Loggerhead Sea Turtle as Possible Source of Transmission for Zoonotic Listeriosis in the Marine Environment

Listeria monocytogenes is an ubiquitous pathogen isolated from different host species including fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, but it is rarely a pathogenic microorganism to marine reptiles. In particular, only two cases of fatal disseminated listeriosis have been described in the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). In this study, we describe a lethal case of L. monocytogenes infection in a loggerhead sea turtle. The turtle was found alive, stranded on a beach in North-eastern Italy, but perished soon after being rescued. The autoptic examination revealed that heart, lung, liver, spleen, and urinary bladder were disseminated with multiple, firm, 0.1–0.5 mm sized, nodular, white-green lesions. Microscopically, these lesions corresponded with heterophilic granulomas with Gram+ bacteria within the necrotic center. Furthermore, the Ziehl–Neelsen stain was negative for acid-fast organisms. Colonies isolated from heart and liver were tested through MALDI-TOF for species identification, revealing the presence of L. monocytogenes. Whole Genome Sequencing on L. monocytogenes isolates was performed and the subsequent in silico genotyping revealed the belonging to Sequence Type 6 (ST 6); the virulence profile was evaluated, showing the presence of pathogenicity islands commonly observed in ST 6. Our results further confirm that L. monocytogenes should be posed in differential diagnosis in case of nodular lesions of loggerhead sea turtles; thus, given the zoonotic potential of the microorganism, animals should be treated with particular caution. In addition, wildlife animals can play an active role as carriers of possibly pathogenetic and virulent strains and contribute to the distribution of L. monocytogenes in the environment

A Probable Fatal Case of Oleander (Nerium oleander) Poisoning on a Cattle Farm: A New Method of Detection and Quantification of the Oleandrin Toxin in Rumen

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an ornamental plant common in tropical and sub-tropical regions that is becoming increasingly widespread, even in temperate regions. Oleander poisoning may occur in animals and humans. The main active components contained in the plant are cardiac glycosides belonging to the class of cardenolides that are toxic to many species, from human to insects. This work describes a case of oleander poisoning that occurred on a small cattle farm and resulted in the fatality of all six resident animals. Furthermore, the investigation of the poisonous agent is described, with particular focus on the characterization of the oleandrin toxin that was recovered from the forage and rumen contents. The innovation of this study is the first description of the detection and quantification of the oleandrin toxin by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) in rumen

Evaluation of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in livers of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) found stranded along the northern Adriatic Sea

Per-and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals used in a wide variety of commercial products and industrial applications. These chemicals are persistent, can accumulate in humans\u2019 and animals\u2019 tissues and in the environment, representing an increasing concern due to their moderate to highly toxicity. Their global distribution, persistence and toxicity led to an urgent need to investigate bioaccumulation also in marine species. In 2013 PFAS contamination was detected in a vast area in Veneto region, mainly in Adige and Brenta rivers. In order to investigate any relevant presence of these substances in marine vertebrates constantly living in the area, PFAS were measured in hepatic tissue samples of 20 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded along the northern Adriatic Sea coastline between 2008 and 2020. Using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 17 target PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA, PFDoA, PFTrDA, PFTeDA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFDS, PFHpS, PFPeS), were quantified in the samples. PFAS profiles were generally composed of the same five dominant PFAS (PFOS > PFUnA > PFDA 48 PFDoA 48 PFTrDA). The greatest PFOS concentration found was 629,73 ng/g wet weight, and PFOS accounted until 71% in the PFAS profiles. No significant differences between sexes were found, while calves showing higher mean values than adults, possibly indicating an increasing ability in the elimination of PFAS with age. Finally, a temporal analysis was carried out considering three different periods of time, but no temporal differences in concentrations were found. The results suggest that long-chain PFAS are widespread in bottlenose dolphins along the North Adriatic Sea. Furthermore, they represent a baseline to investigate the impact of PFAS on marine mammals\u2019 conservation and health. Filling an important gap in the knowledge of PFAS accumulation in bottlenose dolphins, this study highlights the relevant role of Environmental and Tissue Banks for retrospective analyses on emergent contaminants

Pathology of coronavirus infections : a review of lesions in animals in the One-Health perspective

This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Corona Viruses – Animal & Human Health ImplicationsCoronaviruses (CoVs) are worldwide distributed RNA-viruses affecting several species, including humans, and causing a broad spectrum of diseases. Historically, they have not been considered a severe threat to public health until two outbreaks of COVs-related atypical human pneumonia derived from animal hosts appeared in 2002 and in 2012. The concern related to CoVs infection dramatically rose after the COVID-19 global outbreak, for which a spill-over from wild animals is also most likely. In light of this CoV zoonotic risk, and their ability to adapt to new species and dramatically spread, it appears pivotal to understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms of tissue injury of known CoVs within the “One-Health” concept. This review specifically describes all CoVs diseases in animals, schematically representing the tissue damage and summarizing the major lesions in an attempt to compare and put them in relation, also with human infections. Some information on pathogenesis and genetic diversity is also included. Investigating the lesions and distribution of CoVs can be crucial to understand and monitor the evolution of these viruses as well as of other pathogens and to further deepen the pathogenesis and transmission of this disease to help public health preventive measures and therapiesSimple Summary. Coronaviruses are worldwide distributed RNA-viruses affecting several species, causing a broad spectrum of diseases with a zoonotic potential and the ability to jump from one host species to a different one, including humans. In the perspective of ‘One Health’ and the well-known recent Coronavirus-associated epidemics and pandemic, the aim of this review is to list all the animal species affected by Coronaviruses and to describe the lesions and the target organs. Information is given on the pathogenesis and the gross and histological lesions of pets, ferrets, bovines, sheep, goats, equine, swine, wild animals, non-human primates, marine mammals, laboratory animals, fish, reptiles, amphibian, and, briefly, humans.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Illegal fishing with electrofishing devices in the Po river basin, Emilia Romagna, Italy

Electric fishing is an illegal hunting method, unfortunately widely used by poachers to paralyze fish and to catch many animals in a short time. In Italy, it is authorized only for scientific and conservative purposes. Between 2014 and 2018, the Ferrara section of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, Italy, received nine cases of potentially illegal electric fishing in Po river and its tributary rivers. Necropsies were performed following standard protocols and samples of different tissues were collected and examined using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Gross lesions frequently observed were circulatory alteration phenomena (i.e. multiorgan hyperemia, hemorrhages and congestion, hemopericardium), also found histologically, in addition to multifocal degenerative and necrotic muscular processes that could be attributed to injuries from electric current, as already reported in literature. Immunohistochemical investigations confirmed degenerative and necrotic lesions with myoglobin depletion and a corresponding fibrinogen accumulation. Myoglobin globules were also detected in the renal parenchyma, as consequent of rhabdomyolysis. The results of this study allowed to correlate electric fishing to gross, histologic and immunohistochemical lesions, which together constitute a pathognomonic picture to be considered a reference standard in this type of illegal controversy

PESCA ILLEGALE CON ELETTROSTORDITORI NELLE ACQUE DOLCI DELL\u2019EMILIA ROMAGNA

La pesca con elettrostorditore \ue8 un metodo di cattura illegale nel nostro Paese e ha trovato ampia applicazione tra i pescatori di frodo poich\ue9 consente loro di catturare considerevoli quantit\ue0 di pescato in tempi brevi. In Italia viene autorizzata solo per scopi scientifici e/o conservativi. Il meccanismo d\u2019azione si basa sugli effetti che un campo elettrico ha sui pesci, dopo aver immerso in acqua due elettrodi, un polo positivo ed un polo negativo. I pesci che si trovano all\u2019interno del campo elettrico delimitato dai due poli vengono attratti dal polo positivo, quindi iniziano a nuotare verso questo per poi rimanere storditi dalla scossa elettrica man mano che si avvicinano all\u2019elettrodo. Molti bacini idrici d\u2019Italia risultano depauperati dall\u2019azione di bracconieri, vere e proprie associazioni criminali finalizzate all\u2019esercizio del bracconaggio, che fanno uso di elettrostorditori \u201chome made\u201d. Gli effetti della pesca di frodo sono devastanti e rischiano di raggiungere un punto di \u201cnon ritorno\u201d oltre il quale il danno non sar\ue0 pi\uf9 sanabile. I pescatori di frodo provengono soprattutto dall\u2019est Europa e la loro presenza \ue8 stata segnalata dal 2012, anno in cui il delta del Danubio \ue8 divenuto patrimonio mondiale dell\u2019Unesco e l\u2019autorit\ue0 per la tutela del parco naturale del delta del Danubio ha attivato una massiccia azione di repressione, determinando lo spostamento dei bracconieri nel nostro Paese. Il prodotto pescato viene commercializzato nei paesi dell\u2019est Europa dove i filetti di siluro, le carpe e le loro uova sono un prodotto pregiato, senza alcuna garanzia igienico-sanitaria. A volte il prodotto, in particolare il siluro, diventa anche oggetto di frodi commerciali in quanto viene venduto come filetti di pangasio (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) di allevamento. Un\u2019altra conseguenza della pesca di frodo \ue8 il depauperamento dei bacini idrici che porta i pescatori amatoriali a non rinnovare pi\uf9 le licenze di pesca; di conseguenza le autorit\ue0 locali perdono un introito pi\uf9 o meno consistente a seconda della provincia e con seri danni economici all\u2019indotto. La sezione di Ferrara dell\u2019IZSLER, negli ultimi 4 anni, ha ricevuto 13 campionamenti di pesci, con la richiesta di stabilire se erano stati pescati con mezzi illeciti. Le specie ittiche esaminate sono state: siluro (Silurus glanis), carpa (Cyprinus carpio), carassio (Carassius carassius), cefalo (Mugil cephalus), lucioperca (Sander lucioperca), aspio (Aspius aspius), persico trota (Micropterus salmoides), pesce gatto nostrano (Ameiurus melas), abramide (Abramis brama), carpa argentata o temolo russo (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Per ciascun conferimento si \ue8 proceduto all\u2019esecuzione di un esame anatomopatologico ed al prelievo di organi e tessuti da sottoporre ad esami istologici. Le lesioni macroscopiche osservate pi\uf9 di frequente sono emorragie cutanee pi\uf9 o meno estese, congestione branchiale, iperemia cerebrale ed emopericardio. Quest\u2019ultimo, in particolare, \ue8 stato un reperto costante negli animali esaminati. Meno frequente invece il riscontro di esoftalmo. Le lesioni riscontrate all\u2019esame istologico sono sostanzialmente comuni a tutti i campioni ed hanno evidenziato quadri congestizi/emorragici diffusi e necrosi focale a zolle di Zenker nella muscolatura scheletrica, quadri questi ultimi che, sulla base anche di quanto riportato in bibliografia, risultano essere riferibili a lesioni da corrente elettrica. Le successive indagini immunoistochimiche hanno confermato il quadro degenerativo e necrotico con deplezione della mioglobina nel sarcoplasma a cui corrispondeva un accumulo di fibrinogeno. Globuli di mioglobina sono quindi stati rilevati anche nello spazio della capsula di Bowmann, suggerendo mioglobinuria a seguito del danno muscolare. I risultati delle indagini condotte hanno permesso di correlare alla pesca con elettrostorditore la presenza di lesioni anatomo-patologiche, vedasi l\u2019emopericardio, istopatologiche ed immunoistochimiche che nell\u2019insieme costituiscono un quadro patognomico da considerare come standard di riferimento in questo tipo di controversie

Pathology of Coronavirus Infections: A Review of Lesions in Animals in the One-Health Perspective

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are worldwide distributed RNA-viruses affecting several species, including humans, and causing a broad spectrum of diseases. Historically, they have not been considered a severe threat to public health until two outbreaks of COVs-related atypical human pneumonia derived from animal hosts appeared in 2002 and in 2012. The concern related to CoVs infection dramatically rose after the COVID-19 global outbreak, for which a spill-over from wild animals is also most likely. In light of this CoV zoonotic risk, and their ability to adapt to new species and dramatically spread, it appears pivotal to understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms of tissue injury of known CoVs within the \u201cOne-Health\u201d concept. This review specifically describes all CoVs diseases in animals, schematically representing the tissue damage and summarizing the major lesions in an attempt to compare and put them in relation, also with human infections. Some information on pathogenesis and genetic diversity is also included. Investigating the lesions and distribution of CoVs can be crucial to understand and monitor the evolution of these viruses as well as of other pathogens and to further deepen the pathogenesis and transmission of this disease to help public health preventive measures and therapies