Publications by authors named "Aronica V"
Evaluation of the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) assay to diagnose Mycobacterium bovis infection in pigs.
Vet Immunol Immunopathol
August 2012
Mycobacterium bovis recognizes as hosts a wide spectrum of animal species. In particular epidemiological situations, high prevalence of infection is found also in pigs. In the present study, we evaluated the capability of the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) assay to identify pigs infected with M.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is increasingly affecting wild animals and poses a risk to livestock and humans, prompting an investigation into the Sicilian black pig's role as a potential infection source in areas with high bTB prevalence in cattle.
- In a preliminary study, 119 black pigs were sampled, revealing 6.7% showed tuberculous-like lesions, and 3.4% tested positive for Mycobacterium bovis, indicating a concerning level of infection.
- Further examination of 100 pigs from infected herds revealed widespread lesions and a common presence of M. bovis, suggesting possible transmission between domestic pigs and cattle, but more research is needed to clarify the epidemiological implications of these findings.
An observational study was designed to assess the bioaccumulation of polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCB), and 13 selected polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) in autochthonous pigs reared in the Nebrodi Park of Sicily (Italy). Perirenal fat and liver samples were drawn from animals representative of three different outdoor farming systems and from wild pigs and then analyzed for the chemicals mentioned previously. The highest concentrations of PCDD + PCDF and DL-PCB were detected in the fat (0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - A study evaluated Anaplasma species infections in 200 sheep, revealing a high seroprevalence of 98% for Anaplasma antibodies and documentation of A. phagocytophilum in 11.5% of sheep and A. ovis in 37%.
- - Concurrent infections were observed in 6.5% of the sheep, highlighting the complexity of infections in this population.
- - Genetic analysis of the A. ovis msp4 sequences uncovered 17 unique haplotypes, indicating a notable level of genetic diversity within this pathogen in a flock experiencing health issues.
Article Synopsis
- A retrospective study examined the parasites in Nebrodi Black pigs, revealing that 4.37% were infected with flukes Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum.
- The pigs showed significant liver damage, including chronic hepatitis, bile duct thickening, and inflammation.
- The findings highlight the role of pigs as a reservoir for trematode parasites and emphasize the need for preventative measures to protect local livestock and humans.
Background: Since transport evokes physiological adjustments that include endocrine responses, the objective of this study was to examine the responses of circulating beta-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels to transport stress in stallions.
Methods: Forty-two healthy Thoroughbred and crossbred stallions were studied before and after road transport over distances of 100, 200 and 300 km. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein: first in a single box immediately before loading (pre-samples), then immediately after transport and unloading on arrival at the breeding stations (post-samples).