Veterinaria italiana最新文献

Ticks represent a reservoir of zoonotic pathogens, and their numbers are increasing largely in wildlife. This work is aimed at producing maps of suitable habitats for ticks in Aosta Valley, Italy based on multitemporal EO data and veterinary datasets (tick species and distribution in wild hosts). EO data were processed in Google Earth Engine considering the following inputs: A) Growing Degree Ticks (GDT), B) NDVI from MOD09GA, C) NDVI entropy, D) distance from water bodies, E) topography, F) rainfalls from CHIRPS as monthly composites along the 2020, 2021 and 2022 years. Ticks were collected from hunted, injured, and found-dead wild animals ( Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Rupicapra rupicapra, Cervus elaphus); they were labeled at species level using taxonomic keys. Between September 2020 and December 2022, a total of 90 ticks were collected from 89 wild animals. Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent tick species, followed by Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor spp. Molecular analyses demonstrated the presence of Anaplasma spp., B. burgdorferi sensu lato and Rickettsia spp. pathogens in infected ticks. To assess human population potential exposure to tick Meta® population dataset was used. In conclusion this study shows the potentialities of Remote sensing improving the technological transfer to the veterinarian sector.

During epidemics, pandemics, or animal disease outbreaks, the large-scale disposal of carcasses presents greater environmental and biosecurity challenges. In Europe, disposal through a rendering plant is the preferred option, but the on-site carcasses burial may be authorised due to logistical and economic advantages. This study utilised a comprehensive GIS-based approach and focuses on the challenges and strategies for large-scale carcass disposal, particularly in the context of avian influenza outbreaks in the Lazio Region of Italy. Integrating data from official geospatial sources regarding presence of environmental restrictions and regulations, factors affecting susceptibility to groundwater contamination, factors affecting soil stability over time, potential burial sites were identified. The resulting map provides decision-makers with valuable information for prompt and efficient response during disease outbreaks. The study underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving veterinarians, epidemiologists, GIS experts, and geologists. Further research and international consensus are essential to standardize the selection of geographic variables/layers to use in similar projects. This study significantly contributes to the preparedness of environment, health and animal/human interface events.

Documented freedom from disease is paramount for international free trade of animals and animal products. This study describes a scenario tree analysis to estimate the probability of freedom from Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) in Italy and Slovenia using information gathered via the data collection tool developed in the COST action project SOUND-control. Data on EBL control programmes (CPs) from 2018 to 2021 were used to build the models. Since animals are only sampled on the farm, one surveillance system component (SSC) was considered. The posterior probability of freedom (PostPfree) was estimated in time steps of one year, from 2018 to 2021.  After each year, the calculated from the previous year, combined with the probability of introduction, was used as a prior probability for the next year.  The herd level design prevalence was set to 0.2% in accordance with the Council Directive 64/432/EEC and the within herd design prevalence was set to 15%.  As Slovenia implemented a risk-based surveillance, targeting the herds importing cattle, in its model the design herd prevalence was combined with an average adjusted risk to calculate the effective probability of a herd importing cattle being infected.  The models were run for 10,000 iterations.  Over the study period the mean estimates were: i) for Italy both the surveillance system sensitivity ( SSe) and PostPFree 100%, with no differences between simulations and years, ii) for Slovenia the SSe was 50.5% while the PostPFree was 81.6%.

Disease maps are integral to spatial epidemiology and public health. The map appearance and analysis of corresponding data may both depend on a map projection used to transform the 3-dimensional world onto a 2-dimensional surface. Map projections necessarily introduce bias - an issue that has not received full attention in the literature. This study aims to demonstrate the impact map projections can have on spatial analysis and disease maps for public health. Case studies applied varying map projections, including the Lambert, Mercator and Robinson projections, to Israel, North Carolina and Southern Ontario as study areas. The effect of projections on various measures, estimates, tests and models was assessed. When the map projection was changed: (i) a distance in Israel increased by 30%; (ii) for Southern Ontario an areal size increased by almost 95%; Moran's I test switched from significant to not; and (iii) a single disease cluster in North Carolina converted into three distinct clusters. Visual bias in disease mapping is unavoidable and should be recognized. Disease maps and spatial analytical inferences, including disease clusters should be reported with their geographic projection. Using geographic coordinates can prevent analytical bias.

One health is based on an interdisciplinary collaboration across professions using a common language. Geographic epidemiology is the study of spatial patterns of population health in a study area. Such spatial patterns (trend, cluster and clustering) require clear definition to be meaningful in science communication. However, the term "disease cluster" has been defined in the literature in various and rather different ways. When geographic epidemiology is unable to make sense of its own concepts it is questionable how respective research results can benefit one health. The goal of this study was to clarify the disease cluster concept. Examples of disease cluster definitions from the literature were used for illustration. The epidemiological triangle of causation (agent, host and environment) was used to conceptualize geographic epidemiological data analysis. The term disease cluster was distinguished from related concepts (clustering, high-risk area, hot spot and outbreak) additionally the semantics and statistical meaning of expectation and prediction were reviewed to further identify the cluster concept as a statistical outlier. The new paradigm of the geographic epidemiological trillium is proposed here and embedded within the spatial generalized linear mixed model to clarify concepts of spatial patterns and guide epidemiological research and teaching.

Pure, potent and efficacious vaccines could help in the control of Newcastle disease (ND). The present study was designed to evaluate the thermo-stability of a live-attenuated ND virus vaccine containing the Mukteswar strain and to genetically characterize the seed virus. Moreover, the presence of extraneous agents (Fowl adenovirus, Mycoplasma, Salmonella Pullorum, and Salmonella Gallinarum) was assessed using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) optimized for detection in a panel. The vaccine was evaluated for its potency and efficacy after storage at 4°C, 25°C and 37°C for 36, 48, 96 and 144 hours. A total of 100 commercial broiler chickens were randomly divided into six groups and immunized with the vaccine stored at specified temperatures for the given times. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 post-vaccination, sera were separated and antibody titers were assessed using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. The data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Reverse-transcription  PCR targeting the F gene of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and subsequent sequence analysis confirmed the presence of NDV in the vaccine seed (deposited to GenBank Acc. Nos. MK310260 and MK310261). Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close resemblance of the vaccine virus with other Avian Avulaviruses (NDV class II Genotype III viruses and more specifically with NDV Mukteswar vaccine strains), yet it was distinct from NDV class II Pakistani field isolates, which grouped into genotype XIII.2.1. The PCR testing confirmed that the vaccine was free from extraneous agents. The present study's findings propose an alternative rapid PCR-based method to evaluate the purity of NDV live vaccines. Together these data suggest that the tested vaccine is pure, potent and efficacious, yet continuous maintenance of the cold chain for vaccine storage is recommended to maintain its potency and efficacy.

Rare earth elements (REEs) have shown promising potential in veterinary medicine, particularly as feed additives and diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Moreover, the increasing industrial use of REEs has raised concerns about their potential environmental contamination and bioaccumulation in animal tissues. While numerous studies have focused on the distribution of REEs in marine and freshwater ecosystems, information regarding their presence in terrestrial environments remains fragmented. This narrative review aims to describe the practical applications of REEs in veterinary medicine, with a specific focus on studies evaluating the potential accumulation of these elements in the tissues of terrestrial vertebrate animals. Additionally, the review addresses research on the intentional residual presence of REEs and in-field studies evaluating the contamination burden from REE exposure in domestic and wild animals. In conclusion, this review identifies critical scientific gaps and provides future research directions to advance understanding of the long-term effects, mechanisms of action, and environmental impacts of REEs in veterinary practices.

Brucella suis biovar 1 has the broadest animal host spectrum. Affects domestic animals and wildlife species. The aim of our study was to investigate the pathogenesis of B. suis biovar 1 infection in the armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) under experimental conditions. One gravid female and three adult males were inoculated with a suspension containing 1×106 CFU/mL (colony-forming units) of B. suis biovar 1 by oral route. In addition, the gravid female and one male received the same suspension by the conjunctival route. A young male and two females not inoculated were kept in contact with the animals inoculated. The animals that tested seropositive were euthanized. All inoculated armadillos showed positive antibody titres 2 weeks post-inoculation. Of the three uninoculated animals, one female was seropositive for Brucella infection.  Brucella was isolated from the spleen, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, uterus, testes, and urine. Characteristic histologic lesions were found in the epididymis. These results suggest that armadillos can act as a reservoir for the spread of B. suis infection, and the persistence of Brucella in armadillo tissues constitutes a risk for humans, because of the cultural practice of armadillo meat consumption in rural communities.

Over the last decades, the Campania Region in Italy has faced an environmental crisis due to the widespread illegal dumping and burning of waste. This has led to the area being notoriously known as the Land of Fires (Terra dei Fuochi - TdF), sparking serious concerns about public health and threatening the region's agricultural sector, one of its economic mainstays. In such a context, a timely, accurate, and reliable flow of information, aimed both at the population and at stakeholders, is crucial for establishing a proper dialogue between institutions and people, driving the empowerment of citizens. To address this crisis, the Italian Government introduced Law 6 of 2014, establishing a multidisciplinary Working Group tasked with identifying and mapping the sites affected by spills and illegal disposal in the territory. The TdF-WG defined a scientific methodology for classifying these sites in terms of prohibition on the cultivation of specific crops, consequently allowing the adoption of appropriate clean up and restoration measures for the impacted sites. This paper describes the data collection process and the IT platform commissioned by the Government to the IZS-TE and used by the TdF-WG to exchange data, knowledge, and technology, thereby fostering efficient and effective crisis management.

Subtilase exhibits strong cytotoxicity that was first described in O113:H21 strain in Australia as a plasmid- encoded cytotoxin (subAB1). Subsequently, chromosomal variants including subAB2-1, subAB2-2, and subAB2-3 were described. We aimed to investigate the presence of subAB genes in a collection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains (n=101) isolated from different sources in Iran. A collection of 101 archived STEC strains isolated from cattle (n=50), goats (n=25), sheep (n=15), wild captive animals (n=8: persian fallow deer, n=3; caspian pony, n=1; Macaca mulatta, n=4), and humans (n=3) during 2007-2016 were analyzed for the detection of different genes encoding the Subtilase variants, plasmidic and chromosomal virulence genes, phylogroups and serogroups. Overall, 57 isolates (56.4%) carried at least one variant of subAB. Most strains from small ruminants including 93% of sheep and 96% of caprine isolates carried at least one chromosomally encoded variant (subAB-2-1 and/or subAb2-2). In contrast, 12 cattle isolates (24%) only harbored the plasmid encoded variant (subAB1). STEC strains from other sources, including deer, pony and humans were positive for subAB-2-1 and/or subAb2-2. Our results reveal the presence of potentially pathogenic genotypes among locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)-negative isolates, and some host specificity related to Subtilase variants and other virulence markers that may aid in source tracking of STEC during outbreak investigations.