Stefano Giacomelli

The present work intend to expose the results of a 9 year long parasitological survey on wild avian fauna. The main goal is to update the checklist of the Italian fauna for the Phthiraptera order with the first signalement of Myrsidea quadrimaculata in Italy. Moreover in this publication we try to explain the differences found in prevalence from species specific and generalist parasites. In the meta-population studied it seems that generalist lice have a greater chance to colonize a single species. Some example are presented as a validation of this theory (Streptopelia decaocto and Parus major) and the example of Turdus merula as a exception to this paradigm. Lastly we show the poor parasitological situation of Erithacus rubecula in Italy.

Alpha-naphtyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining was performed on 22 peripheral blood smears obtained from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and alpine ibex (Capra ibex), collected in Sondrio and Brescia province, Italy. ANAE is a lysosomal enzyme that participates in cytotoxic effects and it was detected primarily in monocytes and T-lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to better discriminate mononuclear cells in blood smears, to collect data about subject's immunocompetence and characterise their response to stressful stimuli.

Tularemia is a rare zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. This bacterium has been recovered from numerous animal species and can be transmitted to humans through different routes of transmission. In Europe, only F. tularensis subsp. holarctica (type B) was reported. In Italy, most human infections are caused by ingestion of contaminated drinking water and more rarely after contacts with infected animals such as hares or arthropod bites. In Italy, infected hares are found in different regions in particular in Northern and Central Italy representing a potential risk for exposed humans and animals.

The study was carried out on 70 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) carcasses sent to our laboratory for diagnostic purposes between November 2012 and November 2013. The animals were mostly collected after car accident or found dead (n.33) in the province of Sondrio or died at a local rescue center (n.37). During routine necropsy facial and inguinal areas were examined for lice detection. An “infestation score” was calculated (mild – medium – severe) according to the number of lice collected. Some (1350) lice collected from the rostral part of the face area (nose and chin) were stored in 70% ethanol for species, sex and age characterization through dichotomical keys. 22 out of 70 (31%) roe deer were found visually infested by lice. Damalinia (Cervicola) meyeri, the typical louse of roe deer, is the only species of louse identified and, despite the severe dermatitis and massive infestation observed, we couldn’t find any exotic and more pathogenic species as reported for cervids in North A...