Publications by authors named "Francesco Mira"

Wild carnivorans are key hosts of parvoviruses of relevance for animal health and wildlife conservation. However, the distribution and diversity of parvoviruses among wild carnivorans are under-investigated, particularly in Southern Europe. We evaluated the presence, spread, and diversity of multi-host protoparvoviruses (canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), feline panleukopenia virus (FPV)), and amdoparvoviruses in 12 carnivoran species from Northern Spain to explore viral ecology.

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A retrospective study was carried out on selected feline viral pathogens detected in domestic cat in Sicily, southern Italy. Samples from 64 cats, collected from 2020 to 2022, were analysed for the presence of feline panleukopenia virus, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus type 1, norovirus (NoV), and rotavirus (RoV). Single (45 %) or mixed (38 %) viral infections were detected.

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Since it emerged as a major dog pathogen, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) has featured a remarkable genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity, whose biological, epidemiological, and clinical impact is still debated. The continuous monitoring of this pathogen is thus of pivotal importance. In the present study, the molecular epidemiology of CPV-2 in Sicily, southern Italy, has been updated by analysing 215 nearly complete sequences of the capsid protein VP2, obtained from rectal swabs/faeces or tissue samples collected between 2019 and 2022 from 346 dogs with suspected infectious gastrointestinal disease.

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A 23-year-old domestic donkey (Equus asinus) referred for severe respiratory distress due to suspected equine asthma. Ultrasound of the chest revealed bilateral irregular pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion. Airway endoscopy and tracheal wash cytology showed severe neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial culture was positive for Streptococcus equi subsp.

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Variability has been one of the hallmarks of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) since its discovery, and several lineages and antigenic variants have emerged. Among these, a group of viruses commonly called Asian CPV-2c has recently been reported with increasing frequency in different regions. Currently, its global epidemiology and evolution are essentially unknown.

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Canine distemper is a contagious and severe systemic viral disease that affects domestic and wild carnivores worldwide. In this study, two adult female ferrets () were evaluated for cutaneous lesions. Scab, fur, and swab samples from the external auditory canal, cutaneous lesions, and scrapings were analyzed.

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Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV-1) is the causative agent of a systemic and potentially fatal viral disease of domestic and wild canids. In Italy, CAdV-1 infection has also been occasionally described in dogs, but information on the epidemiology and its genomic features is still limited. A study was conducted on 291 dogs suspected of infectious gastrointestinal disease.

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Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) modified-live virus vaccine strain can replicate in lymphoid tissues and intestinal mucosa after administration, being shed through canine faeces. Detection of vaccine strains has been reported in the bloodstream and faeces, potentially interfering with molecular diagnostic tests. The persistence of these strains in canine tissues has not yet been described.

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Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is an infectious agent relevant to domestic and wild carnivorans. Recent studies documented the introduction and spread of CPV-2c strains of Asian origin in the Italian canine population. We investigated tissue samples from a puppy collected during necropsy for the presence of viral enteropathogens and all samples tested positive only for CPV-2.

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Article Synopsis
  • Some parvoviruses found in dogs can potentially infect various species, with recent discoveries of canine parvoviruses leading to limited knowledge about their host ranges.
  • A study in Newfoundland and Labrador found specific strains of canine bocavirus, bufavirus, cachavirus, and canine parvovirus type 2 in free-roaming dogs and local wildlife, indicating distinct viral populations within these species.
  • The research revealed genetic similarities between viruses in domestic dogs and coyotes, suggesting possible viral transmission between wild and domestic canids, and highlighted the ongoing presence of older CPV-2 strains in the area that had not been seen since the 1990s.
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Core vaccinations and specific antibody titer evaluations are strongly recommended worldwide by all the vaccination guidelines. Virus neutralization (VN) is considered the gold standard for measuring antibody titer against canine distemper virus, but it is complex and time consuming, and the use of in-clinics tests would allow to obtain quicker results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agreement of the commercial in-clinics VacciCheck test compared to VN.

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Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) represents a major viral threat to dogs. Considering the potential effects of pets on antimicrobial resistance, information on the CPV and associated bacterial co-infections is limited. The aim of this study was to analyze the antimicrobial susceptibility and multidrug-resistance profiles of bacterial species from tissue samples of dogs with canine parvovirus infection.

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Several viruses can infect wild carnivores but their impact on wildlife health is poorly understood. We investigated the presence, diversity and distribution of various DNA viruses in 303 wolves inhabiting a vast area of the Northwest Territories, Canada, over a period of 13 years. We found evidence for the presence of canine bufavirus (CBuV, 42.

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Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is the aetiologic agent of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), an important viral disease of sheep and goats. PPR is endemic in Nigeria and leads to social and economic losses. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of PPR infection and genetically characterize PPRV strains obtained from sheep and goats in three States of Southeast Nigeria.

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Article Synopsis
  • West Nile Disease (WND) is a mosquito-borne infection that requires cooperation among medical, veterinary, and entomological fields; Italy has had an integrated West Nile Virus (WNV) Surveillance Plan in place since 2016 to mitigate transmission risks.
  • The study presented the application of a 'One Health' approach in response to the first local human case of neuroinvasive WND in Sicily, focusing on integrated surveillance strategies.
  • Serological and molecular tests confirmed the presence of WNND in a patient, identified various mosquito species (primarily Culex pipiens), and showed some local animals (dogs and horses) had antibodies for WNV, indicating viral circulation in the area.
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Equid and asinine gammaherpesviruses (GHVs; genus ) are members of the family. Though GHVs have been reported in horse populations, less studies are available on gammaherpesviral infections in donkeys. This study reports the co-infection with two GHVs in Pantesco breed donkeys, an endangered Italian donkey breed.

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in therapy in animal models and veterinary medicine, due to their capacity of inducing tissue regeneration and immunomodulation. Their clinical application requires a ready off-the-shelf amount of viable therapeutics doses. For this purpose, it is useful to cryopreserve MSCs to gain a ready and controlled source of abundant autologous stem cells.

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Article Synopsis
  • Wild environments, particularly around urban areas and agriculture, can harbor zoonotic bacteria and antibiotic-resistant strains in wildlife.
  • A study analyzed bacteria from 368 wild animals in Sicily, isolating 222 strains and identifying them using biochemical tests and genetic sequencing.
  • Results showed a low prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in these wild animal populations, emphasizing the need for ongoing health monitoring and microbiological analysis to adopt a One Health approach as wildlife increasingly interacts with human habitats.
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Vector-borne pathogens such as and are widespread in the Mediterranean basin. , is considered the main vector in Mediterranean climatic areas. Seroprevalence in dogs is variable in relation to environmental factors, presence of vectors, and dogs' management.

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Since its emergence in Nigeria, canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) infection has posed problems to dog breeding and requires constant awareness and monitoring. In this study, the status, the assessment of extrinsic risk factors of parvoviral infection in dog kennels in North Central Nigeria, and isolation of the CPV-2 were carried out. Potential risk factors were considered during sampling: age, breed, sex, location, vaccination and health status, using well-structured questionnaires on dog owners with experience of CPV-2 infection.

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Objective: Biomaterial research for soft tissue augmentation is an increasing topic in aesthetic medicine. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are widely used for their low invasiveness and easy application to correct aesthetic defects or traumatic injuries. Some complications as acute or chronic inflammation can occur in patients following the injection.

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Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of a type of endodontic pin on L929 cell line according to the UNI EN ISO 10993/2009 rule.

Methods: L929 cells were used for the assays; extracts were prepared from three different-diameter endodontic pins, made of epoxy resin and fiberglass matrix and from Reference Materials (ZDEC, ZDBC, and HDP films). MTS assay was performed after 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of exposure of L929 cells to pin and Reference Material extracts, 5% phenol solution, and control reagent.

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Background: Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is the most important enteric virus infecting canids. It is a rapidly evolving virus; after its emergence in the 1970s, new antigenic variants (called CPV-2a, 2b and 2c) emerged and replaced the original antigenic type. The three antigenic variants are globally distributed with different frequencies and levels of genetic variability.

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