<i>Pearsonema</i> spp. (Family Capillariidae, Order Enoplida) Infection in Domestic Carnivores in Central–Northern Italy and in a Red Fox Population from Central Italy
Salvatore Pelligra | Lisa Guardone | Francesca Riggio | Francesca Parisi | Michela Maestrini | Alessia Mariacher | Stefania Perrucci
<i>Pearsonema</i> spp. nematodes infect the urinary bladder of domestic and wild carnivores. The red fox is considered a reservoir of <i>Pearsonema plica</i>, while the prevalence of <i>Pearsonema</i> spp. in domestic carnivores is still poorly known. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of <i>Pearsonema</i> spp. infection in privately owned cats (26) and dogs (83) from central and northern Italy alongside occurrence in red foxes (42) from central Italy. In positive dogs and cats, associated clinical signs were also evaluated. Urine samples were first examined under a stereomicroscope; then, they were centrifuged and microscopically examined after a flotation test. As for foxes, the urinary bladders were opened and urine was collected and processed as above, while collected nematodes were identified at the species level. Among examined animals, 2/26 cats (7.7%), 1/83 dogs (1.2%), and 38/42 foxes (90.5%) scored positive. Recurrent cystitis, pollakiuria, and hematuria were the main clinical signs in symptomatic dogs and cats. This is the first study on <i>Pearsonema</i> spp. infection in domestic carnivores examining a large number of privately owned pet animals. Obtained results confirm the role of the red fox as a reservoir for <i>P. plica</i> and suggest a possible high occurrence of <i>Pearsonema</i> spp. infection in domestic cats of central Italy.
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