Geographical and temporal distribution of SARS-CoV-2 clades in the WHO European Region, January to June 2020

We show the distribution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic clades over time and between countries and outline potential genomic surveillance objectives. We applied three genomic nomenclature systems to all sequence data from the World Health Organization European Region available until 10 July 2020. We highlight the importance of real-time sequencing and data dissemination in a pandemic situation, compare the nomenclatures and lay a foundation for future European genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

Induction of ovarian maturation by means of dietary hormonal treatment in Austropotamobius pallipes

The freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes is an annual species with low fecundity and a long embryonic development. Restocking programmes for this species have recently been prompted in many countries in Europe because of its ecological importance in the freshwater ecosystem. The role and interactions of neurotransmitters which intervene in crustacean reproduction have been identified but they are not still completely understood. Ovarian development appears to be under the control of two hormones: the vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone and the gonad stimulating hormone (Fingermann, 1997)

Sylvatic rabies in the north-east of Italy: monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of prophylaxis in workers at risk and travelers.

Rabies is a global zoonotic disease that occurs in developing and developed countries, producing consistently fatal encephalitis in humans and animals. Rabies virus infects mammals through infected saliva via bites or scratches, although atypical exposures have been documented. In late 2008, wildlife rabies re-emerged in Northeastern Italy in an area bordering Slovenia, spread to Veneto region (Belluno province) and to the autonomous province of Trento and Bolzano. Since then, 287 animal cases have been detected in wild and domestic animals; the last one has been diagnosed in a red fox in February 2011. No human cases have been reported linked to the recent epidemic and Italy has been declared as free from rabies in February 2013. Several oral fox vaccination campaigns accompanied by efficacy monitoring and extensive surveillance of territories affected by the epidemic have been implemented together with education and preventive vaccination of workers at risk of viral exposure (i.e. forestry and wildlife workers, veterinarians, shelters ‘operators and laboratory personnel). The aim of this work was the evaluation of the rabies antibodies level and persistence in workers at risk of exposure and travelers. A total of 347 serum samples were collected: 169 after pre-exposure prophylaxis and 178 after post-exposure prophylaxis performed with different immunization schedules. All sera have been tested to detect rabies virus anti-glycoprotein antibodies by a commercial quantitative indirect ELISA (Platelia TM Rabies II kit; Biorad) and with the reference method FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization), according to the procedure recommended by the WHO. The results on the protection level, persistence of antibodies and the comparison between the ELISA and FAVN test will be discussed

25-hydroxycholesterol reduces inflammation, viral load and cell death in ZIKV-infected U-87 MG glial cell line

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is a global health issue due to its worldwide diffusion and to the related effects on neural progenitor cells with severe consequences on developing brain as well as on the central nervous system of adults. Previous studies showed that ZIKV infection induces an increment of IL1B expression in the central nervous system and also in the blood. IL-1\u3b2 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine essential for cellular defence, tissue repair and neuroinflammation, a mechanism seen to be associated with several neuroinflammatory diseases. 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) is a natural oxysterol, derived from hydroxylation of cholesterol, possessing important antiviral activity possibly correlated to its ability to alter host membrane structures. Furthermore, 25-HC is involved in the modulation of IL1B gene expression, being able to suppress IL-1\u3b2 driven inflammation probably by blocking the activation of the SREB proteins. In our study, we analysed the antiviral action of 25-HC in ZIKV-infected U-87 MG cells, also evaluating its impact on inflammation and cell death. We demonstrated that 25-HC is able to reduce inflammation and cell death caused by ZIKV infection and also to diminish intracellular ZIKV load in U-87 MG glial cell line. Considering its antiviral activity and its ability to penetrate blood\u2013brain barrier, 25-HC could be proposed, based on our results and literature findings, as a potential anti-ZIKV agent