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Objective To describe the gross and histopathological testicular lesions observed in a 14-months.old Limousine bull, imported from France and referred for thickening of the skin and enlargement of the testis and finally diagnosed as affected by Besnoitiosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological investigation of skin sampled via biopsy. Materials and Methods Gross examination and histological investigation were carried out on the reproductive tract of the bull sampled during slaughtering. The considered parts were skin of the scrotum, testis, testicular coverings, epididymis, penis, and penis retractor muscle. These tissue were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin wax, and processed for histological investigation. Results Gross examination showed: thickening and lichenification of the scrotal skin (a), visible cysts at the level of the testicular coverings (b), preputial mucosa (c), hyperemia of the right testis (d). The main microscopical finding was the presence of several Besnoitia. spp cysts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum, in the testicular coverings as well as in the testicular tubules (e), and epididymis. (f) The Besnoitia spp. cysts ranged in size from 250 to 300 μm in diameter. They had a 10-20 μm thick wall with three layers: an outer hyaline layer, a middle layer with host cells cytoplasm and nuclei, and an inner membrane with the parasitophorous vacuole containing typical 7.0×2.0 μm basophilic banana-shaped Besnoitia spp. Bradyzoites. Plasmocytic and histiocytic inflammatory reaction, with sparse eosinophilic granulocytes infiltration were observed around some broken cysts. Numerous Besnoitia spp. cysts were also observed in the cross section of the penis (g) and the penis retractor muscle (h). A moderate inflammatory response, composed by macrophages, eosinophils and scattered lymphocytes, was seen near and around the cysts. Discussion and conclusions The presence of cysts and its secondary inflammatory reactions may explain the impaired fertility that has been already described in the case of Besnoitiosis. Potential explanations may be: • interference with normal spermatogenesis by the cysts in the interstitial spaces and under the epithelial cells in the seminiferous tubules; • direct pressure on the germinal epithelial cells by the cysts that can cause pressure atrophy of epididymal and/or testicular tissues; • reduction of the blood flow, local testicular necrosis and development of fibrotic foci due to the inflammation caused by the cysts in the blood vessel walls of the testis and pampiniform plexus, with repercussion on the seminiferous tubule health; • abnormal thermoregulation of the testis due to the thickened scrotum; • abnormal thermoregulation of the testis due to vascular lesions in pampiniform plexus provokiong testicular degeneration; • tissutal fibrosis due to the inflammatory reaction to the presence of the cysts.

In the original article, there was a mistake in the legend for Figure 3 as published. The legend of Figure 3 (g-l) is incorrect. The correct legend appears below. FIGURE 3 | Photomicrographs of cryosections of canine cervical (C8) dorsal root ganglion showing cannabinoid receptor 2- (CB2), glial fibrillary acidic protein- (GFAP), and CD31-immunoreactivity. (a–c) Stars indicate NeuroTrace labeled (a) dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons which were CB2 receptor negative (b), as well as the satellite glial cells (white arrows). (d–f) Stars indicate sensory neurons encircled by satellite glial cells (white arrows) which were GFAP-immunoreactive (e) and CB2 receptor negative. CB2 receptor immunoreactivity was expressed by Schwann cells and neuronal nuclei (open arrow). (g–i) The empty arrow indicates one neuronal axon that bifurcates (T-junction) in its central and peripheral portions (large white arrows). The small arrows indicate the nuclei of Schwann cells. (j–l) Open arrows indicate smooth muscle cells (vessel on the left) and pericyte-like cells (elongated and thin blood vessel on the right) showing CB2 receptor immunoreactivity (j).White arrows indicate endothelial cells showing CD31 immunoreactivity (k). Bar: a–f, j–l = 50μm; g–i = 100 μm. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.

Introduction In cattle, melanomas are rare and constitutes 1 to 6% of all tumors. Melanomas are neoplastic processes usually observed in the skin. They may be congenital or acquired, in the latter case however in young animals. Darkly colored cattle may be at risk; neither cutaneous site nor gender predilection has been appare nt. Methods A 3 and half-year old Holstein cow was presented due to a mass hanging on the right lateral/dorsal region that had been observed for one year. In this time it increased in si ze. A paravertebral anaesthesia with 2% Lidocaine was performed before the total surgical extirpation of the tumor. Tissue samples of the tumour were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned at 4 μm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for histopathologi cal examination. Results At the gross pathology the extirpated tumour was a 32 x 32 x 16 cm and the total weight was 10.5 kg. Cut section of the neoplasm was bright and blackish and it had a compact consistency with scattered areas of fine white streaks. The hystological sections revealed a normal epidermis with focal slight hyperkeratosis while in the dermis, within an extensive, dense an pinkish collagenous matrix, there were many rounded to polygonal cells, sometimes fusiform, full of dark-brownish and granular pigments (melanin) within the cytoplasm and poorly visible nuclei. The cells were often arranged around small blood vessels. In other fields it was possible to observe elongated and fusiform cell, arranged in whorls. Numerous cells of other fields showed totally lack of melanin granules. Anisocytosis and anisokaryosis were moderate. Mitotic activity was low with 1 mitosis per 10 high-power fields. Conclusions On the base of the clinical, intra-operative and histological data, the diagnosis of melanocytoma was made. The term melanocytoma encompasses the benign forms of melanocytic neoplasms, whereas the term melanoma is used for the malignant forms (Goldschmidt et al., 1998; Marcato et al., 2015). The described tumour was considered benign on the base of the following findings: no other metastatic masses were clinically founded, the extirpated tumour did not infiltrate the upper epidermis and surrounding tissues, mitotic activity was very low and there was no evidence of lymphovascular invasion. In the case described, the surgical extirpation of the benign tumor was complete. Unfortunately, after some months the cow died due to unknown reasons and was discarded without undergoing any post-mortem diagnosis. Therefore it was not possible to share the complete positive outcome of other scientific reports (Pravettoni et al., 2003; Scanzani e Bellotti, 1990; Miller et al., 1995).

Introduction: Mesotheliomas are tumours of the mesothelial covering cells of the serous membranes and their supporting connective tissue of mesodermal origin. In domestic animals, little is known about the pathogenesis or the causative factors of malignant mesothelioma. In people, malignant pleural mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure. At present, the available data on the prevalence of mesothelioma in cattle are inconsistent. Aim: This manuscript describes two cases of malignant mesothelioma, one in a cow and one in a young calf. Materials and methods: A 4-year-old Friesian cow with diarrheal syndrome, marked abdominal distension and partial anorexia and a 37-day-old male mixed breed calf with a history of progressive swelling of the scrotum and abdominal distension were examined. Result and discussion: Physical examination enabled to include mesothelioma in the differential diagnosis. Ultrasonography and even more histopathology were decisive for the final diagnosis. The animals were euthanized due to poor prognosis. In both animals, necropsy showed abdominal sero-haemorragic effusion and the presence of firm nodules on the peritoneal surfaces, which extended to the thoracic cavity in the cow and to tunica vaginalis in the calf. Based on gross pathology and histopathologic findings, the adult cow was diagnosed with acquired malignant mesothelioma, while the calf was diagnosed with predominantly epithelioid congenital malignant mesothelioma. Conclusion: Interest in mesothelioma has increased since the association between exposure to asbestos fibres and mesotheliomas has been demonstrated in humans. The four-year-old cow object of this report was stabled in a farm with asbestos roofs. The same situation was not observed in the calf. In respect to the latter, the mesothelioma was considered to be congenital in origin. To the best of our knowledge, the calf presented in this report is the first case of bovine congenital mesothelioma involving tunica vaginalis.

Background: Chianina, Romagnola, and Marchigiana are the 3 most important Italian breeds of cattle raised in the Apennine Mountains. Inherited disorders have been reported in the Chianina and Romagnola breeds but not in the Marchigiana breed. Recently, a case resembling recessively inherited KDM2B ‐associated paunch calf syndrome (PCS) in Romagnola cattle was identified in Marchigiana cattle. Hypothesis/Objectives: To characterize the features of the observed congenital anomaly, evaluate its possible genetic etiology, and determine the prevalence of the deleterious allele in the Marchigiana population. Animals: A single stillborn Marchigiana calf was referred for clinicopathological examination because of the presence of PCS‐like morphological lesions. Methods: The animal was necropsied and the calf and its parents were genotyped. A PCR‐based direct gene test was applied to determine the KDM2B genotype and 114 Marchigiana bulls were genotyped. Results: The pathological phenotype included facial deformities, enlarged fluid‐filled abdomen, and hepatic fibrosis. The affected animal was the offspring of consanguineous mating and homozygous presence of the KDM2B missense variant was confirmed. Both parents were heterozygous for KDM2B and the prevalence of carriers in a selected population of Marchigiana bulls was

Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are often diagnosed by cytology based on the identification of purple intracytoplasmic granules with methanolic Romanowsky stains, including May-Grünwald-Giemsa (MGG). In clinical practice, aqueous rapid stains (RS) are commonly used, but mast cell granules may not stain properly. Aim of this prospective study was to investigate the frequency of MCT hypogranularity with RS and its potential implications in tumour identification, cytological grading assessment and recognition of nodal metastatic disease. Cytological preparations of canine primary MCTs and metastatic lymph nodes with subsequent histopathological confirmation were included. For each case, good-quality smears were stained with both MGG and RS and comparatively assessed. Eleven of 60 (18.3%) primary MCTs were hypogranular with RS; 9 of them were histologically high-grade tumours and in 3 cases (5%) a definitive MCT diagnosis could not be made. Accuracy in cytological grading assessment (85%) did not differ between RS and MGG. Thirteen of 28 (46.4%) metastatic lymph nodes were hypogranular with RS and 3 independent observers failed to identify nodal MCT metastases in 7% to 18% of RS-stained smears. This study confirms that, in limited cases, RS can be ineffective in staining MCT granules, particularly in high-grade tumours, thus making diagnosis more dependent on experience and quality of preparations. In dubious cases, methanolic stains should be applied. The use of RS is discouraged for the search of nodal metastases, as the identification of isolated mast cells can be more challenging.

Growing evidence indicates cannabinoid receptors as potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in developing cannabinoid receptor agonists for treating human and veterinary pain. To better understand the actions of a drug, it is of paramount importance to know the cellular distribution of its specific receptor(s). The distribution of canonical and putative cannabinoid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system of dogs is still in its infancy. In order to help fill this anatomical gap, the present ex vivo study has been designed to identify the cellular sites of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in canine spinal ganglia. In particular, the cellular distribution of the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) and putative cannabinoid receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) have been immunohistochemically investigated in the C6-C8 cervical ganglia of dogs. About 50% of the neuronal population displayed weak to moderate CB1 receptor and TRPV1 immunoreactivity, while all of them were CB2-positive and nearly 40% also expressed GPR55 immunolabeling. Schwann cells, blood vessel smooth muscle cells, and pericyte-like cells all expressed CB2 receptor immunoreactivity, endothelial cell being also PPARα-positive. All the satellite glial cells (SGCs) displayed bright GPR55 receptor immunoreactivity. In half of the study dogs, SGCs were also PPARα-positive, and limited to older dogs displayed TRPV1 immunoreactivity. The present study may represent a morphological substrate to consider in order to develop therapeutic strategies against chronic pain.

The term heterotopy of the spiral colon encompasses a dysmorphological condition in which the spiral loops of the ascending colon (SLACs) do not form an orderly spiraling mass adjacent to the left side of the mesojejunum. As a consequence, the spiral loops are spread over a larger surface, making them more or less movable. It has been hypothesized that the abnormal position of the spiral loops of the ascending colon might constitute a predisposing factor for an intestinal obstruction or an ileus condition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anatomy of the spiral loops of the ascending colon in a population of healthy calves and to determine the prevalence of dysmorphism. The investigation was carried out on 1113 slaughtered veal calves. In 472 out of the 1113 calves, the spiral loops showed conformational aspects different from what has so far been described as normal in reference textbooks. In 91 calves the condition was definitely considered a pathological deviation from normality: in fact, the spiral colon had lost its typical spiral shape with random spacing between the loops, and it was nearly or completely detached from the mesojejunum. The lack of a broad attachment of the spiral loops of the ascending colon to the mesentery could provoke an alteration of the intestinal centre of gravity, enhancing the already asymmetrical distribution of weight between the jejunum and the descending colon.

Objectives: To describe a dysmorphological condition in which the spiral loops of the ascending colon (SLAC) do not form an orderly spiraling mass adjacent to the left side of the mesojejunum. Methods: The study started from the observation of repeated occurrence of intraoperatory and post mortem findings of morphological distortions of the SLAC. Further investigations were carried out on slaughtered veal calves. The specific configuration of the SLAC was classified as following on the basis of the space between loops and their abnormal superimposition as well as loss of the disc shape configuration: 1) normal anatomical situation: the centripetal and the centrifugal coil of the SLAC are intimately attached to the left side of the mesojejunum and the loops are ordenlty distended without any overlapping among adjacent loops; 2) conical shape looseness of the SLAC: the spiral loops are loosly attached to the mesojejunum, and if raised at the level of the central flexure they assume a tri-dimensional flaccid conical shape. Some loops can overlap adjacent one; 3) partial dystopia of the SLAC: intestinal segments of the SLAC are apart from each other with an elongated mesocolon; 4) complete ectopia of the SLAC: in this case the SLAC is completely detached from the mesojejunum. Results: The intraoperatory and post mortem findings of morphological distortions of the SLAC were often observed in animals affected by intestinal mechanical obstructive diseases, such as volvulus, torsion and intussusception. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the abnormal position of the SLAC might have constituted the predisposing factor for the observed intestinal obstructive or ileus condition. The investigation carried out at slaughterhouse included 1,113 clinically healthy slaughtered veal calves. A normal configuration, as expected according to the veterinary anatomical literature, was observed in 641 (57.6± 2.9%) out of the 1,113 calves. A conical shape looseness of the SLAC was found in 381 out of 1113 (34.2±2.8%). Partial dystopia of the SLAC was noted in 68 out of 1,113 cases (6.1±1.4%), whereas a complete ectopia was present in 23 out of 1,113 calves (2.1±0.8%). In the latter cases the SLAC was “dislocated” from its position in the middle of the mesojejunum, just as though it were an independent anatomical structure. Conclusions: This study clearly indicates that the heterotopy of the SLAC represents a relatively common anatomical anomaly also in clinically healthy animals. In fact, 42.4% of the SLAC examined in this study had significant anatomical divergence from what is normally described in reference textbooks. The observation of this kind of anomalies in animals affected by intestinal mechanical obstructive diseases prompts to consider those anomalies as potential predisposing factor for intestinal obstructive or ileus condition. The predisposition might be based on an impairment of the intestinal centre of gravity, and the consequently reduced capacity of the intestine, or tracts of it, of maintaining its correct anatomical position when subjected to stresses causing abnormal movements of the intestinal mass. The heterotopy of the SLAC resembles a developmental abnormality described in human medicine called “intestinal malrotation or nonrotation.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and histopathological aspects of a cutaneous melanocytoma observed in a 3 and half-year old Holstein cow. Methods: The surgical extirpation of the tumor was performed directly at the farm. The cow was restrained in standing and a paravertebral anaesthesia with 2% Lidocaine was performed. An infiltrative subcutaneous anaesthesia was additionally performed around the pedunculous of the neoplasia. The neoplasm was totally extirpated; ligature of blood vessels was necessary to prevent excessive bleeding. Representative samples from the mass were collected, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, and routinely processed for histologic examination. Five micron sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The postoperative follow up lasted one month: the cow had no further problems and the site of surgery healed as expected. Results: The extirpated tumour was a 32 x 32 x 16 cm pedunculated and irregularly rounded mass, covered by dark, thick skin, that protruded from the right lateral/dorsal region. The total weight of the mass was 10.5 kg. Cut section of the neoplasm was bright and blackish and it had a compact consistency with scattered areas of fine white streaks. The sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin revealed a normal epidermis with focal slight hyperkeratosis while in the dermis, within an extensive, dense an pinkish collagenous matrix, there were many rounded to polygonal cells, sometimes fusiform, full of dark-brownish and granular pigments (melanin) within the cytoplasm and poorly visible nuclei. The cells were often arranged around small blood vessels. In other fields it was possible to observe elongated and fusiform cell, arranged in whorls. Numerous cells of other fields showed totally lack of melanin granules. Anisocytosis and anisokaryosis were moderate. Mitotic activity was low with 1 mitosis per 10 high-power fields. On the basis of these findings diagnosis was coherent with a benign dermal melanocytoma, a rare form in cattle, arising from the dermal melanocytes. Conclusions: The term melanocytoma encompasses the benign forms of melanocytic neoplasms, whereas the term melanoma is used for the malignant forms. However, the literatures clearly emphasizes the difficulties in definitely differentiating the benign from the malignant forms. With this in mind, the described tumour was considered benign on the base of the following findings: no other metastatic masses were clinically founded, the extirpated tumour did not infiltrate the upper epidermis and surrounding tissues, mitotic activity was very low and there was no evidence of lymphovascular invasion. This is also in accordance with literature that indicates that the majority of melanocytic neoplasms in cattle are benign in nature. Despite the fact that such kind of neoplasia are quite rare in cattle, more investigation may be worth of being carried out, eventually as model for human medicine.

Introduction - Von Brunn’s nests and cysts are submucosal benign urothelial processes, related to irritative stimuli. They are common findings in the urinary bladder of human beings. Very few cases have been described in dogs and cats. Materials and Methods - We report macroscopic, histopathological and, in one case, immunohistochemical features of these rare forms in the left ureters of two cats, after ureterectomy due to urinary obstruction. Results - In both cases, macroscopical findings were coherent with an isolated, nodular and compact mass of 2.5 cm diameter. Microscopic examination showed considerable thickening of the muscular wall due to multifocal fibrosis, multifocal lacking of the lining epithelium in transverse sections of the ureteral lumen, and foci of urothelial islands in the lamina propria without any cytological atypia or mitosis and with occasional central cystic cavities. Multifocal areas of oedema, hyperemia/hemorrhage, angiogenesis and mild to moderate widespread lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates were also present. The cystic cavities contained macrophages full of lipofuscin, hemosiderin, erythrocytes and eosinophilic amorphous material. In one case, urothelial islands showed intense immunoreactivity for pan-cytokeratin (CK AE1/AE3). Inflammation was poor in the other case, where the urothelium appeared multifocally dilated with focal mucous metaplasia. In both cases, such findings and the anamnesis allowed us to hypothesize that the presence of epithelial islands was consistent with a hyperplastic condition, known as von Brunn’s nests and cysts. Conclusions - It is important to know the histological features of von Brunn nests, since it is not always easy to distinguish these islands from a well-differentiated urothelial carcinoma.

Con il termine di eterotopia dell’ansa spirale del colon (ASCA) sono comprese delle anomalie di forma e di posizione di questo tratto di intestino in vario grado caratterizzate dalla mancata adesione delle spire al piano mesenteriale. Con la finalità di stimare la prevalenza di tali anomalie e verificare l’entità del problema, questo lavoro presenta un’indagine prospettica svolta su un campione di 1113 vitelli c.d. “a carne bianca” soggetti a normale macellazione, ed un’analisi retrospettiva delle note di 160 necroscopie di vitelli al di sotto di sei mesi di età. L’indagine al macello ha evidenziato la presenza di eterotopia dell’ASCA in 472 soggetti (42,4%); le devianze erano rappresentate principalmente da una scarsa aderenza al mesentere (381/1113 = 34,2%); situazioni di distacco più o meno completo dell’ASCA dal disco mesenteriale sono state osservate in 91 soggetti (8,2%). L’analisi retrospettiva ha evidenziato la presenza di eterotopia dell’ASCA in 32 casi. Viene discussa e giustificata anche l’ipotesi che l’eterotopia dell’ASCA possa rappresentare un elemento favorente i cambiamenti di posizione dell’intestino; la predisposizione sarebbe basata su uno sbilanciamento del centro di gravità (baricentro) del pacchetto intestinale con conseguente ridotta capacità, da parte dell’intestino o di tratti di esso, di conservare la propria posizione quando sollecitato a movimenti abnormi.

In May and July 2010 and in March 2011, the presence of multiple bleeding nodules at the level of the neck, shoulders, withers, back and rump in five cattle from three herds in north-central Italy were observed. A diagnosis of parafilariosis was made. Fragments of adult females of Parafilaria bovicola could be identified in the derma of from three to five bioptic extirpates. Larvated eggs and free larvae were observed in serohemorrhagic exudates. This paper is the first report of the occurrence of parafilariosis in Italy and subsequent to the various outbreaks reported, it can now be said that bovine parafilariosis is also currently present in Italy.

La Besnoitiosi bovina è una malattia protozoaria emergente. In Italia, sono stati riconosciuti infetti bovini autoctoni, nati e allevati nel paese. Un caso clinico di Besnoitiosi in Piemonte (Italia nord-occidentale) e le successive indagini biomolecolari e sierologiche di conferma sono descritti nel presente lavoro. Da un bovino maschio di 6 mesi, di razza Charolais, proveniente da Gap-Barcellonette (Francia), che presentava febbre elevata oltre 41°C, congiuntivite, scolo nasale sieroso, cute ispessita e orchite necrotizzante bilaterale, sono stati prelevati, in sede di macellazione, milza, sangue intero, cute e parenchima testicolare. Su tutti i tessuti sono state eseguite indagini biomolecolari tramite metodica PCR. La presenza di anticorpi specifici è stata confermata con test ELISA indiretto sia nell'animale sintomatico, sia in 12 animali asintomatici provenienti dallo stesso allevamento. La PCR ha permesso di rilevare DNA di B. besnoiti in cute e testicoli del bovino in esame. Questo caso sintomatico riscontato in un vitello di origine francese è probabilmente riconducibile a un’infezione contratta in Francia, ma riscontrata in un allevamento all’ingrasso piemontese, e fornisce un dato importante per monitorare l’espansione della patologia in Italia e in Europa. Inoltre, conferma l’attendibilità diagnostica della PCR su cute e parenchima testicolare.

La Besnoitiosi bovina, parassitosi segnalata soprattutto in Africa, è causata dal protozoo Besnoitia besnoiti (phylum Apicomplexa, famiglia Sarcocystidae). La malattia è considerata emergente in Europa (European Food Safety Authority - EFSA, 2010). I primi casi italiani risalgono al 1993 in animali importati, ma nel 2009-2010 è comparsa in animali nati ed allevati localmente. Nel bovino (ospite intermedio; l’ospite definitivo è ancora incerto) B. besnoiti forma caratteristici noduli biancastri di pochi mm, localizzati tipicamente in cute, congiuntiva e sclera. In questa nota sono descritti gli aspetti macroscopici, citologici, istologici ed ultrastrutturali della parassitosi in tre bovini nati e cresciuti in tre differenti allevamenti italiani di Toscana ed Emilia Romagna. I soggetti, un toro chianino e due femmine di razza Frisona e Limousine, mostravano parziale alopecia e grave sclerodermia, più evidente a livello di musello, regione peri-orbitale, scroto o capezzoli. I reperti necroscopici più importanti erano costituiti da numerosi noduli millimetrici biancastri, disseminati in sclera e congiuntiva, nel sottocute, lungo tutta la mucosa di turbinati nasali, laringe e trachea e, in un caso, anche nelle fasce muscolari del dorso e degli arti. L'esame citologico delle lesioni cutanee rivelava poche cellule infiammatorie mononucleate e molti bradizoiti bananiformi liberi. L’indagine istologica confermava la presenza di cisti dermiche o sottomucose di 250-300 µm, con parete a tre strati, contenenti bradizoiti di 7/8x2 µm, circondate da una moderata reazione infiammatoria con prevalenza di macrofagi e granulociti eosinofili. Le caratteristiche morfologiche ultrastrutturali delle cisti e dei bradizoiti erano riferibili a protozoi appartenenti a Besnoitia besnoiti. Bovine Besnoitiosis, a parasitic disease endemic in many in African countries, is caused by the protozoan Besnoitia besnoiti (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, 2010) considers Besnoitiosis an emerging disease. First Italian cases were diagnosed in 1993 in imported animals, but in 2009-2010 the disease was described in cattle born and reared locally. Besnoitia spp. forms characteristic whitish, few millimetres long nodules detectable in skin, conjunctiva and sclera. The authors describe macroscopic, cytologic, histopathologic and ultrastructural findings of the systemic parasitic disease in three subjects born and reared in three different farms in central Italy. The animals, a Chianina bull and two cows, a Holstein Friesian and a Limousine, showed mild alopecia and severe scleroderma, more evident in muzzle, eyelids, scrotum or nipples. At necropsy of all animals several lesions were detected in conjunctiva and sclera, within the dermis, the mucosa of nasal turbinates, larynx and trachea and, in one case, within the muscular bands of back and legs. Cytological smears of the skin revealed numerous free banana-shaped bradyzoites with few mononucleate cells. Histology confirmed the presence of many dermal or submucosal cysts of 250 to 300 μm, composed by three layers, containing 7.0/8.0 x 2.0 μm bradyzoites and surrounded by a mild inflammatory reaction characterized by macrophages and eosinophils. Ultrastructural features of cysts and bradyzoites were consistent with protozoa belonging to Besnoitia besnoiti.