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Jongejan F, Du C, Papadopoulos E, Blanda V, Di Bella S, Cannella V, Guercio A, Vicari D, Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A, Baneth G, van Keulen S, Hulsebos I, Berger L, Wang X. Diagnostic performance of a rapid immunochromatographic test for the simultaneous detection of antibodies to Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses and donkeys. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:160. [PMID: 38549117 PMCID: PMC10979598 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06253-1] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine piroplasmosis is caused by two tick-borne protozoan parasites, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi,, which are clinically relevant in susceptible horses, donkeys, and mules. Moreover, equine piroplasmosis significantly constrains international trading and equestrian events. Rapidly diagnosing both parasites in carrier animals is essential for implementing effective control measures. Here, a rapid immunochromatographic test for the simultaneous detection of antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi was evaluated using samples from horses and donkeys collected in Greece, Israel, and Italy. The results were compared with an improved competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for detecting antibodies to both parasites using the same panel of samples. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 255 horses and donkeys. The panel consisted of 129 horses sampled at four locations in northern Greece, 105 donkeys sampled at four locations in Sicily, and 21 horses sampled at two locations in Israel. The rapid test and the cELISA were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and the results were subjected to a statistical analysis to determine the sensitivity and specificity of both tests and their association. RESULTS The immunochromatographic test provided a result within 15 min and can be performed in the field, detecting both pathogens simultaneously. The overall coincidence rate between the rapid test and the cELISA for detecting antibodies against T. equi was 93% and 92.9% for B. caballi. The rapid test's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for T. equi were above 91.5%. Sixteen samples were positive for both parasites in the rapid test and eight in the cELISA. Either test had no significant association between T. equi and B. caballi detection. The detection rates of both parasites were significantly higher in Italy than in Greece or Israel and in donkeys than in horses. The agreement for T. equi between the results of both tests was high in Greece (93.8%) and Italy (95.2%) and moderate in Israel (76.2%). For B. caballi, the specificity and NPV of the rapid test were high (94.2% and 98.3%, respectively), although the sensitivity and PPV were moderate (69.2% and 39.1%, respectively) due to the small sample size. However, for B. caballi, the sensitivity was higher with the rapid test. CONCLUSIONS The rapid test detected T. equi and B. caballi simultaneously in the field, potentially replacing laborious cELISA testing and is recommended for import/export purposes. The test can also be helpful for the differential diagnosis of clinical cases, since seropositivity may rule out equine piroplasmosis since it does not indicate current or active infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans Jongejan
- Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases Research Programme, Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, Republic of South Africa.
- TBD International BV, BioScience Center, Wageningen University & Research, Runderweg 6, 8219 PK, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
| | - Cheng Du
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A.Mirri", Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A.Mirri", Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Vincenza Cannella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A.Mirri", Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A.Mirri", Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A.Mirri", Palermo, Sicily, Italy
| | - Sharon Tirosh-Levy
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amir Steinman
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sanna van Keulen
- TBD International BV, BioScience Center, Wageningen University & Research, Runderweg 6, 8219 PK, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Iris Hulsebos
- TBD International BV, BioScience Center, Wageningen University & Research, Runderweg 6, 8219 PK, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Berger
- TBD International BV, BioScience Center, Wageningen University & Research, Runderweg 6, 8219 PK, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
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Mira F, Schirò G, Franzo G, Canuti M, Purpari G, Giudice E, Decaro N, Vicari D, Antoci F, Castronovo C, Guercio A. Molecular epidemiology of canine parvovirus type 2 in Sicily, southern Italy: A geographical island, an epidemiological continuum. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26561. [PMID: 38420403 PMCID: PMC10900816 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Since it emerged as a major dog pathogen, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) has featured a remarkable genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, whose biological, epidemiological, and clinical impact is still debated. The continuous monitoring of this pathogen is thus of pivotal importance. In the present study, the molecular epidemiology of CPV-2 in Sicily, southern Italy, has been updated by analysing 215 nearly complete sequences of the capsid protein VP2, obtained from rectal swabs/faeces or tissue samples collected between 2019 and 2022 from 346 dogs with suspected infectious gastrointestinal disease. The presence of the original CPV-2 type (4%) and CPV-2a (9%), CPV-2b (18%), or CPV-2c (69%) variants was documented. Over the years, we observed a decrease in the frequency of CPV-2a/-2b and a rapid increase of CPV-2c frequency, with a progressive replacement of the European lineage of CPV-2c by the Asian lineage. The observed scenario, besides confirming epidemiological relevance of CPV-2, highlights the occurrence of antigenic variant shifts over time, with a trend toward the replacement of CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and the European lineage of CPV-2c by the emerging Asian CPV-2c lineage. The comparison with other Italian and international sequences suggests the occurrence of viral exchange with other Italian regions and different countries, although the directionality of such viral flows could not be often established with confidence. In several instances, potential CPV-2 introductions led to epidemiological dead ends. However, major, long-lasting clades were also identified, supporting successful infection establishment, local spreading, and evolution. These results, besides demonstrating the need for implementing more effective control measures to prevent viral introductions and minimize circulation, stress the relevance of routine monitoring activities as the only tool to effectively understand CPV-2 epidemiology and evolution, and develop adequate countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Franzo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padua, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Marta Canuti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy
- Coordinate Research Centre EpiSoMI (Epidemiology and Molecular Surveillance of Infections), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science (MACH), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Giudice
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, S.p. per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano, (BA), Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Antoci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129, Palermo, Italy
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3
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Di Marco Lo Presti V, Ippolito D, Migliore S, Tolone M, Mignacca SA, Marino AMF, Amato B, Calogero R, Vitale M, Vicari D, Ciarello FP, Fiasconaro M. Large-scale serological survey on Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in sheep and goat herds in Sicily, Southern Italy. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1334036. [PMID: 38362298 PMCID: PMC10868524 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1334036] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a worldwide chronic, contagious enteric disease caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) mainly affecting ruminant species. PTB is a WOAH-listed disease with direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock sector, negative impact on animal welfare and significant public health concerns. In spite of this, MAP prevalence in small ruminants is still unknown and the prevalence appears to be underestimated in many countries. The aim of this study is providing a first large-scale serological survey on MAP infection in small ruminants in Sicily, a region of Southern Italy with the 11.3 and 8.9% Italian national heritage of sheep and goats, respectively. Methods For this purpose, we analyzed a total of 48,643 animals reared in 439 flocks throughout Sicily. MAP seroprevalence was estimated both at herd-level and animal-level within breeds reared in all the nine sampled provinces. Results Our results revealed a high overall apparent prevalence at herd-level of 71.8% in sheep and 60.8% in goat farms with an animal-level prevalence of 4.5 and 5.1% in sheep and goats, respectively. Significant statistical differences were found between the provinces and within the breeds both in sheep and goats. Discussion Our study provides the first large-scale serological survey on PTB infection in small ruminants in Sicily and showed a high prevalence of disease depending to the species, breed and province. This study represents the first step to better understand the MAP epidemiology in a typical Mediterranean breeding context, suggesting the need of in-depth study on the herds risk factors, including the eventual presence of candidate genes for resistance/susceptibility to PTB in native breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dorotea Ippolito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
- Unit of Emerging Zoonoses, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Migliore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Tolone
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | | | - Benedetta Amato
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Rosita Calogero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Michele Fiasconaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Palermo, Italy
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Lorusso A, Cappai S, Loi F, Pinna L, Ruiu A, Puggioni G, Guercio A, Purpari G, Vicari D, Sghaier S, Zientara S, Spedicato M, Hammami S, Ben Hassine T, Portanti O, Breard E, Sailleu C, Ancora M, Di Sabatino D, Morelli D, Calistri P, Savini G. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 8, Italy, 2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1063-1065. [PMID: 37081599 PMCID: PMC10124640 DOI: 10.3201/eid2905.221773] [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: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the detection of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) serotype 8 in cattle farms in Sardinia and Sicily in October-November 2022. The virus has a direct origin in North Africa; its genome is identical (>99.9% nucleotide sequence identity) to EHDV serotype 8 strains detected in Tunisia in 2021.
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5
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Gargano V, Gambino D, Orefice T, Cirincione R, Castelli G, Bruno F, Interrante P, Pizzo M, Spada E, Proverbio D, Vicari D, Salgado-Caxito M, Benavides JA, Cassata G. Can Stray Cats Be Reservoirs of Antimicrobial Resistance? Vet Sci 2022; 9:631. [PMID: 36423080 PMCID: PMC9696934 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9110631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem that requires a One Health approach. Despite several studies have reported the role of companion animals as reservoirs of AMR, limited information is available regarding the role of cats in the circulation of AMR. In this study, we evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic profile of 75 Escherichia coli isolated from rectal swabs and fecal samples of 75 stray cats (living in solitary or in a colony) sampled in Palermo (Sicily, Italy), to determine whether these animals may participate in the spread of AMR. Susceptibility to 8 antibiotics was tested using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assays, while the presence of the common antibiotic resistance genes blaTEM, blaCTX-M, tet(A), and tet(B) was investigated by PCR. From the 75 E. coli isolates analyzed, 43% were resistant to at least one of the eight antibiotics tested, with 31% of the isolates resistant to ampicillin, 23% to cefotaxime, 21% to tetracycline, 20% to cefazolin, and 17% to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Most isolates harbored the blaTEM gene (29%), followed by blaCTX-M (23%), tet(A) (21%), and tet(B) (20%). Our results confirm the fecal carriage of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and clinically relevant resistance genes in stray cats. This study highlights the potential role of stray cats in the spread of AMR in urban environments, emphasising the need to better understand their role in AMR circulation when planning strategies to combat it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Tiziana Orefice
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberta Cirincione
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Germano Castelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Federica Bruno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Paolo Interrante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariangela Pizzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Eva Spada
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Daniela Proverbio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marília Salgado-Caxito
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7500000, Chile
| | - Julio A. Benavides
- Centro Para la Investigación de la Sustentabilidad y Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, República 440, Santiago 8320000, Chile
- MIVEGEC, IRD, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France
| | - Giovanni Cassata
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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6
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Schirò G, Mira F, Decaro N, Desario C, Chiaramonte G, Di Bella S, Cannella V, Purpari G, Ventriglia G, Randazzo V, Vicari D, Gucciardi F, Castronovo C, Guercio A. Persistence of DNA from canine parvovirus modified-live virus in canine tissues. Vet Res Commun 2022; 47:567-574. [PMID: 36323836 PMCID: PMC9630067 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-10008-7] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) modified-live virus vaccine strain can replicate in lymphoid tissues and intestinal mucosa after administration, being shed through canine faeces. Detection of vaccine strains has been reported in the bloodstream and faeces, potentially interfering with molecular diagnostic tests. The persistence of these strains in canine tissues has not yet been described. With this aim, canine tissues were tested during a molecular survey to screen for the presence of canine enteric viruses. Tissue samples from 165 dead dogs were tested by a conventional PCR assay. Positive samples and five commercial vaccines were subjected to sequence analysis. Vaccinal strains were detected and virus load was measured by using a set of real-time PCR assays using minor-groove binder (MGB) probes. Seventy-five dogs (45.4%) tested positive for CPV-2. Strains from 70 dogs were characterised as field variants. The presence of CPV sequences of vaccine origin was observed in the spleen, intestine, and mesenteric lymph nodes of five young dogs. Vaccinal strains were detected from 12 to 24 days after the last vaccine administration. Viral loads comprised between 6.3 × 102 and 9.95 × 104 DNA copies/10 µl of template. This study confirms that CPV vaccinal strains can be detected in canine tissues after vaccination, so post-mortem diagnosis of CPV infection needs further molecular analyses to assess the viral type (vaccine or field strains). The present study updates the current information on the persistence of CPV vaccine strains in canine tissues and their possible interference with molecular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy.
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Costantina Desario
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | | | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenza Cannella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ventriglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Randazzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Gucciardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
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7
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Mira F, Puleio R, Schirò G, Condorelli L, Di Bella S, Chiaramonte G, Purpari G, Cannella V, Balboni A, Randazzo V, Antoci F, Vicari D, Guercio A. Study on the Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAdV-1) Infection in Domestic Dogs in Southern Italy. Pathogens 2022; 11:1254. [PMID: 36365005 PMCID: PMC9693395 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) is the causative agent of a systemic and potentially fatal viral disease of domestic and wild canids. In Italy, CAdV-1 infection has also been occasionally described in dogs, but information on the epidemiology and its genomic features is still limited. A study was conducted on 291 dogs suspected of infectious gastrointestinal disease. Samples collected from dogs in southern Italy between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed. Virological and histopathological assays were carried out. The presence of CAdVs and other canine viral enteropathogens was investigated, and sequence and phylogenetic analyses were performed. CAdV-1 was detected in six (2.1%) dead stray dogs alone or in mixed infections with other viruses. Gross lesions and histopathological findings referred to CAdV infection were observed, also involving the central nervous system tissues. All inoculated samples were successfully isolated. Sequence analysis evidenced divergences with the circulating strains previously described in Italy and a closer relation with older CAdV-1 strains collected from other countries, suggesting a genetic heterogeneity of CAdV-1 in Italy. The evidence of the circulation of CAdV-1 and its genomic features allows us to have more in-depth knowledge of the epidemiology and evolution of the CAdV-1 genomic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Lucia Condorelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Chiaramonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenza Cannella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Balboni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Randazzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Antoci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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8
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Previti A, Vicari D, Conte F, Pugliese M, Gargano V, Alibrandi A, Zirilli A, Passantino A. The "Hygiene Package": Analysis of Fraud Rates in Italy in the Period before and after Its Entry into Force. Foods 2022; 11:foods11091244. [PMID: 35563967 PMCID: PMC9103962 DOI: 10.3390/foods11091244] [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: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In violation of EU legislation, fraudulent activities in agri-food chains seek to make economic profits at the expense of consumers. Food frauds (FFs) often constitute a public health risk as well as a risk to animal and plant health, animal welfare and the environment. To analyze FFs in Italy during 1997-2020 with the aim of gaining observational insights into the effectiveness of the legislation in force and consequently of inspection activities, FFs were determined from official food inspections carried out by the Central Inspectorate of Quality Protection and Fraud Repression of Agri-food Products in 1997-2020. Inspected sectors were wine, oils and fats, milk and dairy products, fruit and vegetables, meat, eggs, honey, feeds and supplements, and seeds. Data show that the inspection activities have significantly improved in terms of sampling and fraud detection. However, a higher incidence of fraud involving the meat sector was observed. The obtained results demonstrate that there has not been a clear change of direction after the so-called "hygiene package" (food hygiene rules in the EU) came into force. Thus, more effective measures are needed to manage risk as well as new analytical solutions to increase the deterrence against meat adulteration and the rapid detection of fraud.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Previti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.P.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.V.); (V.G.)
| | - Francesca Conte
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.P.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Michela Pugliese
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.P.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-90-676-6743
| | - Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico della Sicilia “A.Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.V.); (V.G.)
| | - Angela Alibrandi
- Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (A.Z.)
| | - Agata Zirilli
- Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, Department of Economics, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.A.); (A.Z.)
| | - Annamaria Passantino
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (A.P.); (F.C.); (A.P.)
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9
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Gambino D, Gargano V, Butera G, Sciortino S, Pizzo M, Oliveri G, Cardamone C, Piraino C, Cassata G, Vicari D, Costa A. Food Is Reservoir of MDR Salmonella: Prevalence of ESBLs Profiles and Resistance Genes in Strains Isolated from Food. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10040780. [PMID: 35456830 PMCID: PMC9026803 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10040780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Salmonella spp. are among the most frequent causes of foodborne diseases, and the increasing occurrence of MDR strains is an additional cause for concern. In the three-year period 2019–2021, we collected Salmonella spp. strains isolated from different food categories analysed in the context of Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 in order to assess their antibiotic susceptibility profiles and ESBL production. To determine the susceptibility profiles and identify MDR strains, we used the Kirby–Bauer method to test 17 antibiotics. Double-disc and PCR testing then allowed us to assess the production of ESBLs and the presence of beta-lactamase resistance genes. Phenotypic tests showed that 36 out of 67 strains were MDR and 52.7% of these were ESBL producers. Finally, molecular investigations conducted on ESBL-producing strains revealed the presence of blaSHV, blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes. Our results confirmed the prevalence of S. Infantis, an MDR strain and ESBL producer, in chicken meat. This suggests that further research on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in foodborne strains is needed, especially from a One Health perspective.
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10
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Gambino D, Savoca D, Sucato A, Gargano V, Gentile A, Pantano L, Vicari D, Alduina R. Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance in the Mediterranean Sea. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11030332. [PMID: 35326795 PMCID: PMC8944634 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11030332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Seawater could be considered a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. In this communication, we evaluated the presence of bacterial strains in seawater collected from different coasts of Sicily by combining microbiological and molecular methods. Specifically, we isolated viable bacteria that were tested for their antibiotic resistance profile and detected both antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes. Both antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, Vibrio and Aeromonas, and specific antibiotic resistance genes were found in the seawater samples. Alarming levels of resistance were determined towards cefazolin, streptomycin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and mainly genes conferring resistance to β-lactamic and sulfonamide antibiotics were detected. This survey, on the one hand, presents a picture of the actual situation, showing the pollution status of the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, and, on the other hand, can be considered as a baseline to be used as a reference time for future analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Dario Savoca
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy; (D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Arianna Sucato
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy; (D.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (R.A.)
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Licia Pantano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (A.G.); (L.P.); (D.V.)
| | - Rosa Alduina
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, 90028 Palermo, Italy; (D.S.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (V.G.); (R.A.)
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11
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Di Cataldo S, Cevidanes A, Ulloa-Contreras C, Hidalgo-Hermoso E, Gargano V, Cabello J, Sacristán I, Napolitano C, Gambino D, Vicari D, Millán J. A serosurvey for spotted fever group Rickettsia and Coxiella burnetii antibodies in rural dogs and foxes, Chile. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 83:101769. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Schirò G, Gambino D, Mira F, Vitale M, Guercio A, Purpari G, Antoci F, Licitra F, Chiaramonte G, La Giglia M, Randazzo V, Vicari D. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) of Bacteria Isolated from Dogs with Canine Parvovirus (CPV) Infection: The Need for a Rational Use of Antibiotics in Companion Animal Health. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020142. [PMID: 35203745 PMCID: PMC8868125 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) represents a major viral threat to dogs. Considering the potential effects of pets on antimicrobial resistance, information on the CPV and associated bacterial co-infections is limited. The aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility and multidrug-resistance profiles of bacterial species from tissue samples of dogs with canine parvovirus infection. A set of PCR assays and sequence analyses was used for the detection and the molecular characterization of the CPV strains and other enteric viruses. Bacterial isolation, the determination of antimicrobial susceptibility via the disk diffusion method, and the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration were performed. The detection of β-lactamase genes and toxin genes for specific bacteria was also carried out. CPV infection was confirmed in 23 dogs. Forty-three bacterial strains were isolated and all showed phenotypic resistance. Seventeen multidrug-resistant bacteria and bacteria with high resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and metronidazole were detected. Almost 50% of the isolated Enterobacteriaceae were positive for at least one β-lactamase gene, with the majority carrying more genes as well. The evidence for multi-resistant bacteria with the potential for intra- or cross-species transmission should be further considered in a One Health approach.
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Gargano V, Gambino D, Migliore S, Vitale M, Sciortino S, Costa A, Vicari D. Can Human Handling Increase the Presence of Multidrug Resistance (MDR) in Salmonella spp. Isolated from Food Sources? Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102018. [PMID: 34683339 PMCID: PMC8539229 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102018] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) among zoonotic pathogens is a serious health problem, especially because in the last decade the massive use of antibiotics has favored the emergence of Multidrug Resistance (MDR) strains. Some species of the Salmonella genus are among the major causes of foodborne infections worldwide and could represent reservoirs of AR. For these reasons, the susceptibility to six antibiotic classes of 63 strains isolated from animals and food was determined to assess the presence of MDR strains. In addition, the detection of resistance genes was done for strains that resulted in MDR. A statistically significant difference was found when comparing the presence of Salmonella spp. MDR strains between strains isolated from animals and strains isolated from food. Our data seem to indicate that MDR occurs mostly in Salmonella strains isolated from food.
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Mira F, Canuti M, Di Bella S, Puleio R, Lavazza A, Lelli D, Vicari D, Purpari G, Cannella V, Chiaramonte G, Schirò G, Castronovo C, Guercio A. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Two Gammaherpesviruses from Pantesco Breed Donkeys during an Outbreak of Mild Respiratory Disease. Viruses 2021; 13:v13081527. [PMID: 34452391 PMCID: PMC8402663 DOI: 10.3390/v13081527] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Equid and asinine gammaherpesviruses (GHVs; genus Percavirus) are members of the Herpesviridae family. Though GHVs have been reported in horse populations, less studies are available on gammaherpesviral infections in donkeys. This study reports the co-infection with two GHVs in Pantesco breed donkeys, an endangered Italian donkey breed. Samples (n = 124) were collected on a breeding farm in Southern Italy from 40 donkeys, some of which were healthy or presented erosive tongue lesions and/or mild respiratory signs. Samples were analysed by using a set of nested PCRs targeting the DNA polymerase, glycoprotein B, and DNA-packaging protein genes, and sequence and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Twenty-nine donkeys (72.5%) tested positive, and the presence of Equid gammaherpesvirus 7 and asinine herpesvirus 5 was evidenced. In 11 animals, we found evidence for co-infection with viruses from the two species. Virions with herpesvirus-like morphology were observed by electron microscopic examination, and viruses were successfully isolated in RK-13-KY cell monolayers. The histological evaluation of tongue lesions revealed moderate lympho-granulocytic infiltrates and rare eosinophilic inclusions. The detection of GHVs in this endangered asinine breed suggests the need long-life monitoring within conservation programs and reinforces the need for further investigations of GHV’s pathogenetic role in asinine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Marta Canuti
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL A1B 3X9, Canada;
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (S.D.B.)
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi n. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi n. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (A.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Vincenza Cannella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Gabriele Chiaramonte
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (R.P.); (D.V.); (G.P.); (V.C.); (G.C.); (G.S.); (C.C.); (A.G.)
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15
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Grippi F, Galluzzo P, Guercio A, Blanda V, Santangelo F, Sciortino S, Vicari D, Arcuri F, Di Bella S, Torina A. Serological and Molecular Evidence of Bartonella henselae in Stray Cats from Southern Italy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:979. [PMID: 33946563 PMCID: PMC8147212 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bartonella henselae is a slow growing and facultative intracellular pathogen mainly transmitted by arthropod vectors adapted to domestic and wild mammalian reservoir hosts. Since cats are the major source of the B. henselae infection, this study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence and the DNA presence in randomly sampled stray cats. Blood samples of 429 cats were collected from shelter of Palermo (Southern Italy) and sera and whole blood were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against B. henselae by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Two hundred and three sera (47.3%) were positive to IFA and 148 blood samples (34.5%) to real-time PCR. Based on serological results, the evaluation of the potential risk factors (sex, age, coat color) was carried out. The multivariate analysis indicated that cats more than 12 months old were more likely to be seropositive to B. henselae than cats <12 months. These data will add useful information to the understanding of the spread of B. henselae in stray cats in Southern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Grippi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Paola Galluzzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Viale delle Scienze, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Francesco Santangelo
- U.O. Igiene Urbana ASP Palermo Presso Canile Municipale, Piazza Tiro a Segno 5, 90141 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Sonia Sciortino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Francesca Arcuri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “Adelmo Mirri”, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (F.G.); (A.G.); (V.B.); (S.S.); (D.V.); (F.A.); (A.T.)
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16
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Migliore S, Puleio R, Gaglio G, Vicari D, Seminara S, Sicilia ER, Galluzzo P, Cumbo V, Loria GR. A Neglected Parasite: Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, First Report in Feral Pigs in a Natural Park of Sicily (Southern Italy). Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:659306. [PMID: 33996983 PMCID: PMC8113388 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.659306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sanitary management and population control of feral pigs remains a major problem in public health, particularly in natural parks where hunting is prohibited and the extensive farming of livestock is common. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a zoonotic parasite species with a worldwide distribution of which the natural definitive hosts are primarily pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa). The present study describes the main anatomo-pathological and parasitological findings in the first case of M. hirudinaceus in feral pigs in the Madonie park in Sicily (Southern Italy). Overall, 52 acanthocephalans were collected from the small intestine of four infected feral pigs. The prevalence among the 36 examined animals was 11.1% with a mean Abundance (mA) and mean Intensity (mI) of 1.4 and 13, respectively. Pathological examination revealed grossly visible nodules on the external surface of the intestines, corresponding to the proboscis of M. hirudinaceus attached deeply into the intestinal wall. In these sites, severe inflammatory reactions in the tissue involved and the destruction of normal intestinal architecture, as well as necrosis and ulceration in the mucosa, submucosa, and part of the muscolaris mucosae were described. This is the first official report of this neglected zoonosis in Italy, in particular in a natural park where the extensive farming of domestic pigs is practiced. This could favor the spread of this parasite in domestic animals and the environment, increasing the accidental risk of infection in human residents of these areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Migliore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gaglio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.,Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca in Parassitologia (CIRPAR), Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Seminara
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Paola Galluzzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Valentina Cumbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
| | - Guido Ruggero Loria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo, Italy
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Pozio E, Di Marco Lo Presti V, Vicari D, Ludovisi A, Ciarello FP, Amati M, Ippolito D, Vesco G, Gómez-Morales MA. The detection of anti-Trichinella antibodies in free-ranging Nebrodi Regional Park black pigs from Sicily, Italy, suggests the circulation of Trichinella britovi in the island. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2021; 24:100578. [PMID: 34024394 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Pozio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, v.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ludovisi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, v.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Pruiti Ciarello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Amati
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, v.le Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Dorotea Ippolito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gesualdo Vesco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, via G. Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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Gargano V, Blanda V, Gambino D, La Russa F, Di Cataldo S, Gentile A, Schirò G, Torina A, Millán J, Vicari D. Serological Survey and Molecular Characterization of Theileria annulata in Sicilian Cattle. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020101. [PMID: 33494377 PMCID: PMC7910905 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites with considerable veterinary and economic impact worldwide. Ticks transmitting the disease belong to the Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, and Hyalomma genera. The Hyalomma genus is very common in Sicily (Italy) and represents the main Theileria annulata vector in the island. Data concerning the molecular epidemiology of this pathogen are missing in the region. In 2018-2019, blood and serum samples were collected from 480 cows in seven Sicilian farms from four different provinces. Seroprevalence in the farms ranged from 22% to 71%. Three farms were selected for molecular analysis consisting of real-time PCR targeting the almost complete 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Four amplicons per farm were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses were carried out. The four sequences were identical within each farm and showed 92-99% identity with the other farms and with sequences from Genbank. According to the phylogenetic analysis, these three sequences and an additional one from a laboratory-cultured Theileria annulata strain obtained in 1999 belonged to a single T. annulata clade with good bootstrap support with other sequences from Italy, India, and Iran, indicating limited geographical and temporal genetic variability of the parasite. This study represents the first phylogenetic analysis of T. annulata in Sicily, which will be useful to improve the strategies for theileriosis control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
- Correspondence: (V.B.); (D.G.)
| | - Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
- Correspondence: (V.B.); (D.G.)
| | - Francesco La Russa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile;
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Fundación ARAID, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
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Gambino D, Vicari D, Vitale M, Schirò G, Mira F, Giglia ML, Riccardi A, Gentile A, Giardina S, Carrozzo A, Cumbo V, Lastra A, Gargano V. Study on Bacteria Isolates and Antimicrobial Resistance in Wildlife in Sicily, Southern Italy. Microorganisms 2021; 9:203. [PMID: 33478101 PMCID: PMC7835999 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild environments and wildlife can be reservoirs of pathogens and antibiotic resistance. Various studies have reported the presence of zoonotic bacteria, resistant strains, and genetic elements that determine antibiotic resistance in wild animals, especially near urban centers or agricultural and zootechnical activities. The purpose of this study was the analysis, by cultural and molecular methods, of bacteria isolated from wild animals in Sicily, Italy, regarding their susceptibility profile to antibiotics and the presence of antibiotic resistance genes. Bacteriological analyses were conducted on 368 wild animals, leading to the isolation of 222 bacterial strains identified by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing. The most isolated species was Escherichia coli, followed by Clostridium perfringens and Citrobacter freundii. Antibiograms and the determination of resistance genes showed a reduced spread of bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance among wild animals in Sicily. However, since several wild animals are becoming increasingly close to residential areas, it is important to monitor their health status and to perform microbiological analyses following a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Maria La Giglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Alessandra Riccardi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge n. 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Susanna Giardina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Anna Carrozzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Valentina Cumbo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Antonio Lastra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
| | - Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (D.G.); (M.V.); (G.S.); (F.M.); (M.L.G.); (A.G.); (S.G.); (A.C.); (V.C.); (A.L.); (V.G.)
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20
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Gambino D, Persichetti MF, Gentile A, Arculeo M, Visconti G, Currò V, Caracappa G, Crucitti D, Piazza A, Mancianti F, Nardoni S, Vicari D, Caracappa S. First data on microflora of loggerhead sea turtle ( Caretta caretta) nests from the coastlines of Sicily. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio045252. [PMID: 31915211 PMCID: PMC6994955 DOI: 10.1242/bio.045252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Caretta caretta is threatened by many dangers in the Mediterranean basin, but most are human-related. The purposes of this research were: (i) to investigate microflora in samples from six loggerhead sea turtle nests located on the Sicilian coast and (ii) to understand microbial diversity associated with nests, with particular attention to bacteria and fungi involved in failed hatchings. During the 2016 and 2018 summers, 456 eggs and seven dead hatchling from six nests were collected. We performed bacteriological and mycological analyses on 88 egg samples and seven dead hatchlings, allowing us to isolate: Fusarium spp. (80.6%), Aeromonas hydrophila (55.6%), Aspergillus spp. (27.2%) and Citrobacter freundii (9%). Two Fusarium species were identified by microscopy and were confirmed by PCR and internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Statistical analyses showed significant differences between nests and the presence/absence of microflora, whereas no significant differences were observed between eggs and nests. This is the first report that catalogues microflora from C . caretta nests/eggs in the Mediterranean Sea and provides key information on potential pathogens that may affect hatching success. Moreover, our results suggest the need for wider investigations over extensive areas to identify other microflora, and to better understand hatching failures and mortality related to microbial contamination in this important turtle species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Area Territoriale Palermo, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Maria Flaminia Persichetti
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale sul benessere, monitoraggio e diagnostica delle malattie delle tartarughe marine, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale sul benessere, monitoraggio e diagnostica delle malattie delle tartarughe marine, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Marco Arculeo
- Università di Palermo, Dipartimento STEBICEF, Via Archirafi 28, Palermo 90123, Italy
| | - Giulia Visconti
- Area Marina Protetta Isole Pelagie, Via Cameroni, 92031 Lampedusa (AG), Italy
| | - Vittoria Currò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Area Territoriale Palermo, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Giulia Caracappa
- Centro Recupero Fauna Selvatica Bosco di Ficuzza, Via del Bosco 1, Ficuzza di Corleone (PA) 90034, Italy
| | - Daniela Crucitti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Area Territoriale Palermo, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Antonio Piazza
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale sul benessere, monitoraggio e diagnostica delle malattie delle tartarughe marine, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese, San Piero a Grado, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Simona Nardoni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Livornese, San Piero a Grado, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Area Territoriale Palermo, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, Palermo 90129, Italy
| | - Santo Caracappa
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Messina 98100, Italy
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21
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Mira F, Purpari G, Di Bella S, Vicari D, Schirò G, Di Marco P, Macaluso G, Battilani M, Guercio A. Update on canine distemper virus (CDV) strains of Arctic-like lineage detected in dogs in Italy. Vet Ital 2018; 54:225-236. [PMID: 30575000 DOI: 10.12834/vetit.1455.7862.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) is the etiologic agent of distemper in dogs. It exhibits an elevated potential of crossing species barriers, infecting a wide range of wild and domestic carnivores. Of its encoding genes, hemagglutinin (H) shows high heterogeneity, and it was used to determine the relationship between CDV strains due to its variability and key role in determining cell tropism, host shift, and in eliciting a protective immune response. This study analysed the full-length H gene sequence of Arctic-like CDV strains collected from dogs in Italy during a period in which an increased activity of CDV diffusion was observed. The common amino acid changes and features of Arctic-like CDV strains collected from 2011 to 2016 in Europe were described, providing an updated analysis of the genomic features. A comparison with CDV vaccine strains was carried out to evaluate the increased genomic difference with CDV Arctic-like field strains. This study provides a complete and updated analysis of the current spreading strains of Arctic-like lineage and the main amino acid variations in the hemagglutinin gene sequence circulating in Italy. Moreover, it provides novel information regarding the evolution of the most recent CDV Arctic-like lineage strains collected in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
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22
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Mira F, Dowgier G, Purpari G, Vicari D, Di Bella S, Macaluso G, Gucciardi F, Randazzo V, Decaro N, Guercio A. Molecular typing of a novel canine parvovirus type 2a mutant circulating in Italy. Infect Genet Evol 2018; 61:67-73. [PMID: 29548803 PMCID: PMC7185394 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the etiological agent of a severe viral disease of dogs. After its emergence in late 1970s, the CPV original type (CPV-2) was rapidly and totally replaced by three antigenic variants named CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV-2c. CPV has an evolutionary rate nearest to those of RNA viruses, with consequences on disease diagnosis and epidemiology. This paper reports the molecular characterization of eight CPV-2a strains collected from dogs in Italy in 2016–2017. Genetic analysis was conducted on a CPV genomic region encompassing both open reading frames (ORFs) encoding for nonstructural (NS1-NS2) and structural proteins (VP1-VP2). Sequence analysis indicates new and unreported sequence changes, mainly affecting the VP2 gene, which included the mutation Tyr324Leu. This study represents the first evidence of a new CPV-2a mutant (VP2 324Leu) and illustrates the importance of a continuous molecular survey in order to obtain more information on effective spread of new CPV mutants. Canine parvovirus strains collected from dogs in southern Italy were analyzed. Nearly complete genome sequences of the CPV strains were obtained and comparatively analyzed. A novel CPV-2a mutant with unreported sequence changes has been characterized. This study reports a novel CPV-2a mutant in genus Protoparvovirus. Our data confirmed the importance of the continuous epidemiological survey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mira
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Giulia Dowgier
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppa Purpari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Santina Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giusi Macaluso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Gucciardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Randazzo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Guercio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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Puleio R, Chiarenza G, Vicari D, Currò V, Piraino C, Sciurba F, Tamburello A, Messina F, Loria G. Epididymitis Caused By Brucella ovis in Small Ruminants: Histopathology and Immunohistochemistry. J Comp Pathol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2017.10.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Cassata G, Palumbo VD, Cicero L, Damiano G, Maenza A, Migliazzo A, Di Paola G, Vicari D, Fazzotta S, Lo Monte AI. Laparotomic vs laparoscopic ovariectomy: comparing the two methods. The ovariectomy in the bitch in laparoscopic era. Acta Biomed 2016; 87:271-274. [PMID: 28112693 PMCID: PMC10521885] [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] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of ultrasound scalpel during laparoscopic ovariectomy in the bitch. METHODS Two groups of 10 subjects each, of different races and ages, were compared. In the first group, ovariectomy was performed laparoscopically, using harmonic scalpel to remove ovary. In the second group surgery was performed by means of classical laparotomy. RESULTS Pre-operative time was similar in both groups. Total operative time, from incision to skin suture, showed significant difference between the two groups, being laparoscopy faster than laparotomy. Partial operative time for bilateral oophorectomy resulted lower using open technique, but, considering each ovary, there was no significant difference in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The use of harmonic scalpel to perform ovariectomy during laparoscopy is an effective time-sparing surgical approach compared to the already great practicality of laparotomy.
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Cicero A, Giangrosso G, Cammilleri G, Macaluso A, Currò V, Galuppo L, Vargetto D, Vicari D, Ferrantelli V. Microbiological and Chemical Analysis of Land Snails Commercialised in Sicily. Ital J Food Saf 2015; 4:4196. [PMID: 27800385 PMCID: PMC5076643 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2015.4196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study 160 samples of snails belonging to the species Helix aspersa maxima and Helix aspersa muller were examined for chemical and microbiological analysis. Samples came from Greece and Poland. Results showed mean concentration of cadmium (0.35±0.036 mg/kg) and lead (0.05±0.013 mg/kg) much higher than the limit of detection. Mercury levels in both species were not detected. Microbiological analysis revealed the absence of Salmonella spp. and Clostridium spp. in both examined species. E. coli and K. oxytoca were observed in Helix aspersa maxima and Helix aspersa muller. Furthermore, one case of fungi positivity in samples of Helix aspersa muller was found. The reported investigations highlight the need to create and adopt a reference legislation to protect the health of consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonello Cicero
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Gaetano Cammilleri
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Macaluso
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
| | - Vittoria Currò
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
| | - Lucia Galuppo
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
| | - Daniela Vargetto
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Sicily , Palermo, Italy
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26
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Currò V, Marineo S, Vicari D, Galuppo L, Galluzzo P, Nifosì D, Pugliese M, Migliazzo A, Torina A, Caracappa S. The isolation of Brucella spp. from sheep and goat farms in Sicily. Small Rumin Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Agnello S, Chetta M, Vicari D, Mancuso R, Manno C, Puleio R, Console A, Nicholas RAJ, Loria GR. Severe outbreaks of polyarthritis in kids caused by Mycoplasma mycoides
subspecies capri
in Sicily. Vet Rec 2012; 170:416. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.100481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Agnello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
| | - M. Chetta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
| | - D. Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
| | - R. Mancuso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
| | - C. Manno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
| | - R. Puleio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
| | - A. Console
- Istituto Sperimentale Zootecnico per la Sicilia; 90136 Palermo Italy
| | - R. A. J. Nicholas
- Mycoplasma Group; Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency - Weybridge; Woodham Lane, New Haw Addlestone Surrey KT15 3NB UK
| | - G. R. Loria
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia; 90129 Palermo Italy
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Calistri P, Monaco F, Savini G, Guercio A, Purpari G, Vicari D, Cascio S, Lelli R. Further spread of West Nile virus in Italy. Vet Ital 2010; 46:467-474. [PMID: 21120802] [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: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Following two consecutive years of West Nile virus (WNV) circulation in Italy, new foci of infection were observed in August 2010 in Sicily and Molise in southern and central Italy, respectively. These incidents were far from the previous infected area in northern Italy, thereby confirming the ability of WNV to spread to new areas and affect new host populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Calistri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e Molise G. Caporale, Via Campo Boario, Teramo, Italy.
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Ferrantelli V, Riili S, Vicari D, Percipalle M, Chetta M, Monteverde V, Gaglio G, Giardina G, Usai F, Poglayen G. Spirocerca lupi isolated from gastric lesions in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Sicily (Italy). Pol J Vet Sci 2010; 13:465-471. [PMID: 21033560] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Spirocerca lupi (Rudolphi 1809) is a cosmopolitan nematode of dogs and wild carnivores. In the past it has been reported in Italy, mainly in southern regions and in Sicily, where the parasite was observed in foxes in 2005. The parasite typically produces nodular masses in the oesophagus and thoracic aorta. During the 2003-2004 hunting season, the authors investigated a total of 55 foxes (Vulpes vulpes) hunted or killed by car accidents in the provinces of Palermo and Agrigento. All the foxes were subjected to necropsy and 6 (9.16%) had S. lupi nodules located exclusively in the gastric wall. The nature of the nodules was determined by opening them and detecting the nematodes inside, which were identified as S. lupi. Some of the nodules were characterized anatomopathologically and histopathologically. The formation of the parasitic nodule in the stomach only suggests a deviation from the route commonly followed by the nematode to reach the oesophagus, the elective anatomical site for completion of its lifecycle. This survey gives a contribution to the epidemiology of this parasite which is severely outdated in Italy and highlights some distinctive features of the life cycle and parasite migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Ferrantelli
- Veterinary State Institute of Sicily A. Mirri-Palermo, Italy
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Vitale M, Di Bella C, Agnello S, Curro V, Vicari D, Vitale F. Leptospira interrogans survey by PCR in wild rodents coming from different urban areas of Palermo, Italy. Rev Cubana Med Trop 2007; 59:59-60. [PMID: 23427420] [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: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA extracted from the kidneys of rodents captured in different urban areas of Palermo, Italy, had been analysed for the presence of pathogenic L. interrogans sensu latu DNA. PCR analysis had shown that in rodents captured close to green areas and small river up to 40 % animals give positive PCR results. Not many cases of human leptospirosis are reported in Sicilian island in which hot season is usually dry. But considering climate change toward subtropical aspect in Sicily, with hot humid summer and sudden thunderstorm, screening for L. interrogans sensu latu prevalence can be useful for leptospirosis risk analysis on human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vitale
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia A. Mirri, Palermo, Italy.
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Vicari D, Percipalle M, Concetta LM, Li Vecchi L, Curro V, Vitale M, Vicenzo F. Evidence of canine leptospirosis in kennels in Sicily, by PCR method. Rev Cubana Med Trop 2007; 59:61-62. [PMID: 23427421] [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: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Stray dogs in kennels in western Sicily were monitored for zoonotic diseases presence; considering life conditions before their capture they are particularly exposed to the environment and so they can give good epidemiological information on disease prevalence. Leptospira pathogen specific PCR had been used to identify potential reservoirs of pathogenic serovars and provide a preliminary picture of the prevalence of the disease among stray dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, A. Mirri, Palermo, Italy.
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de la Fuente J, Torina A, Naranjo V, Caracappa S, Vicente J, Mangold AJ, Vicari D, Alongi A, Scimeca S, Kocan KM. Genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale strains from cattle farms in the province of Palermo, Sicily. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:226-9. [PMID: 16115096 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0450.2005.00851.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bovine anaplasmosis, caused by the tick-borne rickettsia Anaplasma marginale, is endemic in Sicily and results in economic loss to the cattle industry. This study was designed to characterize strains of A. marginale at the molecular level from cattle in the Province of Palermo, Sicily. Seropositivity of cattle >or=1 year old for A. marginale in the study area ranged from 62% to 100%. The observed prevalence of A. marginale infections in cattle herds ranged from 25% to 100%. Two predominant A. marginale msp4 genotypes were found. A positive correlation was found between the prevalence of infection and the presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Phylogenetic analysis of msp4 sequences of European strains of A. marginale did not provide phylogeographical information. These results suggest that development of farm husbandry systems and vaccines for genetically heterogeneous populations of A. marginale are needed for control of anaplasmosis in this region of Sicily.
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Affiliation(s)
- J de la Fuente
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Vicari D, Artsimovitch I. Virulence regulators RfaH and YaeQ do not operate in the same pathway. Mol Genet Genomics 2004; 272:489-96. [PMID: 15503145 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-004-1065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2004] [Accepted: 08/27/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The expression of virulence factors such as hemolysin and lipopolysaccharides in Proteobacteria is regulated by the transcription elongation factor RfaH. RfaH reduces pausing and termination at intergenic sites, and thus allows RNA polymerase to conclude transcription of the distal genes in long virulence operons. The yaeQ gene of Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium has been identified as a high-copy-number suppressor of the hemolytic defect in an rfaH deletion strain, leading to speculation regarding a direct role of YaeQ in the transcriptional control of bacterial virulence. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, yaeQ genes from Escherichia coli and S. enterica sv. Typhimurium were cloned and expressed. Their products, purified YaeQ proteins, displayed no antitermination effects in in-vitro transcription assays over a wide range of concentrations, neither by themselves nor in competition with RfaH. When overexpressed in vivo, plasmid-borne E. coli and S. enterica sv. Typhimurium yaeQ genes also failed to restore hemolytic activity in an rfaH deletion strain under conditions in which episomal E. coli rfaH and its orthologs exhibited full complementation of the genomic rfaH deletion. Taken together, our findings do not support the hypothesis of YaeQ involvement in RfaH-dependent regulation of virulence, even in stoichiometric excess in vitro or upon overexpression in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Vicari
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, 484 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Crucitti F, Doglietto GB, Viola G, Frontera D, De Cosmo G, Sgadari A, Vicari D, Rizzi A. Assessment of risk factors for pancreatic resection for cancer. World J Surg 1998; 22:241-7. [PMID: 9494415 DOI: 10.1007/s002689900377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A series of 101 consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic resection for cancer was retrospectively analyzed to define factors that may affect the immediate postoperative outcome. Overall morbidity and mortality were 28.7% and 10.9%, respectively, although these figures were greatly reduced during the last years; the complication rate dropped from 55.6% (1981-1987) to 20.0% (1993-1995) and the mortality from 16.7% to 6.7%. At univariate statistical analysis the patient characteristics (sex, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] class, nutritional status, jaundice), tumor characteristics (site, size, TNM stage, and grading), and type of surgery were found not to affect postoperative morbidity and mortality. In contrast, a significantly lower rate of complications was observed in patients not undergoing gastric resection, in those who received 3 units or less of blood intraoperatively, and in subjects operated more recently (after 1990). At multivariate analysis the period when the operation was performed was the only independent variable that affected the immediate postoperative outcome. Among the examined factors, only the experience acquired over time regarding the intra- and perioperative treatment of these patients seems able to lower the rate of postoperative complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Crucitti
- Department of Surgery, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy
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