ARTHROPOD-BORNE PARASITIC DISEASES IN WILD AND DOMESTIC FELIDS IN NORTH-EASTERN ITALY

Cytauxzoonosis, hepatozoonosis and dirofilariosis are vector-borne diseases transmitted by arthropods (i.e., ticks and mosquitos). Felids could be susceptible to blood-feeding vectors and, consequently, to all of these diseases, nevertheless, the awareness of VBDs in these animals is still lacking. During the past decades, arthropod-borne diseases in felines have stimulated the interest of the Scientific Community and epidemiological studies on Cytauxzoon spp., Hepatozoon spp. and Dirofilaria immitis are increased in Europe. Nevertheless, the presence and distribution of Cytauxzoon spp. and Hepatozoon spp. in Italy are still scant and mostly limited to a few areas of Northern and Southern regions, respectively. Although canine Heartworm (HW) is endemic in North-eastern Italy, very little information has been recorded in felids. Cytauxzoon and Hepatozoon are vector-borne parasites, even if the involved arthropod vector/s are not still known. Recently, Hepatozoon DNA was detected only in some species of engorged ticks suggesting that those tick species could act as a vector. Nonetheless, the vectorial competence of ticks in Cytauxzoon spp. and Hepatozoon spp. transmission is not yet proved by scientific studies. Stained blood smears are a not-sensitive method for these hemoprotozoa diagnosis due to the low parasitaemia. Molecular analyses are strongly recommended since they present higher sensitivity (i.e., conventional PCR and real-time PCR). Dirofilaria immitis has an elusive nature leading to unpredictable effect on cat host. Indeed, the heartworm disease diagnosis is difficult. In addition, no single test is able to detect D. immitis in each of its stages in felid hosts and multiple diagnostic methods are necessary to confirm the infestation. The present research project aims to provide new data on the circulation of Cytauxzoon spp., Hepatozoon spp. and D. immitis and to update the current epidemiological scenario in North-eastern Italy (i.e. Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige regions) i) improving the knowledge on the presence and distribution of the considered parasites in different felid species (i.e., domestic cats, wildcats, exotic captive felids); (ii) investigating on the possible role of ticks in the transmission of Hepatozoon spp. and Cytauxzoon spp., and (iii) developing diagnostic protocols to provide fast and sensitive screening procedures.