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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Besnoitiosis in donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease of eq...
Parasitology research2021; 120(5); 1811-1819; doi: 10.1007/s00436-021-07089-9

Besnoitiosis in donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease of equids in Italy.

Abstract: Besnoitiosis is an emerging parasitic disease of equids. Italy is one of the few European countries where the circulation of Besnoitia spp. antibodies was demonstrated. In this study, a case of clinical besnoitiosis in two donkeys in northern Italy is reported. The two animals were clinically examined. Serum and blood samples were analyzed for the detection of Besnoitia spp. antibodies and for hematology, biochemistry, and enzyme activity, respectively. ITS-1 PCR and sequencing were carried out on DNA extracted from skin biopsies. Clinical examination revealed numerous scleral pearls in eyes of both animals; alopecia and hyperkeratosis with skin nodules in the region of the neck, hind leg, and on the pinnae were detected. No cysts were evidenced by endoscopy in respiratory and genital tracts. Both animals resulted seropositive to Besnoitia spp. antibodies by Western Blot. Hematology evidenced light anemia, leukocytosis with eosinophilia, and lymphocytosis; biochemistry and enzyme activity revealed hypoalbuminemia with decreased albumin/globulin ratio and elevated alkaline phosphatase values. Parasitic DNA extracted from skin biopsies of both donkeys demonstrated a homology of 100% with Besnoitia spp. This first clinical case of besnoitiosis in two donkeys in Italy both confirms the circulation of Besnoitia spp. in Italian equids and demonstrates that the distribution area of equine besnoitiosis in Europe could be wider than expected. Further studies are needed to infer its relevance, in relation to seroprevalence and clinical disease, and to identify the species of Besnoitia infecting donkeys. Besnoitiosis may be a neglected disease of donkeys in Europe: an early and accurate diagnosis is fundamental to implement adequate control measures to prevent a "silent" spread of Besnoitia spp. infection in equids populations.
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Publication Date: 2021-03-16 PubMed ID: 33723661PubMed Central: PMC8084774DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07089-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper discusses the identification and occurrence of Besnoitiosis, a parasitic disease, in two donkeys located in Italy. The study aims to highlight the need for further research into this emerging disease in Europe and the potential wider distribution than currently anticipated.

Objectives

  • The study seeks identification and analysis of the impact of Besnoitiosis—a parasitic disease—in two donkeys found in Northern Italy.
  • It also aims to discuss implications for the current understanding of the distribution and prevalence of the disease in Europe.
  • Further, it strives to stress the need for more comprehensive studies on the specific Besnoitia species causing infections in donkeys and the relevance of their presence.

Methods

  • The donkeys were examined clinically while their serum and blood samples were analyzed for detection of Besnoitia spp. antibodies as well as hematology, biochemistry, and enzyme activity.
  • ITS-1 PCR and sequencing were performed on DNA extracted from skin biopsies.
  • The animals’ general health, like eye conditions, skin condition, etc. were checked and recorded.

Findings

  • Clinical examination revealed various symptoms such as scleral pearls in the eyes, alopecia, and hyperkeratosis with skin nodules in the region of the neck, hind leg, and on the pinnae. No cysts were found in respiratory and genital tracts.
  • Results from Western Blot tests showed that both animals were seropositive to Besnoitia spp. antibodies.
  • Issues such as light anemia, leukocytosis with eosinophilia, and lymphocytosis were found with hematology.
  • Hypoalbuminemia was identified with a decreased albumin/globulin ratio and elevated alkaline phosphatase values through biochemistry and enzyme activity.
  • The parasitic DNA from skin biopsies of the donkeys showed a 100% homology with Besnoitia spp.

Implications

  • This study confirms the circulation of Besnoitia spp. in Italian equids and suggests that the distribution area could actually be broader than initially thought.
  • The research concludes that Besnoitiosis could be a neglected disease among donkeys in Europe and recognized the importance of early diagnosis and control measures to prevent further spread among equid populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Diezma-Diaz C, Perlotti C, Zanzani SA, Ferrucci F, Álvarez-García G, Manfredi MT. (2021). Besnoitiosis in donkeys: an emerging parasitic disease of equids in Italy. Parasitol Res, 120(5), 1811-1819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07089-9

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 120
Issue: 5
Pages: 1811-1819

Researcher Affiliations

Villa, Luca
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy. luca.villa@unimi.it.
Gazzonis, Alessia Libera
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
Diezma-Diaz, Carlos
  • SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
Perlotti, Chiara
  • , Brescia, Italy.
Zanzani, Sergio Aurelio
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
Ferrucci, Francesco
  • Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.
Álvarez-García, Gema
  • SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
Manfredi, Maria Teresa
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary
  • Communicable Diseases, Emerging / veterinary
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Sarcocystidae / genetics
  • Skin / parasitology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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  2. Arrabal JP, Moré G, Orozco MM, Helman E, Notarnicola J, Basso W, Hartmann BB, Schapira A, Minatel L. A putative new Besnoitia species in the southern black-eared opossum Didelphis aurita. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2024 Dec;25:100998.
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