1
|
Rossi A, Santi A, Barsi F, Casadei G, Di Donato A, Fontana MC, Galletti G, Garbarino CA, Lombardini A, Musto C, Prosperi A, Pupillo G, Rugna G, Tamba M. Eleven Years of Health Monitoring in Wild Boars ( Sus scrofa) in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1832. [PMID: 37889705 PMCID: PMC10252029 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111832] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the growth of wild ungulates has increased the focus on their health monitoring. In particular, the health status of wild boars is relevant for the economic impact on the pig industry. The Emilia-Romagna region activated a wildlife monitoring plan to better evaluate the health status of the wild boar population. Between 2011 and 2021, samples of found dead and hunted wild boar have been examined for trichinellosis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, african swine fever, classical swine fever, Aujeszky's disease, swine vesicular disease, and swine influenza A. Trichinella britovi was identified in 0.001% of the examined wild boars; neither M. bovis nor M. tuberculosis were found in M. tuberculosis complex positive samples; 2.3% were positive for Brucella suis; 29.4% of the sera were positive for Aujeszky's disease virus; and 0.9% of the samples were positive for swine influenza A virus. With an uncertain population estimate, the number of animals tested, the number of positives, and the sampling method do not allow us to make many inferences but suggest the need to implement and strengthen the existing surveillance activity, as it seems to be the only viable alternative for safeguarding animal and human health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Rossi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Annalisa Santi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Filippo Barsi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Gabriele Casadei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Alessandra Di Donato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Maria Cristina Fontana
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Giorgio Galletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Chiara Anna Garbarino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Annalisa Lombardini
- Settore Prevenzione Collettiva e Sanità Pubblica, Direzione Generale Cura della Persona, Salute e Welfare, Emilia-Romagna Region, 40127 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Carmela Musto
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Alice Prosperi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Giovanni Pupillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Gianluca Rugna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| | - Marco Tamba
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia-Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy (F.B.); (G.C.); (A.D.D.); (M.C.F.); (G.G.); (C.A.G.); (A.P.); (G.P.); (G.R.); (M.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030421. [PMID: 36986343 PMCID: PMC10057195 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Q fever is caused by the pathogen Coxiella burnetii and is a zoonosis that naturally infects goats, sheep, and cats, but can also infect humans, birds, reptiles, or arthropods. A survey was conducted for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii in a sample of 617 free-ranging wild ruminants, 358 wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 259 red deer (Cervus elaphus), in east–central Portugal during the 2016–2022 hunting seasons. Only adult animals were sampled in this study. Antibodies specific to C. burnetii were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; IDVet®, Montpellier, France) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection was 1.5% (n = 9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7–2.8%). Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 4/358 wild boar (1.1%; 95% CI: CI: 0.3–2.8%) and 5/259 red deer (1.9%; 0.6–4.5%). Results of the present study indicate that antibodies against C. burnetii were present in wild boar and red deer in Portugal. These findings can help local health authorities to focus on the problem of C. burnetii in wildlife and facilitate the application of a One Health approach to its prevention and control.
Collapse
|
3
|
de Macedo GC, Herrera HM, de Oliveira Porfírio GE, Santos FM, de Assis WO, de Andrade GB, Nantes WAG, de Mendoza JH, Fernández-Llario P, de Oliveira CE. Brucellosis in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland: threat to animal production and wildlife conservation. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:2287-2297. [PMID: 36269553 PMCID: PMC9679109 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00831-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This review was performed to gather knowledge about brucellosis in livestock and wildlife in the Brazilian Pantanal, a biome with a huge biodiversity and extensive livestock production. Following the preferred reporting items for narrative review guidelines and using the terms "Brucella" and "Pantanal," we explored the PubMed, SciELO, Jstor, Science Direct, and Scholar Google databases. Information on host species, diagnostic test, number of positive animals, and positivity rates were acquired. Articles dating from 1998 to 2022 registered 14 studies including cattle, dogs, and the following wildlife species: Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Sus scrofa, Tayassu peccari, Nasua nasua, Cerdocyon thous, Panthera onca, Dasypus novemcintus, Cabassous unicinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Priodontes maximus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris. Brucella occurrence in cattle was demonstrated through the serological confirmatory test 2-mercaptoetanol. Molecular diagnosis detected Brucella abortus in dogs, smooth Brucella in O. beoarticus, and Brucella spp. in T. peccari. Cattle may have a pivotal importance in maintenance and spreading of Brucella spp. due to their high population density, environmental contamination from abortion of infected cows, and eventual excretion of B. abortus S19 strain from vaccinated heifers. The occurrence of Brucella spp. in O. bezoarticus and T. peccari represent a risk for wildlife conservation. These data indicate that Brucella spp. are enzootic in the Pantanal wetland, sustained by a reservoir system including domestic and wild mammals. Due to marked seasonality and large populations of wildlife species sharing same environments with livestock, brucellosis acquires great complexity in Pantanal and, therefore, must be analyzed considering both animal production and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | - Grasiela Edith de Oliveira Porfírio
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | - Filipe Martins Santos
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | - William Oliveira de Assis
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | - Gisele Braziliano de Andrade
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | - Wesley Arruda Gimenes Nantes
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil
| | | | - Pedro Fernández-Llario
- Innovation in Management and Conservation of Ungulates (INGULADOS) 10002, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Carina Elisei de Oliveira
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Sciences and Agricultural Sustainability, Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB), 79117-010, Av. TamandaréJardim Seminário 79117-900, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 6000, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
First Report of Brucella Seroprevalence in Wild Boar Population in Serbia. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9100575. [PMID: 36288188 PMCID: PMC9612294 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9100575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is one of the most important bacterial zoonotic diseases worldwide, characterized in domestic animals by long-term reproductive disorders. As known, wild boars (Sus scrofa) are natural hosts for Brucella suis biovar 2, in which the infection passes in inapparent form, increasing the pathogen transmission risk to domestic pigs, other domestic animals and humans. So far, no studies regarding brucellosis in wild boars in Serbia have been published. During the hunting season 2020/2021, 480 sera of wild boars living in Serbia were collected and tested for the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies. For the serological survey, the Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) were used. Of the 480 sera, 45 sera tested positive, indicating the acquired Brucella seroprevalence in wild boars of 9.4%. The greatest numbers of Brucella seropositive animals were detected in the eastern parts of the country and in one of the central districts, i.e., Pomoravski, Branicevski, Borski and Juznobanatski. This study provides the first data regarding brucellosis in the wild boar population in Serbia, revealing the seroprevalence of Brucella, thus indicating that wild boars as natural hosts and/or vectors of Brucella likely present a risk for the infection of other animals.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fabbri MC, Crovetti A, Tinacci L, Bertelloni F, Armani A, Mazzei M, Fratini F, Bozzi R, Cecchi F. Identification of candidate genes associated with bacterial and viral infections in wild boars hunted in Tuscany (Italy). Sci Rep 2022; 12:8145. [PMID: 35581286 PMCID: PMC9114367 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12353-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) is one of the large mammals most spread worldwide, highly adaptable, and its population rapidly increased in many areas in Europe, including Italy, where Tuscany is considered particularly suitable for wild boar. Wild boars are potential hosts for different etiological agents, such as Brucella spp., Leptospira spp. and Pseudorabies virus and they can contribute to maintain and/or to disseminate some bacterial or viral pathogens to humans and domestic animals, above all-in free-range farms. In order to identify hypothetical genomic regions associated with these infection diseases, 96 samples of wild boars hunted in Tuscany during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 hunting seasons were considered. Diagnosis was achieved by serological tests and 42 Pseudorabies, 31 Leptospira and 15 Brucella positive animals were identified. All animals were genotyped with Geneseek Genomic Profiler Porcine HD (70 k) and a genome-wide scan was then performed. Significant markers were highlighted for Pseudorabies (two SNPs), Brucella (seven SNPs), and Leptospira (four SNPs) and they were located within, or nearby, 29 annotated genes on chromosome 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 18. Eight genes are implicated in viral (SEC14L1, JMJD6, SRSF2, TMPRSS2, MX1, MX2) or bacterial (COL8A1, SPIRE1) infections, seven genes (MFSD11, METTL23, CTTNBP2, BACE2, IMPA2, MPPE1 and GNAL) are involved in mental disorders and one gene (MGAT5B) is related to the Golgi complex. Results presented here provide interesting starting points for future research, validation studies and fine mapping of candidate genes involved in bacterial and viral infections in wild boar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Fabbri
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy.
| | - A Crovetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - L Tinacci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Bertelloni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Armani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Mazzei
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - F Fratini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Bozzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università di Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - F Cecchi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ali S, Saeed U, Rizwan M, Hassan L, Syed MA, Melzer F, El-Adawy H, Neubauer H. Serosurvey and Risk Factors Associated with Brucella Infection in High Risk Occupations from District Lahore and Kasur of Punjab, Pakistan. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050620. [PMID: 34070142 PMCID: PMC8158371 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease, and occupations with a high risk of infection exist. Limited information is available on brucellosis for these employees at high risk in Pakistan. A total of 459 persons with high-risk occupations, i.e., 211 abattoir workers, 63 milkers, 52 dung cake makers, 44 veterinarians, 44 shepherds, and 45 veterinary students of the districts Kasur and Lahore, Pakistan, were tested in this study. Blood samples and information on place of residence, gender, age, urbanicity, type of occupation, socioeconomic status, contact with animals, consumption of raw milk, contact to women who had a miscarriage, contact to aborted animal fetus or abortion material, pregnancy, miscarriage history, or intrauterine fetal death were collected. Serum samples were examined using Rose Bengal tests for anti-Brucella antibodies and seropositive samples were subjected to genus-specific qPCR for the detection of DNA. Data were analyzed using chi-squared and binary regression. Twenty (4.35%) persons were seropositive for anti-Brucella antibodies. Out of these, 18 (90%) were tested positive by Brucella genus-specific qPCR. Positive sera were more often found in Lahore district (8.3%) than in Kasur district (3.1%). Persons older than 36 years were more often seropositive. Persons involved in the handing of milk and in contact with animals were more often seropositive. Contact with women who had had a miscarriage was also a significant factor for seropositivity for brucellosis. Place of residence, gender, age, urbanicity, and contact with animals were identified as potential risk factors in the present study. The present study confirmed that brucellosis is an occupation hazard for abattoir workers, milkers, dung cake makers, and veterinarians in the districts of Lahore and Kasur of Punjab, Pakistan. The study shows the need for strategies for safety at work to minimize the risk of infection. Raising awareness for the prevention and use of proper personal protection equipment during the slaughtering and treatment of animal is highly needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahzad Ali
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology, Department of Wildlife & Ecology, Ravi Campus, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pattoki 54000, Pakistan; (U.S.); (M.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Usama Saeed
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology, Department of Wildlife & Ecology, Ravi Campus, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pattoki 54000, Pakistan; (U.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Wildlife Epidemiology and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory (One Health Research Group), Discipline of Zoology, Department of Wildlife & Ecology, Ravi Campus, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pattoki 54000, Pakistan; (U.S.); (M.R.)
| | - Laiba Hassan
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22620, Pakistan; (L.H.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Muhammad Ali Syed
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22620, Pakistan; (L.H.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Falk Melzer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (F.M.); (H.E.-A.); (H.N.)
| | - Hosny El-Adawy
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (F.M.); (H.E.-A.); (H.N.)
- Faculty Medicine of Veterinary, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany; (F.M.); (H.E.-A.); (H.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cilia G, Fratini F, Turchi B, Ebani VV, Turini L, Bilei S, Bossù T, De Marchis ML, Cerri D, Bertelloni F. Presence and Characterization of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens in Wild Boar Hunting Dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris) in Tuscany (Italy). Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041139. [PMID: 33923497 PMCID: PMC8073554 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Wildlife is an important reservoir for several zoonotic pathogens, and wild animals can contribute to disease transmission to humans or domestic animals via direct or indirect contact. In the One Health approach, the role of wildlife and the wild environment in the maintenance and spread of zoonoses has great importance. Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) employed in wild boar hunts may be a good indicator to evaluate this. This investigation reports the presence of Leptospira spp. and antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica in wild boar hunting dogs in the Tuscany region (Italy). The results obtained suggest that wildlife may be the source of pathogens detected in dogs; indeed, all pathogens may be carried by wild animals, in particular wild boar. This investigation highlights the possible risk for dogs connected to work activities. Furthermore, considering that humans could be exposed to the same pathogens during outdoor activities, constant monitoring seems necessary to evaluate the transmission risk. Abstract Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) used for wild boar (Sus scrofa) hunting may represent incidental hosts for several zoonotic pathogens. This investigation aimed to evaluate the presence of anti-Leptospira antibodies and the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence of Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, and Listeria monocytogenes in sera and rectal swabs collected from 42 domestic hunting dogs in the Tuscany region (Italy). Regarding Leptospira, 31 out of 42 serum samples (73.8%) were positive and serogroup Pomona was the most detected (71.4%) at titers between 1:100 and 1:400. Four Salmonella isolates (9.52%) were obtained, all belonging to serotype Infantis; two of them showed antimicrobial resistance to streptomycin, while pipB and sopE presence was assessed in all but one isolate. Concerning Yersinia enterocolitica, seven isolates (16.7%) were obtained, six belonging to biotype 1 and one to biotype 4. Resistance to amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, cephalothin, and ampicillin was detected. Biotype 4 presented three of the virulence genes searched (ystA, ystB, inv), while isolates of biotype 1 showed only one gene. No Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from dog rectal swabs. The results suggest that hunting dogs are exposed to different bacterial zoonotic agents, potentially linked to their work activity, and highlight the possible health risks for humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cilia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
| | - Filippo Fratini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
| | - Barbara Turchi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
| | - Luca Turini
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
| | - Stefano Bilei
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri, 00178 Rome, Italy; (S.B.); (T.B.); (M.L.D.M.)
| | - Teresa Bossù
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri, 00178 Rome, Italy; (S.B.); (T.B.); (M.L.D.M.)
| | - Maria Laura De Marchis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri, 00178 Rome, Italy; (S.B.); (T.B.); (M.L.D.M.)
| | - Domenico Cerri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.); (V.V.E.); (L.T.); (D.C.); (F.B.)
| |
Collapse
|