Evaluation of Risk Factors Influencing Tick-Borne Infections in Livestock Through Molecular Analyses.

Climate changes and human-related activities are identified as major factors responsible for the increasing distribution and abundance of vectors worldwide and, consequently, of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Farmed animals, during grazing or in establishments with the absence of biosecurity measures, can easily be exposed to wildlife showing high-risk of contagion of several infectious diseases, including VBDs. Furthermore, livestock represents an interface between wildlife and humans, and thus, promoting the transmission pathway of VBDs.

Reoccurrence of West Nile virus lineage 1 after 2-year decline: first equine outbreak in Campania region.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widespread arbovirus worldwide, responsible for severe neurological symptoms in humans as well as in horses and birds. The main reservoir and amplifier of the virus are birds, and migratory birds seem to have a key role in the introduction and spread of WNV during their migratory routes. WNV lineage 1 (L1) has been missing in Italy for almost 10 years, only to reappear in 2020 in two dead raptor birds in southern Italy.

First molecular detection of and in wild boars from southern Italy.

Introduction: Following the increase of wild boar () populations in Europe, a potential risk of emerging infections by vector-borne pathogens may occur. Despite this, the circulation of piroplasmid species in these ungulates is still a neglected topic, particularly in the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of / spp.

A comparative study on the persistence and viability of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and omicron variant on artificially contaminated surfaces: the role of fomites.

Indirect transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been investigated but it is still not completely understood. The present study aimed to compare the persistence and viability of the lineage B.1 and omicron BA.

Effectiveness of Sotrovimab in the Omicron Storm Time: A Case Series.

Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are largely used to prevent the progression of the disease by blocking viral attachment, host cell entry, and infectivity. Sotrovimab, like other available mAbs, has been developed against the receptor binding Domain of the (S) glycoprotein of the virus. Nevertheless, the latest Omicron variant has shown marked mutations within the S gene, thus opening the question of the efficacy of these neutralizing molecules towards this novel variant.

First serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in small ruminants : Brief report.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late December 2019 and spread worldwide, quickly becoming a pandemic. This zoonotic coronavirus shows a broad host range, including wildlife and domestic animals. Small ruminants are shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 but, to date, no natural infection has been reported.

A Retrospective Study of Viral Molecular Prevalences in Cats in Southern Italy (Campania Region).

From 2019 to 2021, a retrospective molecular study was conducted in the Campania region (southern Italy) to determine the prevalence of viral diseases in domestic cats. A total of 328 dead animals were analyzed by Real-Time PCR for the presence of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), feline enteric coronavirus (FCoV), rotavirus (RVA), feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1), and feline calicivirus (FCV). The possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 was also investigated by Real-Time PCR.

Monkeypox Clinical Features and Differential Diagnosis: First Case in Campania Region.

As of 15 June, there have been, globally, a total of 2103 laboratory-confirmed cases and one probable case of Monkeypox, including one death. We report two cases of vesicular infectious diseases, one of those is the first case of Monkeypox in the Campania Region. The report, therefore, highlights a recrudescent infection disease that could represent a challenge in differential diagnosis with other vesicular infectious diseases such as Varicella Zoster Virus, during a pandemic season that does not seem to end.

First identification of bovine hepacivirus in wild boars.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans. Humans were long considered the only hosts of Hepacivirus. Recently HCV-like sequences have been found in several animal species.

Effects of Casirivimab/Imdevimab Monoclonal Antibody Treatment among Vaccinated Patients Infected by SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant.

There is a growing interest in using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the early stages of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to prevent disease progression. Little is known about the efficacy of mAbs against the delta variant of concern and its clinical presentations. We evaluated the effect of casirivimab/imdevimab treatment among five delta vaccine breakthrough patients.

SARS-CoV-2 Serological and Biomolecular Analyses among Companion Animals in Campania Region (2020-2021).

The first reports of SARS-CoV-2 among domestic and wild animals, together with the rapid emergence of new variants, have created serious concerns regarding a possible spillback from animal hosts, which could accelerate the evolution of new viral strains. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both owned and stray pets. A total of 182 dogs and 313 cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 quantitative real time PCR and viral loads analysis among asymptomatic and symptomatic patients: an observational study on an outbreak in two nursing facilities in Campania Region (Southern Italy).

Background: In December 2019 an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 was first observed in Wuhan, China. The virus has spread rapidly throughout the world creating a pandemic scenario. Several risk factors have been identified, such as age, sex, concomitant diseases as well as viral load.

A correlation of Mycobacterium bovis SB0134 infection between cattle and a wild boar (Sus Scrofa) in Campania region.

A case of infection is described in a death adult female wild boar in the province of Avellino, Campania Region (Southern Italy). The carcass was sent to the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM) of Portici, Naples, Italy, where postmortem examination was performed. At necropsy, a disseminated granulomatous infection was observed, with involvement of various lymph node districts, spleen and lungs.

Heavy metals in organs of stray dogs and cats from the city of Naples and its surroundings (Southern Italy).

The aim of the present study was to assess the concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the liver and kidney from stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) found dead between 2014 and 2017 in the city of Naples and its surrounding areas. These organs from 290 dogs and 88 cats were collected after ordinary necropsy of stray animals. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

Viral and Antibody Prevalence of Hepatitis E in European Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) and Hunters at Zoonotic Risk in the Latium Region.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a member of the genus Hepevirus within the family Hepeviridae. Hepatitis E is recognized as a zoonosis, and swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa) are known reservoirs of HEV infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of HEV in wild boars and hunters exposed to infection in central Italy (Latium region).

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 marker vaccine induces cross-protection against bubaline herpesvirus type 1 in water buffalo.

Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are susceptible to bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) and a species-specific herpesvirus, bubaline herpesvirus type 1 (BuHV-1). In this study, an attenuated marker BoHV-1 based vaccine against BuHV-1 challenge was evaluated to determine whether it induces protection from viral replication. One group of water buffalo calves was immunized with an attenuated BoHV-1 marker vaccine.

Instrumentation for diagnostics and control of laser-accelerated proton (ion) beams.

Suitable instrumentation for laser-accelerated proton (ion) beams is critical for development of integrated, laser-driven ion accelerator systems. Instrumentation aimed at beam diagnostics and control must be applied to the driving laser pulse, the laser-plasma that forms at the target and the emergent proton (ion) bunch in a correlated way to develop these novel accelerators. This report is a brief overview of established diagnostic techniques and new developments based on material presented at the first workshop on 'Instrumentation for Diagnostics and Control of Laser-accelerated Proton (Ion) Beams' in Abingdon, UK.

Modulation of apoptosis by caprine herpesvirus 1 infection in a neuronal cell line.

Caprine herpesvirus type 1 (CpHV-1), like other members of the alpha subfamily of herpesviruses, establishes latent infections in trigeminal ganglion neurons. Our groups previously demonstrated that CpHV-1 induces apoptosis in goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in an epithelial bovine cell line, but the ability of CpHV-1 to induce apoptosis in neuronal cells remains unexplored. In this report, the susceptibility of Neuro 2A cells to infection by CpHV-1 was examined.

Streptococcus constellatus-associated pyoderma in a dog.

This report describes a case of chronic and deep pyodermitis in a 4-year-old male dog with a 3-month skin problems history that had been treated unsuccessfully with fluoroquinolone therapy, prescribed by a private medical veterinary practice, without an early diagnosis. Microbiological examination and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed in our laboratory (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) and a diagnosis of Streptococcus constellatus-associated pyoderma in the dog was made. A new antimicrobial treatment, with tetracyclines, was designed after the definitive diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing performed by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): a new neuroendocrine marker of clinical progression in chronic heart failure?

Objective: Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a powerful vasodilatory neuropeptide with positive inotropic and chronotropic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the pathophysiological role of VIP in heart failure.

Design And Results: VIP was assayed in plasma within the first in-hospital day in 52 patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac troponin I in acute coronary ischemic syndromes. Epidemiological and clinical correlates.

Unlabelled: The present study was aimed to investigate the variability of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the first week of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) course with regard to some epidemiological and clinical parameters and in patients with non-AMI acute coronary ischemic disease. Serum cTnI was assayed in 82 patients, 42 affected with AMI and 40 with non-AMI acute coronary ischemic disease, on admission in coronary care unit, within 6 h after the onset of symptoms, and, in AMI group, on 24 and 48 h and 7th day of illness course. cTnI is increased within the first 6 h, remaining above normal until 7th day.