Serological survey on some pathogens in wild brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in Central Italy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the exposure of wild brown hares [Lepus europaeus (L. europaeus), pallas] to Anaplasma phagocytophilum (A. phagocytophilum), Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) sensu lato, Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi), Leishmania sp., Neospora caninum (N. caninum) and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii).


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-two blood serum samples of wild brown hares captured in protected areas of the province of Pisa (Central Italy) were tested to detect antibodies against the reported pathogens.


RESULTS
Thirty one (14.0%) animals resulted positive for at least one tested agent, with antibody titres ranging from 1:20 to 1:320. In particular, 13 (5.8%) samples were positive to B. burgdorferi s.l., 11 (4.9%) to N. caninum, 3 (1.3%) to T. gondii, 2 (0.9%) to A. phagocytophilum and 2 (0.9%) to Leishmania sp. No samples scored positive to E. cuniculi. Four animals (14.8%) resulted coinfected with 2 different pathogens.


CONCLUSIONS
The obtained results showed that B. burgdorferi s.l. N. caninum, T. gondii, A. phagocytophilum and Leishmania sp. circulate in wild brown hares in Central Italy, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir of these pathogens. The obtained results showed that autochthonous wild brown hares living in Central Italy have been exposed to several pathogens circulating in this area, suggesting a possible role of L. europaeus as reservoir.
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: valentina.virginia.ebani@unipi.it.
Valentina Virginia
VV
Ebani
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Poli
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Guido
G
Rocchigiani
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Bertelloni
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Simona
S
Nardoni
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Roberto Amerigo
RA
Papini
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Francesca
F
Mancianti
Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.; Brown hare (Lepus europaeus); Leishmania sp.; Neospora caninum; Serology; Toxoplasma gondii