Veterinaria italiana最新文献

Vesiviruses are important animal pathogens with a broad host range, and they have also been involved in accidental contamination of cells used for the production of drugs for rare and life-threatening human diseases. A vesivirus (family Caliciviridae) was detected in minks (Neovison vison) with respiratory and neurological signs, during syndromic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 conducted in Italy. The complete genome (8,397 nucleotides in length) of the vesivirus strain ITA/2021/mink/TE (OR130287) was obtained by combining NGS approach with 5' and 3' RACE protocols. The virus was seemingly more related (95.9-97.2% nt identity in the partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) to American vesivirus isolates 9/1980/US, 12/1980/US, and 20/1980/US dating back to the early 1980s than to recent mink strains. These results highlight the importance of gathering information on the virome of animals.

In hunted animals, quality of blood samples may often be compromised. Alternative samples, such as meat juice, may offer an advantage to perform serological tests. This study evaluates if meat juice is a feasible alternative sample to perform the Tuberculosis ELISA test in hunted large game. Between 2017 and 2022, 175 samples were collected from 97 animals (14 red deer + 83 wild boar) in Portugal and Spain. Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated at 0.71, pointing out a good agreement using 156 paired samples. The sensitivity of the ELISA test with serum was 37.6%, considering Tuberculosis-like lesions (TBL) detected during the initial examination (26 TBL+/ELISA+ in a total of 78 serum samples). Using meat juice as matrix, the sensitivity increased to 37.5% (33 TBL+/ELISA+ in 97 meat juice samples). According to the agreement score and sensitivity being so close between the two matrices tested, meat juice could be a feasible alternative matrix.

Ivermectin is a medication used to treat parasite infestations in humans and in veterinary medicine. Previously we showed that therapeutical doses of ivermectin impaired spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis in adult rats. The present study was proposed to understand the pathophysiological mechanism that triggered these impairments induced by ivermectin. It was a particular objective to study if ivermectin induced excessive apoptosis. Adult rats were treated with a therapeutical dose of ivermectin (subcutaneously). Their testis was evaluated for the expression of caspase-3 (a marker of apoptosis), using immunohistochemistry techniques. Results revealed that ivermectin treatment increased the expression of caspase-3 (labeled seminiferous tubules and strongly labeled tubules), as well as increased the number of tubules that presented labeled cells in the tubular lumen, compared to the data of the control group. In conclusion, a therapeutical dose of ivermectin induced expressive apoptosis in cells of the seminiferous tubules of rats, affecting the testicular natural homeostasis process, which resulted in the spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis impairments previously reported.

This study investigated five strains of each serotype of Salmonella Agona, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Hindmarsh, Salmonella Kouka, Salmonella Muenchen, Salmonella Ottmarchen, Salmonella Saintpaul and Salmonella II, isolated during the 2014-2017 period. Disc diffusion was used to identify the phenotypic profiles of antibiotic resistance to 12 antimicrobials while the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was detected by PCR. The most sensitive serotype was S. Kouka while the most resistant serotypes were S. Agona and S. Heidelberg. MDR was detected most frequently in S. Agona strains, followed by S. Saintpaul, S. Hindmarsch, and S. Ottmarchen. The samples were most susceptible to chloramphenicol and ceftazidime and most resistant to sulfonamide. The resistance genes were detected in phenotypically resistant strains. Among the tetracycline-resistant strains, tet (A) was the most prevalent gene. The results of this study highlight the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance profiles and related genes, which can spread to form MDR bacteria. Salmonella spp., which significantly contribute to ARG dissemination, should be monitored constantly to protect the closely related health of humans, animals, and the environment. The level of antibiotic resistance observed in this study, even in rarely isolated Salmonella serotypes, also indicates the need for careful and selective use of antibiotics.

Fowl Pox Viruses (FPV) infect chickens and turkeys giving rise to pock lesions on various body parts like combs, wattles, legs, shanks, eyes, mouth etc. The birds, affected with FPV, also show anemia and ruffled appearance which are clinical symptoms of Reticuloendotheliosis. Interestingly, the field strains of FPV are integrated with the provirus of Reticuloendotheliosis Virus (REV). Due to this integration, the infected birds, upon replication of FPV, give rise to free REV virions, causing severe immunosuppression and anemia. Pox scabs, collected from the infected birds, not only show positive PCR results upon performing FPV-specific 4b core protein gene PCR but also show positive results for the PCR of REV-specific env gene and FPV-REV 5'LTR junction. Homogenized suspension of the pock lesions, upon inoculating to the Chorio-allantoic Membrane (CAM) of 10 days old specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs, produces characteristic pock lesions in serial passages. But the lesions also harbor REV mRNA or free virion, which can be identified by performing REV-specific env gene PCR using REV RNA from FPV-infected CAMs. The study suggests successful replication and availability of REV mRNA and free virion alongside the FPV virus, although the CAM is an ill-suited medium for any retroviral (like REV) growth and replication.

The present study evaluated the presence of Salmonella enterica in Pakistani backyard poultry. A total 48 chickens from 4 backyard poultry breeds with the clinical presentation of S. enterica infection were randomly selected from villages in the Punjab Province. Cloacal swabs from live poultry and liver samples from the dead birds were collected for bacterial culture and biochemical identification. Liver and spleen samples from dead birds were evaluated for gross and histopathological changes. Bacterial isolates were subjected to PCR and sequencing of ratA gene. Biochemical identification revealed 5/48 (10.42%) chickens positive for S. enterica. Gross pathology included enlarged, discoloured and congested liver and congested spleen. Histopathology demonstrated congestion of sinusoidal capillaries, cellular swelling and cellular/ballooning degeneration, congestion of central hepatic vein, granular hepatocytic cytoplasm and the presence of variable-sized vacuoles in hepatocytes. The PCR yielded a S. enterica specific amplicon (1047 bp). All liver samples that were positive for S. enterica by biochemical tests, were also positive by PCR. The ratA gene sequencing revealed a close resemblance with S. enteritidis isolates from humans. The present study highlights zoonotic risk from backyard poultry and suggests that PCR can be used as an alternate method for rapid detection of Salmonella serovars.

The present study was aimed to detect C. perfringens and identify its toxins in mutton samples collected from Lahore City in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. A total of 40 samples of minced and non‑minced mutton were collected from local butcher and retail shops representing four areas of the city. The samples were subjected to ELISA for the detection of C. perfringens alpha, beta and epsilon toxins. The samples were simultaneously processed for bacterial isolation. The isolates were confirmed both by biochemical testing and a multiplex PCR targeting alpha, beta and epsilon toxin genes of C. perfringens. While 10% (4/40) of the samples were positive for C. perfringens alpha toxins, 17.5% (7/40) of the samples were positive for the alpha toxin gene. The present study indicated that the samples collected from the local butcher shops were contaminated with C. perfringens and its toxins. Interestingly, no such contamination was detected in any of the samples collected from retail meat shops. In conclusion, improper hygienic conditions at butcher shops could lead to the contamination of mutton with C. perfringens and its toxins.

Cells obtained from chicken embryos are often preferred for in vitro studies. These cells, which easily adapt to rapid and continuous growth in the appropriate cell culture environment, are thought to be one of the effective methods in the investigation of leg diseases that are frequently observed in poultry. Leg diseases, especially affecting the joints in chickens, cause locomotor problems and adversely affect animal welfare. In addition, they cause significant health problems and increase mortality. It is known that synovial fibroblasts play an important role in joint diseases. In this study, chicken embryonic synovial fibroblasts were isolated from tissue explants taken from the tibio-metatarsal joint region of brown layer chicken embryos. Characterization of cells was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and hemacolor staining. chicken embryonic synovial fibroblasts showed a strong positive reaction to the vimentin antibody. As a result of hemacolor staining, it was noted that the cell morphology was spindle-shaped. The absence of macrophages in chicken embryonic synovial fibroblast culture was confirmed by the carbon powder uptake. In this present study, we aim to present a useful cell culture protocol such as primary culture, passage, and characterization suitable for chicken embryonic synovial fibroblast to be used in the new scientific research.

The objective of this research was to determine the seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum in dogs in the city of Primavera do Leste, Mato Grosso, Brazil. A total of 109 serological samples from dogs were analyzed, collected between August 2021 to March 2022, using rapid immunochromatographic test, TR DPP® (LVC BioManguinhos), and Immunoenzymatic Assay (ELISA), EIE-Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (Bio-Manguinhos®, Fiocruz). IgG anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies were detected 4.6% (5/109) by DPP test. Regardless of results, all samples were submitted to ELISA test, of those 0.9% (1/109) was positive, the same having also been positive for the DPP, from asymptomatic, adult dog living in the urban area. This is the first autochthonous report of CVL in the municipality. Since Visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum is a disease of One Health concern, the results obtained are essential to fill the epidemiological gap of in the region. Furthermore, the health authorities should implement surveillance actions in order to monitoring of dogs, as well as survey of sand flies, and health education programs to stimulate the prevention of the disease.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 8 (EHDV-8) emerged in Europe for the first time in late 2022. In this study, we investigated the kinetics of EHDV-8 infection in cattle, sheep, and goats.  Following experimental infection with EHDV-8, four out of five calves displayed fever, while another calf exhibited ulcerative and crusty lesions of the muzzle. RNAemia peaked at day 7 post infection in all calves and remained relatively stable till the end of the study, at 78 days post infection. Infectious virus was isolated up to 21 days post infection in one calf. As far as small ruminants are concerned, one sheep experienced fever and two out of five had consistent RNAemia that lasted until the end of the study. Remarkably, infectious virus was evidenced at day 7 post infection in one sheep. In goats, no RNA was observed. All infected animals seroconverted, and a neutralizing immune response was observed in all species, with calves exhibiting a more robust response than sheep and goats. Our study provides insights into the kinetics of EHDV-8 infection and the host immune responses. We also highlight that sheep may also play a role in EHDV-8 epidemiology. Altogether, the data gathered in this study could have important implications for disease control and prevention strategies, providing crucial information to policy makers to mitigate the impact of this viral disease on livestock.