A One-Year Retrospective Analysis of Viral and Parasitological Agents in Wildlife Animals Admitted to a First Aid Hospital

This study aimed to provide information on the presence and frequency of viral and parasitic agents in wildlife presented to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 2020-2021. Serum and faecal samples were collected from 50 rescued animals (roe deer, fallow deer, foxes, badgers, pine martens, and porcupines) and examined by serological, molecular, and parasitological techniques. Transtracheal wash (TTW) was also collected post-mortem from roe deer. Overall, the results of the different techniques showed infections with the following viral and parasitic agents: Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Small Ruminant Lentiviruses, Kobuvirus, Astrovirus, Canine Adenovirus 1, Bopivirus, gastrointestinal strongyles, Capillaria, Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Hymenolepis, Strongyloides, Eimeria, Isospora, Dictyocaulus, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma, Dirofilaria immitis, Neospora caninum, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium. Sequencing (Tpi locus) identified G. duodenalis sub-assemblages AI and BIV in one roe deer and one porcupine, respectively. Adult lungworms collected from the TTW were identified as Dictyocaulus capreolus (COX1 gene). This is the first molecular identification of G. duodenalis sub-assemblage AI and D. capreolus in roe deer in Italy. These results show a wide presence of pathogens in wild populations and provide an overview of environmental health surveillance

Next generation sequencing study on RNA viruses of Vespa velutina and Apis mellifera sharing the same foraging area

The predator Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) represents one of the major threats to honeybee survival. Viral spillover from bee to wasp has been supposed in several studies, and this work aims to identify and study the virome of both insect species living simultaneously in the same foraging area. Transcriptomic analysis was performed on V. velutina and Apis mellifera samples, and replicative form of detected viruses was carried out by strand‐specific RT‐PCR. Overall, 6 and 9 different viral types were reported in V. velutina and A. mellifera, respectively, and five of these viruses were recorded in both hosts. Varroa destructor virus‐1 and Cripavirus NB‐1/2011/HUN (now classified as Triato‐like virus) were the most represented viruses detected in both hosts, also in replicative form. In this investigation, Triato‐like virus, as well as Aphis gossypii virus and Nora virus, was detected for the first time in honeybees. Concerning V. velutina, we report for the first time the recently detected honeybee La Jolla virus. A general high homology rate between genomes of shared viruses between V. velutina and A. mellifera suggests the efficient transmission of the virus from bee to wasp. In conclusion, our findings highlight the presence of several known and newly reported RNA viruses infecting A. mellifera and V. velutina. This confirms the environment role as an important source of infection and indicates the possibility of spillover from prey to predator

Gray Wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Parasite Survey in Anthropized and Natural Areas of Central Italy

Simple Summary Studies on wild animal parasites are considered crucial for the adoption of effective strategies aimed at reducing the impact of these pathogens on evolving ecosystems. This study aimed to assess and compare gastrointestinal nematodes and protozoa and other parasites detectable with coprological analysis in free-ranging wolf and red fox populations living in natural and anthropized areas of Tuscany (Central Italy). This comparison allowed us to detect significant differences in the occurrence and frequency of some parasite taxa considering the same canid species in different environments (natural and anthropized) and the two canid species in the same environment. Data obtained in this study may indicate different parasite risks and different roles played by the wolf and the fox in the diffusion of specific parasite taxa in the environments considered herein. Gastrointestinal nematodes and protozoa and other parasite occurrences were evaluated in free-ranging wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) populations from natural and anthropized areas of Central Italy. Analyzed fecal samples were collected from 60 foxes and 40 wolves in the anthropized areas, and 41 foxes and 39 wolves in the natural areas. In foxes, hookworm infections (p < 0.0001) were more frequently recorded in the anthropized environment, while coccidia (p < 0.05) and Cryptosporidium spp. (p < 0.0001) were more frequent in the natural area. In wolves, a higher frequency of hookworms (p < 0.0001) was observed in natural areas, while coccidia were more common in the anthropized area (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the natural environment, trichuroid nematodes (p < 0.0001) were significantly more frequent in wolves than in foxes, while Cryptosporidium (p < 0.001) and Giardia duodenalis (p < 0.001) were more common in foxes. In the anthropic area, the occurrence of hookworms was found to be significantly higher in foxes (p < 0.0001), while trichuroid nematodes were more common in wolves (p < 0.0001). The obtained data are indicative of a different diffusion of specific parasite taxa in wolves and foxes living in the natural and/or anthropized environments examined herein

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Profili ematologico e biochimico in capriolo e daino ricoverati in primo soccorso

Scopo: Questo studio nasce dalla volontà di analizzare i dati relativi ai parametri ematologici e biochimici in caprioli e daini traumatizzati e di evidenziare eventuali differenze tra i valori ottenuti in base al follow up del ricovero. Materiali e metodi: sono stati analizzati i dati riferiti a tutti gli individui delle specie capriolo e daino pervenuti in primo soccorso presso l’ODV dell’ Università di Pisa tra il 2010 e il 2019. Dei 133 caprioli e 23 daini ricoverati, sono stati inclusi nello studio 42 caprioli e 11 daini. I soggetti delle due popolazioni sono stati suddivisi in base all’età in piccoli (0-11 mesi) e adulti (>11 mesi) e in base al follow up in deceduti e liberati. I soggetti sono stati visitati ed è stato eseguito loro un prelievo di sangue su cui son stati valutati: RBC, WBC, Hgb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT, creatinina, urea, bilirubina totale, diretta e indiretta, AST, ALT, GGT, CK, ALP. Per ciascun parametro è stata valutata la distribuzione dei dati mediante test di Komolgorov-Smirnov e sono state calcolate mediana ed errore standard, valore minimo e massimo, inoltre è stato applicato il test di Mann-Withney per dati non appaiati per verificare la presenza o meno di differenze tra le popolazioni. Risultati: tra le popolazioni di caprioli adulti deceduti e liberati sono state evidenziate differenze statisticamente significative per gli RBC, Hct e Hgb. Nessuna differenza è stata trovata per gli altri parametri ematologici e per tutti i parametri ematochimici valutati, ne’ sono state evidenziate differenze tra le due popolazioni di caprioli di età <11 mesi. Non è stato effettuato alcun confronto tra i daini perché non è stato incluso nello studio nessun soggetto liberato e la popolazione dei piccoli era composta da un singolo individuo. Conclusioni: all’arrivo in clinica i soggetti deceduti si trovavano in condizioni cliniche più critiche in virtù di lesioni traumatiche più gravi. La mancanza di differenza per i valori dei marker di danno muscolare sottolinea come questo sia da ricondursi in primo luogo alle scorrette pratiche di recupero, trasporto e manipolazione operate su questi soggetti ed evidenzia la necessità di avviare delle azioni di sensibilizzazione e informazione della comunità e delle figure professionali coinvolte. Introduction: The goal of this study was to assess the data concerning the hematologic and biochemical parameters in traumatized Roe deers and Fallow deers and to highlight any differences between the values obtained according to the follow up of the hospitalization. Materials and methods: The autors analyzed the data referring to all individuals of the roe deer and fallow deer species admitted in first aid to the ODV of the University of Pisa between the 2010 and the 2019. Of the 133 roe Deer and 23 deers, 42/133 roe deer and 11/23 fallow deer were included. The subjects of both populations were divided, according to age, in fawns (0-11 months) and adults (>11 months) and according to the follow up (dead vs alive. The animals were visited, and blood samples were collected in order to assess the following parameters: RBC, WBC, Hgb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT, creatinine, urea, direct and indirect total bilirubin, AST, ALT, GGT, CK, ALP. For each parameter the data distribution was evaluated using the Komolgorov-Smirnov test and have been calculated median, standard error and minimum and maximum value, also the Mann-Withney test has been applied for unpaired data to verify the presence or not of differences among the populations. Results: Among the populations of dead and alive adult roe deer, statistically significant differences were noted for RBC, Hct And Hgb. No difference was found for the other hematologic and hematochemical parameters. Moreover, no differences emerged between the two populations of Roe deer under 11 months. Finally, it was impossible to make a comparison between the fallow deers because no released subject has been included and the cubs population was composed of a single individual. Conclusions: On arrival at the clinic, the deceased subjects were in more critical clinical conditions because of the more serious traumatic injuries. The lack of differences in the values of muscular damage markers is to be traced primarily to the incorrect practices of recovery, transport and manipulation operated on these subjects and stresses the need to undertake actions to increase awareness in the community and among the professional figures involved

RICERCA DI AGENTI PATOGENI DELLA FAUNA SELVATICA ATTRAVERSO TECNICHE MOLECOLARI CLASSICHE E DI METAGENOMICA APPLICATE A CAMPIONI BIOLOGICI ANIMALI

Secondo dati recenti, per il 63% delle specie animali protette lo stato di conservazione è considerato sfavorevole. La tutela della biodiversità, quindi, rappresenta una delle sfide globali più attuali e la lotta alle malattie infettive ne è un elemento cardine. Negli ultimi anni, gli episodi di emergenza e riemergenza di agenti patogeni nell’uomo e negli animali hanno subito un forte incremento a livello globale, rappresentando una delle principali minacce per la salute pubblica e mettendo a repentaglio la salute umana, quanto quella degli animali domestici, da produzione e selvatici, e la biodiversità. La fauna selvatica ricopre un ruolo chiave in questo fenomeno e se da una parte partecipa alla circolazione dei patogeni e ne favorisce la diffusione sul territorio, dall’altra contribuisce alla loro precoce identificazione, comportandosi come una sentinella di ciò che accade negli ecosistemi in cui vive. Il nostro lavoro ha indagato la presenza di agenti patogeni virali in mammiferi selvatici all'interno di due aree di studio nel centro Italia, che differiscono per il grado di interconnessione tra uomo- animali domestici - selvatici. La metodologia proposta prevede l'utilizzo di campioni raccolti in maniera non invasiva e l'applicazione sinergica di tecniche molecolari convenzionali e di nuova generazione. Sono stati raccolti un totale di 84 campioni fecali. Questi, in un primo momento, sono stati testati mediante PCR per le principali specie virali identificate nelle popolazioni selvatiche europee. A seguire, sono stati analizzati utilizzando tecniche di metagenomica secondo la metodica shot-gun. La PCR ha mostrato positività a Canine Adenovirus-1, Adenovirus spp, Mamastrovirus spp, Canine parvovirus, Bocavirus spp, Kobuvirus spp, Coronavirus spp e Bopivirus. 16 specie virali, appartenenti a 9 generi. I risultati ottenuti evidenziano la presenza nella popolazione selvatica di studio di numerosi agenti patogeni, inclusi virus non ancora segnalati in quella specie o non ancora in Italia, sottolineando l’importanza di intraprendere azioni di monitoraggio nella fauna selvatica e la validità della metodologia proposta

Hepatitis E Virus RNA Presence in Wild Boar Carcasses at Slaughterhouses in Italy

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a waterborne and foodborne pathogen largely spread around the world. HEV is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans and it is also diffused in domestic and wild animals. In particular, domestic pigs represent the main reservoir of the infection and particular attention should be paid to the consumption of raw and undercooked meat as a possible zoonotic vehicle of the pathogen. Several studies have reported the presence of HEV in wild boar circulating in European countries with similar prevalence rates. In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of HEV in wild boar hunted in specific areas of Tuscany. Sampling was performed by collecting liver samples and also by swabbing the carcasses at the slaughterhouses following hunting activities. Our data indicated that 8/67 (12%) of liver samples and 4/67 (6%) of swabs were positive for HEV RNA. The presence of HEV genome on swabs indicates the possible cross-contamination of carcass surfaces during slaughtering procedures. Altogether, our data indicated that it is essential to promote health education programmes for hunters and consumers to limit the diffusion of the pathogen to humans

Relationship between Blood Parameters and Outcome in Rescued Roe Deer

Veterinary facility admissions of wild animals are increasing alongside the interest in wildlife diseases. To improve animal welfare, it is therefore important to increase veterinarians’ knowledge of wild animal medicine and to improve the clinical and diagnostic procedures, especially in the case of patients affected by trauma or multiple traumas. Blood analysis can be a quick and minimally invasive way of gathering useful clinical information for adequate treatment and management, and, together with a good clinical examination, to help predict hospitalisation outcomes. Few papers have reported reference ranges for the haematological and biochemical parameters of roe deer. This study evaluates the haematological and biochemical parameters in traumatised roe deer in relation to animal hospitalisation outcomes. The study was carried out on a cohort of 98 roe deer divided into groups according to their age and hospitalisation outcome. For each animal, a panel of haematological and biochemical parameters was performed. Significant differences were found between unweaned (4 months old) groups for total bilirubin. Creatine kinase, creatinine, and bilirubin may be useful indicators to correlate with the severity of trauma and help predict prognosis

Detection and Characterization of Viral Pathogens Associated with Reproductive Failure in Wild Boars in Central Italy

Wild boar and domestic swine share several pathogens, including viruses responsible for reproductive failures, representing an important sanitary and economic risk for the swine industry. Among them, suid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV-1), porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) are widely diffused in the wild boar population. Unfortunately, little is known about their pathogenetic mechanisms and impact on the reproductive parameters of wild animals. This study aims to investigate the presence of viruses responsible for reproductive failure in pregnant wild boar sows and their foetuses. The investigation was conducted on 46 pregnant wild boar and their foetuses by molecular analysis; a phylogenetic study was performed on the positive samples. All of the investigated pathogens were identified in sows, while only herpesvirus and circovirus were detected in the tissues of their foetuses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the viral sequences obtained from the positive wild boars were closely related to those previously identified in domestic swine belonging to the same study areas. The results suggest that SuHV-1 and PCV2 can infect wild boar foetuses, with a possible impact on wild boar reproductive performance. Moreover, our data highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of swine pathogens circulating in wild environments, so as to carry out adequate sanitary actions

Serological, Virological Investigation and Hepatic Injury Evaluation for Hepatitis E Virus in Hunting Dogs

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a quasi-enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus belonging to the Orthohepevirus A genus within the Hepeviridae family. The most common transmission route of this virus is fecal&ndash;oral, although zoonotic transmission by contact with infected animals has also been described. In this study, 80 sera and rectal swabs were collected from dogs during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 wild boar hunting season in Tuscany. All dogs were submitted for serological screening to detect the presence of anti-HEV antibodies. To evaluate the circulation of HEV, rectal swabs from both seropositive dogs and dogs living in the same kennels were examined by One-Step RT-qPCR. In addition, the presence of markers of hepatic damage in dogs&rsquo; sera was investigated. Results indicated the presence of anti-HEV antibodies in 4/80 subjects (5%). However, neither HEV RNA nor signs of hepatic damage were found. In conclusion, although HEV can stimulate a specific immuno-response in dogs, this species does not seem to play an important role in HEV epidemiology