In the Bologna province, Emilia-Romagna region, a rapid hare population decline was noticeable from 2008: the captured hare for restocking in protected areas dropped from about 7,000 in 2007- ‘08 to 1,891 in 2014-’15. In the same period hunters (and mass-media) reported a sudden increase of hares infected by Taenia sp. larvae, whose appearance was consistent with T.pisiformis cysticerci. The aim of the survey was: i)to quantify the prevalence and abundance of cysticerci in hunted hares; ii)to identify the parasites through morphological features and molecular techniques; iii)to describe pathological aspects of parasite-induced lesions; iv)to evaluate possible genetic characters useful to assess the origin of the isolated hare parasites. In 2013, from September 15th to October 5th, the viscera of 54 hares haunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain (province of Bologna, ATC BO2) were collected. Peritoneum, liver and lungs were examined for cysticercosis; abundance was estimated counting superficial parasites in liver; parasites were microscopically identified by shape and measure of both large and small hooks. One cysticercus from each hare was analized by a PCR targeting Taeniid species (Trachsel et al, 2007, Parasitology, 134:911-920) and then sequenced. Classical histologycal techniques were used. The sex and the weight of animals were recorded by hunters; age class was assigned observing foreleg Stroh’s tubercle. Generalized linear models were used for statistical analysis. T. pisiformis was isolated in 8 hares (prevalence 14.8%; abundance range: 0-400; mean abundance 17.8). Identification was confirmed by both morphology and PCR. Infection was significantly related with female sex, adult age and low full-weight. Severe hepatitis was present in 1 infected hares only. The sequencing confirmed T.pisiformis in all samples. The sequences were all identical each-other and showed a 99% of similarity with a sequence from Japan, 97% with one from California and 94% with two from Germany and China, respectivey.
Stancampiano, L., Militerno, G., Cicognani, I., Cazzin, S., Capelli, G. (2016). CYSTICERCOSIS IN LEPUS EUROPAEUS HUNTED IN PLAIN AREAS OF BOLOGNA PROVINCE (EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION, ITALY).
CYSTICERCOSIS IN LEPUS EUROPAEUS HUNTED IN PLAIN AREAS OF BOLOGNA PROVINCE (EMILIA ROMAGNA REGION, ITALY)
STANCAMPIANO, LAURA;MILITERNO, GIANFRANCO;
2016
Abstract
In the Bologna province, Emilia-Romagna region, a rapid hare population decline was noticeable from 2008: the captured hare for restocking in protected areas dropped from about 7,000 in 2007- ‘08 to 1,891 in 2014-’15. In the same period hunters (and mass-media) reported a sudden increase of hares infected by Taenia sp. larvae, whose appearance was consistent with T.pisiformis cysticerci. The aim of the survey was: i)to quantify the prevalence and abundance of cysticerci in hunted hares; ii)to identify the parasites through morphological features and molecular techniques; iii)to describe pathological aspects of parasite-induced lesions; iv)to evaluate possible genetic characters useful to assess the origin of the isolated hare parasites. In 2013, from September 15th to October 5th, the viscera of 54 hares haunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain (province of Bologna, ATC BO2) were collected. Peritoneum, liver and lungs were examined for cysticercosis; abundance was estimated counting superficial parasites in liver; parasites were microscopically identified by shape and measure of both large and small hooks. One cysticercus from each hare was analized by a PCR targeting Taeniid species (Trachsel et al, 2007, Parasitology, 134:911-920) and then sequenced. Classical histologycal techniques were used. The sex and the weight of animals were recorded by hunters; age class was assigned observing foreleg Stroh’s tubercle. Generalized linear models were used for statistical analysis. T. pisiformis was isolated in 8 hares (prevalence 14.8%; abundance range: 0-400; mean abundance 17.8). Identification was confirmed by both morphology and PCR. Infection was significantly related with female sex, adult age and low full-weight. Severe hepatitis was present in 1 infected hares only. The sequencing confirmed T.pisiformis in all samples. The sequences were all identical each-other and showed a 99% of similarity with a sequence from Japan, 97% with one from California and 94% with two from Germany and China, respectivey.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
