Identification of <i>Helicobacter</i> spp. in gastric washings in cat

The bacterial genus Helicobacter contains at least 18 species which colonise the gastrointestinal tract of several mammalian and avian hosts. In literature, Helicobacter spp. infection in cats is reported with a prevalence between 41% and 100%. Several studies showed the presence in cat of H. pylori e H. heilmannii, potential zoonotic agents. The aim of this work was to show the presence of Helicobacter in feline gastric washings collected in small animals veterinary clinics. The samples were collected from cats presented for surgical operations. Eleven gastric fluids were centrifuged and submitted to cytological examination (May Grünwald-Giemsa). Besides, the DNA extracted from samples was examined by PCR, in order to reveal a fragment of 16S rRNA gene of Helicobacter. All tested samples resulted positive. Nucleotide sequencing allowed to identify H. heilmannii in one case. The collection method revealed to be useful in monitoring Helicobacter spread in feline population, being non-invasive, reliable and easily feasible

Evaluation of anatomical and histopathological changes in target organs of cattle slaughtered in Sardinia as a result of the illegal use of growth hormones. Preliminary results

Within the bovine specie, illegal use of anabolic agents can be grouped into four categories: beta-agonists, thyrostatics, glucocorticoids, sexual steroids. These substances, further their anabolic effect, cause morphological changes in target organs which can be evidenced by anatomical and histopathological testing. Such investigations are extremely important to screen and to detect in advance groups of animals in risk-breeding

Pathology of sea turtles <i>Caretta caretta</i> found on the coast of Apulia (south Italy)

On the basis of the most recent scientific literature, little is known on sea turtle renal pathology, as most published data mainly regard tortoises. The authors examined 49 carcasses of sea turtles belonging to the species Caretta caretta, stranded on the coasts of Apulia (South Italy). The subjects were classified by species and gender, weighed, morphometrical assessed, and submitted to pathological and bacteriological examinations

Prevalence of Chlamydophila felis and feline herpesvirus 1 in cats with conjunctivitis in northern Italy.

The prevalence of Chlamydophila felis and feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) infection in cats with conjunctivitis in northern Italy was investigated by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. In cats with conjunctivitis, C felis and FHV-1 were detected in 14 of 70 (20%) and in 23 of 70 (33%) animals, respectively. None of the 35 control cats were positive for C felis, whereas 7 (20%) of these cats were positive for FHV-1. Mixed infections were present in 5 of 70 cats (7%). Cats positive for C felis were significantly younger than control animals (P = .02), whereas no significant age differences were observed between FHV-1-positive cats and control cats (P = .41) or between FHV-1-positive animals and C felis-positive animals (P = .16). Cats sampled during acute-phase conjunctivitis were also investigated for the presence of C felis by conjunctival scrapings. In this acute phase, substantial agreement was found when comparing the results of the 2 methods (K = .80). The association between PCR results and conjunctivitis was evaluated for the 2 pathogens. The presence of C felis was significantly associated with conjunctivitis (P = .004), whereas the detection of FHV-1 did not significantly correlate with the clinical sign (P = .25), suggesting that, by itself. PCR is not suitable for the diagnosis of FHV-1-related conjunctivitis

Effect of anabolics on bovine granulosa-luteal cell primary cultures.

Granulosa cell tumours are observed with increased frequency among calves slaughtered in Northern Italy. The use of illegal anabolics in breeding was taken into account as a cause of this pathology. An in vitro approach was used to detect the possible alterations of cell proliferation induced by anabolics on primary cultures of bovine granulosa-luteal cells. Cultures were treated with different concentrations of substances illegally used in cattle (17beta-estradiol, clenbuterol and boldione). Cytotoxicity was determined by means of MTT test, to exclude toxic effects induced by anabolics and to determine the highest concentration to be tested. Morphological changes were evaluated by means of routine cytology, while PCNA expression was quantified in order to estimate cell proliferation. Cytotoxic effects were revealed at the highest concentrations. The only stimulating effect on cell proliferation was detected in boldione treated cultures: after 48 h treated cells, compared to controls, showed a doubled expression of PCNA. In clenbuterol and 17beta-estradiol treated cells PCNA expression was similar to controls or even decreased. As the data suggest an alteration in cell proliferation, boldione could have a role in the early stage of pathogenesis of granulosa cell tumour in cattle

Chronic endometritis in subfertile mares with presence of Chlamydial DNA

Chlamydia abortus is an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium that infects a large number of mammalian species. It is known to be the agent of the Enzootic Ovine Abortion, but an important and subtle role is represented by its involvement in genital tract infections of the bovine species, causing metritis and infertility [1]. Currently, Sachse et al [2] adopt the classification that groups the 11 Chlamydia species in a single genus, the genus Chlamydia. Genital infection, occasional abortion, and conjunctivitis have been reported in mares, but the relationship between abortion and chlamydial infection is still under discussion [3]. Microorganisms belonging to the genus Chlamydia play a role in human infertility: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the main agents involved in pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and can determine chronic endometritis [4]. Chronic damages due to the persistence of Chlamydia abortus infection appear to be similar to the lesions found in chronic infection by C. trachomatis [5] and similar, in histologic aspects, to ocular lesions that are found in Trachoma [6]. Dealing with subfertility in mares, a particular attention should be paid to chronic endometritis (CE). Chronic endometritis often follows “postbreeding endometritis,” that is a common reaction in response to semen introduction into the uterus or follows repeated artificial inseminations or intrauterine treatments. Microorganisms ascending from the lower genital tract can colonize the uterine cavity; in normal conditions, mechanisms such as cervical mucus plug, the endometrial epithelium and its immune cellular components (neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells), and elements of the innate immune system, including natural antimicrobial peptides seem to play an important role to restrict bacterial proliferation and invasion [7,8]. When defense mechanisms are ineffective or conformation anomalies impair uterine clearance, we assist at the establishment of CE. Chronic endometritis consists of the protraction of an inflammatory condition of uterine endometrium characterized by an abnormal pattern of lymphocyte subsets and, consequently, an aberrant endometrial microenvironment. Although CE can be asymptomatic, recent studies have shown that it is related with repeated implantation failures after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, unexplaine