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Magliocca M, Taddei R, Urbani L, Bertasio C, Facile V, Gallina L, Sampieri M, Rugna G, Rubini S, Maioli G, Terrusi A, Battilani M, Balboni A. Molecular Detection of Viral and Bacterial Pathogens in Red Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes) from Italy. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1969. [PMID: 38998080 PMCID: PMC11240561 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Animals, including wildlife, are part of One-Health concept since many infectious diseases can affect both humans and animals. In this study, 126 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northern Italy in 2022-2023 were tested by molecular assays for Protoparvovirus carnivoran 1 (PPVC-1), Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), Circovirus canine (CanineCV), Canine distemper virus (CDV), and Leptospira spp. A total of 39 of 126 (30.9%) red foxes were infected with at least one pathogen and five of these were coinfected: 20/126 (15.9%) red foxes tested positive for PPVC-1, 3/126 (2.4%) for CAdV, 20/126 (15.9%) for CanineCV, and 2/126 (1.6%) for Leptospira spp. DNA. No foxes tested positive for CDV RNA. The pathogens identified were genetically analysed. New findings were reported such as a fox with multiple feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) and canine parvovirus type 2b (CPV-2b) infection associated with quasispecies dynamics, typical genetic characteristics of the identified CanineCV, and the first detection in red foxes of Leptospira ST198 related to L. interrogans serogroup Australis. Further studies are necessary to investigate the transmission between domestic animals and wildlife and to understand the role of red foxes in the maintenance of these pathogens not only in the wild but also in urban and peri-urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Magliocca
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberta Taddei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenza Urbani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- Italian Reference Centre for Animal Leptospirosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Brescia, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Veronica Facile
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Gallina
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Sampieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Modena, 41122 Modena, Italy
| | - Silva Rubini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Ferrara, 44124 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulia Maioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER) "Bruno Ubertini", Sede Territoriale di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessia Terrusi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mara Battilani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, Bologna, Italy
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Prpić J, Lojkić I, Keros T, Krešić N, Jemeršić L. Canine Distemper Virus Infection in the Free-Living Wild Canines, the Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes) and Jackal ( Canis aureus moreoticus), in Croatia. Pathogens 2023; 12:833. [PMID: 37375523 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The canine distemper virus (CDV), a paramyxovirus that is closely related to the human measles virus and rinderpest virus of cattle, is a highly contagious viral disease in dogs and wild carnivores worldwide. CDV represents a serious threat to domestic and wild animals, especially to the conservation of endangered wild carnivores. Our study aims to investigate the occurrence of CDV in free-living wild canines in Croatia. For this purpose, 176 red foxes and 24 jackal brain samples collected in the frame of the active surveillance of rabies during winter 2021/2022 were tested. This study provided the first comprehensive overview of the prevalence and spatial distribution of CDV in the wildlife of Croatia, including the molecular phylogenetic analysis of the H gene sequence of field CDV strains circulating in red fox and jackal populations of Croatia. The molecular characterization of hemagglutinin gene genomic regions confirmed the phylogenetic clustering of obtained sequences into the Europa 1 genotype. The obtained CDV red fox sequences were mutually very similar (97.60%). This study indicates the high genetic similarity of Croatian CDV red fox sequences and CDV red fox sequences from Italy and Germany, badger sequences from Germany, polecat sequences from Hungary, and dog sequences from Hungary and Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Prpić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivana Lojkić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Keros
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Krešić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lorena Jemeršić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Guercio A, Mira F, Di Bella S, Gucciardi F, Lastra A, Purpari G, Castronovo C, Pennisi M, Di Marco Lo Presti V, Rizzo M, Giudice E. Biomolecular Analysis of Canine Distemper Virus Strains in Two Domestic Ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo). Vet Sci 2023; 10:375. [PMID: 37368761 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10060375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper is a contagious and severe systemic viral disease that affects domestic and wild carnivores worldwide. In this study, two adult female ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were evaluated for cutaneous lesions. Scab, fur, and swab samples from the external auditory canal, cutaneous lesions, and scrapings were analyzed. Canine distemper virus (CDV)-positive samples underwent RT-PCR/RFLP with the restriction enzyme PsiI, and the hemagglutinin gene sequence was obtained. According to the restriction enzyme and sequence analyses, the viral strains were typed as CDV field strains that are included within the Europe lineage and distinct from those including vaccinal CDV strains. The sequence analysis showed the highest nucleotide identity rates in older Europe lineage CDV strains collected from dogs and a fox in Europe. This study is the first to report on CDV infection in ferrets in southern Italy and contributes to the current knowledge about natural CDV infection in this species. In conclusion, vaccination remains crucial for preventing the disease and counteracting cross-species infection. Molecular biology techniques can enable the monitoring of susceptible wild animals by ensuring the active surveillance of CDV spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Gucciardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Lastra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via G. Marinuzzi, 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Melissa Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Maria Rizzo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Giudice
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Lanszki Z, Lanszki J, Tóth GE, Cserkész T, Csorba G, Görföl T, Csathó AI, Jakab F, Kemenesi G. Detection and sequence analysis of Canine morbillivirus in multiple species of the Mustelidae family. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:450. [PMID: 36564834 PMCID: PMC9789673 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03551-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine morbillivirus (canine distemper virus, CDV) is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family. Canine distemper is a serious viral disease that affects many mammalian species, including members of the Mustelidae family. These animals have an elusive nature, which makes related virological studies extremely challenging. There is a significant knowledge gap about the evolution of their viruses and about the possible effects of these viruses to the population dynamics of the host animals. Spleen and lung tissue samples of 170 road-killed mustelids belonging to six species were collected between 1997 and 2022 throughout Hungary and tested for CDV with real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS Three species were positive for viral RNA, 2 out of 64 Steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanii), 1 out of 36 European polecats (Mustela putorius) and 2 out of 36 stone martens (Martes foina); all 18 pine martens (Martes martes), 10 least weasels (Mustela nivalis) and 6 stoats (Mustela erminea) tested negative. The complete CDV genome was sequenced in five samples using pan-genotype CDV-specific, amplicon-based Nanopore sequencing. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, all five viral sequences were grouped to the Europe/South America 1 lineage and the distribution of one sequence among trees indicated recombination of the Hemagglutinin gene. We verified the recombination with SimPlot analysis. CONCLUSIONS This paper provides the first CDV genome sequences from Steppe polecats and additional complete genomes from European polecats and stone martens. The infected specimens of various species originated from distinct parts of the country over a long time, indicating a wide circulation of CDV among mustelids throughout Hungary. Considering the high virulence of CDV and the presence of the virus in these animals, we highlight the importance of conservation efforts for wild mustelids. In addition, we emphasize the importance of full genomic data acquisition and analysis to better understand the evolution of the virus. Since CDV is prone to recombination, specific genomic segment analyses may provide less representative evolutionary traits than using complete genome sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófia Lanszki
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - József Lanszki
- grid.418201.e0000 0004 0484 1763Balaton Limnological Research Institute, 8237 Tihany, Hungary ,grid.129553.90000 0001 1015 7851Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
| | - Gábor Endre Tóth
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tamás Cserkész
- grid.424755.50000 0001 1498 9209Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Csorba
- grid.424755.50000 0001 1498 9209Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, 1088 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Görföl
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | | | - Ferenc Jakab
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Kemenesi
- grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary ,grid.9679.10000 0001 0663 9479Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
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Detection and Molecular Characterization of Canine Distemper Virus in Wildlife from Northern Italy. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121557. [PMID: 36558891 PMCID: PMC9782791 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a fatal, highly contagious disease found in wild and domestic carnivores. Several outbreaks have occurred in wildlife in Italy in recent years. This study aims to detect CDV in wildlife following the increasing mortality of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy) observed in 2021. Sixty-seven foxes and one badger (Meles meles) were subjected to necropsy followed by histological examination and were analyzed with molecular techniques to detect the presence of CDV. Of the tested animals, 16% (nine foxes and one badger) were positive for CDV. Phylogenetic analysis showed two different lineages based on complete H gene sequences. The Europe/South America-1 lineage was detected in one fox from Modena, which resembled the CDV variant associated with a previous outbreak in northern Italy in 2018, while the European Wildlife lineage was detected in animals from the Rimini province. Amino acid analysis highlighted a Y549H mutation in all sequences collected, which is commonly associated with increased virulence.
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Oleaga Á, Vázquez CB, Royo LJ, Barral TD, Bonnaire D, Armenteros JÁ, Rabanal B, Gortázar C, Balseiro A. Canine distemper virus in wildlife in south-western Europe. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e473-e485. [PMID: 34536064 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Multi-host pathogens emerging and re-emerging at the wildlife-domestic animal interface affect wildlife management and conservation. This is the case of canine distemper virus (CDV), a paramyxovirus closely related to human measles virus and rinderpest virus of cattle. With an area of 10,603 km2 , Asturias region in Atlantic Spain is a hotspot of carnivore diversity, which includes the largest Eurasian brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) population and one of the largest wolf (Canis lupus) populations in south-western Europe. In 2020-2021, we recorded mortality due to distemper in four carnivore species including three mustelids (Eurasian badger Meles meles, European marten Martes martes and European polecat Mustela putorius) and one canid (red fox, Vulpes vulpes). Clinical signs and pathology were similar across species and consistent with the emergence of a highly pathogenic viral strain, with CDV antigen mainly located in the central nervous system, lungs, spleen and lymph nodes. A molecular study in eight wild carnivore species, also including the Iberian wolf, Eurasian brown bear, American mink (Neovison vison) and stone marten (Martes foina), revealed 19.51% (16/82) of positivity. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that CDV belonged to the previously described European lineage. A retrospective serosurvey (2008-2020) showed a high seroprevalence of CDV antibodies (43.4%) in 684 analyzed badgers, indicating a long-term though not stable viral circulation in this multi-host community. The possible triggers of the 2020-2021 outbreak and the implications for carnivore management and conservation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Oleaga
- Sociedad de Servicios del Principado de Asturias S.A. (SERPA), Gijón, Spain
| | - Cristina Blanco Vázquez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Luis José Royo
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario del Principado de Asturias (SERIDA), Villaviciosa, Spain
| | - Thiago Doria Barral
- Laboratório de Imunologia e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Debby Bonnaire
- Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs Agroalimentaires de Bretagne atlantique, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - José Ángel Armenteros
- Consejería de Fomento, Ordenación del Territorio y Medio Ambiente del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Benjamín Rabanal
- Laboratorio de Técnicas Instrumentales, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Christian Gortázar
- SaBio. Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, León, Spain.,Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-Universidad de León), León, Spain
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Integrated Use of Molecular Techniques to Detect and Genetically Characterise DNA Viruses in Italian Wolves ( Canis lupus italicus). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082198. [PMID: 34438655 PMCID: PMC8388400 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In our study, different quantitative and qualitative molecular techniques were used to detect and genetically characterise Carnivore protoparvovirus 1, Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 (CAdV-1 and CAdV-2), and Canine circovirus (CanineCV) in Italian wolves (Canis lupus italicus) of the Italian Apennines. Carnivore protoparvoviruses were the most frequently detected viruses, followed by CanineCV and CAdV. All the wolves tested positive for at least one of the DNA viruses screened, and 47.8% of the subjects were coinfected with two or three viruses. From viral sequences analysis, close correlations emerged between the viruses identified in the wolves and those circulating in domestic dogs, suggesting that the same viruses infect wolves and domestic dogs. Further studies are needed to investigate if pathogens are transmitted between the two species. Abstract In this study, internal organs (tongue, intestine, and spleen) of 23 free-ranging Italian wolves (Canis lupus italicus) found dead between 2017 and 2019 were tested for Carnivore protoparvovirus 1, Canine adenovirus (CAdV), and Canine circovirus (CanineCV) using real-time PCR assays. Genetic characterisation of the identified viruses was carried out by amplification, sequencing, and analysis of the complete viral genome or informative viral genes. All the wolves tested positive for at least one of the DNA viruses screened, and 11/23 were coinfected. Carnivore protoparvoviruses were the most frequently detected viruses (21/23), followed by CanineCV (11/23) and CAdV (4/23). From the analysis of the partial VP2 gene of 13 carnivore protoparvoviruses, 12 were canine parvovirus type 2b, closely related to the strains detected in dogs and wild carnivores from Italy, and one was a feline panleukopenia-like virus. Of the four CAdV identified, two were CAdV-1 and two were CAdV-2. The complete genome of seven CanineCVs was sequenced and related to the CanineCV identified in dogs, wolves, and foxes worldwide. Close correlations emerged between the viruses identified in wolves and those circulating in domestic dogs. Further studies are needed to investigate if these pathogens may be potentially cross-transmitted between the two species.
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