First identification of porcine parvovirus 3 in a wild boar in Italy by viral metagenomics – Short communication

Metagenomic analysis revealed the presence of porcine parvovirus 3 (PPV3) in the pool of the internal organs of a wild boar found dead in Southern Italy. Phylogenetic analysis based on the complete coding sequences showed that the newly detected virus is most closely related to those found also in wild boars in Romania during 2010–2011. Even though the death could not be associated with this virus, PPV3 could have contributed to lowering the host’s immunological defences

Lice (Haematopinus tuberculatus) in water buffalo farms from central Italy

The aim of the present study was to obtain information about the presence and distribution of the suckling louse Haematopinus tuberculatus in water buffalo farms in central Italy. The survey was carried out on 127 farms (epidemiological units), selected using a grid approach within a Geographical Information System, followed by proportional allocation. In each farm 6 buffaloes were examined in order to detect the louse presence. Parasitological examinations were performed on each buffalo at predilection sites. A total of 762 water buffaloes were examined. H. tuberculatus was found in the 11.0% (14/127) of the farms and in the 4.5% (34/762) of the animals. The presence H. tuberculatus should be routinely considered because it is a cause of serious health, production and economic damages in intensive breeding buffaloes

Safety and Immunogenicity of Malaria Vectored Vaccines Given with Routine Expanded Program on Immunization Vaccines in Gambian Infants and Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Heterologous prime-boost vaccination with chimpanzee adenovirus 63 (ChAd63) and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) encoding multiple epitope string thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (ME-TRAP) has shown acceptable safety and promising immunogenicity in African adult and pediatric populations. If licensed, this vaccine could be given to infants receiving routine childhood immunizations. We therefore evaluated responses to ChAd63 MVA ME-TRAP when co-administered with routine Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines. METHODS: We enrolled 65 Gambian infants and neonates, aged 16, 8, or 1 week at first vaccination and randomized them to receive either ME-TRAP and EPI vaccines or EPI vaccines only. Safety was assessed by the description of vaccine-related adverse events (AEs). Immunogenicity was evaluated using IFNγ enzyme-linked immunospot, whole-blood flow cytometry, and anti-TRAP IgG ELISA. Serology was performed to confirm all infants achieved protective titers to EPI vaccines. RESULTS: The vaccines were well tolerated in all age groups with no vaccine-related serious AEs. High-level TRAP-specific IgG and T cell responses were generated after boosting with MVA. CD8+ T cell responses, previously found to correlate with protection, were induced in all groups. Antibody responses to EPI vaccines were not altered significantly. CONCLUSION: Malaria vectored prime-boost vaccines co-administered with routine childhood immunizations were well tolerated. Potent humoral and cellular immunity induced by ChAd63 MVA ME-TRAP did not reduce the immunogenicity of co-administered EPI vaccines, supporting further evaluation of this regimen in infant populations. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered on http://Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02083887) and the Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR201402000749217)

Helminth Communities of Owls (Strigiformes) Indicate Strong Biological and Ecological Differences from Birds of Prey (Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) in Southern Italy

We compared the helminth communities of 5 owl species from Calabria (Italy) and evaluated the effect of phylogenetic and ecological factors on community structure. Two host taxonomic scales were considered, i.e., owl species, and owls vs. birds of prey. The latter scale was dealt with by comparing the data here obtained with that of birds of prey from the same locality and with those published previously on owls and birds of prey from Galicia (Spain). A total of 19 helminth taxa were found in owls from Calabria. Statistical comparison showed only marginal differences between scops owls (Otus scops) and little owls (Athene noctua) and tawny owls (Strix aluco). It would indicate that all owl species are exposed to a common pool of 'owl generalist' helminth taxa, with quantitative differences being determined by differences in diet within a range of prey relatively narrow. In contrast, birds of prey from the same region exhibited strong differences because they feed on different and wider spectra of prey. In Calabria, owls can be separated as a whole from birds of prey with regard to the structure of their helminth communities while in Galicia helminths of owls represent a subset of those of birds of prey. This difference is related to the occurrence in Calabria, but not Galicia, of a pool of 'owl specialist' species. The wide geographical occurrence of these taxa suggest that local conditions may determine fundamental differences in the composition of local communities. Finally, in both Calabria and Galicia, helminth communities from owls were species-poor compared to those from sympatric birds of prey. However, birds of prey appear to share a greater pool of specific helmith taxa derived from cospeciation processes, and a greater potential exchange of parasites between them than with owls because of phylogenetic closeness

Metaldehyde poisoning of companion animals: a three-year retrospective study

Introduction: Intentional and accidental poisoning of animals is often caused by readily available commercial pesticides, such as the molluscicide metaldehyde. A retrospective analysis of suspected metaldehyde poisonings between 2014 and 2016 in Italy was conducted. Material and Methods: Biological matrices were collected for toxicological analyses in the course of routine Institute activity. A total of 183 organs from dogs and cats and 49 pieces of bait, here specificall y poisoned food used to lure animals, were analysed and the presence of metaldehyde was confirmed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Results: A high content of metaldehyde was demonstrated in the analysed samples from dogs and cats: 50 (27.3%) animals were found positive for metaldehyde intoxication together with 17 pieces of bait. Conclusion: The study emphasised the need for the control of metaldehyde use by the veterinary service

First detection of zoonotic tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato genotype G7 in continental Italy.

The larval stage of the species complex Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) is the cause of a widespread zoonotic disease known as cystic echinococcosis (CE). The disease is highly prevalent in southern Italy and represents a serious public health issue. The main aim of this study was to characterize E. granulosus s.l. genotypes from wild boar on a continental area of Italy (Campania region), using recently developed mtDNA markers of nad2 and nad5 for reliable identification of different genotypes. Here, nad5 (680 bp) allowed for a clear identification of G1 and G3, whereas a combination of nad2 (714 bp) and nad5 (1394 bp in total) did the same for genotype G7 and its haplogroups G7a and G7b. The results of this study revealed for the first time the presence of genotype G7 in continental Italy. While haplogroup G7b was previously shown to be restricted to the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, here we demonstrate that haplogroup G7b is also present on the mainland of Italy. This work has implications in designing future strategies to reduce CE in Italy

Mezzo millennio di storia romana a Casal Bernocchi-Malafede. I risultati degli scavi 2015

L’articolo ha lo scopo di presentare i risultati degli studi riguardanti il sito archeologico sito in località Casal Bernocchi-Malafede, lungo la via Ostiense, articolato in tre nuclei principali, costituiti da un impianto termale, una struttura interpretata come un mausoleo, e una vasta necropoli. Viene conseguentemente presentato lo sviluppo cronologico del contesto, inquadrabile in quattro macro fasi: a) la realizzazione dei primi interventi costruttivi di incerta interpretazione in Età Repubblicana; b) lo sviluppo monumentale dell’area fra I e II secolo d.C. attraverso la costruzione delle terme e del mausoleo; c) l’espansione di un’ampia area adibita ad uso sepolcrale in età Medio e Tardo-Imperiale; d) l’abbandono delle strutture e la cessazione dell’utilizzo della necropoli fra IV e V secolo d.C. Infine, viene presentata una proposta interpretativa del contesto, secondo cui i rinvenimenti costituirebbero parte di una ricca villa suburbana localizzata sul tracciato della via Ostiense.A half millennium of Roman history in Casal Bernocchi. 2015 excavation’s results. The article presents the results of the studies concerning the archaeological site located in Casal Bernocchi-Malafede, along the via Ostiense. The context can be divided in three main areas; a monumental thermal bath, a mausoleum, and a vast necropolis. The paper investigates the chronological development of the site, through the identification of four main phases: a) the first constructive interventions during the Republican Era; b) the monumental development of the site between the first and the second century A.D., through the building of the Roman thermae and the mausoleum; c) the expansion of a large necropolis in the Middle and Late-Imperial Era; d) the dismissal of the structures and the cessation of use of the necropolis between the fourth and the fifth century A.D. Finally, an interpretation of the context is proposed, according to which the archaeological context can be read as part of a rich suburban villa, located on the via Ostiense

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED TO EHRLICHIA CANIS, ANAPLASMA SPP., BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SENSU LATO AND DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN HUNTING DOGS FROM SOUTHERN ITALY

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a range of pathogens transmitted to dogs by arthropods including ticks and insects, and many of them are zoonotic, with dogs potentially serving as reservoirs for humans. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence for Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Dirofilaria immitis in hunting dogs living in Campania region, southern Italy. Whole blood samples of hunting dogs (n=1,335) from Salerno and Avellino provinces were tested using a commercial in-clinic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (SNAP® 4Dx®-IDEXX Laboratories). Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression analysis to identify independent risk factors of exposure. The seroprevalences for the four pathogens were: E. canis 7.56% (101/1335), Anaplasma spp. 4.34% (58/1135), B. burgdorferi s.l. 0.29% (4/1335) and D. immitis 0.22% (3/1335). Co-infection with E. canis and Anaplasma spp. was found in 29 dogs (2.17%), while co-infection with Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi s. l. in only 2 animals (0.14%). Adult age was a risk factor for E. canis (OR 2.35), while fur animals (hares, foxes, boars) hunt for E. canis (OR 4.75), Anaplasma spp. (OR 1.87) and B. burdorferi s.l. (OR 10.51), respectively. The history, or presence, of tick infestation was identified as a risk factor for positivity to E. canis (OR 2.08) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 2.15). Finally, a large dog pack size was significantly associated with exposure to E. canis (OR 1.85) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 2.42). The results of present survey indicated that hunting dogs populations is at risk of CVBDs in southern Italy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of hunting dogs in the epidemiology of vector-borne agents due to sharing with the wild animals the same area as sympatric populations. Information on the prevalence and geographical distribution of CVBDs in dog populations is crucial for effective planning of surveillance and control measures