Research topics

The research activities of the Parasitology and Mycology unit are focused on the following topics:

Arthropod-borne pathogens causing diseases, mainly those of zoonotic potential (leishmaniasis, dirofilarioses, thelaziosis, onchocercosis) and also babesiosis and hepatozoonosis;
Morphological and molecular identification of ectoparasites, including ticks, phlebotomine sandflies, fleas and mange mites isolated/collected from their hosts and the environment;
Role of ectoparasite vectors in transmitting pathogens;
Morphological and molecular identification of pathogens, their biology and epidemiology (e.g. Leishmania, Cercopithifilaria spp., Onchcerca lupi, Thelazia callipaeda);
Isolation of Leishmania from sand flies and vertebrate hosts;
Development of lab on chip protocols for the diagnosis of leishmaniasis;
Tick fauna in southern Italy and CCHF virus detection;
Surveillance of autochthonous and alien species of mosquitoes and sand flies in portual areas of Apulia;
Identification of biomarkers for sandfly bite exposure in dogs and humans;
Evaluation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) form different host species;
Isolation and characterisation of Onchocerca lupi proteins, instrumentally to develop a specific serological diagnostic assay;
Biology of the feline 'lungworms' (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea);
The in vitro activity of pesticides (i.e., ivermectin, fipronil, amitraz, permethrin and deltamethrin) against Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and Phlebotomus perniciosus collected from different areas of southern Italy;
Alternative control strategies (i.e., entomopathogenic fungi and essential oils) as bio-control agents against arthropods (i.e., mosquitos and phlebotomine sandflies);
Epidemiology of fungal infections of humans and animals, including invasive human infections such us Malassezia infections;
Antifungal susceptibility and resistance phenomena of fungi;
Isolation and characterization of emerging yeasts (Candida and Candida auris) from birds and wild animals.