Castaldo, Elisa (2025) Helminth and protozoan infections in South American Camelids in Italy. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Parasitic infections represent a major health and economic concern in animal production systems, as they can compromise the welfare and productivity of livestock, causing reproductive disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, and even death in severe cases. Among these, South American Camelids (SACs), including alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama), have gained increasing popularity not only in traditional Andean economies but also in Europe, where these animals are bred for fibre production, tourism activities, and as companion animals. Despite this expansion, the epidemiology of parasitic infections in SACs remains poorly studied and largely restricted to research conducted in South American countries. Given the importance of understanding the biology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of the main endoparasites to preserve the health and productivity of these animals, the present doctoral thesis aimed to investigate the occurrence and diversity of helminth and protozoan infections in South American camelids: − Chapter I provides a general overview of the biological and physiological features of South American camelids (SACs), with particular emphasis on their breeding and management in Italy; − Chapter II offers a comprehensive review of the main helminths affecting SACs. For each parasite, the life cycle, clinical significance, epidemiology, control strategies, and anthelmintic treatments are discussed, integrating the most recent literature; − Chapter III focuses on the main protozoan infections in SACs, providing an in-depth discussion of their biology, pathogenic potential, epidemiology, and strategies for control and treatment; − Chapter IV reports a nationwide serological survey on Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections both in alpacas and llamas in Italy, assessing their geographical distribution and identifying potential risk factors associated with exposure; − Chapter V investigates gastrointestinal helminth infections in alpacas by integrating coprological data with a questionnaire survey; − Chapter VI presents the first serological investigation on Sarcocystis spp. infection in SACs in Italy and in Europe, evaluating exposure levels and exploring possible transmission routes; − Chapter VII: investigated Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae infection in SACs in Italy, focusing on its molecular detection and genetic characterization. Future studies will include: − Investigate the prevalence of Eimeria spp. in SACs, with particular focus on the identification of Eimeria species and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on infection patterns; − Evaluate the efficacy of the main anthelmintics used in camelids to assess the presence of anthelmintic resistance in Italy; − Study the biology of Capillaria species infecting SACs to better understand their life cycle and epidemiology.

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