Feline Papillomatosis.

Different types of feline papillomaviruses (PVs) are associated with a variety of skin lesions and neoplasia, such as papillomas and cell carcinomas, but the virus can also be found in healthy skin. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of veterinary experts on feline infectious diseases from 11 European Countries, discusses the current knowledge of feline PV infections. Cats most likely become infected through lesions or abrasions of the skin.

European Hedgehogs as Hosts of Chaphamaparvovirus, Italy.

In 2022, a novel parvovirus was identified from an outbreak of fatal enteritis in weaned European hedgehogs () at a wildlife rescue center in Southern Italy. During sequence analysis, the strain was found to be closely related (90.4% nucleotide identity) to a chaphamaparvovirus (ChPV) discovered in Amur hedgehogs () during a large metaviromic investigation in game animals in China.

Detection and Genomic Characterization of Novel Mammarenavirus in European Hedgehogs, Italy.

Mammarenaviruses are noteworthy zoonotic pathogens, and the main reservoirs are rodent species. We report the detection of a novel mammarenavirus in 6/183 (3.3%) in necropsied European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) collected in Italy.

Improving the diffraction quality of heat-shock protein 47 crystals.

Heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a potential target for inhibitors that ameliorate fibrosis by reducing collagen assembly. In an effort to develop a structure-based drug-design system, it was not possible to replicate a previous literature result (PDB entry 4au4) for apo dog HSP47; instead, crystal forms were obtained in which pairs of dog HSP47 molecules interacted through a noncleavable C-terminal His-tag to build up tetramers, all of which had multiple molecules of HSP47 in the asymmetric unit and none of which diffracted as well as the literature precedent. To overcome these difficulties, a two-pronged approach was followed: (i) the His-tag was moved from the C-terminus to the N-terminus and was made cleavable, and (ii) Adnectin (derived from the tenth domain of human fibronectin type III) crystallization chaperones were developed.

Survey in Captive Non-Human Primates, Italy.

Circoviruses (CVs) and cycloviruses (CyVs), members of the family , have been identified only occasionally in non-human primates (NHPs). In this study, we investigated the presence and genetic features of these viruses in 48 NHPs housed in the Bioparco-Rome Zoological Garden (Italy) and in the Anima Natura Wild Sanctuary Semproniano (Grosseto, Italy), testing fecal, saliva, and serum samples with a broadly reactive consensus nested PCR able of amplifying a partial region of the replicase (Rep) gene of members of the family . Viral DNA was detected in a total of 10 samples, including a saliva swab and 9 fecal samples collected, respectively from five Japanese macaques () and four mandrills (), with an overall prevalence of 18.

Feline Morbillivirus: Clinical Relevance of a Widespread Endemic Viral Infection of Cats.

Feline morbillivirus (FeMV) was first isolated in 2012 from stray cats in Hong Kong. It has been found in association with tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), the most common cause of feline chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, viral host spectrum and virus tropism go beyond the domestic cat and kidney tissues.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis: European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases Guidelines.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is a ubiquitous RNA virus of cats, which is transmitted faeco-orally. In these guidelines, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD) presents a comprehensive review of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). FCoV is primarily an enteric virus and most infections do not cause clinical signs, or result in only enteritis, but a small proportion of FCoV-infected cats develop FIP.

Microbial Community and Abundance of Selected Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Poultry Litter from Conventional and Antibiotic-Free Farms.

In this study, a culture-independent approach was applied to compare the microbiome composition and the abundance of the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) A2 for aminoglycosides, (A), (B), (K), and (M) for tetracyclines, and -1 for colistin in broiler litter samples collected from conventional and antibiotic-free flocks located in Central Italy. A total of 13 flocks and 26 litter samples, collected at the beginning and at the end of each rearing cycle, were submitted to 16s rRNA sequence analysis and quantitative PCR for targeted ARGs. Firmicutes resulted in the dominant in both groups of flocks, and within it, the Clostridia and Bacilli classes showed a similar distribution.

Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma and Other Adverse Reactions to Vaccination in Cats.

Vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs), including feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs), occur only rarely but can be severe. Understanding potential VAAEs is an important part of informed owner consent for vaccination. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of feline medicine experts, presents the current knowledge on VAAEs in cats, summarizing the literature and filling the gaps where scientific studies are missing with expert opinion to assist veterinarians in adopting the best vaccination practice.

Antibiotic Resistance in the Apennine Wolf (): Implications for Wildlife and Human Health.

The Apennine wolf () is a subspecies of gray wolf that is widespread throughout Italy. Due to hunting and habitat loss, their population declined dramatically in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but conservation efforts improved to restore the species to an estimated population of 3300 individuals. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Apennine Wolf may pose a risk to its health and survival, as well as the health of other animals in its environment.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of biaryl alkyl ethers as inhibitors of IDO1.

Starting from the dialkylaniline indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor lead 3 (IDO1 HeLa IC = 7.0 nM), an iterative process of synthesis and screening led to cyclized analog 21 (IDO1 HeLa IC = 3.6 nM) which maintained the high potency of 3 while addressing issues of lipophilicity, cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition, hERG (human potassium ion channel Kv11.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Dissemination in the Wildlife, Livestock, and Water of Maiella National Park, Italy.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern that has been linked to humans, animals, and the environment. The One Health approach highlights the connection between humans, animals, and the environment and suggests that a multidisciplinary approached be used in studies investigating AMR. The present study was carried out to identify and characterize the antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from wildlife and livestock feces as well as from surface water samples in Maiella National Park, Italy.

Whole Genome Sequencing of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. in wildlife-livestock interface: a pilot study.

Objectives: This pilot study provides a multidisciplinary investigation to monitor livestock-wildlife interface. Ecological data, microbiological investigations, and whole genome sequencing were used to characterize eight bacterial isolates obtained from sympatric domestic and wild ruminants in Maiella National Park (Italy) in terms of genetic patterns of antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: Using selective culturing of fresh fecal samples of monitored and georeferenced populations of Apennine chamois, goats, red deer, and sheep, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus faecalis isolates were isolated and subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration determination and whole genome sequencing.

Detection and Characterization of Feline Calicivirus Associated with Paw and Mouth Disease.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) infection in cats can led to several diverse clinical presentations, ranging from mild upper respiratory signs to virulent systemic disease. Herein, we report a paw and mouth disease case in a 7-year-old household cat due to an FCV infection. An asymptomatic cat living in the same household was also infected with FCV.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Bacterial Isolates from Urinary Tract Infections in Companion Animals in Central Italy.

The available data on antimicrobial resistance in pets are limited compared to those collected for food-producing animals. Bacterial urinary tract infections are some of the most important indications for antimicrobial use in pets, and empiric antimicrobial treatments are often administered in the presence of clinical signs. In this study, the results obtained from the laboratory investigations carried out on dogs and cats with urinary tract infections coming from veterinary clinics and practices in Central Italy were evaluated to provide additional data concerning the bacterial urinary pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance patterns in pets.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes Occurrence in Conventional and Antibiotic-Free Poultry Farming, Italy.

Antimicrobial resistance is a complex and widespread problem threatening human and animal health. In poultry farms, a wide distribution of resistant bacteria and their relative genes is described worldwide, including in Italy. In this paper, a comparison of resistance gene distribution in litter samples, recovered from four conventional and four antibiotic-free broiler flocks, was performed to highlight any influence of farming systems on the spreading and maintenance of resistance determinants.

Vaccination and Antibody Testing in Cats.

Vaccines protect cats from serious diseases by inducing antibodies and cellular immune responses. Primary vaccinations and boosters are given according to vaccination guidelines provided by industry and veterinary organizations, based on minimal duration of immunity (DOI). For certain diseases, particularly feline panleukopenia, antibody titres correlate with protection.

Molecular Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Canine Distemper Virus in Marsican Brown Bear ().

In this paper, we report the first molecular detection of the canine distemper virus in the Marsican brown bear (). Three subadults and one adult were live-trapped and checked for the main viral pathogens responsible for infectious diseases in this species. The four bears were found to be negative for all investigated viruses except for one, which resulted in a positive outcome for CDV by means of RT-PCR targeting fragments of viral N and H genes.

Microbial community and antimicrobial resistance in fecal samples from wild and domestic ruminants in Maiella National Park, Italy.

This study aimed to provide new insights about antimicrobial resistance genes abundance and microbial communities of wild and domestic ruminants in wildlife-livestock interface. In total, 88 fecal samples were recovered from Apennine chamois, red deer, goat, cattle and sheep, and were collected in pools. The populations under study were selected based on ecological data useful to define sympatric and non-sympatric populations.

Calicivirus Infection in Cats.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a common pathogen in domestic cats that is highly contagious, resistant to many disinfectants and demonstrates a high genetic variability. FCV infection can lead to serious or even fatal diseases. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of experts in feline medicine from 11 European countries, presents the current knowledge of FCV infection and fills gaps with expert opinions.

Vaccination of Immunocompromised Cats.

Immunocompromise is a common condition in cats, especially due to widespread infections with immunosuppressive viruses, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), but also due to chronic non-infectious diseases, such as tumours, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease, as well as treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, such as glucocorticoids, cyclosporins, or tumour chemotherapy. In this review, the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases (ABCD), a scientifically independent board of experts in feline medicine from eleven European countries, discusses the current knowledge and rationale for vaccination of immunocompromised cats. So far, there are few data available on vaccination of immunocompromised cats, and sometimes studies produce controversial results.

Emerging Respiratory Viruses of Cats.

In recent years, advances in diagnostics and deep sequencing technologies have led to the identification and characterization of novel viruses in cats as protoparviruses and chaphamaparvoviruses, unveiling the diversity of the feline virome in the respiratory tract. Observational, epidemiological and experimental data are necessary to demonstrate firmly if some viruses are able to cause disease, as this information may be confounded by virus- or host-related factors. Also, in recent years, researchers were able to monitor multiple examples of transmission to felids of viruses with high pathogenic potential, such as the influenza virus strains H5N1, H1N1, H7N2, H5N6 and H3N2, and in the late 2019, the human hypervirulent coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Evidence of Linezolid Resistance and Virulence Factors in spp. Isolates from Wild and Domestic Ruminants, Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance patterns against selected critically and highly important antibiotics (quinupristin/dalfopristin, vancomycin, and linezolid) in 48 isolates obtained from wild (red deer and Apennine chamois) and domestic (cattle, sheep, and goats) ruminants living with varying degrees of sympatry in the protected area of Maiella National Park (central Italy). According to CLSI breakpoints, 9 out of 48 isolates (18.8%) showed resistance to at least one antibiotic.

Detection of antibodies against domestic cat hepadnavirus using baculovirus-expressed core protein.

A novel orthohepadnavirus (domestic cat hepadnavirus [DCH]) similar to human hepatitis B virus has been recently detected in serum and liver samples from domestic cats with chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Molecular investigations by independent research groups around the world have revealed positivity rates ranging from 6.5% to 12.

Resistance Patterns, and Genes, and Virulence Factors of from Apennine Chamois Living in Sympatry with Domestic Species, Italy.

The aim of this study was to determine and characterize potential resistance mechanisms against selected Critically Important Antibiotics in isolates collected from wild and domestic ruminants living in the Maiella National Park, in Central Italy. A total of 38 isolates were obtained from red deer, Apennine chamois, cattle, sheep, and goats grazing in lands with different levels of anthropic pressure. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by Minimal Inhibitory Concentration testing, showing phenotypic resistance to colistin, meropenem, or ceftazidime in 9 isolates along with one bacterial strain being resistant to three of the tested antibiotics.