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Gaffuri A, Sassera D, Calzolari M, Gibelli L, Lelli D, Tebaldi A, Vicari N, Bianchi A, Pigoli C, Cerioli M, Zandonà L, Varisco G, Bertoletti I, Prati P. Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Lombardy, Italy. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:341-344. [PMID: 38270164 PMCID: PMC10826753 DOI: 10.3201/eid3002.231016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis was limited to northeast portions of Italy. We report in Lombardy, a populous region in the northwest, a chamois displaying clinical signs of tickborne encephalitis virus that had multiple virus-positive ticks attached, as well as a symptomatic man. Further, we show serologic evidence of viral circulation in the area.
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Gaffuri A, Barsi F, Magni E, Bergagna S, Dellamaria D, Ricchi M, De Paolis L, Galletti G, Arrigoni N, Lorenzi V, Fusi F, Prosperi A, Garbarino C. Paratuberculosis, Animal Welfare and Biosecurity: A Survey in 33 Northern Italy Dairy Goat Farms. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2346. [PMID: 37508122 PMCID: PMC10376716 DOI: 10.3390/ani13142346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Paratuberculosis is a notable infectious disease of ruminants. Goats appear to be particularly susceptible. The survey aimed to investigate the spread of paratuberculosis in Italian goat farming and evaluate whether the presence of the disease could be influenced by welfare and biosecurity deficiencies. A serological survey for paratuberculosis in 33 dairy farms in northern Italy was conducted. Contextually, animal welfare and biosecurity were assessed, using a standardized protocol of 36 welfare indicators and 15 biosecurity indicators which assigns to each farm a welfare and biosecurity score from 0 (any application) to 100% (full application). An overall result of less than 60% was considered insufficient. Nineteen farms (58%) tested positive for paratuberculosis, with a mean intra-herd seroprevalence of 7.4%. Total welfare ranged from 39.56 to 90.7% (mean 68.64%). Biosecurity scores ranged from 10.04 to 90.01% (mean 57.57%). Eight farms (24%) showed poor welfare conditions (welfare score < 60%) and 19 (58%) an unsatisfactory biosecurity condition (biosecurity score < 60%). With respect to the explorative character of the study, an indicative association between seven welfare and biosecurity indicators and paratuberculosis seropositivity was identified. The presence of paratuberculosis in northern Italy dairy goat farms was confirmed. The welfare and biosecurity assessment protocol proved to be an accurate tool, capable of identifying critical points for managing health, welfare and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Filippo Barsi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Italian National Reference Centre for Paratuberculosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 29027 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Edoardo Magni
- Official Veterinary Service, ATS Montagna, 23100 Sondrio, Italy
| | - Stefania Bergagna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Debora Dellamaria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Ricchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Italian National Reference Centre for Paratuberculosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 29027 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Livia De Paolis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 10154 Torino, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Norma Arrigoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Italian National Reference Centre for Paratuberculosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 29027 Piacenza, Italy
| | - Valentina Lorenzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Fusi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alice Prosperi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Garbarino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Italian National Reference Centre for Paratuberculosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 29027 Piacenza, Italy
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Pigoli C, Tranquillo V, Gibelli LR, Gaffuri A, Alborali GL, Pacciarini M, Zanoni M, Boniotti MB, Sironi G, Caniatti M, Grieco V. Mycobacterium microti Infection in Wild Boar ( Sus scrofa): Histopathology Analysis Suggests Containment of the Infection. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:734919. [PMID: 34589536 PMCID: PMC8473807 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.734919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The European wild boar (WB) (Sus scrofa) population has rapidly expanded over the years, raising public health concerns over the species reservoir of several pathogens, including Mycobacterium microti (Mm), a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex member. In this study, we aimed to investigate the Mm natural infection in WB in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Italian regions by statistically evaluating the granulomatous lesions' histological features and Mm microbiological isolation. We analyzed 103 WB retropharyngeal and submandibular lymph nodes (LNs) for Mm identified by gyrB PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and were retrospectively selected and histologically assessed. For each sample, Hematoxylin-eosin and Ziehl-Neelsen stained slides were evaluated. Considered histological variables were: the number of granulomas, size and maturational stage of granulomas, granulomas completeness within the section, number of multinucleated giant macrophages (MGMs), and acid-fast (AF) bacilli per granuloma. Furthermore, Mm microbiological results were also considered. Mm microbiological isolation was negatively influenced by granulomas maturation and positively affected by AF bacilli's presence within the section. Granuloma maturation was positively influenced by granuloma size and granuloma incompleteness and negatively affected by the number of granulomas in the section and the number of MGMs within the granuloma. The results indicate that granuloma maturation should ensures an efficient containment of Mm infection in the WB, suggesting that the intra-species transmission of the disease might be an unlikely event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Pigoli
- Laboratorio di Istologia, Sede Territoriale di Milano, Dipartimento Area Territoriale Lombardia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Milan, Italy.,Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Vito Tranquillo
- Sede Territoriale di Bergamo, Dipartimento Area Territoriale Lombardia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Lucia Rita Gibelli
- Laboratorio di Istologia, Sede Territoriale di Milano, Dipartimento Area Territoriale Lombardia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gaffuri
- Sede Territoriale di Bergamo, Dipartimento Area Territoriale Lombardia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Sede Territoriale di Brescia, Dipartimento Area Territoriale Lombardia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Pacciarini
- Dipartimento Tutela e Salute Animale, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Tubercolosi da Mycobacterium bovis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Zanoni
- Sede Territoriale di Brescia, Dipartimento Area Territoriale Lombardia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- Dipartimento Tutela e Salute Animale, Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Tubercolosi da Mycobacterium bovis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sironi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Mario Caniatti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Valeria Grieco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
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Crotta M, Pellicioli L, Gaffuri A, Trogu T, Formenti N, Tranquillo V, Luzzago C, Ferrari N, Lanfranchi P. Analysis of seroprevalence data on Hepatitis E virus and Toxoplasma gondii in wild ungulates for the assessment of human exposure to zoonotic meat-borne pathogens. Food Microbiol 2021; 101:103890. [PMID: 34579849 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Seroprevalence data for Toxoplasma gondii and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in wild boar (Sus scrofa), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), mouflon (Ovis aries/musimon) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) hunted/culled in northern Italy were used to fit seroprevalence distributions describing the exposure and co-exposure of the species to the two pathogens. The higher proportion of T. gondii and HEV seropositive animals was observed in wild boars with point estimate seroprevalence of 49% (N = 331) and 15% (N = 326) respectively. Data allowed comparisons by area (pre-Alpine Vs Alpine environment) for roe deer, red deer and mouflons. Contrasts between the distributions describing the uncertainty in seroprevalence suggest roe deer, red deer and mouflons have higher probability of being seropositive to T. gondii in pre-Alps. When considering HEV, few seropositive animals were detected and contrasts were symmetrically centred to zero for roe deer and red deer; mouflons shown higher probability of being seropositive in Alpine environment. HEV seropositive animals also included chamois (P = 5.1%, N = 97) in the Alpine districts, confirming circulation of HEV in remote areas. Evidence of HEV and T. gondii co-exposure was limited except for wild boars where it was observed in 30 samples representing 60% of the overall HEV-positive samples. Seroprevalence data of single infection and co-infection are extremely useful to investigate circulation of zoonotic pathogens in wild animals and estimate the foodborne risk of human exposure, however, these type of data do not directly translate into the presence/absence of the pathogen in seropositive and seronegative animals. At benefit of future development of quantitative risk assessments aiming at estimating the risk of human infection/co-infection via consumption of game meat, we developed and made available an online application that allows estimating the probability of the pathogen(s) being present as a function of seroprevalence data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Crotta
- Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Science, The Royal Veterinary College, UK
| | - Luca Pellicioli
- Dipartimento Veterinario e Sicurezza Degli Alimenti di Origine Animale, Agenzia Tutela Salute Bergamo, via Gallicciolli 4, 24121, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e Dell'emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Sezione diagnostica di Bergamo, 24125, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Tiziana Trogu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e Dell'emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e Dell'emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vito Tranquillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e Dell'emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Sezione diagnostica di Bergamo, 24125, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Camilla Luzzago
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy; Coordinated Research Center ''EpiSoMI'', Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferrari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy; Coordinated Research Center ''EpiSoMI'', Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Paolo Lanfranchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
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Trogu T, Canziani S, Salvato S, Tolini C, Grilli G, Chiari M, Farioli M, Alborali L, Gaffuri A, Sala G, Bianchi A, Rosignoli C, Prati P, Gradassi M, Sozzi E, Lelli D, Lavazza A, Moreno A. Survey on the Presence of Viruses of Economic and Zoonotic Importance in Avifauna in Northern Italy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1957. [PMID: 34576852 PMCID: PMC8471648 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild birds play an important role in the circulation and spread of pathogens that are potentially zoonotic or of high economic impact on zootechnical production. They include, for example, West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV), avian influenza virus (AIV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), which, despite having mostly an asymptomatic course in wild birds, have a strong impact on public health and zootechnical production. This study investigated the presence of these viruses in several wild bird species from North Italy during the biennium 2019-2020. Wild birds derived from 76 different species belonging to 20 orders. Out of 679 birds, 27 were positive for WNV (lineage 2) with a prevalence of 4%; all birds were negative for USUV; one gull was positive for H13N6 influenza virus, and 12 samples were positive for NDV with a prevalence of 2%. Despite the low prevalence observed, the analyses performed on these species provide further data, allowing a better understanding of the diffusion and evolution of diseases of both economic and zoonotic importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Trogu
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Sabrina Canziani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Sara Salvato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Clara Tolini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Guido Grilli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Mario Chiari
- Direzione Generale Welfare, Regional Health Authority of Lombardy, 20124 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Marco Farioli
- Direzione Generale Welfare, Regional Health Authority of Lombardy, 20124 Milan, Italy; (M.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Giovanni Sala
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessandro Bianchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Carlo Rosignoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Paola Prati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Matteo Gradassi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Enrica Sozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Ana Moreno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (T.T.); (S.S.); (C.T.); (L.A.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.B.); (C.R.); (P.P.); (M.G.); (E.S.); (D.L.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
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Bohórquez JA, Sozzi E, Wang M, Alberch M, Abad X, Gaffuri A, Lelli D, Rosell R, Pérez LJ, Moreno A, Ganges L. The new emerging ovine pestivirus can infect pigs and confers strong protection against classical swine fever virus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:1539-1555. [PMID: 33896109 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Several emerging pestiviruses have been reported lately, some of which have proved to cause disease. Recently, a new ovine pestivirus (OVPV), isolated from aborted lambs, with high genetic identity to classical swine fever virus (CSFV), has proved to induce reproductive disorders in pregnant ewes. OVPV also generated strong serological and molecular cross-reaction with CSFV. To assess the capacity of OVPV to infect swine, twelve piglets were infected either by intranasal or intramuscular route. Daily clinical evaluation and weekly samplings were performed to determine pathogenicity, viral replication and excretion and induction of immune response. Five weeks later, two pigs from each group were euthanized and tissue samples were collected to study viral replication and distribution. OVPV generated only mild clinical signs in the piglets, including wasting and polyarthritis. The virus was able to replicate, as shown by the RNA levels found in sera and swabs and persisted in tonsil for at least 5 weeks. Viral replication activated the innate and adaptive immunity, evidenced by the induction of interferon-alpha levels early after infection and cross-neutralizing antibodies against CSFV, including humoural response against CSFV E2 and Erns glycoproteins. Close antigenic relation between OVPV and CSFV genotype 2.3 was detected. To determine the OVPV protection against CSFV, the OVPV-infected pigs were challenged with a highly virulent strain. Strong clinical, virological and immunological protection was generated in the OVPV-infected pigs, in direct contrast with the infection control group. Our findings show, for the first time, the OVPV capacity to infect swine, activate immunity, and the robust protection conferred against CSFV. In addition, their genetic and antigenic similarities, the close relationship between both viruses, suggest their possible coevolution as two branches stemming from a shared origin at the same time in two different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrica Sozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Miaomiao Wang
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica Alberch
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Abad
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosa Rosell
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament d'Agricultura, Ramadería, Pesca i Alimentació (DARP), Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lester Josue Pérez
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Ana Moreno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Llilianne Ganges
- OIE Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain
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Trogu T, Canziani S, Salvato S, Bianchi A, Bertoletti I, Gibelli LR, Alborali GL, Barbieri I, Gaffuri A, Sala G, Sozzi E, Lelli D, Lavazza A, Moreno A. Canine Distemper Outbreaks in Wild Carnivores in Northern Italy. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010099. [PMID: 33450828 PMCID: PMC7828270 DOI: 10.3390/v13010099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper (CD) is a fatal, highly contagious disease of wild and domestic carnivores. In the Alpine territory, several outbreaks have occurred in the past few decades within wild populations. This study investigated the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) infections in wild carnivores in Lombardy, relating to the different circulating genotypes. From 2018 to 2020, foxes, badgers, and martens collected during passive surveillance were subjected to necropsy and histological examination, showing classical signs and microscopic lesions related to CDV. Pools of viscera from each animal were analysed by molecular methods and immunoelectron microscopy. Total prevalences of 39.7%, 52.6%, and 14.3% were recorded in foxes, badgers, and stone martens, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequences obtained belonged to the European 1 lineage and were divided into two different clades (a and b) according to the geographical conformation of alpine valleys included in the study. Clade a was related to the European outbreaks originating from Germany in 2006–2010, while clade b was closely related to the CDV sequences originating from northeastern Italy during the 2011–2018 epidemic wave. Our results suggest that CDV is currently well adapted to wild carnivores, mostly circulating with subclinical manifestations and without severe impact on the dynamics of these populations.
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Casciari C, Sozzi E, Bazzucchi M, Moreno Martin AM, Gaffuri A, Giammarioli M, Lavazza A, De Mia GM. Serological relationship between a novel ovine pestivirus and classical swine fever virus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:1406-1410. [DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Casciari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” Perugia Italy
| | - Enrica Sozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” Brescia Italy
| | - Moira Bazzucchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” Perugia Italy
| | - Ana Maria Moreno Martin
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” Brescia Italy
| | - Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” Brescia Italy
| | - Monica Giammarioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” Perugia Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini” Brescia Italy
| | - Gian Mario De Mia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati” Perugia Italy
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Sozzi E, Lavazza A, Gaffuri A, Bencetti FC, Prosperi A, Lelli D, Chiapponi C, Moreno A. Isolation and Full-Length Sequence Analysis of a Pestivirus from Aborted Lamb Fetuses in Italy. Viruses 2019; 11:v11080744. [PMID: 31412585 PMCID: PMC6723841 DOI: 10.3390/v11080744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pestiviruses are distributed worldwide and are responsible for a variety of economically important diseases. They are not very host-specific, and thus sheep can be infected by well-known pestiviruses like bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and border disease virus (BDV), as well as by other recently discovered pestivirus species. The aim of this study is to describe the isolation and characterization of four pestivirus strains detected in aborted lamb fetuses from a single farm in the Brescia province (Northern Italy). A total of twelve aborted fetuses were collected and examined. After necropsy, organs were tested for the presence of infectious agents known as potential causes of abortion (Brucella spp., Listeria spp., Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydophila spp., Mycoplasma spp., Neospora caninum, and Toxoplasma gondii), and submitted to viral identification by isolation on Madin Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell culture and by PCR assay for Schmallenberg virus and pan-pestivirus RT-PCR real time assay. Three viral strains (Ovine/IT/1756/2017, Ovine/IT/338710-2/2017, and Ovine/IT/338710-3/2017) were isolated in the absence of cytopathic effects (CPEs) in cell cultures and identified with RT-PCR. Another pestivirus strain (Ovine/IT/16235-2/2018) was detected by PCR, but was not successfully isolated. Complete sequence genomic data of the three isolated viruses showed that they were highly similar, differed genetically from known pestivirus species, and were closely related to classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Beyond the identification of new ovine pestiviruses, this study indicates that a systematic diagnostic approach is important to identify the presence and map the distribution of both known and emerging pestiviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Sozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Alice Prosperi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Chiapponi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ana Moreno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
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10
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Velarde R, Cavadini P, Neimanis A, Cabezón O, Chiari M, Gaffuri A, Lavín S, Grilli G, Gavier-Widén D, Lavazza A, Capucci L. Spillover Events of Infection of Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus) with Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Type 2 Virus (RHDV2) Caused Sporadic Cases of an European Brown Hare Syndrome-Like Disease in Italy and Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2016; 64:1750-1761. [PMID: 27615998 PMCID: PMC5697611 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a lagovirus that can cause fatal hepatitis (rabbit haemorrhagic disease, RHD) with mortality of 80–90% in farmed and wild rabbits. Since 1986, RHDV has caused outbreaks in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Europe, but never in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, EBH). In 2010, a new RHDV‐related virus, called RHDV2, emerged in Europe, causing extended epidemics because it largely overcame the immunity to RHDV present in most rabbit populations. RHDV2 also was identified in Cape hare (Lepus capensis subsp. mediterraneus) and in Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus). Here, we describe two distinct incidents of RHDV2 infection in EBH that occurred in Italy (2012) and Spain (2014). The two RHDV2 strains caused macroscopic and microscopic lesions similar to European brown hare syndrome (EBHS) in hares, and they were genetically related to other RHDV2 strains in Europe. EBHs are common in Europe, often sharing habitat with rabbits. They likely have been exposed to high levels of RHDV2 during outbreaks in rabbits in recent years, yet only two incidents of RHDV2 in EBHs have been found in Italy and Spain, suggesting that EBHs are not a primary host. Instead, they may act as spillover hosts in situations when infection pressure is high and barriers between rabbits and hares are limited, resulting in occasional infections causing EBHS‐like lesions. The serological survey of stocked hare sera taken from Italian and Spanish hare populations provided an understanding of naturally occurring RHDV2 infection in the field confirming its sporadic occurrence in EBH. Our findings increase the knowledge on distribution, host range and epidemiology of RHDV2.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Velarde
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Cavadini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Neimanis
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Disease, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - O Cabezón
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.,IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - M Chiari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - A Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - S Lavín
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS), Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Grilli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - D Gavier-Widén
- Department of Pathology and Wildlife Disease, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - A Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
| | - L Capucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), OIE Reference Laboratory for Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, Brescia, Italy
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11
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Formenti N, Trogu T, Pedrotti L, Gaffuri A, Lanfranchi P, Ferrari N. Correction: Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Alpine Red Deer (Cervus elaphus): Its Spread and Effects on Fertility. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142357. [PMID: 26517869 PMCID: PMC4627810 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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12
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Zanardi G, Boniotti MB, Gaffuri A, Casto B, Zanoni M, Pacciarini ML. Tuberculosis transmission by Mycobacterium bovis in a mixed cattle and goat herd. Res Vet Sci 2013; 95:430-3. [PMID: 23664181 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A tuberculosis (TB) outbreak caused by Mycobacterium bovis occurred in a mixed herd of three cattle and eighteen goats in Northern Italy in 2005. All the cattle were removed, as opposed to the co-existing goats, who remained in the farm and were not subsequently tested by the official intradermal tuberculin test. At the beginning of May 2006, a 7-day old calf was introduced into the herd from an officially TB-free (OTF) farm. On October 2006, tuberculous lesions were detected at the slaughterhouse in the same animal. The following epidemiological investigation on the herd highlighted a clinical suspicion of TB in one goat out of 35, and visible lesions were found at necropsy in the respiratory and intestinal tracts. Bacteriological culture and molecular tests confirmed the presence of M. bovis in both animals. Spoligotyping and Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units - Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR) showed the same genomic profile of the previous breakdown occurred in 2005. Since this profile has never been described in Italy, these findings suggest the probable transmission of TB within the farm among cattle and goats. The remaining 34 goats were also tested by single intradermal cervical comparative tuberculin (SICCT) test, Interferon (IFN)-γ assay and ELISA for antibody to M. bovis. The SICCT test and the IFN-γ showed a good concordance with 20 and 19 positive reactors, respectively. By ELISA we found 12Ab-positive animals, seven of which had not been detected by the tests for cell-mediated immunity. Finally, 15 goats were found positive for gross lesions at necropsy. The in vivo tests revealed a total of 27 positive animals out of 35, which highlights the usefulness of the serology in parallel with SICCT and IFN-γ when an advanced stage of infection is suspected. Moreover, our results confirm the necessity for adopting the official tuberculin test on goats co-existing with cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Zanardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, Brescia, Italy.
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Agostini V, Nascimbeni A, Gaffuri A, Imazio P, Benedetti MG, Knaflitz M. Normative EMG activation patterns of school-age children during gait. Gait Posture 2010; 32:285-9. [PMID: 20692162 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 06/03/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Gait analysis is widely used in clinics to study walking abnormalities for surgery planning, definition of rehabilitation protocols, and objective evaluation of clinical outcomes. Surface electromyography allows the study of muscle activity non-invasively and the evaluation of the timing of muscle activation during movement. The aim of this study was to present a normative dataset of muscle activation patterns obtained from a large number of strides in a population of 100 healthy children aged 6-11 years. The activity of Tibialis Anterior, Lateral head of Gastrocnemius, Vastus Medialis, Rectus Femoris and Lateral Hamstrings on both lower limbs was analyzed during a 2.5-min walk at free speed. More than 120 consecutive strides were analyzed for each child, resulting in approximately 28,000 strides. Onset and offset instants were reported for each observed muscle. The analysis of a high number of strides for each participant allowed us to obtain the most recurrent patterns of activation during gait, demonstrating that a subject uses a specific muscle with different activation modalities even in the same walk. The knowledge of the various activation patterns and of their statistics will be of help in clinical gait analysis and will serve as reference in the design of future gait studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Agostini
- Dipartimento di Elettronica, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy
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14
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Gaffuri A, Giacometti M, Tranquillo VM, Magnino S, Cordioli P, Lanfranchi P. Serosurvey of Roe Deer, Chamois and Domestic Sheep in the Central Italian Alps. J Wildl Dis 2006; 42:685-90. [PMID: 17092903 DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-42.3.685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), chamois (Rupicapra rupricapra rupicapra), and domestic sheep in the Orobie Alps, Italy, were serologically tested for antibodies to selected pathogens that may be transmitted across species. Antibodies against Brucella spp. and bovine herpesvirus 1 (roe deer and chamois only) were not detected in any species. In roe deer, antibodies were detected against Toxoplasma gondii (13%) and Neospora caninum (3%). Chamois tested positive for antibodies to T. gondii (5%), N. caninum (21%), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) (41%), bovine parainfluenza type-3 virus (17%), pestiviruses (18%), and Mycoplasma conjunctivae (17%). In the sheep, particularly high antibody prevalence rates were found for T. gondii (78%), Chlamydophila spp. (20%), pestiviruses (90%), BRSV (82%), and M. conjunctivae (81%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Gaffuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna Bruno Ubertini, Via Rovelli 53, I-24100 Bergamo, Italy.
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Nascimbeni A, Gaffuri A, Granella L, Colli M, Imazio P. Prognostic value of motor evoked potentials in stroke motor outcome. Eura Medicophys 2005; 41:125-30. [PMID: 16200027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Functional study technologies of the central nervous system (CNS) are fast developing, yielding further objective data for evidence based neurological rehabilitation. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a safe and non invasive technique of functional investigation of several aspects of the CNS. During the past few years many studies have focused on motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in the investigation of central nervous system and particularly of central motor pathways. Among the various issues of rehabilitative concern in this context, the prognostic value of MEPs of motor outcome after stroke is the most interesting one. The aim of this review, conducted on Medline database, is to find out the current agreement in the literature about this topic and to outline clinical criteria of use of the test. Many of the retrieved papers suggest an added value of MEPs on motor prognosis after first ischemic sylvian stroke, highlighting higher specificity in clinical cases with paralysis or severe paresis in the acute stage. A clinical use of MEPs in specific stroke subgroups might help to plan a more individual rehabilitative project through realistic motor recovery goals and selected techniques of treatment; a more reliable motor prognosis may also be useful for rehabilitation effectiveness research and for a more aimed use of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nascimbeni
- Rehabilitation Unit, S. Croce Hospital, Moncalieri, Turin, Italy.
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Citterio CV, Luzzago C, Sala M, Sironi G, Gatti P, Gaffuri A, Lanfranchi P. Serological study of a population of alpine chamois (Rupicapra r rupicapra) affected by an outbreak of respiratory disease. Vet Rec 2004; 153:592-6. [PMID: 14640327 DOI: 10.1136/vr.153.19.592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A serological survey of respiratory virus infections was carried out from 1998 to 2001 in Lecco province, Italy, as part of a health monitoring programme in a population of alpine chamois, many of which died of pneumonia in autumn and winter 2000 to 2001; 194 carcases of all age classes were found over a short period and in a small area. Eighteen of them, which were examined postmortem, consistently showed signs of severe fibrinous lobar pneumonia or catarrhal bronchopneumonia. Samples of serum from 145 chamois collected from hunted animals and carcases were tested by a virus neutralisation test against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine viral diarrhoea virus, bovine herpesvirus type 1 and parainfluenzavirus type 3. Positive results were detected only for BRSV. The area was divided into two subunits on the basis of the distribution of deaths; in the areas where fatalities were observed there was a significant increase of BRSV titres at the beginning of the outbreak. Furthermore, during the 2000 and 2001 hunting seasons antibody titres to BRSV were significantly higher in the areas where mortality occurred. The roe deer living in the same area were not affected by pneumonia and had a low prevalence of titres to BRSV which did not vary during the period of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- C V Citterio
- Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
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