Leishmania infantum is a protozoan causing human zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) and visceral–cutaneous canine leishmaniosis (CanL) in the Mediterranean Basin. L. infantum is able to infect a large number of wild and domestic species, including cats, dogs, and horses. Since the 1990s, clinical cases of equine leishmaniasis (EL), typically characterized by cutaneous forms, have been increasingly diagnosed worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of clinical forms of EL in CanL-endemic areas in Italy, where exposure of equine populations was ascertained from recent serological surveys. For this purpose, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded skin biopsies of 47 horses presenting chronic dermatitis compatible with EL were retrospectively selected for the study and subjected to conventional and q-PCR. A singular positivity for L. infantum was found; BLAST analysis of sequence amplicons revealed a 99–100% homology with L. infantum sequences. The histological examination revealed a nodular lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic infiltrate; immunohistochemistry showed rare macrophages containing numerous positive amastigotes. The present retrospective study reports, for the first time, a case of a cutaneous lesion by L. infantum occurring in an Italian horse. Pathological and healthy skin samples should be investigated on a larger scale to provide information on the potential clinical impact of EL in the practice, and to define the role of horses in epidemiological ZVL and CanL scenarios.

Parasites are considered important regulating factors of hosts’ population dynamics, not only in free-ranging wildlife, but also in captive bred animals. To date, only few studies have been carried out to assess the parasitic communities of the European brown hare in Southern Italy, and only one focused on animals in captivity. The aim of the present survey was to assess the composition of the endoparasite community in game hares bred for restocking purposes. For this purpose, 215 fecal pools collected in eight different breeding facilities were examined by qualitative and quantitative coprological techniques. Parasites characterized by a direct life cycle, including six species of coccidia from the genus Eimeria and the nematode Trichostrongylus retorataeformis, proved to be the most prevalent parasites. Further helminthic infestations by Passalurus ambiguous, Strongylosides papillosus, Cittotenia spp. and Dicrocoelium dendriticum were also detected, but with an overall prevalence lower than 20%. The present study contributes to increasing knowledge on the health status of a poorly investigated species, and is useful for optimizing breeding efforts in captivity.

Canine vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs) represent a challenge for veterinary transfusion medicine, since some can be transmitted by blood transfusion and are of zoonotic concern. Epidemiological data on CVBPs, obtained during 10 years of pre-donor screening (2012–2021) by a veterinary blood bank in central Italy, were used to conduct a retrospective epidemiological longitudinal survey. The results were obtained using the Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) conducted on sera in order to assess IgG antibodies against Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocythophilum, Babesia canis, and Rickettsia conorii; the modified Knott’s test and an ELISA kit were used to detect Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. In total, 324 out of the 1260 canine blood donors (25.71%) tested seropositive for at least one pathogen. The highest overall positive rate was detected for L. infantum (12.22%), followed by E. canis (2.30%), A. phagocytophilum (1.19%), D. repens (0.95%), D. immitis (0.32%), and B. canis (0.16%). From 2012 to 2014, a prevalence of 20.12% was recorded for R. conorii. Mixed infections were recorded in 21 dogs. For all the CVBPs investigated, significant differences (p < 0.05) were not observed over the period studied. The results evidenced a non-negligible prevalence of CVBPs in canine donors, which were selected based on strict criteria concerning regular endo- and ectoparasite controls. The results confirmed that the blood bank could be a reliable local epidemiological observatory. The need for implemented screening is discussed.

The ecological role and overlap with urban environments make wild carnivores useful epidemiological sentinels for several pathogens. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum and Encephalitozoon cuniculi in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Central and Southern Italy. Sera from 120 foxes were analyzed using IFAT with a 1:20 cut-off value. Overall, seropositivity was highest for T. gondii (68.5%), followed by E. cuniculi (15.0%) and N. caninum (3.3%). Multivariable logistic regression models with stepwise selection identified age class and location as significant predictor factors for T. gondii exposure, with adults and red foxes from Southern Italy showing higher levels of prevalence. No significant associations with epidemiological risk factors were detected for E. cuniculi or N. caninum. Co-infections were detected in 15% of red foxes with a statistically significant positive association between T. gondii and E. cuniculi. These findings highlight that red foxes, being scavengers, are particularly exposed to food-borne pathogens, especially to T. gondii, and prove once again that they are reliable epidemiological sentinels for parasites that circulate at the wild–domestic interface.

European hedgehogs are an important reservoir for many pathogens of health interest. Since hedgehogs live in close contact with humans, potential zoonotic fungi raise significant public health concerns, especially in areas with a high hedgehog density. From 2020 to 2023, 134 hedgehogs were surveyed for potential zoonotic fungi. Non-invasive methods were used, such as brushing live animals with a sterile toothbrush and taking oral and rectal swabs from deceased ones (86 animals). Dermatophytes were cultured on Dermasel agar and identified using molecular tools, while yeasts were isolated on Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol and determined using Candida Chromogenic agar (MicroBiolDiagnostici^®, Cagliari, Italy) and MALDI-TOF (Microflex LT Smart Biotyper with FlexControlBiotyper 3.4 software, Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for Candida albicans isolates. Dermatophytes were found in just one hedgehog (0.8%, 95% C.I.: 0–0.04), identified as Paraphyton mirabile. Yeasts were detected in 22 of 86 hedgehogs (25.6%, 95% C.I.: 16.4–34.8), with 25 isolates obtained, including 21 Candida albicans, 2 Yarrowia lipolytica, 1 Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, and 1 Meyerozyma guilliermondii. All C. albicans isolates showed a high susceptibility to the antimycotic panel tested. Monitoring zoonotic fungi harbored by European hedgehogs, as well as raising public awareness on the topic, is of great importance for public health.

Purpose of Review: Giardia duodenalis is a flagellate protozoan parasite of several mammals, that is transmitted via the fecal-oral route and causes gastrointestinal diarrheal illness. Molecular analyses of several genetic markers have classified G. duodenalis into eight assemblages (A to H) exhibiting different host specificities. Assemblages A and B have zoonotic potential and infect a broad range of hosts. The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is one of the wild species well-adapted to live in close proximity to humans. Therefore, surveying potential zoonotic parasites harbored by hedgehogs can also be of public health concern, particularly in urban settings with high animal densities. Recent findings: Coproparasitological examinations are routinely conducted on hedgehogs admitted to WildUmbria Wildlife Rescue Center. Giardia duodenalis cysts were found in the fecal flotation of a hedgehog and were further tested using a direct immunofluorescent assay and PCR-RFLP molecular analysis of the β-giardin gene for assemblage and sub-assemblage characterization. The RFLP protocol attributed the samples to the AI-like zoonotic assemblage. Additionally, trophozoites attached to the intestinal mucosa of the small intestine were detected via histological techniques. Summary: Although G. duodenalis has been detected in hedgehogs from several countries, it was never before reported in Italian hedgehogs. The identification of a zoonotic assemblage in hedgehogs suggests the potential for the parasite to be shared between wild and domestic environments, with pets possibly serving as bringing hosts.