Tick-borne diseases of livestock in Italy: general review and results of recent studies carried out in the Apulia region.

The research article focuses on tick-borne diseases in livestock in Italy, with an emphasis on the southern region. It highlights the limited knowledge on these diseases, their vectors, and their impact on livestock production and calls for comprehensive epidemiological studies.

Introduction and Aim

• In this paper, the researchers aim to collate, present, and evaluate existing information on tick-borne diseases that affect horses, cattle, sheep, and goats in Italy, especially in the southern regions. The focus is on babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and theileriosis.
• The researchers also underline that there is a dearth of detailed knowledge regarding the species of parasites present, their vectors, distribution, prevalence, and their overall effect on livestock production. They emphasize the need for more focused studies to comprehensively understand the epidemiology of these tick-borne diseases.

Methodology and Results

• The researchers conducted a specific study in the Apulia region. They tested 1,648 cattle for Anaplasma marginale infection using the Card Agglutination Test.
• The results showed a seroprevalence of 17% of Anaplasma marginale infection in the tested cattle. This study helped in assessing the prevalence of anaplasmosis in the Apulia region.
• Another study conducted by the researchers in the same region tested 60 cows for Theileria spp. infection, showing that 78% of the tested samples were infected with the parasite.
• In subsequent testing using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT), the researchers identified the Theileria species as Theileria buffeli/orientalis. This highlights the relatively high prevalence of theileriosis in the tested livestock population in the Apulia region of Italy.

Significance

• The current understanding of tick-borne diseases in livestock in Italy is fragmentary, and this paper contributes to it by shedding light on the prevalence of anaplasmosis and theileriosis in the Apulia region.
• The findings underscore the need for vigilance and the enhancement of control measures against tick-borne diseases in the area to improve livestock health and productivity.
• The prevalence observed in the study indicates that other regions might potentially be at similar risks, necessitating national and regional epidemiological studies.