Stefania Perrucci | University of Pisa (original) (raw)
Papers by Stefania Perrucci
Experimental Parasitology, 2007
Veterinary parasitology, Jan 3, 2001
Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine leishmaniasis in Mediterranean countries, and Neospora c... more Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine leishmaniasis in Mediterranean countries, and Neospora caninum, a recently recognized protozoal pathogen in dogs, were diagnosed in a 9-month-old Argentine Dogo dog. Both skin lesions and neurological signs were present. Histopathology of cutaneous lesions revealed a suppurative, diffuse dermatitis with numerous intracellular protozoa. Serology was positive for both L. infantum (1:640) and N. caninum (1:800). Double-label immunohistochemical staining of skin samples with hyperimmune serum from L. infantum-infected dogs was positive for protozoa within macrophages, while the polyclonal antibody specific for N. caninum showed positive reactions for protozoa in endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the infection with both protozoa. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first case of simultaneous infection with L. infantum and N. caninum in a dog. It is possible that the immunosuppressive effect...
RIASSUNTO Nel presente studio è stata eseguita una indagine sulle distomatosi (fasciolosi, dicroc... more RIASSUNTO Nel presente studio è stata eseguita una indagine sulle distomatosi (fasciolosi, dicroceliosi e paramfistomosi) in un allevamento di pecora Zerasca, una razza ovina autoctona mai con- siderata prima in studi parassitologici. Oltre a valutare la presenza di queste infezioni, è stato eseguito uno studio sistematico sulla loro variabilità nel corso dell'anno sia al fine di opera- re un confronto con quanto riportato in letteratura riguardo altre razze ovine italiane, che di valutare la necessità di interventi di controllo terapeutici e profilattici. A tal fine, sono stati sottoposti ad analisi parassitologiche campioni fecali individuali di 40 soggetti non trattati, con cadenza mensile e per un periodo di un anno. Le percentuali di positività mensile e sta- gionale riscontrate nel caso della dicroceliosi e della paramfistomosi sono risultate elevate, dimostrando che l'allevamento si trova in un'area fortemente contaminata ed a rischio di per- dite produttive. L...
Veterinary Parasitology, 2013
Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal and lung parasites were investigated in 239 owned dogs ... more Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal and lung parasites were investigated in 239 owned dogs and 81 owned cats from central Italy. In 36 dogs and 20 cats found infected by nematodes, pre and post-treatment faecal egg count (FEC) was also evaluated. About 31% of dogs and about 35% of cats resulted positive for at least one intestinal or lung parasitic species. Helminthic, intestinal and zoonotic infections resulted prevalent in examined animals. Examined dogs resulted infected by Toxocara canis (13.0%), Toxascaris leonina (1.7%), Trichuris vulpis (3.3%), Ancylostoma caninum (2.0%), Uncinaria stenocephala (1.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.8%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (0.4%), Dipylidium caninum (1.25%), Taeniidae eggs (0.4%), Giardia duodenalis (3.8%), and Cystoisospora (Isospora) spp. (7.5%). Examined cats were infected by Toxocara cati (22.2%), Capillaria aerophila (1.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeformae (1.2%), U. stenocephala (3.7%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (1.2%), Mesocestoides sp. (1.2%), D. caninum (1.2%), G. duodenalis (1.2%) and Cystoisospora spp. (4.5%). The presence of clinical signs and the young age (less than 6 months) were identified as risk factors by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. In 63.9% treated dogs and in 80.0% treated cats, percentages of post-treatment FEC reduction higher than 90% were found. Results obtained in this study are discussed.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2011
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 1998
Tibetan siskins are birds native to the Himalayan region often imported into Italy for commercial... more Tibetan siskins are birds native to the Himalayan region often imported into Italy for commercial purposes. Fecal examination of 45 imported subjects with clinical signs of diarrhoea revealed the presence of a large number of coccidian oocysts. After sporulation, accomplished by mixing feces with 2.5% (w/v) aqueous K2Cr2O7 at room temperature (22 degrees C +/- 1 degree C), exogenous stages of an Isospora species were revealed. The oocysts of this Isospora are spherical, have a bilayered colorless wall, and average 23.24 microm x 23.05 microm; oocyst residuum and micropyle are absent, while an oval polar granule is rarely present. The elliptical sporocysts average 18.44 microm x 10.97 microm and the Stieda body protrudes slightly from the end of the sporocyst. A spherical sporocyst residuum, is present though it sometimes consists of scattered granules. The spindle-shaped sporozoites average 11.53 microm x 2.86 microm, and have two refractile bodies. The taxonomic position of the tibetan siskin is controversial. Some authors include this species in the genus Serinus, while others include it in the genus Carduelis. The coccidian species isolated from these tibetan siskins was, for this reason, compared with the Isospora species previously described both in the genus Carduelis and in the genus Serinus. As a result of this comparison a new species, Isospora thibetana, was named. In the intestine of dead subjects, oocysts were found only in the ileum where the mucosa was greatly thickened and presented a heavy leucocytic infiltration consisting mainly of lympho-monocytic cells. A similar infiltration was observed in liver and lungs as well.
Phytotherapy Research, 1995
Parasitology Research, 2006
The inhibitory activity of mangiferin (50 mg/kg/die and 100 mg/kg/die) on Cryptosporidium parvum ... more The inhibitory activity of mangiferin (50 mg/kg/die and 100 mg/kg/die) on Cryptosporidium parvum was evaluated in a neonatal mouse model and its activity was compared with that of paromomycin (100 mg/kg/die). At 4 days of age, neonatal Swiss conventional outbred mice were experimentally infected by oral administration of 10(4) oocysts/animal of C. parvum and treated orally for 10 consecutive days, starting 7 days after the experimental infection. One group of mice was left untreated. To evaluate the efficacy of mangiferin, from euthanised mice, 3-mum-thick tissue sections of the intestine were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid Schiff. Immunohistochemistry was also used by employing a monoclonal anti-C. parvum antibody. Oocysts were counted and results were expressed as mean oocysts number/intestine. Results obtained show that mangiferin at 100 mg/kg/die has a significant anticryptosporidial activity and that its activity is similar to that showed by the same dose (100 mg/kg/die) of paromomycin. However, both mangiferin and paromomycin were not able to completely inhibit intestinal colonization of C. parvum but only to reduce it. This reduction was calculated at over 80% for both mangiferin and paromomycin with respect to the untreated control. A significant activity was found also for mangiferin at 50 mg/kg/die only after the end of treatment.
Parasitology Research, 2008
Parasites & Vectors, 2009
Parasites & Vectors, 2009
Mycoses, 2009
... Of the tested oils, those obtained from Cinnamomum qylanicum, Ocimum gra-tissimum, Cymbopogon... more ... Of the tested oils, those obtained from Cinnamomum qylanicum, Ocimum gra-tissimum, Cymbopogon citratus, Eugenia unzflora and Alpinia speciosa were found to be the most active, inhibiting 80% of the dermatophyte strains tested and producing inhibition zones more than ...
Research in Veterinary Science, 2014
Veterinary Parasitology, 2008
Veterinary Parasitology, 2015
Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the ... more Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the nasal turbinates, frontal and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of nasal eucoleosis is fragmentary, despite the infection has been described from Europe and North America. Moreover, gaps exist in information available on the importance of the disease in canine clinical practice. The lack of knowledge on E. böhmi is likely due to limitations inherent to diagnostic methodologies. The aim of the present work was to assess a PCR-based assay instrumental to the amplification of a species-specific region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene encoding for the subunit 1 (cox1) gene of E. böhmi. Adult worms of E. böhmi from red foxes and dogs from Norway, Serbia and Italy and individual fecal samples from naturally infected dogs from Italy were included in the study. Stool samples from dogs negative for E. böhmi, but positive for other common parasites in both single and mixed infections, and adult stages of common dog parasites, were used to assess the specificity of this genetic assay. Using the panel of faecal samples, the assay showed a sensitivity of 85.14% and a specificity of 100%.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2015
Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the ... more Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the nasal turbinates, frontal and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of nasal eucoleosis is fragmentary, despite the infection has been described from Europe and North America. Moreover, gaps exist in information available on the importance of the disease in canine clinical practice. The lack of knowledge on E. böhmi is likely due to limitations inherent to diagnostic methodologies. The aim of the present work was to assess a PCR-based assay instrumental to the amplification of a species-specific region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene encoding for the subunit 1 (cox1) gene of E. böhmi. Adult worms of E. böhmi from red foxes and dogs from Norway, Serbia and Italy and individual fecal samples from naturally infected dogs from Italy were included in the study. Stool samples from dogs negative for E. böhmi, but positive for other common parasites in both single and mixed infections, and adult stages of common dog parasites, were used to assess the specificity of this genetic assay. Using the panel of faecal samples, the assay showed a sensitivity of 85.14% and a specificity of 100%.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2004
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 1997
Experimental Parasitology, 2007
Veterinary parasitology, Jan 3, 2001
Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine leishmaniasis in Mediterranean countries, and Neospora c... more Leishmania infantum, the agent of canine leishmaniasis in Mediterranean countries, and Neospora caninum, a recently recognized protozoal pathogen in dogs, were diagnosed in a 9-month-old Argentine Dogo dog. Both skin lesions and neurological signs were present. Histopathology of cutaneous lesions revealed a suppurative, diffuse dermatitis with numerous intracellular protozoa. Serology was positive for both L. infantum (1:640) and N. caninum (1:800). Double-label immunohistochemical staining of skin samples with hyperimmune serum from L. infantum-infected dogs was positive for protozoa within macrophages, while the polyclonal antibody specific for N. caninum showed positive reactions for protozoa in endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the infection with both protozoa. This is, to the authors' knowledge, the first case of simultaneous infection with L. infantum and N. caninum in a dog. It is possible that the immunosuppressive effect...
RIASSUNTO Nel presente studio è stata eseguita una indagine sulle distomatosi (fasciolosi, dicroc... more RIASSUNTO Nel presente studio è stata eseguita una indagine sulle distomatosi (fasciolosi, dicroceliosi e paramfistomosi) in un allevamento di pecora Zerasca, una razza ovina autoctona mai con- siderata prima in studi parassitologici. Oltre a valutare la presenza di queste infezioni, è stato eseguito uno studio sistematico sulla loro variabilità nel corso dell'anno sia al fine di opera- re un confronto con quanto riportato in letteratura riguardo altre razze ovine italiane, che di valutare la necessità di interventi di controllo terapeutici e profilattici. A tal fine, sono stati sottoposti ad analisi parassitologiche campioni fecali individuali di 40 soggetti non trattati, con cadenza mensile e per un periodo di un anno. Le percentuali di positività mensile e sta- gionale riscontrate nel caso della dicroceliosi e della paramfistomosi sono risultate elevate, dimostrando che l'allevamento si trova in un'area fortemente contaminata ed a rischio di per- dite produttive. L...
Veterinary Parasitology, 2013
Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal and lung parasites were investigated in 239 owned dogs ... more Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal and lung parasites were investigated in 239 owned dogs and 81 owned cats from central Italy. In 36 dogs and 20 cats found infected by nematodes, pre and post-treatment faecal egg count (FEC) was also evaluated. About 31% of dogs and about 35% of cats resulted positive for at least one intestinal or lung parasitic species. Helminthic, intestinal and zoonotic infections resulted prevalent in examined animals. Examined dogs resulted infected by Toxocara canis (13.0%), Toxascaris leonina (1.7%), Trichuris vulpis (3.3%), Ancylostoma caninum (2.0%), Uncinaria stenocephala (1.25%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.8%), Angiostrongylus vasorum (0.4%), Dipylidium caninum (1.25%), Taeniidae eggs (0.4%), Giardia duodenalis (3.8%), and Cystoisospora (Isospora) spp. (7.5%). Examined cats were infected by Toxocara cati (22.2%), Capillaria aerophila (1.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeformae (1.2%), U. stenocephala (3.7%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (1.2%), Mesocestoides sp. (1.2%), D. caninum (1.2%), G. duodenalis (1.2%) and Cystoisospora spp. (4.5%). The presence of clinical signs and the young age (less than 6 months) were identified as risk factors by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. In 63.9% treated dogs and in 80.0% treated cats, percentages of post-treatment FEC reduction higher than 90% were found. Results obtained in this study are discussed.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2011
The Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology, 1998
Tibetan siskins are birds native to the Himalayan region often imported into Italy for commercial... more Tibetan siskins are birds native to the Himalayan region often imported into Italy for commercial purposes. Fecal examination of 45 imported subjects with clinical signs of diarrhoea revealed the presence of a large number of coccidian oocysts. After sporulation, accomplished by mixing feces with 2.5% (w/v) aqueous K2Cr2O7 at room temperature (22 degrees C +/- 1 degree C), exogenous stages of an Isospora species were revealed. The oocysts of this Isospora are spherical, have a bilayered colorless wall, and average 23.24 microm x 23.05 microm; oocyst residuum and micropyle are absent, while an oval polar granule is rarely present. The elliptical sporocysts average 18.44 microm x 10.97 microm and the Stieda body protrudes slightly from the end of the sporocyst. A spherical sporocyst residuum, is present though it sometimes consists of scattered granules. The spindle-shaped sporozoites average 11.53 microm x 2.86 microm, and have two refractile bodies. The taxonomic position of the tibetan siskin is controversial. Some authors include this species in the genus Serinus, while others include it in the genus Carduelis. The coccidian species isolated from these tibetan siskins was, for this reason, compared with the Isospora species previously described both in the genus Carduelis and in the genus Serinus. As a result of this comparison a new species, Isospora thibetana, was named. In the intestine of dead subjects, oocysts were found only in the ileum where the mucosa was greatly thickened and presented a heavy leucocytic infiltration consisting mainly of lympho-monocytic cells. A similar infiltration was observed in liver and lungs as well.
Phytotherapy Research, 1995
Parasitology Research, 2006
The inhibitory activity of mangiferin (50 mg/kg/die and 100 mg/kg/die) on Cryptosporidium parvum ... more The inhibitory activity of mangiferin (50 mg/kg/die and 100 mg/kg/die) on Cryptosporidium parvum was evaluated in a neonatal mouse model and its activity was compared with that of paromomycin (100 mg/kg/die). At 4 days of age, neonatal Swiss conventional outbred mice were experimentally infected by oral administration of 10(4) oocysts/animal of C. parvum and treated orally for 10 consecutive days, starting 7 days after the experimental infection. One group of mice was left untreated. To evaluate the efficacy of mangiferin, from euthanised mice, 3-mum-thick tissue sections of the intestine were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid Schiff. Immunohistochemistry was also used by employing a monoclonal anti-C. parvum antibody. Oocysts were counted and results were expressed as mean oocysts number/intestine. Results obtained show that mangiferin at 100 mg/kg/die has a significant anticryptosporidial activity and that its activity is similar to that showed by the same dose (100 mg/kg/die) of paromomycin. However, both mangiferin and paromomycin were not able to completely inhibit intestinal colonization of C. parvum but only to reduce it. This reduction was calculated at over 80% for both mangiferin and paromomycin with respect to the untreated control. A significant activity was found also for mangiferin at 50 mg/kg/die only after the end of treatment.
Parasitology Research, 2008
Parasites & Vectors, 2009
Parasites & Vectors, 2009
Mycoses, 2009
... Of the tested oils, those obtained from Cinnamomum qylanicum, Ocimum gra-tissimum, Cymbopogon... more ... Of the tested oils, those obtained from Cinnamomum qylanicum, Ocimum gra-tissimum, Cymbopogon citratus, Eugenia unzflora and Alpinia speciosa were found to be the most active, inhibiting 80% of the dermatophyte strains tested and producing inhibition zones more than ...
Research in Veterinary Science, 2014
Veterinary Parasitology, 2008
Veterinary Parasitology, 2015
Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the ... more Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the nasal turbinates, frontal and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of nasal eucoleosis is fragmentary, despite the infection has been described from Europe and North America. Moreover, gaps exist in information available on the importance of the disease in canine clinical practice. The lack of knowledge on E. böhmi is likely due to limitations inherent to diagnostic methodologies. The aim of the present work was to assess a PCR-based assay instrumental to the amplification of a species-specific region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene encoding for the subunit 1 (cox1) gene of E. böhmi. Adult worms of E. böhmi from red foxes and dogs from Norway, Serbia and Italy and individual fecal samples from naturally infected dogs from Italy were included in the study. Stool samples from dogs negative for E. böhmi, but positive for other common parasites in both single and mixed infections, and adult stages of common dog parasites, were used to assess the specificity of this genetic assay. Using the panel of faecal samples, the assay showed a sensitivity of 85.14% and a specificity of 100%.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2015
Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the ... more Eucoleus böhmi (syn. Capillaria boehmi) is a trichuroid nematode affecting the epithelium of the nasal turbinates, frontal and paranasal sinuses of wild and domestic canids. Knowledge of the geographic distribution of nasal eucoleosis is fragmentary, despite the infection has been described from Europe and North America. Moreover, gaps exist in information available on the importance of the disease in canine clinical practice. The lack of knowledge on E. böhmi is likely due to limitations inherent to diagnostic methodologies. The aim of the present work was to assess a PCR-based assay instrumental to the amplification of a species-specific region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene encoding for the subunit 1 (cox1) gene of E. böhmi. Adult worms of E. böhmi from red foxes and dogs from Norway, Serbia and Italy and individual fecal samples from naturally infected dogs from Italy were included in the study. Stool samples from dogs negative for E. böhmi, but positive for other common parasites in both single and mixed infections, and adult stages of common dog parasites, were used to assess the specificity of this genetic assay. Using the panel of faecal samples, the assay showed a sensitivity of 85.14% and a specificity of 100%.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2004
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 1997