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Bitto Storico cheese is a raw milk seasonal cheese produced in the Orobic Alps, whose production is closely associated to local traditional activities and alpine pastures. The aim of this work was to characterize the microbiota diversity and the volatile fractions of cheese produced in different alpine pasture areas. Fifty-four Bitto Storico cheeses samples, produced in six different Alpine pastures, were collected and processed. Bacterial DNA was extracted using an optimized protocol and 16S rRNA gene amplicons on V3-V4 region analyzed by Miseq (Illumina). The volatile fraction was characterized by means of Solid Phase Extraction-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). The microbial community of ripened cheese was mainly dominated by Firmicutes phylum with a high abundance of Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae. Each Alpine area was characterized by peculiar bacterial communities, due, probably, to the pasture composition and the cheesemaking process. A total of 24 volatile compounds resulting from microbial activity and diet were found, the formers being mostly alcohols and esters, the latter being terpenes derived directly from the pasture.

Summary An epidemiological survey for dourine was carried out in 1975/6 in a zone of about 1,500 km. in the Abruzzi Region. The total equine population of the area, on the basis of official census data, was estimated to be about 3,000 head. Three blood samples collected from each of the 2,841 horses and 1,958 asses were examined for Trypanosoma equiperdum antibody by complement fixation (CF). The average prevalence rate in the whole population was 7.4%. Compared to the population average rate, a statistically higher rate was found in 6 municipalities, a lower rate in 1 municipality, and an average rate in 7 municipalities; 6 municipalities were found free of infection. Trypanosoma equiperdum antibody was found in 18.1% of the stallions, 6.8% of the mares, 6.6% of geldings, 4.5% of immature males, 5.4% of immature females, and 1.3% of she-asses. The reactor rate in mares submitted to controlled stud stations was 8.1%, while in mares of uncontrolled studs it was 8.6%. In stallions from the authorized stud stations the reactor rate was 24.1%, in those used for unauthorized studs 16.7%. The prevalence rate was directly proportional to the population density of each of the 3 sub-zones in which the entire territory was divided for geographical reasons. On the basis of the statistical analysis of the results, hypotheses are formulated on the mode of spread of the disease in the population. If the existing Regulations in Italy governing the authorization and periodical veterinary control of all stallions could be enforced the disease could probably be eradicated. Zusammenfassung Epidemiologie der Dourine innerhalb der Pferdepopulation der Abruzzen Die Dourine-Epidemiologie wurde innerhalb einer 3000 Pferde umfassenden Region der Abruzzen (Flache 1500 km2) untersucht. Von 2841 Pferden und 1958 Eseln wurden je drei Serumproben in der Komplementbindung auf Antikorper gegen Trypanosoma equiperdum untersucht. Das Mittel positiver Tiere der Gesamtpopulation lag bei 7,4%. In 6 Verwaltungsbezirken lag der Durchschnitt hoher, in einem tiefer, 6 Bezirke erwiesen sich als negativ. Antikorper konnten bei 18,1% der untersuchten Hengste, 6,8% der Stuten, 6,6% der Wallache, 4,5% der Junghengste, 5,4% der Jungstuten und 1,3% der Eselinnen nachgewiesen werden. Stuten in kontrollierten Gestuten reagierten zu 8,1%, Hengste zu 24,1%. In unkontrollierten Betrieben betrugen die entsprechenden Werte 8,6% und 16,7%. Eine direkte Proportion bestand hinsichtlich Populationsdichte und Reagenten. Diese Ergebnisse sind die Grundlage einer Diskussion uber die Epidemiologie der Dourine in der untersuchten Population. Kontrolle der Hengste konnte die Eradication der Krankheit ermoglichen. Resume Epidemiologie de la dourine dans une population equine des Abruzzes L'epidemiologie de la dourine a eti examinee sur une population de 3000 chevaux dans une region des Abruzzes (surface 1500 km2). On a recherche par la methode de fixation du complement des anticorps contre Trypanosoma equiperdum dans 3 echantillons de serum de 2841 chevaux et 1958 ânes. La moyenne des animaux positifs de la population totale se situe vers 7,4%. La moyenne fut plus elevee dans 6 circonscriptions, plus basse dans une et 6 regions se sont revelees negatives. On a pu mettre en evidence des anticorps chez 18,1% des etalons examinees, 6,8% des juments, 6,6% des hongres, 4,5% des jeunes etalons, 5,4% des jeunes juments et 1,3% des ânesses. 8,1% des juments et 24,1% des etalons ont reagi dans des haras controles. Ces valeurs furent de 8,6% et 16,7% dans des exploitations non controlees. Une proportion directe existe entre la densite de population et les animaux positifs. Ces resultats sont la base d'une discussion sur l'epidemiologie de la dourine dans la population examinee. Le controle des etalons devait rendre possible une eradication de la maladie. Resumen Epidemiologia de la durina en la poblacion equina de los Abruzos Se estudio la epidemiologia de la durina dentro de la region italiana de los Abruzos (superficie 1.500 km.), la cual alberga unos 3.000 caballos. De 2.841 caballos y 1.958 burros se analizaron cada vez tres muestras sericas con la fijacion del complemento en cuanto a la presencia de anticuerpos frente a Trypanosoma equiperdum. La media de animales positivos entre la poblacion total era del orden del 7,4%. En 6 distritos administrativos se hallaba una media mas elevada, en uno mas baja, mientras que 6 se mostraron como negativos. Se pudieron identificar anticuerpos en el 18,1% de los caballos examinados, el 6,8% de las yeguas, el 6,6% de los espadones, el 4,5% de los machos jovenes, el 5,4% de las yeguas jovenes y el 1,3% de las burras. Las yeguas reaccionaban en las remontas controladas en un 8,1%, mientras que los machos en un 24,1%. En las explotaciones no controladas ascendian los valores correspondientes a 8,6% y 16,7%. Existia una proporcion directa con respecto a la densidad de poblacion y los reaccionantes. Estos resultados son el fundamento de una discusion sobre la epidemiologia de la durina en la poblacion examinada. El control de los caballos enteros podria hacer posible la erradicacion de la enfermedad.

The socio-economic impact of echinococcosis, with special reference to cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is reviewed. The following items are discussed: socio-economic consequences in humans; economic consequences in livestock; costs and benefits of control programmes; economic evaluation of control programmes; social reasons favouring the life cycle of CE; social, political and economic situations hindering the control of echinococcosis. Many consequences are difficult to evaluate from an economic point of view. However, many evaluations have shown that CE is an important (often neglected) public health and economic problem, especially in endemic areas, and that the socio-economic evaluation of its consequences and of control actions proves indispensable to best use available resources and possibly tailor control strategies.

Effetto di due diete arricchite con acidi grassi polinsaturi (PUFA) sul trascrittoma della ghiandola mammaria e sulla composizione in acidi grassi del latte caprino

Il Bitto Storico è un formaggio d'alpeggio a latte crudo, prodotto nei mesi estivi sulle Prealpi Orobie, in alpeggi che praticano il pascolo turnato. La produzione di questo formaggio è strettamente legata ad attività tradizionali che valorizzano la biodiversità alpina delle zone di produzione. Il disciplinare di produzione prevede, infatti, l'utilizzo di Iatte crudo che deve essere lavorato a caldo entro 1 ora dal termine della mungitura e vieta di integrare l'alimentazione del bestiame con mangimi e insilati, e di utilizzare fermenti lattici durante il processo di caseificazione. Tali pratiche svolgono un ruolo basilare nella conservazione dell'ambiente e della biodiversità alpina garantendo una certa variabilità microbica e di conseguenza organolettica del formaggio, grazie alla flora batterica locale caratteristica di ogni produttore-alpeggio. Obiettivi del presente lavoro sono: 1) caratterizzare la variabilità microbica del formaggio Bitto Storico mediante tecnologia Next Generation Sequencing (NGS); 2) caratterizzare la frazione lipofila volatile (metaboloma volatile e composti terpenici) e non volatile (profilo acidico); 3) correlare quindi il microbiota alla frazione volatile del formaggio, e la componente terpenica e il profilo degli acidi grassi tenendo in considerazione il fattore produttore-alpeggio. Campioni di i formaggio sono stati prelevati da 54 forme di Bitto Storico prodotte in 6 diversi alpeggi in 3 zone geografiche lombarde (Val Gerola, Valli del Bitto, Valle Brembana), in tre periodi diversi (Giugno-Luglio-Agosto 2015). In ciascun periodo di lavorazione e per ciascun casaro sono state prelevate 3 repliche di formaggio nella stessa settimana di produzione. Per l'analisi metagenomica, il DNA batterico è stato estratto mediante un protocollo specifico ottimizzato in laboratorio ed utilizzato come templato per I'amplificazione del gene 16S rRNA (regione V3-V4 seguendo il protocollo standard 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation e sequenziato su piattaforma Miseq (Illumina). La classificazione tassonomica dei microrganismi è stata effettuata utilizzando QllME (Caporaso et al., Nat Methods, 2010). La frazione lipofila volatile è stata caratterizzata mediante micro estrazione in fase solida-gascromatografia-spettrometria di massa (SPME-GC-MS) mentre il profilo in acidi grassi mediante gascromatografia ad alta risoluzione (HRGC). I risultati preliminari mostrano nei diversi campioni una comunità microbica dominata prevalentemente da Firmicutes con abbondanza di Streptococcaceae e Lactobacillaceae e una minor presenza di Enterococcaceae. Il metaboloma volatile mostra una variabilità coerente con una produzione casearia di montagna a latte crudo.

The concept of food quality is gradually expanding to include, in addition to intrinsic aspects of the quality, even the manner in which the food has been produced. Consumers are looking for nutrient, healthy and safe food, produced from environmentally sustainable and ethical processes. To evaluate the quality of both production processes and product, a multidisciplinary study was conducted in 29 Italian dairy farms. Farms were located in northern Italy and their total production was destined to produce Grana Padano PDO cheese. Average milk production, expressed as Fat and Protein Corrected Milk, was 27.0 kg/d per cow (CV=16.5%) and the farms had on average 78.6 lactating cows (CV=61.1%). Feed self-sufficiency was 65.9% (CV=25.7%); 82.3% of the concentrate feed and 15.9% of the forages was purchased. Each farm was visited to obtain milk samples for analyses, to gather information on farm management for the evaluation of profitability and environmental sustainability through Life Cycle Assessment method and to carry out animal welfare assessment. A pool of variables was used to define 6 aspects of global milk quality: animal welfare, environmental and economic sustainability, microbiological, nutraceutical and nutritional quality. For each quality variable, minimum and maximum benchmark values were identified to rescale indicator values into scores between 1 and 3. The 25% best performing farms for each quality variable received the score of 3, while the 25% worst performing farms were set to a score of 1; all other farms were scored 2. By matching the indices of the variables of the same quality aspect, a general index for each quality aspect was calculated. Figure 1 shows the scheme used to evaluate the scores of each quality aspect with the reference thresholds that identify the 25% best farms. No farm achieved the maximum score in the 6 aspects together; farms with high efficiency (>1.4 kg FPCM/kg dry matter intake) had the best scores for environmental, economic and microbiological index. This multidisciplinary evaluating system could find useful applications such as the development of support tools for managerial decisions, the provision to consumers of additional information on the quality of the production process, the development of a milk payment system based on a concept of global quality.

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA), using flax (F) and hemp seed (H) supplementation, on milk FA composition and mammary gland gene expression of lactating goats. A total of 18 Alpine goats were equally divided into three groups (F, H and control group C) depending on relationships among individuals, casein genotypes and production level. The chemical composition of the administered diets, in terms of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), starch, and ether extract (EE), were as follows, for C, L and H, respectively: 416, 422 and 433 g NDF/kg DM; 172, 132 and 132 g starch/kg DM; 26, 63 and 56 g EE/kg DM. The experiment focused on two time points during lactation: T0, when all the goats were fed the same diet (about 45 days in milk, DIM); T1, when the animals were fed the three different diets (about 150 DIM). At these two time points, a total of 150 mL of milk was collected for both milk fatty acid composition analysis and RNA extraction from milk somatic cells. The FA composition was determined by gas chromatography. The concentration of milk fat at T1 increased of almost one percentage point between the animals subjected to the supplemented diet with F and H respect to the control group. The treatment with flax and hemp seed caused a clear and significant decrease in the concentration of all the saturated fatty acids, in par6cular short and medium chain fatty acids, with a more pronounced effect on milk of goats supplemented with flax seed. Massive, parallel, high\throughput, RNA\seq was used to generate the caprine milk transcriptome. In total, we obtained from 14.951.867 to 34.867.432 uniquely mapped reads that covered 88.93% of the current annotated transcripts, which represented 12.436 mRNA transcripts, across all the samples. Among the three dietary treatment groups, no differentially expressed genes (p < 0.05, false discovery rate q < 0.05) were found for the control group at the two time points, whereas 133 and 491 genes resulted differentially expressed in T1 with respect to T0 in the F and H groups respectively. This study investigated the complexity of the response of goat mammary gland to different diets. Further integrated analysis of differential gene expression and genome analysis will permit the identification of candidate key genes for enhancing milk FA composition in goat.

Milk production has been a distinguishing characteristic of sheep breeding since antiquity in the Mediterranean area, including Italy, where prehistoric findings confirm this particular husbandry activity. In Homer's Odyssey, the description of Polifemo's sheep flock organization is remarkably similar to current production systems. The ancient roots of this tradition have grown into an important economic reality, with excellent levels of milk production and apporoximately 65 typical cheeses. It is interesting to note that the Italian word "pecora" (sheep) is believed to have originated from the Latin "pecunia" (money). Although heavy production losses are due to parasitic infections, only 250 papers have been published in the last 50 years in Italy on sheep parasites. Differences in climate, environmental factors and production tecniques may influence infection prevalence, load and pathogenesis. For this reason, prevention must be aimed at the particular epidemiological situation and not simply adapted from current schemes used abroad. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the epidemiology of ovine gastrointestinal nematodes in Italy and to evaluate the economic importance of their control.

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread parasitoses in the Mediterranean Region (MR). This is due to various factors, the most important being the close association between man, sheep and dogs in areas where open farming is practised. Although this disease has been known for several years and many studies have been carried out, nowadays in Italy there are no complete epidemiological data on its diffusion and distribution. The available data show that CE is mainly diffused in those districts where the sheep-dog cycle can be perpetuated, such as central and southern Italy, and the islands. Furthermore, no data are available on biomolecular characterisation of the strains of Echinococcus granulosus in Italy, apart form those in Sardinia, where the G1 (sheep-dog) and G7 (pig-dog) strains were recently isolated. One of the reasons why CE is a problem with no easy solution is undoubtedly the difficulty of making a certain diagnosis in the dog, the principal definitive host of E. granulosus.

During an epidemiological survey carried out for two consecutive years (2001-2002), autochthonous cases of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) were reported in Communes of the Bologna Province (Emilia-Romagna Region, northern Italy), involved in the past (1971-1972) in a severe outbreak of human visceral leishmaniosis (VL). Serological controls, carried out by immunofluorescence antibody test on a sample of owned dogs, detected a mean prevalence of 2.5% in the first year in 4 Communes, and of 11.2% in the second year in only one Commune, where an incidence value of 9.3% was assessed. The autochthonous origin of the infection was confirmed in 11 out of 13 positive animals in the first year and in 5 out of 6 new cases in the second year. In one case the parasitological examinations led to the isolation of leishmaniae characterized as Leishmania infantum zymodeme MON 1. Entomological surveys carried out during two sandfly seasons in one of the areas concerned by the VL outbreak showed the presence of Phlebotomus perfiliewi and, to a lesser extent, of P perniciosus, both proven vectors of L. infantum in Italy. The results obtained seem to suggest the presence of a stable focus of CanL in the territory involved in the previous VL outbreak of 1971-1972, within which the infection in the canine population had been assessed only serologically. Such an epidemiological situation may be seen either as the persistence of an old focus or as a new imported one.

The socio-economic impact of cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is reviewed with special reference to the following topics: consequences in man and livestock, costs and benefits of control programmes and economic procedures for evaluating control programmes. Examples of some important costs and benefits are given. Many consequences in man and livestock are difficult to evaluate from an economic point of view, because some basic data are difficult to obtain in many countries. However, the socio-economic evaluation of the consequences of CE and of the present and future control actions proves indispensable to best use available resources and possibly tailor control stategies.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important zoonosis in Italy and in the whole Mediterranean Region, as confirmed by the work by Ettore Biocca, whose contributions to the subject are reported in a summarised annex to the bibliography. The contribution to the understanding and control of CE are presented, with special emphasis on the socio-economic impact, on factors affecting the maintenance of CE in the Mediterranean Region, on the epidemiological situation and control measures, on the present status of epidemiological surveillance, on the control problems in normal and emergency situations, on health education and training. Also, the justifications of combined control programmes are discussed, which may be applied only in situations of peace and well-being.

A new stable focus of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) was identified in a coastal Adriatic area of the Emilia-Romagna Region in Northern Italy. Following the first clinical cases observed starting from 1998, a seroepidemiological survey was carried out on owned dogs from two communes and on animals housed in dog pounds of the Rimini province. Sixteen out of 612 dogs (2.6%) resulted positive to the IFA test. The 16 positive dogs all came from the two communes, with seroprevalences of 3 and 6%, respectively. The autochthonous origin of the infection was confirmed in all the cases. The parasitological investigation led to the isolation and identification of the parasite as Leishmania infantum Zymodeme MON 1. An entomological survey showed that Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. perfiliewi are present in this area and that P. perfiliewi was very abundant in one collection site. The risk of the establishment of a permanent transmission of the infection in the area, previously considered CanL-free, must be analysed in view of further investigations to be extended also to neighbouring areas.

Fecal examinations of horses (Equus caballus) from studs in the province of Udine (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, east-northern Italy), carried out during two periods of the year 1993, revealed coccidian oocysts in six foals, two stallions and one mare. The species was identified as Eimeria leuckarti. This species was reported only once in Italy, more than 20 years ago (1972). For this reason, the prevalence of the parasite and the description of immature and sporulated oocysts are given.

Les auteurs font connaître l’existence d’un foyer de Trichinose humaine découvert, au mois de septembre 1975, dans la commune de Bagnolo in Piano, à proximité de Reggio Emilia. Quatre-vingt-neuf personnes furent atteintes sans qu’il y eut de décès. Après une vaste et rigoureuse enquête sur le terrain, dans les charcuteries et les boucheries, l’origine de la contamination semble pouvoir être attribuée à la consommation de viande d’un cheval provenant d’un pays d’Europe de l’Est (Pologne ou Yougoslavie)., Mantovani A., Filippini I., Saccheti A., Bergomi S., Cavrini C., Marastoni G., Balestrazzi V., Baldelli R., Battelli G., Canestri-Trotti G., Gaiardi S., Mari S., Sanguinetti V., Virgili-Fioretti D., Ambrosi M., Polidori G.-A. Observations sur un foyer de Trichinose humaine en Italie. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 129 n°2, 1976. pp. 213-222.

Core-particles and split-proteins were prepared by treatment with ethanol and NH4Cl of control and ricin-treated Artemia salina ribosomes. No modifications of the ricin-treated split-proteins was detected by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the split-proteins from ricin-treated ribosomes complemented control core-particles in poly(U)-directed phenylalanine polymerization. Conversely, ricin-treated core-particles remained totally inactive when supplemented with control split-proteins.

The following items are discussed: 1) Zoonoses with an urban cycle: a) Salmonellosis; b) Dermatophytozoonoses; c) Toxoplasmosis; d) Larva migrans visceralis; 3) Flea and tick infections; f) Zoonoses of cities located on lakes, rivers and the sea. 2) Animalization of the urban environment. 3) Zoonoses which may be transferred from the rural to the urban environment: a) Rural zoonoses transmitted to urban animals; b) Rural zoonoses transmitted to man in cities. 4) Zoonoses which may be transmitted from the urban to the rural environment.

The authors describe three coccidian species (eimeria arloingi, E. ninakohylakimovae, E. parva) found in the faeces of some Nubian ibexes (Capra ibex nubiana) in the "Hai-Bar Wildlife Reserve", Israel. The results of the study represent the first finding of coccidia in C. ibex nubiana.

The health problems which may involve farm workers are discussed and classified as: 1) diseases of mechanical origin; 2) diseases of environmental origin; 3) infection diseases (a) contracted from the environment; (b) contracted from animals); 4) social and psychological problems. The transmission of diseases from farm workers to animals has been outlined. The AA. conclude by stressing that the techniques that assure good farm profit coincide with the prevention of occupational diseases in farm workers.

The different aspects of the coexistence of man and animals in towns are discussed. The animals living in urban areas are classified as: a) Pets; b) Synanthropic, appreciated by man: c) Synanthropic, disregarded by man; d) Synanthropic, disliked by man. The detrimental effects are: a) Transmission of diseases; b) Bites, scratches and other lesions; c) Animal wastes; d) Noise; e) Use of feeds, medicines, etc.; f) Abandoned animals. The positive effects are: a) Ecological balance; b) Animals and mental health; c) Other positive aspects. A positive solution of the problem is sought which avoids both the zoomaniac and the zoophobic attitudes.

Examination for coccidia of 20 domestic sheep (Ovis aries) from a farm in Rome Province revealed the following 5 species: Eimeria ahsata Honess, E. intricata Spiegl, E. ovina LevineIvens, E. ovinoidalis McDougald, and E. parva Kotlán, MócsyVajda. Of these species, only E. ahsata was not previously reported in Italy. For this reason, a description of this coccidium and a statistical analysis of size differences between E. ahsata and E. ovina are given.

The authors vaccinated 152 cattle divided into three groups against rabies. The first group received the ERA strain and the second group an inactivated vaccine. The third group received the inactivated vaccine on two occasions with an interval of 60 days between the two doses. Their antibody response was surveyed with the fluorescent foci-inhibition test carried out on blood samples collected during a 10-month period. All animals developed an almost identical antibody response. However, at the sixth and tenth months, there was a higher number of seropositive animals in the groups vaccinated with the killed vaccine.

The problems associated with infections by dermatophytes and related fungi are discussed. Published and unpublished surveys of 1 481 wild animals of the orders Carnivora, Ungulata, Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Insectivora and Chiroptera and of 29 birds proved to be positive for fungi which were classified as potentially pathogenic zoophilic, potentially pathogenic geophilic and normally non-pathogenic geophilic. Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was isolated from 11% of rodents; the fungus was also isolated from Insectivora, the hare and the ibex. T. mentagrophytes var. erinacei was reported in the hedgehog. Microsporum canis was reported in rodents from anthropogenic areas. M. gypseum was reported in Ungulata, Lagomorpha and Rodentia; other geophilic fungi were found in all the orders investigated, with the exception of Chiroptera which proved to be constantly negative. The relationship between the presence of animals and the "animalization" of the environment, and the consequent presence of geophilic fungi is discussed. It is concluded that wild animals may play a role as carriers of dermatophytes and related fungi, may create environmental conditions favourable to their growth and may help to monitor the presence of a fungus in a given area.

Rapporti tra cinema e "terrorismo". Tre fasi linguistiche e differentemente enunciative dell’immagine definiscono l’ascesa ideologica, la violenza feroce e l’accecamento fallimentare, autocannibalizzante, dell’immagine e del terrorismo italiano. Un terrorismo che attraverso l’audiovisivo, in particolare quello di marca cinematografica, dialoga, lotta ed è sconfitto, addirittura fisiologicamente, dal Sistema. Se è imponente la produzione di opere (di memorialistica o ricostruzione giornalistica) su una stagione politica tanto cruciale per la storia dell'Italia repubblicana quale quella degli anni Settanta, da poco si è imposta l'esigenza di una sua ricostruzione storiografica organica. Tale consapevolezza risulta fondamentale non solo per comprendere gli eventi che hanno caratterizzato questo periodo, ma anche per entrare nel vivo di tematiche più ampie e certamente attuali: il fenomeno del terrorismo e della violenza politica riportano infatti in campo i nodi della partecipazione e della rappresentanza all'interno del modello democratico italiano. La vicenda del terrorismo molto può dire sull'uso dei linguaggi violenti, intorno ad alcune idee di rottura e di lacerazione, e sul modo in cui "le parole" creano i percorsi di una comunicazione che coinvolge, a diversi livelli, soggetti e gruppi significativi della popolazione italiana.

ANIMAL CYSTIC ECHINOCOCCOSIS IN ITALY Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important public health and economic problem in many areas of the world, e.g. in the Mediterranean Region. In Italy, the lack of official data and poor level of reporting, both in animals and humans, do not allow to have a appropriate picture on its occurrence. At the moment, the most reliable epidemiological information is based on research data. Methods. The epidemiological situation of animal CE in Italy is presented, reviewing recent surveys and studies carried out on MIUR National Projects or other research plans. Until now, in Italy, the following agents of CE have been identified: Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotypes G1, G2, G3), E. equinus (G4), E.ortleppi (G5), and pig strain (G7). CE has been reported in farmed animals, dogs, wildlife (mainly wolves and wild-boars), and in humans. E. multilocularis (alveolar echinococcosis) has been reported in foxes. It is not present in other animals (althought some wrong reports were notified) or in humans. Recent reported CE prevalences (ranges or mean) are the following: Northern Italy: sheep 0.1- 0.5 % (in some areas, adult sheep 25-45%); cattle 0.03-0.5% (1.4 % in a limited area in Emilia-Romagna); horses 0.3 %; pigs 20%) by immunological tests were found in dogs and wolves from some alpine valleys in Piedmont. Central Italy: sheep and goats 20-80%; cattle 7-15%; pigs 0.3-0.8%; dogs 4-31%; wolves 15%;wild-boars 5 %. Cyst fertility is nearly 5% and 1%, in sheep and cattle, respectively. In Latium, official reports show prevalences < 3% in farmed ruminants. Southern Italy: sheep and goats 4-28%; cattle 3-15%; pigs 0.05-0.5%; water buffaloes 10.5% (cyst fertility 1.4%); dogs 6%. Sicily: sheep 58%; cattle 11-67%; sheperd dogs 6-19%. Cyst fertility is 4% in cattle and extremely variable (9-90%) in sheep, depending on involved province. Sardinia: sheep 75%; goats 24%; cattle 41.5%; home slaughtered pigs 11%; horses 4%; dogs 3-10%; wild boars 4%. Cyst fertility is nearly 10%, 3%, and 8%, in sheep, cattle,and pigs, respectively. CE may be considered sporadic, endemic and hyperendemic in northern, central, southern and insular (Sardinia and Sicily) Italy, respectively. However, high prevalences (nearly 40%) have been reported in adult sheep in different italian provinces, irrespective of area of origin. In order to have appropriate official data on animal CE, Veterinary Services must improve the current surveillance activities, as requested by EU and national legislation

Nel capitolo vengono presi in esame i risultati dell'applicazione del nuovo schema di classificazione degli infortuni (ESAW/3) adottato in sede europea, con un'analisi comparata tra i due settori produttivi dell'agroindustria e dell'industria alimentare. In particolare vengono individuate le tipologie più frequenti di infortunio, con riferimento alle variabili "attività fisica specifica", "deviazione" e "contatto" combinate con i rispettivi "agenti materiali", al fine di indicare le aree principali di intervento di tipo prevenzionale.

The importance given to the different zoonoses varies according to socio-economic factors and situations in the involved areas. Mainly in the rich countries, the role of media is prevailing to determine this “weight”. In fact a zoonosis may be perceived as important, in some cases terrifying, owing to improper information by mass-media on the risk of infection for animals and man and on the possible use of its agent for terroristic actions. For instance, the transmission of television images of sick or dead people and animals, drastic methods of control (e.g. stamping-out of animals), focusing on bloody actions and so on, can contribute to overestimate the significance and risk of a disease on the part of the public. When information is lacking on the socio-economic factors favouring its occurrence and on geographical distribution, the sensitivity of people may be rapidly influenced and negative socio-economic (sometimes also political) consequences may occur. These zoonoses may be named emphasized zoonoses. On the contrary, some zoonoses are scarcely considered, owing to several reasons, for instance: occurrence (generally endemic) in poor areas and populations; scarce interest by media, decision makers and health services; lack of information and official reports. These zoonoses may be named neglected zoonoses. In Italy, some zoonoses may be included in these two categories. Among the diseases whose importance was noticed mainly trough the media, BSE and Avian influenza have to be mentioned. The pressing and alarmist information by media on these diseases caused the dramatic crash of the bovine meat and poultry markets. Also a suicide of a poultry transporter owing to economic problems occurred. The recurrent emphasis by media on ticks and tick-borne diseases during the summer, tended to overestimate the importance of the Mediterranean spotted fever and Lyme disease. Another instance of exaggerated problem, “the biting dog”, induced a specific national law on “dangerous dogs”, even if reliable data on animal bites are absent. On the contrary, some zoonoses are neglected in spite of the high occurrence in animals and man and their socio-economic significance. Cystic echinococcosis, endemic in southern and insular Italy and with a high prevalence in limited other zones, belongs to this category. Brucellosis, virtually eradicated in northern Italy, is still present in southern regions and is neglected. For instance, in Sicily the number of human cases represents nearly the half of the national one. A low interest is given also to the occupational zoonoses. Some diseases lie between emphasized and neglected ones, according to different approaches. For instance, anthrax may be considered a neglected zoonosis by an occupational point of view, but it reached a boost of interest from media when Bacillus anthracis was presented as a bioterrroristic agent (especially when the possibility of trasmission by mail was supposed). Mass-media have an important role in health information and education of the public. Inadequate or incorrect information may cause negative consequences to physical, psychological and social welfare of the people.

Nel capitolo vengono descritti i profili dei sistemi agroalimentari territoriali del Lazio (individuati con metodi statistici multivariati) e viene analizzato il fenomeno infortunistico (frequenza totale degli eventi lesivi e dei casi gravi) nell'intento di verificare l'ipotesi di una conoscenza "tacita" maggiormente diffusa nei "distretti" agroalimentari che tenderebbe a ridurre il rischio occupazionale.