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This study reports the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii in the brain of three striped dolphins (Stenella ceoruleoalba) found stranded on the Ligurian Sea coast of Italy between 2007 and 2008. These animals showed a severe, subacute to chronic, non-purulent, multifocal meningo-encephalitis, with the cerebral parenchyma of two dolphins harbouring protozoan cysts and zoites immunohistochemically linked to T. gondii. Molecular, phylogenetic and mutation scanning analyses showed the occurrence of Type II and of an atypical Type II T. gondii isolates in one and two dolphins, respectively. In spite of the different molecular patterns characterizing the above T. gondii genotypes, the brain lesions observed in the three animals showed common microscopic features, with no remarkable differences among them. The role of T. gondii in causing the meningo-encephalitis is herein discussed., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study we compared a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) rapid test (Snap CLATK Canine Leishmania Antibody Test Kit, IDEXX-Snap) with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot (WB) for the detection of Leishmania infantum antibodies in dogs. In total sera from 234 dogs were collected: 59 positives and 51 doubtful sera (IFA 1:40-1:80) from an L. infantum endemic area and 124 negative sera from a non-endemic area were tested. To evaluate the Snap CLATK's performances on whole blood, blood in EDTA and sera from 37 dogs were tested in parallel with Snap CLATK. Snap CLATK sensitivity and specificity compared to IFA were 91.1% and 99.2%, while compared to WB were 93.4% and 98.3%, respectively. When IFA doubtful sera (titers of 1:40 or 1:80) were tested Snap CLATK, using WB as reference, sensitivity and specificity were 90.9% and 100%, respectively. Moreover, a complete concordance was observed when Snap CLATK rapid assay was carried out on whole blood or sera from 37 dogs. The Snap CLATK has demonstrated simplicity and performance and can be considered a quick and reliable alternative for the diagnosis of L. infantum infection in dogs.

Canine infections with Leishmania infantum are important as a cause of serious disease in the dog and as a reservoir for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Accurate diagnosis of canine infections is essential to the veterinary community and for VL surveillance programs. A standardized ELISA using a purified recombinant antigen (rK39) specific to VL was compared to the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) as the standard. The ELISA was developed, optimized and evaluated using sera from 6368 dogs. The standardized ELISA and IFAT results were highly concordant. The timing and pattern of ELISA and IFAT seroconversion in dogs followed prospectively after natural infections were very similar. Antibodies reacting with rK39 were more common in asymptomatic canine infections than reported for subclinical human VL. The rK39 ELISA is a relatively simple and rapid assay for assessing the infection status of dogs, and is an alternative to IFAT, especially when screening large numbers of samples.

An epidemiological survey was carried out on the distribution of canine leishmaniasis in Western Liguria (Northern Italy). Blood sera from 21146 dogs collected from 1990 to 1996 were subjected to the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT). From 1990 to 1994 (16690 dogs), only monthly seroprevalences were calculated (min 14%-max 60.5%). Dog sera sampled from October 1994 to May 1996 (4456 dogs) were divided into two subgroups (I: October 1994-May 1995; II: October 1995-May 1996). Seroprevalence was 30.3% and 22.1% in these two groups, respectively. Data analysis by log-linear models revealed that serological positivity to Leishmania sp. was significantly associated with a dog's outdoor lifestyle, with a rural environment and with the male sex. Of the 218 dogs which were tested twice seroconversion rates were also higher in outdoor, rural and male dogs while negativization rates were lower in the same groups. Basic reproductive numbers (R0) were 1.53 (subgroup I) and 1.28 (subgroup II).