Intestinal Strongyle Genera in Different Typology of Donkey Farms in Tuscany, Central Italy

Michela Maestrini,Francesco Giovanni Salvo Angeletti,Simone Mancini,Stefania Perrucci,Mina Martini,Marcelo Beltrão Molento

doi:10.3390/vetsci7040195

Michela Maestrini, Francesco Giovanni Salvo Angeletti + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7040195

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Abstract

Intestinal strongyles are common helminths of donkeys, in which they may be responsible for disease and poor performance. This study aimed to identify intestinal strongyle genera in 55 naturally infected donkeys from three different farm typologies in Tuscany, central Italy, using morphological and metrical analysis of third stage larvae (L3) obtained from faecal cultures. Larvae were identified using two previous reported morphological identification keys. Moreover, eggs per gram (EPG) data were also evaluated to assess differences, if any, according to the farm typology, sex, and age of the examined donkeys. The results showed that small strongyles were prevalent in all donkey farms. In all examined farms, most (92–100%) of L3 were identified as cyathostomin species of the genera Cylicocyclus spp. and Cylicostephanus spp. Large strongyles of the genera Strongylus spp. and Triodontophorus spp., were identified at low percentage (8%), only in the single organic farm included in the study. A high agreement was observed between the two different morphometric keys used. No significant differences were found for EPG according to farm typology, and sex and age from the examined donkeys. This is the first report about genera identification of intestinal strongyles infecting donkeys in Tuscany, Italy.

Highlights

Donkey breeding has always been considered a marginal livestock production worldwide.in recent years in Europe, and mainly in Italy, donkey breeding has become more popular [1].In Italy, donkeys are primarily reared to produce milk intended for human consumption
All donkey faecal samples (100%) from all examined farms were found positive for intestinal strongyle eggs (Figure 1B,C)
eggs per gram (EPG) of intestinal strongyles in the farm in Grosseto, 500 EPG in the farm located in Arezzo, and 300 EPG in the farm located in Pisa

Summary

Introduction

Donkey breeding has always been considered a marginal livestock production worldwide.in recent years in Europe, and mainly in Italy, donkey breeding has become more popular [1].In Italy, donkeys are primarily reared to produce milk intended for human consumption. Donkey breeding has always been considered a marginal livestock production worldwide. In recent years in Europe, and mainly in Italy, donkey breeding has become more popular [1]. In Italy, donkeys are primarily reared to produce milk intended for human consumption. Due to its similarity to the human breast milk, donkey milk is used in neonatal nutrition for children allergic to cow’s milk [2]. Due to its high content of essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B, C, and E, endowed with an epithelial-protecting activity, donkey milk is used in cosmetics [3]. In Italy, donkeys are employed in social activities, such as onotherapy and tourism, or as in the other European countries, they are used as working animals in marginal areas [1]. In Tuscany, central Italy, many donkey farms have less than five donkeys per farm, while about 100 donkeys are raised in only seven farms, consisting of more than five animals [4,5]

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