From Surveillance to Solutions: Integrating Epidemiological Analysis with Web Application Development for Combatting Zoonotic Parasites in Gennargentu - Mandrolisai, Sardinia

This PhD thesis aims to provide an overview of the main zoonotic parasites. The objective is to offer an epidemiological insight into zoonotic parasitosis to develop a web application for raising awareness and preventing the risk of infection among citizens and farmers in Sardinia region. This endeavour aims to establish a foundation for the development and implementation of a telemedicine tool. The thesis is composed of following chapters: Chapter 1 contains a review article that comprehend a extensive summary of main zoonotic parasite that could be handled at parasitological laboratories and summarising the standard biosecurity protocols for the infectious agents. Chapter 2 is divided into two sections: Section 2.1 focuses on the epidemiological and molecular aspects of Apicomplexa parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum,Sarcocystis spp.) in sheep intended for human consumption. In Section 2.2, the epidemiological aspects of T. gondii in Sardinian wild boar are described. Both surveys conducted reveal the widespread presence of T. gondii in both species. The prevalence varies depending on age and sex, and differences in prevalence are observed between the two species, leading to distinct epidemiological dynamics between wildlife and farmed animals. Chapter 3 examines the impact of Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) edutainment on children's awareness and understanding of the disease. An education project conducted among primary school children in Sardinia resulted in increased awareness of CE following the intervention. The findings suggest that edutainment can effectively enhance awareness and reduce the transmission of CE in endemic communities. Chapter 4 delineates the web application, highlighting its various sections: individual description pages for each parasite, interlinked with other pages detailing the project team's objectives, diagnostic services, and consulting offerings.