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

Impact of air, water and dock microbial communities on boat microbial community composition

Aims: This study explores the microbial diversity of sources which may influence boat microbial communities. We investigated the impact of dock, air and water microbial communities on the hull, transom and bilge microbial communities over the span of 11 days. Methods and Results: Using source tracking software, we investigated the extent to which each of our potential sources (air, water and dock) influenced the overall microbial community. This study concluded that the dock impacted 14–64% of the hull and transom microbial community. Micro-organisms from the water were shown to impact 5·6% the bilge microbial community but had minimal impact on hull and transom microbial communities. Micro-organisms from the air had minimal impact in all areas of the boat. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that micro-organisms from sources other than water can influence the microbial community of a boat, suggesting that terrestrial micro-organisms can impact the boat microbial community. Significance and Impact of the Study: Outside of ballast tanks, microbial diversity on boats is largely unexplored. While ballast water is widely recognized as a route for dispersal of allochthonous micro-organisms, comparatively little is known about the microbial diversity on other areas of the boat. If the organisms on a boat originate from sources other than water, there is potential that terrestrial micro-organisms could be dispersed by shipping activity

FECAL FLORA MEASUREMENTS OF BREAST FED INFANTS USING AN INTEGRATED TRANSPORT AND CULTURING SYSTEM

It is generally accepted that the fecal flora of breast fed infants is dominated by bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. However, some studies report low colonisation rates of bifidobacteria even in breast fed infants. The complexity of fecal flora and particularly technical problems encountered in sampling techniques and in sample processing might limit the validity of the data. In the present study we examined the fecal flora of brest fed infants with particular respect to bifidobacteria and lactobacilli using an integrated transport and culturing system

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. multi-organ 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

Analysis of the gastro-intestinal tract of marine mammals: A multidisciplinary approach with a new multi-sieves tool

none13noOrgans and content of the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of marine mammals are relevant for a variety of investigations and provide data to researchers from different fields. Currently used protocols applied to the GIT for specific analysis limit the possibility to execute other investigations and important information could be lost. To ensure a proper sample collection and a multidisciplinary investigation of the GIT of marine mammals, a new multi-sieves tool and a specific protocol have been developed. This new device and approach allowed the simultaneous sampling of the GIT and its content for the main investigations concerned. The samples collected during these preliminary trials were suitable to perform all the different research procedures considered in this work. The obtained results show that with a few and easy procedural adjustments, a multidisciplinary sampling and evaluation of the GIT of marine mammals is possible. This will reduce the risk of losing important data aimed at understanding the cause of death of the animal, but also biology and ecology of marine mammals, and other important data for their conservation and habitats management.openCorazzola G.; Baini M.; Grattarola C.; Panti C.; Marcer F.; Garibaldi F.; Berio E.; Mancusi C.; Galli M.; Mazzariol S.; Fossi M.C.; Centelleghe C.; Casalone C.Corazzola, G.; Baini, M.; Grattarola, C.; Panti, C.; Marcer, F.; Garibaldi, F.; Berio, E.; Mancusi, C.; Galli, M.; Mazzariol, S.; Fossi, M. C.; Centelleghe, C.; Casalone, C

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