacomet, Giuliana Cislaghi, Romualdo Grande, Sergio Sanzani, Cristina Pagani, Giusto Trevisan, Eleonora De Faveri, Maria R Gismondo, Eva Ruzić-Sabljić. Occurrence of Lyme disease infection in a non-endemic area in Northern Italy. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia. 2020; 155 (3):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara G Rimoldi; Stefania Merli; Giovanna Bestetti; Vania Giacomet; Giuliana Cislaghi; Romualdo Grande; Sergio Sanzani; Cristina Pagani; Giusto Trevisan; Eleonora De Faveri; Maria R Gismondo; Eva Ruzić-Sabljić. 2020. "Occurrence of Lyme disease infection in a non-endemic area in Northern Italy." Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia 155, no. 3: 1.

Helminthology original paper
Published: 20 June 2020 in Parasitology Research
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Strongylida are gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of greatest importance in small ruminants throughout the world. Differences in resistance and resilience to GIN among goat breeds were reported. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the breed-associated differences using a cosmopolitan (Alpine, AB) and an autochthonous (Nera di Verzasca, NV) goat breed. At first, fifteen goats from the same herd (NV = 7, AB = 8) at day 0 were infected with infective larvae (L3) of mixed GIN. From the 15th day post-infection (DPI), individual parasite egg excretion (faecal egg counts, FEC) was performed on all goats, once per week, until the 63rd DPI. Afterwards, in goats under field conditions (30 AB and 30 NV reared on the same farm), individual faecal and blood samples were collected; FEC-specific antibody and PCV levels were explored. In goats with experimental GIN infection, mean eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) values were consistently lower in NV goats. In goats with natural GIN infection, EPG and prevalence values showed high variability in both breeds; among individual variables, breed had a significant influence on EPG. Further, PCV and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by the breed. Lower PCV values were also associated with higher strongyle EPG in AB goats, and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by both strongyle EPG and breed, with IgA levels being higher in AB vs. NV goats and positively associated with EPG. Neither EPG nor breed had any influence on IgE levels. Both studies on experimental and natural infection confirmed that goats of NV are more resistant to infection with gastrointestinal nematodes.

ACS Style

Sergio Zanzani; A. L. Gazzonis; E. Alberti; T. Mc Neilly; L. Villa; M. T. Manfredi. Gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats: differences between strongyle faecal egg counts and specific antibody responses to Teladorsagia circumcincta in Nera di Verzasca and Alpine goats. Parasitology Research 2020, 119, 2539 -2548.

AMA Style

Sergio Zanzani, A. L. Gazzonis, E. Alberti, T. Mc Neilly, L. Villa, M. T. Manfredi. Gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats: differences between strongyle faecal egg counts and specific antibody responses to Teladorsagia circumcincta in Nera di Verzasca and Alpine goats. Parasitology Research. 2020; 119 (8):2539-2548.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sergio Zanzani; A. L. Gazzonis; E. Alberti; T. Mc Neilly; L. Villa; M. T. Manfredi. 2020. "Gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats: differences between strongyle faecal egg counts and specific antibody responses to Teladorsagia circumcincta in Nera di Verzasca and Alpine goats." Parasitology Research 119, no. 8: 2539-2548.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2019 in Journal of Veterinary Research
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Introduction The Orobic goat is a hardy breed native to the Orobic Alps (Lombardy, northern Italy). The aim of the study was the assessment of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) egg excretion in Alpine and Saanen (cosmopolite breeds) and Orobic grazing goats, after a strategic treatment with eprinomectin in late June. Material and Methods Individual faecal samples from a mixed flock of cosmopolite and Orobic goats were collected and analysed by the FLOTAC double technique every three weeks from June to September. Results Strongylida was the primary GIN infection observed in goats that grazed on Alpine pastures; a strategic treatment with eprinomectin led to a prolonged reduction of egg excretion during the whole study period. Egg excretion was also influenced by breed. Pluriparous Orobic does were able to control reinfection better than the pluriparous cosmopolite does. Regarding Nematodirus sp. eggs per gram of faeces (EPG), the autochthonous Orobic breed presented higher values than the cosmopolite breeds. However, cosmopolite goats presented higher EPG values of Strongyloides papillosus than their Orobic counterparts in August. Conclusions Further studies on genetic features of local autochthonous goats, such as the Orobic breed, are needed, since they could reveal peculiar characteristics of susceptibility, resistance or resilience to GIN infection, providing genetic resources for selection.

ACS Style

Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Emanuela Olivieri; Luca Villa; Cristina Fraquelli; Maria Teresa Manfredi. Gastrointestinal nematodes of goats: host–parasite relationship differences in breeds at summer mountain pasture in northern Italy. Journal of Veterinary Research 2019, 63, 519 -526.

AMA Style

Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Emanuela Olivieri, Luca Villa, Cristina Fraquelli, Maria Teresa Manfredi. Gastrointestinal nematodes of goats: host–parasite relationship differences in breeds at summer mountain pasture in northern Italy. Journal of Veterinary Research. 2019; 63 (4):519-526.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Emanuela Olivieri; Luca Villa; Cristina Fraquelli; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2019. "Gastrointestinal nematodes of goats: host–parasite relationship differences in breeds at summer mountain pasture in northern Italy." Journal of Veterinary Research 63, no. 4: 519-526.

Short communication
Published: 07 November 2019 in Parasitology International
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A form of generalized demodectic mange in two dairy cows infected with Besnoitia besnoiti is described. The herd was endemically infected with bovine besnoitiosis; an overall seroprevalence of B. besnoiti antibodies of 23.5%, that increased up to 43.5% considering only cows, was reported. Two out of the cows seropositive to B. besnoiti, at clinical examination presented skin nodules, widespread all over the body, and in particular in anterior regions. Skin biopsies from the region of the neck were collected and the nodules were microscopically examined through compression method. B. besnoiti tissue cysts were not revealed but a semi-solid yellowish content was evidenced with the presence of several mites, morphologically identified as Demodex bovis. Histological examination of skin biopsies evidenced slight acanthosis and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and superficial dermatitis with oedema and macrophagic and eosinophilic infiltration. Cystic formations located in the deep dermis were lined by metaplastic squamous epithelium and severe cellular infiltration. A treatment with eprinomectin was attempted and clinical improvement of both cows was observed, particularly at the fifteenth day after treatment, with nodules reduced in size and mites in there degenerated. This is the first report of the co-infection of D. bovis infestation and bovine besnoitiosis in cattle. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that D. bovis circulates in the Italian cattle population, but subclinical forms could be underdiagnosed.

ACS Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Chiara Perlotti; Sergio Zanzani; Giuseppe Sironi; Maria Teresa Manfredi. First report of Demodex bovis infestation in bovine besnoitiosis co-infected dairy cattle in Italy. Parasitology International 2019, 75, 102021 .

AMA Style

Luca Villa, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Chiara Perlotti, Sergio Zanzani, Giuseppe Sironi, Maria Teresa Manfredi. First report of Demodex bovis infestation in bovine besnoitiosis co-infected dairy cattle in Italy. Parasitology International. 2019; 75 ():102021.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Chiara Perlotti; Sergio Zanzani; Giuseppe Sironi; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2019. "First report of Demodex bovis infestation in bovine besnoitiosis co-infected dairy cattle in Italy." Parasitology International 75, no. : 102021.

Journal article
Published: 04 November 2019 in Animals
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The objectives of this study were: (i) To investigate possible geographical or environmental factors influencing the infections by Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in sheep and goats in northern Italy; (ii) to identify areas at risk of infection to set up preventive measures. Forty-three sheep and goat farms were included. Their locations were plotted and associated with T. gondii and N. caninum seroprevalence, then the distribution of farms’ prevalence was evaluated by spatial analysis. Significant clusters for both low and high prevalence were obtained, and a generalized linear model with ordinal logistic regression was implemented to verify if spatial clustering could be due to climate factors (temperature, rainfall, and their interaction). Clusters of high (80.0%) and low prevalence (28.12%) resulted for T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep farms. No significant clusters resulted for goat farms. Clusters of high (38.68%) and low prevalence (21.23%) resulted for N. caninum seroprevalence in sheep farms. One high-prevalence cluster (15.62%) resulted for goat farms. For goats, spatial analysis and analysis on climatic data showed the absence of environmental significant risk factors associated with T. gondii or N. caninum infection. On the contrary, for sheep, annual temperature, rainfall, and their association affected the risk of T. gondii and N. caninum infection. Particularly, high temperatures and abundant rainfalls were related to T. gondii seroprevalence, while low temperatures and scarce rainfalls were related to N. caninum seroprevalence.

ACS Style

Alessia Gazzonis; Luca Villa; Mariateresa Manfredi; Sergio Zanzani. Spatial Analysis of Infections by Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in Small Ruminants in Northern Italy. Animals 2019, 9, 916 .

AMA Style

Alessia Gazzonis, Luca Villa, Mariateresa Manfredi, Sergio Zanzani. Spatial Analysis of Infections by Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in Small Ruminants in Northern Italy. Animals. 2019; 9 (11):916.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessia Gazzonis; Luca Villa; Mariateresa Manfredi; Sergio Zanzani. 2019. "Spatial Analysis of Infections by Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in Small Ruminants in Northern Italy." Animals 9, no. 11: 916.

Protozoology original paper
Published: 28 October 2019 in Parasitology Research
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Bovine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti) is an emerging parasitic disease of cattle in Europe. This study reports a case of bovine besnoitiosis in a dairy farm housing 217 cattle in Italy. A serological screening was performed on the whole herd using the recommended approach of ELISA and confirmatory Western Blot. Seropositive animals were clinically examined to reveal symptoms and lesions of besnoitiosis. Risk factors and the effects of the parasite infection on reproductive and productive performances were evaluated. Histopathology and molecular analyses on tissues from a slaughtered cow affected by the chronic phase of the disease were carried out. An overall seroprevalence of 23.5%, which increased up to 43.5% considering only cows, was recorded. Clinical examination of 33 of the seropositive cows evidenced the presence of tissue cysts in at least one of the typical localizations (sclera, vulva, or skin) in 25 animals. Statistical analysis did not evidence any significative impact of the parasite infection on herd efficiency; however, a decrease of productive parameters was recorded in cows showing cutaneous cysts. Concerning the chronically affected cow, histopathology revealed B. besnoiti tissue cysts in the skin of the neck, rump, hind legs, eyelid and vulva, in the muzzle, in mucosal membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and in the lungs. Parasite DNA was detected also in masseter muscles, tonsils, mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, cardiac muscle, aorta wall, ovaries, uterus, and vulva. Bovine besnoitiosis continues to spread in the Italian cattle population. Breeders and veterinarians should be aware of this parasitic disease, and control programs should be developed based on surveillance through a diagnostic procedure including both clinical examination and laboratory tests.

ACS Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Zanzani; Chiara Perlotti; Giuseppe Sironi; Maria Teresa Manfredi. Bovine besnoitiosis in an endemically infected dairy cattle herd in Italy: serological and clinical observations, risk factors, and effects on reproductive and productive performances. Parasitology Research 2019, 118, 3459 -3468.

AMA Style

Luca Villa, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Sergio Zanzani, Chiara Perlotti, Giuseppe Sironi, Maria Teresa Manfredi. Bovine besnoitiosis in an endemically infected dairy cattle herd in Italy: serological and clinical observations, risk factors, and effects on reproductive and productive performances. Parasitology Research. 2019; 118 (12):3459-3468.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Zanzani; Chiara Perlotti; Giuseppe Sironi; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2019. "Bovine besnoitiosis in an endemically infected dairy cattle herd in Italy: serological and clinical observations, risk factors, and effects on reproductive and productive performances." Parasitology Research 118, no. 12: 3459-3468.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2019 in Preventive Veterinary Medicine
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The zoonotic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii is one of the major abortive pathogens in small ruminants. Nevertheless, data on T. gondii infection in goats during lactation and on the presence of T. gondii in goat milk are lacking. A longitudinal study was planned in a T. gondii naturally infected dairy goat farm with the aim of (i) evaluating the variation of anti-T. gondii antibodies in blood and milk during the lactation; (ii) identifying the optimal phase during lactation for T. gondii monitoring; (iii) detecting the presence of T. gondii DNA in the milk. From March to July 2017, 30 goats in a farm were fortnightly visited seven times and sampled for blood and, when in lactation, for milk. Individual data regarding age, reproductive disorders, and the day of lactation were recorded. For the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in blood and milk a commercial ELISA kit was used. Milk samples (n = 63) of selected nine seropositive animals were also molecularly analysed to amplify a sequence within the ITS1 region of T. gondii. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was 63.3% (19/30); a high agreement was obtained between serum and milk results (Spearman's coefficient = 0.793 and Kendall's tau = 0.624), particularly between the 15th and the 60th day of lactation. In the statistical analysis, performed with generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs), the variable "phase of lactation" was strongly associated to ELISA values obtained in both serum and milk (p-value = 0.0001, F = 5.197, and p-value = 0.016, F = 2.755, respectively). Finally, molecular analyses revealed the presence of parasitic DNA in 20.6% (13/63) of milk samples, with a discontinuous parasite excretion; statistical analyses did not reveal any association among the parasite excretion and the considered variables. Milk could be considered as a valid alternative to blood for monitoring T. gondii infection in goat herds. Moreover, the detection of T. gondii DNA in milk enhanced the possibility for raw goat's milk consumption to be considered as a risk to public health.

ACS Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Luca Villa; Maria Teresa Manfredi. Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected goats: Monitoring of specific IgG levels in serum and milk during lactation and parasitic DNA detection in milk. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2019, 170, 104738 .

AMA Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Luca Villa, Maria Teresa Manfredi. Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected goats: Monitoring of specific IgG levels in serum and milk during lactation and parasitic DNA detection in milk. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2019; 170 ():104738.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Luca Villa; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2019. "Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected goats: Monitoring of specific IgG levels in serum and milk during lactation and parasitic DNA detection in milk." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 170, no. : 104738.

Journal article
Published: 28 August 2019 in Malaria Journal
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Insecticides are still at the core of insect pest and vector control programmes. Several lines of evidence indicate that ABC transporters are involved in detoxification processes against insecticides, including permethrin and other pyrethroids. In particular, the ABCG4 gene, a member of the G subfamily, has consistently been shown to be up-regulated in response to insecticide treatments in the mosquito malaria vector Anopheles stephensi (both adults and larvae). To verify the actual involvement of this transmembrane protein in the detoxification process of permethrin, bioassays on larvae of An. stephensi, combining the insecticide with a siRNA, specifically designed for the inhibition of ABCG4 gene expression were performed. Administration to larvae of the same siRNA, labeled with a fluorescent molecule, was effected to investigate the systemic distribution of the inhibitory RNA into the larval bodies. Based on siRNA results, similar experiments using antisense Vivo-Morpholinos (Vivo-MOs) were effected. These molecules, compared to siRNA, are expected to guarantee a higher stability in environmental conditions and in the insect gut, and present thus a higher potential for future in-field applications. Bioassays using two different concentrations of siRNA, associated with permethrin, led to an increase of larval mortality, compared with results with permethrin alone. These outcomes confirm that ABCG4 transporter plays a role in the detoxification process against the selected insecticide. Moreover, after fluorescent labelling, it was shown the systemic dissemination of siRNA in different body districts of An. stephensi larvae, which suggest a potential systemic effect of the molecule. At the same time, results of Vivo-MO experiments were congruent with those obtained using siRNA, thus confirming the potential of ABCG4 inhibition as a strategy to increase permethrin susceptibility in mosquitoes. For the first time, Vivo-MOs were administered in water to larvae, with evidence for a biological effect. Targeting ABCG4 gene for silencing through both techniques resulted in an increased pyrethroid efficacy. These results open the way toward the possibility to exploit ABCG4 inhibition in the context of integrated programmes for the control An. stephensi mosquitoes and malaria transmission.

ACS Style

Agata Negri; Marco Ferrari; Riccardo Nodari; Edoardo Coppa; Valentina Mastrantonio; Sergio Zanzani; Daniele Porretta; Claudio Bandi; Sandra Urbanelli; Sara Epis. Gene silencing through RNAi and antisense Vivo-Morpholino increases the efficacy of pyrethroids on larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Malaria Journal 2019, 18, 294 -12.

AMA Style

Agata Negri, Marco Ferrari, Riccardo Nodari, Edoardo Coppa, Valentina Mastrantonio, Sergio Zanzani, Daniele Porretta, Claudio Bandi, Sandra Urbanelli, Sara Epis. Gene silencing through RNAi and antisense Vivo-Morpholino increases the efficacy of pyrethroids on larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Malaria Journal. 2019; 18 (1):294-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Agata Negri; Marco Ferrari; Riccardo Nodari; Edoardo Coppa; Valentina Mastrantonio; Sergio Zanzani; Daniele Porretta; Claudio Bandi; Sandra Urbanelli; Sara Epis. 2019. "Gene silencing through RNAi and antisense Vivo-Morpholino increases the efficacy of pyrethroids on larvae of Anopheles stephensi." Malaria Journal 18, no. 1: 294-12.

Journal article
Published: 03 July 2019 in Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases
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Lyme borreliosis cases have been reported from Lombardy in northern Italy, where Ixodes ricinus is the main vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. However, spatial and temporal variation in the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is not well understood. In the present study, based on new notified cases of Lyme borreliosis from 2000 to 2015, an average of 1.24 new cases per million residents per year was documented. New cases, georeferenced at the municipal level, were analyzed by retrospective space-time analysis (using SaTScan v. 9.3.1); and land cover, extrapolated from a Corine Land Cover dataset (using QGIS 2.8.1), was used to implement an environmental risk factor analysis. Firstly, a temporal high-risk cluster was detected in Lombardy: the relative risk of Lyme borreliosis was 3.73 times higher during 2008–2015 compared with the entire study period. Moreover, in a spatiotemporal high-risk cluster with a circular base, land cover consisting of wildland-urban interface, meadow, forest and meadow-forest transition were significantly higher compared to low-risk areas. Results of the present study demonstrate that the incidence of Lyme borreliosis is increasing in Lombardy and that environmental conditions are suitable for I. ricinus ticks infected with B. burgdorferi s.l.: citizens and health systems should be aware of Lyme borreliosis to reduce tick bites with personal protective behaviors and to avoid misdiagnosis, particularly within the area including the observed high-risk cluster. Economic resources should be invested to inform about methods to prevent tick bites, how to check people and pets after frequenting risk areas, and ways of removing the biting ticks when they are found.

ACS Style

Sergio A. Zanzani; Sara G. Rimoldi; Mariateresa Manfredi; Romualdo Grande; Alessia L. Gazzonis; Stefania Merli; Emanuela Olivieri; Vania Giacomet; Spinello Antinori; Giuliana Cislaghi; Giovanna Bestetti; Katiuscia Nan; Vittorio Sala; Maria R. Gismondo; Chiara Atzori; Eleonora De Faveri. Lyme borreliosis incidence in Lombardy, Italy (2000–2015): Spatiotemporal analysis and environmental risk factors. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 2019, 10, 101257 .

AMA Style

Sergio A. Zanzani, Sara G. Rimoldi, Mariateresa Manfredi, Romualdo Grande, Alessia L. Gazzonis, Stefania Merli, Emanuela Olivieri, Vania Giacomet, Spinello Antinori, Giuliana Cislaghi, Giovanna Bestetti, Katiuscia Nan, Vittorio Sala, Maria R. Gismondo, Chiara Atzori, Eleonora De Faveri. Lyme borreliosis incidence in Lombardy, Italy (2000–2015): Spatiotemporal analysis and environmental risk factors. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases. 2019; 10 (6):101257.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sergio A. Zanzani; Sara G. Rimoldi; Mariateresa Manfredi; Romualdo Grande; Alessia L. Gazzonis; Stefania Merli; Emanuela Olivieri; Vania Giacomet; Spinello Antinori; Giuliana Cislaghi; Giovanna Bestetti; Katiuscia Nan; Vittorio Sala; Maria R. Gismondo; Chiara Atzori; Eleonora De Faveri. 2019. "Lyme borreliosis incidence in Lombardy, Italy (2000–2015): Spatiotemporal analysis and environmental risk factors." Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases 10, no. 6: 101257.

Original article
Published: 19 December 2018 in Medical and Veterinary Entomology
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The Sardinian coloured donkey Equus asinus (Perissodactyla: Equidae) and its albino colour morph represent the wildlife species most typical of the island of Asinara. This Mediterranean island represents a favourable context for ticks and tick‐borne diseases; however, knowledge of the tick fauna on Asinara is scarce. A total of 106 Sardinian donkeys were inspected for tick infestation from June to November 2015. All ticks found were collected, classified by stage and sex, and identified to species level. The level of infestation of each donkey was determined; both the overall tick infestation and infestations of each detected species were classified on a scale of 1–3 to give an infestation score (IS). Overall, 256 hard ticks were collected from 60 of 106 donkeys (56.6%). Rhipicephalus bursa, Haemaphysalis punctata and Hyalomma marginatum (all: Ixodida: Ixodidae) infested 26.4%, 28.3% and 6.6% of donkeys, respectively. Different variables affected the IS. With reference to overall tick infestation, a higher IS was observed in donkeys grazing on grassland and Mediterranean shrubland and in albino donkeys compared with coloured donkeys. The collected ticks included species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans, which highlights the risks for public health in a tourist destination such as Asinara National Park.

ACS Style

S. A. Zanzani; E. Pintore; E. Olivieri; N. Columbano; A. Scanu; V. Melosu; E. Sanna Passino; G. Careddu; A. L. Gazzonis; M. T. Manfredi; G. Garippa. Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 2018, 33, 238 -246.

AMA Style

S. A. Zanzani, E. Pintore, E. Olivieri, N. Columbano, A. Scanu, V. Melosu, E. Sanna Passino, G. Careddu, A. L. Gazzonis, M. T. Manfredi, G. Garippa. Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors. Medical and Veterinary Entomology. 2018; 33 (2):238-246.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. A. Zanzani; E. Pintore; E. Olivieri; N. Columbano; A. Scanu; V. Melosu; E. Sanna Passino; G. Careddu; A. L. Gazzonis; M. T. Manfredi; G. Garippa. 2018. "Ixodid ticks on wild donkeys in a Mediterranean nature reserve (Asinara National Park): diversity and risk factors." Medical and Veterinary Entomology 33, no. 2: 238-246.

Journal article
Published: 13 October 2018 in Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
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Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite infecting a wide range of intermediate hosts, including birds. Nevertheless, scant information on the spread of infection in wild bird populations is available to date. With the aim of updating information on T. gondii infection in birds of prey and possible risk factors associated with the infection, a serosurvey was planned on both wild and captive raptors. An overall of 93 raptors from Northern Italy were tested for the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies with a commercial modified agglutination test (MAT). A T. gondii prevalence of 10.7% was recorded; the highest seroprevalence was observed within the Family Strigidae (12.5%). Only wild animals tested positive; any statistical difference among species, taxonomic family, age, origin, use, migratory behavior and diet composition was not highlighted. Toxoplasmosis in birds of prey, sentinel species for the environmental spread of T. gondii, should always be considered within sanitary programs devoted to avian species protection.

ACS Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Zanzani; Azzurra Santoro; Fabrizia Veronesi; Emanuela Olivieri; Luca Villa; Emanuele Lubian; Silvia Lovati; Fulvio Bottura; Sara Epis; Maria Teresa Manfredi. Toxoplasma gondii infection in raptors from Italy: Seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 2018, 60, 42 -45.

AMA Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Sergio Zanzani, Azzurra Santoro, Fabrizia Veronesi, Emanuela Olivieri, Luca Villa, Emanuele Lubian, Silvia Lovati, Fulvio Bottura, Sara Epis, Maria Teresa Manfredi. Toxoplasma gondii infection in raptors from Italy: Seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. 2018; 60 ():42-45.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Zanzani; Azzurra Santoro; Fabrizia Veronesi; Emanuela Olivieri; Luca Villa; Emanuele Lubian; Silvia Lovati; Fulvio Bottura; Sara Epis; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2018. "Toxoplasma gondii infection in raptors from Italy: Seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis." Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 60, no. : 42-45.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Parasitology International
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Among Apicomplexa protozoa infecting equids, Besnoitia spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. represent important issues from a sanitary and zootechnical viewpoint. However, only scarce epidemiological data are available on the spread of the infections in horses and donkeys in Europe. Therefore, a serosurvey was planned to estimate the prevalence of these Sarcocystidae species in Italian equids. Serum samples from 268 horses and 18 donkeys raised in Italy were collected and serologically analyzed to detect anti-Besnoitia spp., anti-T. gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies: an approach based on an initial screening by in-house ELISA followed by a confirmatory WB was used. Two horses (0.7%) and four donkeys (22.2%), showed antibodies anti-Besnoitia spp. Ten horses (3.7%) resulted positive to T. gondii and one of these (0.4%) was seropositive also to Neospora spp. This is the first detection of anti-Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in Italian horses and donkeys. The study confirmed the circulation of Besnoitia spp. among equids in Europe. Low prevalence of T. gondii and Neospora spp. in horses raised in Italy was reported. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy to consider that consumption of horse meat could represent a source for human toxoplasmosis.

ACS Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Gema Álvarez-García; Carlos Diezma Díaz; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Maria Teresa Manfredi. First detection of anti- Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in horses and donkeys in Italy. Parasitology International 2018, 67, 640 -643.

AMA Style

Luca Villa, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Gema Álvarez-García, Carlos Diezma Díaz, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Maria Teresa Manfredi. First detection of anti- Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in horses and donkeys in Italy. Parasitology International. 2018; 67 (5):640-643.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Luca Villa; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Gema Álvarez-García; Carlos Diezma Díaz; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2018. "First detection of anti- Besnoitia spp. specific antibodies in horses and donkeys in Italy." Parasitology International 67, no. 5: 640-643.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Journal of Parasitology
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Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Katia Stradiotto; Emanuela Olivieri; Luca Villa; Maria Teresa Manfredi. Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Bulk Tank Milk Samples of Caprine Dairy Herds. Journal of Parasitology 2018, 104, 560 -565.

AMA Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Katia Stradiotto, Emanuela Olivieri, Luca Villa, Maria Teresa Manfredi. Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Bulk Tank Milk Samples of Caprine Dairy Herds. Journal of Parasitology. 2018; 104 (5):560-565.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Katia Stradiotto; Emanuela Olivieri; Luca Villa; Maria Teresa Manfredi. 2018. "Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies in Bulk Tank Milk Samples of Caprine Dairy Herds." Journal of Parasitology 104, no. 5: 560-565.

Journal article
Published: 19 July 2018 in Open Veterinary Journal
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The most common cause of heart failure in the canine population is myxomatous mitral valve disease, sometimes complicated by chronic kidney disease. Many studies have been done on the use of symmetric dimethylarginine as biomarker of renal impairment in dogs affected by chronic kidney disease, few studies have examined his reliability as biomarker in dogs affected by heart diseases. Aim of this study was to evaluate symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs affected by mitral valve disease in order to assess his reliability in heart diseases. This was a retrospective case-control study on a clinical population of dogs affected by mitral valve disease (cases) vs healthy dogs (controls). Both groups underwent a complete physical evaluation, echocardiographic examination, complete blood count, biochemical panel, including serum creatinine and urea and urine analysis with protein-to-creatinine ratio. Serum was frozen and sent to IDEXX laboratories for symmetric dimethylarginine determination. General linear model was applied to data. A total number of 24 cases and 7 controls were included. Symmetric dimethylarginine value was in the reference value in the 75% (n=18) of cases, and in the 43% (n=3) of controls. Once set symmetric dimethylarginine as dependent variable, no statistical significant differences were found for each variable considered (breed, age, sex, weight, class of cardiomyopathy, presence/absence of valvular disease, presence/absence of congestive heart failure, pharmacological therapy, creatinine and urea concentration). Blood concentration of SDMA resulted not influenced by the variables mentioned above, so it could be considered a reliable marker of early renal impairment in dogs affected by mitral valve disease.Keywords: Biomarker, Cardiovascular-renal disorder, Dog, Myxomatous mitral valve disease, Symmetric dimethylarginine

ACS Style

Alice Savarese; Monica Probo; Chiara Locatelli; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Melissa Papa; Paola Giuseppina Brambilla. Reliability of symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease as kidney biomarker. Open Veterinary Journal 2018, 8, 318 -324.

AMA Style

Alice Savarese, Monica Probo, Chiara Locatelli, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Melissa Papa, Paola Giuseppina Brambilla. Reliability of symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease as kidney biomarker. Open Veterinary Journal. 2018; 8 (3):318-324.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alice Savarese; Monica Probo; Chiara Locatelli; Sergio Aurelio Zanzani; Alessia Libera Gazzonis; Melissa Papa; Paola Giuseppina Brambilla. 2018. "Reliability of symmetric dimethylarginine in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease as kidney biomarker." Open Veterinary Journal 8, no. 3: 318-324.