Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the "festa Dei serpari" in Cocullo, Italy.

ABSTRACT: While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May, Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual of San Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological context, parasites and microorganisms of snakes harvested for the "festa dei serpari" ritual were investigated. Snakes (n = 112) were examined and ectoparasites collected, as well as blood and feces sampled. Ectoparasites were identified morpho-molecularly, and coprological examination conducted through direct smear and flotation. Molecular screenings were performed to id

SUBMITTER: Mendoza-Roldan JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10911609 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature