Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41238956›Full record

ArticleActa parasitologica2025

Survey on Endoparasite Diversity in European Wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) in Italy.

Stefano Anile, Ettore Napoli, Paola Beraldo, Stefano Pesaro, Egidio Mallia, Gabriella Gaglio, Emanuele Brianti

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Article in Acta parasitologica, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Morphological and Molecular Identification ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Stefano Anile *Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF) - Section of Botany, Anthropology, Zoology, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. stefano.anile@unipa.it.
Ettore Napoli *Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Paola BeraldoDepartment of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Stefano PesaroDepartment of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
Egidio MalliaVeterinary Practitioner, Sicily, Italy.
Gabriella GaglioDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Emanuele BriantiDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris, hereafter only wildcat), is a key carnivore species in Europe and faces population declines due to habitat fragmentation, hybridization with domestic cats, and disease transmission. Parasites from domestic animals pose a significant health risk, potentially affecting wildcat survival. To assess disease risks, this study examines parasite richness and abundance in three genetically distinct wildcat populations from Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Basilicata, and Sicily).

methodsBetween 2005 and 2022, necropsies were conducted on wildcat carcasses collected from these regions, following standardized protocols for genetic identification, biometric measurements, and parasitological examinations. Parasites, isolated from anatomical systems, were morphologically identified. Bayesian linear mixed models evaluated the influence of sex, age, region, and organ type on parasite richness and abundance.

resultsAmong 51 carcasses, 39 were genetically confirmed wildcats, 8 domestic cats, and 4 hybrids. Road accidents were the primary cause of death (84.6%). All wildcats harboured at least one parasite species, with gastrointestinal parasites in 97.4% and respiratory parasites in 64%. Toxocara cati (84.6%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme (56.4%), and Taenia taeniaeformis (82.1%) were the most prevalent species. Parasite richness and abundance were higher in intestines. In addition, parasite richness was lower in Sicilian wildcats whereas parasite abundance was lower for adult wildcats. Parasite richness and abundance show a positive linear relationship.

conclusionsRegional and age-specific variations in parasite prevalence suggest environmental influences and an increased resistance to parasites infection in adult wildcats. The presence of parasites highlights the need for conservation efforts to mitigate disease transmission. The findings herein reported emphasize the importance of continued research to assist wildcat conservation strategies and address emerging health threats.

Indexed as

Animals, WildBiodiversityFelisParasitesParasitic Diseases, AnimalAnimalsCatsFemaleItalyMaleAbundanceCestodesNematodesRichnessWildcat

Identifiers

PMID41238956

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.