Symposia

Symposium 1 - Precision Parasitology

Chairpersons: Maria Paola Maurelli (UNINA) Lisa Guardone (UNIPI)

Precision parasitology represents a new frontier in biomedical and veterinary research, aimed at improving the diagnosis, treatment, and control of parasitic diseases, strengthening the ability to respond to emerging challenges. The symposium aims to promote an integrated and multidisciplinary vision of advanced immunological, molecular, digital and artificial intelligence approaches, as well as the use of innovative technologies that favour the development of increasingly targeted and sustainable strategies and contribute significantly to the advancement of public and animal health.

Symposium 2 - One Health, One Access: Medical and veterinary actions for antiparastic treatments  SoIPa/SIMET

Chairpersons: Marco Albonico (UNITO) Laura Rinaldi (UNINA)

There is a significant difference between human and veterinary medicine in the availability and access to antiparasitic drugs: the veterinary sector has access to a wide range of molecules, whereas in human medicine the options and availability are limited. The “One Health, One Access” symposium aims to promote multidisciplinary dialogue between human and veterinary medicine to bridge this gap, fostering an integrated perspective on the development and use of antiparasitic drugs. Knowledge, experiences, and tools will be shared to encourage the responsible and coordinated use of antiparasitic treatments in both medical and veterinary fields, with the goal of strengthening cooperation among the different sectors of global health.

Symposium 3 - Next-Gen experimental platform for host-parasites studies

Chairpersons: Marco Lalle (ISS) Ilaria Bellini (UNIRM)

Recent advances in host–parasite research increasingly rely on sophisticated in vitro and in vivo models, including cell line multi-culture mix, organoids, genetically engineered animals, and microfluidic systems, to dissect complex interactions at cellular and tissue levels. Despite these innovations, integration of different modeling approaches remains limited, and comparative insights across systems are scarce. This symposium aims to gather experts to present cutting-edge strategies, share methodologies, and discuss translational applications for understanding host-parasite dynamics. By highlighting innovative experimental frameworks, the session seeks to foster collaboration, inspire new research directions, and accelerate discovery of mechanisms underlying infection, immunity, and parasite persistence.

Symposium 4 - VETOQUINOL Symposium: Innovation in feline ecto parasite prevention and treatment

To define

Symposium 5 - Ecology and control of sand flies: challenges and prospects for public health

Chairpersons: Marcos Antonio Bezerra-Santos (UNIBA), Marco Pombi (UNIRM), Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan

Phlebotomine sand flies are key vectors of Leishmania parasites, representing a growing concern for human and animal health worldwide. Their ecology, distribution, and vectorial capacity are being reshaped by climate change, habitat alteration, and host dynamics. This symposium will present new insights into sand fly ecology and epidemiology, highlighting the impact of environmental changes, and their expanding distribution in Italy. In addition, innovative tools for surveillance and integrated, eco-sustainable control strategies will also be discussed. Adopting a One Health perspective, the session aims to promote interdisciplinary approaches to sand fly research and disease prevention

Symposium 6 - The new ESDA guidelines (European Society of Dirofilariosis and Angiostrongylosis

Chairpersons: Marco Genchi (UNIPR), Lavinia Ciuca (UNINA)

Presentation of the new ESDA guideline (European Society of Dirofilariosis and Angiostrongylosis)

Symposium 7 - Parasitological diagnosis in Italy (SoIPa, CoSP-AMCLI)

Chairpersons: Luciana Petrullo (“D. Cotugno” Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli Napoli) Simone Caccio’ (ISS)

Parasitological diagnosis in Italy represents a constantly evolving field, in light of epidemiological changes, technological innovations, and the integration of clinical and laboratory expertise. The symposium, promoted by SoIPa and CoSP-AMCLI, aims to provide an update on the state of the art in parasitological diagnostics, highlighting critical issues, best practices, and future perspectives. The main objective is to foster dialogue among parasitologists, healthcare professionals, and institutions, promoting a shared and standardized approach to improving diagnostic quality and the surveillance of parasitic diseases at the national level

Symposium 8

Thematic session 1

Human leishmaniasis: surveillance and molecular diversity in a One Health framework

Chairpersons: Stefania Varani (UNIBO) Luciano Attard (UNIBO) Rugna Gianluca (IZSLER)

Human leishmaniasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease occurring in geographically heterogeneous endemic foci, often bordering non-endemic areas, with a patchy distribution. The disease is characterized by clinical and genetic variability, driven by the circulation of multiple Leishmania species and genotypes. Climate and environmental changes, together with the expansion of phlebotomine sand fly vectors and the mobility of animal reservoirs (including humans), are leading to shifts in endemicity patterns and in the spatial distribution of the disease. Adopting the One Health paradigm enables the integration of information flows from human, veterinary, and entomological surveillance, thereby enhancing the capacity for early outbreak detection and risk assessment. In this context, molecular epidemiology and the use of high-resolution molecular methods represent essential tools for the characterization of circulating strains, the tracing of transmission chains, and the support of public health decision-making. This session aims to explore the methodological aspects of human leishmaniasis surveillance in southern Europe, highlighting the value of multidisciplinary integration and molecular tools for disease control and prevention

Thematic session 2

Leishmania parasites: scientific challanges and new perspectives on host-parasite interaction

Chairpersons: Sara Epis (UNIMI) Gioia Bongiorno (ISS)

Phlebotomine sand flies are the only proven vectors responsible for transmitting Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean basin, where leishmaniases remain neglected but significant vector-borne diseases. L. infantum causes both visceral and cutaneous forms in humans and animals (ECDC, 2022). In Europe, incidence in humans ranges from 1.1 to 1.9 cases per 100,000 (WHO), and canine seroprevalence reaches up to 10% (Gradoni, 2017). This symposium will explore recent advances in the biology, immunology, and ecology of host–vector–parasite interactions, particularly those involving vertebrate hosts such as dogs, highlighting how molecular, immunological, and behavioural factors can clarify transmission dynamics and guide innovative control strategies.

Symposium 9 - Interdisciplinary discussion on the management of parasitic and infectious diseases in dogs and cats

Chairpersons: Ettore Napoli (UNIME) Fabrizia Veronesi (UNIPG)

Parasitic and infectious diseases affecting dogs and cats represent a daily challenge in veterinary clinical practice. This symposium was conceived with the aim of fostering direct and interdisciplinary dialogue between parasitologists and infectious disease specialists, by examining infectious and parasitic pathogens that affect small animals, often characterized by very different pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. The four presentations of the symposium will address the key issues in the management and prevention of infectious and parasitic diseases in small animals: from a comparison of diseases that are currently under control and those that still remain challenging, to an analysis of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies guiding the use of antiparasitic and antimicrobial agents and the (few) vaccines available for their prevention, up to a critical evaluation of selective pressure and resistance phenomena, with a reflection on the importance of stewardship also in the veterinary field.

Symposium 10 - Comparative clinical mycology: dialogues between physician and veterinarians on fungal zoonoses and new therapeutic frontiers

Chairpersons: Terenzio Cosio (UNICATT) Mara Miglianti (UNIBA)

Infections caused by fungi and parasites represent an emerging challenge in both human and veterinary medicine. In immunocompromised hosts, interactions between these pathogens and the different mechanisms of infection may alter the immune response, worsen the clinical course, and complicate diagnosis. This symposium explores shared immunopathogenetic mechanisms, the most relevant clinical presentations, and emerging diagnostic frontiers, adopting a comparative approach between humans and animals. The aim is to promote an integrated and multidisciplinary perspective on fungal–parasitic infections, highlighting collaboration among mycologists, parasitologists, clinicians, and veterinarians to address current challenges in global health and within the One Health framework. Each session will be conducted “in two voices,” in order to enhance dialogue between veterinary and human clinical experiences from a truly integrated and translational perspective. The symposium is intended as an opportunity for updating and reflection on the challenges posed by emerging and re-emerging mycoses in the context of the One Health approach

Symposium 11 - Ticks inside out

Chairpersons: Vincenzo Veneziano (UNINA) Rudi Cassini (UNIPD)

Ticks can be studied from many different perspectives, e.g., taking into consideration how they are influenced by their outside, the environment and the hosts. At the same time, many different species of virus, bacteria and protozoa can be found inside the ticks, with variable types of association that can influence the vectorial competence of the ticks themselves. The incredibly high complexity of the ecology of the tick-borne pathogens and associated diseases is therefore difficult to understand, and probably even more difficult to communicate to the general public, leading to an urgent need in investigating the social perception of these fascinating parasites.

Symposium 12 - Global Parasitology: Gender Perspectives and Inclusive International Cooperation (WIP2.0)

Chairpersons: Serena Cavallero e Simona Gabrielli (UNIRM); Alessia Libera Gazzonis (UNIMI)

The symposium aims to highlight the fundamental role of gender equity in the advancement of parasitological research and in strengthening global health responses, in both medical and veterinary fields. Parasitic diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and countries with limited resources, intersecting with gender inequalities in access to healthcare, education, and scientific and professional opportunities. The symposium seeks to explore how inclusive international cooperation can leverage diversity, promote equitable leadership, and generate more effective strategies for the control of parasitic diseases, while fostering fair and shared approaches at the global level

Symposium 13 - Animals and Pathogenic Fungi: a hidden reservoir among us?

Chairpersons: Andrea Peano (UNITO) Giorgia Matteucci, (AbLab Laboratorio di Analisi Veterinarie, Sarzana SP)

The role of animals in the transmission of certain fungal pathogens to humans, such as dermatophytes, has long been recognized. However, recent studies are revealing that animals may act as “hidden” and possibly overlooked reservoirs of fungi responsible for opportunistic infections, such as yeasts of the genus Candida. This symposium aims to review current knowledge regarding domestic animals (including more exotic species kept as companion animals) and wildlife, present examples of human–animal–fungus interactions, discuss diagnostic tools, and promote an integrated One Health perspective to broaden the understanding of the dynamics of fungal infection transmission.

Symposium 14 - Environmental DNA (eDNA):  A new frontier for assessing and monitoring the biodiversity of parasites and vectors? Where are we now?

Chairpersons: Simonetta Mattiucci (UNIRM) Marialetizia Palomba (UNITUS)

Detection approaches based on environmental DNA (eDNA) are becoming widely used for free-living species, but remain underutilized for parasite and vectors. This Symposium aims to present the state of the art in this context, giving some examples where the development of eDNA allowed the detection of parasites and their intermediate hosts as well as vectors, in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Advantages and constraints in the eDNA developments will be also discussed

Symposium 15 - One health insights: zoonotic Blastocystis and Microsporidia across species

Chairpersons: Stefania Perrucci (UNIPI) Federica Berilli (UNIRM2) David DiCave UNIRM2)

Blastocystis spp. and microsporidia (Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon spp.) are parasites found both in humans and a wide range of animal species. Increasing molecular and epidemiological evidence indicates that animals can harbor zoonotic genotypes suggesting potential bidirectional transmission routes between animals and humans. However, many aspects of the biology, epidemiology, host specificity, and transmission dynamics of these parasites remain poorly understood. The aim of this symposium is to shed light on the occurrence, distribution and molecular characterization of Blastocystis spp. and microsporidia in humans and in wild and domestic animals in Italy by adopting a One Health perspective, to better assess their complex ecology and public health significance.

Symposium 16 - Battista Grassi in the Golden Age of Parasitology: People, Stories, and Discoveries

Chairpersons: Claudio Bandi (UNIMI) Alessandra della Torre (UNIRM)

The period between 1875 and 1925 has been defined as the “golden age” of parasitology. In just a few decades, the life cycles of numerous parasitic helminths and protozoa were elucidated through an approach that integrated contributions from other fields of study. It could be argued that parasitology, as a multidisciplinary, ecological, epidemiological, and clinical science, was born during those years. One of the leading figures of this period was undoubtedly Battista Grassi, whose first study was published in 1877 and who died in 1925. One hundred years after his death, and on the occasion of the awarding of the medals dedicated to him by SOIPA, this symposium aims to place Grassi’s work and legacy within the broader framework of the development of parasitology in Italy and worldwide.

Symposium 17 - Sexual and reproductive health

Chairpersons: Valentina Mangano (UNIPI); Alessandro Bartoloni (UNIFI)

Parasites exert profound yet often overlooked consequences for sexual and reproductive health. This symposium will address the topics of malaria in pregnancy, female genital schistosomiasis, trichomoniasis, congenital toxoplasmosis, and congenital Chagas disease. By examining their biological, epidemiological, clinical and social dimensions, the session will explore how these infections affect sexuality, fertility, maternal and pregnancy outcomes, and transmission dynamics. The session aims to advance understanding of the complex interplay between parasitic disease and sexual and reproductive health, and to promote interdisciplinary research and cooperative public health strategies to mitigate their impact at national and international levels

Symposium 18 - Boehringer Ingelheim Symposium

To define

Symposium 19 - Neglected Tropical Diseases: update on the policy and news on epidemiology

Chairpersons: Fabrizio Bruschi (UNIPI) Adriano Casulli (ISS)

Neglected tropical diseases are a group of conditions, mostly transmissible (with the exception of snakebite envenoming and noma), that have a major impact on global public health, affecting more than one and a half billion people worldwide. In Italy, some of these diseases are endemic, such as leishmaniasis and cystic echinococcosis, while others, including dengue and chikungunya, could become endemic in the future. This symposium aims to raise awareness of initiatives designed to increase knowledge of these long-recognized diseases and to support the implementation of control measures

Symposium 20 - From Research Node 2 of the PNRR INF-ACT Project to the Italian Network on Arthropod Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases

Chairpersons: Domenico Otranto (UNIBA) Fabrizio Montarsi (IZSVE)

Globalization, interconnectedness, and climate change have led to a significant increase in arthropod vector-borne diseases in Italy, and predictive models suggest increasingly complex epidemiological scenarios. The PNRR INF-ACT Extended Partnership has addressed these issues and generated new results and infrastructures. The aim of this symposium is to present the current and future epidemiological situation to SOIPA colleagues. The symposium will also illustrate the impact that the project’s outcomes may have on human and veterinary public health, as well as introduce the new Italian network on arthropod vectors and vector-borne diseases

Symposium 21 - Major parasitic diseases in poultry: current challenges and control strategies