Grace Tarantino - Italy
This summer I had the pleasure of joining the parasitology department within the school of veterinary medicine at the University of Teramo to conduct research on feline parasites. The primary research project focused on assessing the prevalence of feline lungworm (Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior) infections in cats in Italy. Additionally, we investigated coccidia and Giardia infections in cats to explore the correlation between these infections and diarrhea as a clinical sign.
Teramo is a humble town located in the Abruzzo region of central Italy, nestled between the Adriatic coast and the Apennine mountains. Locals may say there is not much to the small town of Teramo, but I have discovered that hidden gems often reveal themselves where you least expect them. Alongside its cobblestone streets and characteristic archways, you will find cozy restaurants tucked within the alleyways, a local pub where residents gather for an evening beer, and the best focacceria around. At the university, I experienced the true essence of Italian hospitality, feeling warmly welcomed and integrated into the community as a veterinary scholar. It was enriching to discuss current topics in veterinary medicine with professors and PhD students, exploring the differences between practices and challenges in the US and Italy. I also had the chance to engage with veterinary students in the teaching hospital, gaining insight into how the veterinary school experience varies between our universities.
While working with the parasitology department, I engaged in both fieldwork and laboratory activities. Fieldwork involved visiting local catteries to collect fecal samples for analysis. I also learned about Italy’s legal protections for stray and feral cats, including their right to roam and reside wherever they please. To ensure their well-being, legally registered cat colonies are maintained, with dedicated individuals responsible for feeding and caring for these populations. I visited a variety of catteries, each varying in size and appearance and ranging from a few cats to nearly fifty. One cattery was an abandoned room repurposed into a shelter for free-roaming cats to come and go as they please. Another location was a daycare for young children that educates them about farm animals and fosters compassion through interaction. Another cattery nestled in the mountainside featured large walk-in crates shaded by tarps and equipped with cat beds and scratch posts. In the parasitology lab, I conducted a range of tests to examine the samples, including fecal flotations, direct fecal smears, sucrose concentration tests, the Baermann technique, and McMaster’s counting method. I gained proficiency in microscopy and the identification of parasites such as Toxocara cati, Cystoisospora, Giardia, A. abstrusus, and T. brevior.
This experience deepened my understanding of feline parasitology and the parasites that are most prevalent and clinically significant in Italy's feral cat populations. In addition to studying feline parasites, I also learned how to perform Knott's tests on canine blood samples to detect Dirofilaria. I acquired skills in identifying and morphologically distinguishing between Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. Beyond its impact on my veterinary studies, this experience was profoundly personal. It allowed me to compare my interactions with locals and immersion in Italian culture to the perceptions and expectations of Italy imparted to me by my Italian grandparents and shaped by my upbringing in an immigrant Italian community. I found great joy in practicing my Italian during real-life conversations and tasting the wonderful flavors of Abruzzese cuisine. This journey also offered insights into how I engage with my environment both individually and within a group, highlighting aspects of myself I admire and areas I am striving to improve. My time in Teramo was truly enlightening, and I am deeply grateful to the faculty I had the pleasure of working with, who made this journey so memorable and special to me.