Mapping of antigenic sites of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype Asia 1 and relationships with sites described in other serotypes.

Knowledge of the antigenic structure of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) has relevance in the development of diagnostic assays, in the evaluation of the antigenic variability and in the selection of appropriate vaccine strains. Antigenic sites have been investigated only in FMDVs of serotypes O, A and C, while it would be valuable to extend studies also to other serotypes. This paper reports the identification of antigenic sites involved in virus neutralization in the FMDV serotype Asia 1 by using a new panel of mAbs and their relation with sites described in other serotypes is discussed.

Localization of abasic sites and single-strand breaks in mitochondrial DNA from brain of aged rat, treated or not with caloric restriction diet.

According to the "mitochondrial theory of aging" the lifelong accumulation of various kinds of damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been related to the age-dependent mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction. Caloric restriction (CR) diet is able to prevent or delay the onset of several age-related damages to mtDNA. The effects of aging and CR on the presence of abasic sites and single-strand breaks of the sugar-phosphate backbone in mtDNA have been analyzed by applying Ligation Mediated-PCR to a H strand region of brain mtDNA from young and old ad libitum-fed and old CR-treated rats.

Chikungunya virus in Aedes albopictus, Italy.

Chikungunya Virus in , Italy

Mycobacterium porcinum strains isolated from bovine bulk milk: implications for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis detection by PCR and culture.

In this study, the isolation of 52 mycobactin-independent fast growing mycobacteria from 631 bulk milk samples (8.2%), is reported. These strains, isolated during a bulk milk survey for Mycobacterium avium subsp.

Genetic and antigenic characterization of infectious bursal disease viruses isolated in Italy during the period 2002-2005.

During the period 2002-2005, 109 infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) field strains were isolated from bird flocks located in various parts of Italy. Out of these strains, 91 were isolated from broilers, 12 from pullets, and six from backyard flocks. Forty-two IBDV strains were further investigated and characterized on the basis of the geographical origin, source, and clinical signs.