Machine learning approach as an early warning system to prevent foodborne Salmonella outbreaks in northwestern Italy.

Salmonellosis, one of the most common foodborne infections in Europe, is monitored by food safety surveillance programmes, resulting in the generation of extensive databases. By leveraging tree-based machine learning (ML) algorithms, we exploited data from food safety audits to predict spatiotemporal patterns of salmonellosis in northwestern Italy. Data on human cases confirmed in 2015-2018 (n = 1969) and food surveillance data collected in 2014-2018 were used to develop ML algorithms.

Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Human Species Isolated in Northwest Italy, 2020-2023.

The spread of antimicrobial resistant strains, linked to antimicrobials use and abuse in humans and food animals, has become a global public health problem. In this study, we determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human isolates (n = 820) collected in Piedmont, Italy, from March 2020 to July 2023. The strains underwent susceptibility testing to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration for erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, and tetracycline: 80.

Using ultrasonography for verifying feeding tube placements in cats.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the use of ultrasonography for verifying feeding tube placement in hospitalized cats compared with radiographic evaluation.

Methods: This prospective investigation was performed on client-owned cats. The position of the feeding tube was checked using right lateral thoracic radiography and ultrasonography.

In Vivo Evaluation of the Potential of Thyme and Lemon Hydrolates as Processing Aids to Reduce Norovirus Concentration during Oyster Depuration.

In this study, we evaluated the use of hydrolates, co-products of essential oil distillation, as processing aids to improve the depuration process of Pacific oysters () as a post-harvest method aimed at reducing the norovirus (NoV) viral load. Live oysters were kept in water to which hydrolates of and at 1% were added for 24 h. The concentration of NoV was quantified using the ISO 15216-1 quantitative real-time RT-PCR method in the oyster digestive tissue both before and after the treatment.

Food Safety Monitoring of spp. in Northern Italy 2019-2021.

Salmonella is the second most frequent bacterial pathogen involved in human gastrointestinal outbreaks in the European Union; it can enter the food-production chain from animal or environmental sources or from asymptomatic food operators. European food legislation has established microbiological criteria to ensure consumer protection. is listed under both process hygiene criteria and food safety criteria.

Comparative Evaluation of Peripheral Blood Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio, Serum Albumin to Globulin Ratio and Serum C-Reactive Protein to Albumin Ratio in Dogs with Inflammatory Protein-Losing Enteropathy and Healthy Dogs.

Few routinely available biomarkers are clinically useful in assessing dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy caused by immunosuppressive-responsive enteropathy (IRE-PLE). Only the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been studied, while no information exists on the use of the albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CRP/ALB). We aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of the NLR, AGR and CRP/ALB in a population of dogs with IRE-PLE.

Monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance of Serotypes Isolated from Humans in Northwest Italy, 2012-2021.

is among the most common causes of foodborne outbreaks in humans in Europe. The global emergence of resistance to antimicrobials calls for close monitoring of the spread and prevalence of resistant strains. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance of serotypes isolated from humans between 2012 and 2021 in Piedmont, northwest Italy.

Evaluation of Haemostasis in Dogs Affected by Resectable Malignancy.

Dogs with neoplasm are at risk of thrombosis, yet there is no information on the haemostatic alterations that may result from the surgeries performed to remove neoplastic masses. The aim of this study was to observe the characteristics of haemostasis in dogs undergoing surgery to remove a malignancy by means of rotational thromboelastometry and thrombin generation. Haemostasis was assessed immediately before surgery (T0), 24 h after surgery (T1), and two weeks after surgery (T2).

Antimicrobial Resistance of Strains Isolated from Human, Wild Boar, and Environmental Samples in 2018-2020 in the Northwest of Italy.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most challenging public health problems worldwide, and integrated surveillance is a key aspect in a One Health control strategy. Additionally, Salmonella is the second most common zoonosis in Europe. We aimed to investigate the circulation of Salmonella strains and their related antimicrobial resistance in human, environmental, and wild boar samples from the northwest of Italy, from 2018 to 2020, to obtain a more comprehensive epidemiological picture.

Study on the Effect of Relaying on Norovirus Reduction from Oysters.

Norovirus (NoV) is the most important cause of seafood-borne gastroenteritis worldwide, mainly associated with the consumption of raw oysters. NoV is often present in oysters that comply with existing control standards for shellfish. Therefore, the improvement of post-harvest treatments and practices can represent one of the main strategies to reduce the incidence of viral diseases related to shellfish.

Papillomavirus Type-9 (EcPV9): First Detection in Asymptomatic Italian Horses.

Papillomavirus (PV) infections may be related to anogenital lesions and cancer development in humans and several other animal species. To date, 11 different PVs have been reported in horses. Among them, a newly described PV named Papillomavirus Type9 (EcPV9) was thus far only reported in the semen of a stallion with penile lesions in Australia.

Surveys on Exposure to Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis (RAS) in the Piedmont Region-Italy.

Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS), infection in humans, is acquired through contact with reptiles. Reptiles have become popular pet animals, and RAS is likely to be an underestimated but growing problem. No epidemiological data about RAS are routinely collected in Italy.

The Italian strategy to fight illegal treatment with growth promoters: Results of the 2017-2019 histological monitoring plan.

The Histological Control Plan has been introduced in Italy in 2008 as an indirect monitoring tool of illicit administration of sexual hormones and corticosteroids in bovine. Analysis of 2008-2016 results permitted to draw a new plan targeting risk category. This work presents the results of the histopathological monitoring plan that was carried out from 2017 to 2019.

Assessment of hemostasis in dogs with gastric-dilation-volvulus, during resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) or hypertonic saline (7.5%).

Objective: To compare the impact of an IV bolus of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES) or hypertonic saline 7.5% (HS) on hemostasis in dogs resuscitated for gastric-dilation-volvulus (GDV).

Stage 1-Biomarkers of Kidney Injury in Dogs Undergoing Constant Rate Infusion of Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4.

In veterinary medicine, investigations relating the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on renal function report contrasting results. This study aimed to assess the changes in the selected biomarkers of kidney injury in dogs after the administration of HES 130/0.4 as a constant rate infusion (CRI) for 24 h.

Norovirus Persistence in Oysters to Prolonged Commercial Purification.

Depuration is generally the main treatment employed for bivalve mollusks harvested from contaminated sites. Commercial depuration has demonstrated to be effective for removal of bacterial pathogens, although it probably provides only limited efficacy against human enteric viruses. We evaluated the quantitative reduction of norovirus (NoV) genogroups I and II in naturally contaminated oysters after 1, 4, and 9 days of depuration.

Using network analysis to identify seasonal patterns and key nodes for risk-based surveillance of pig diseases in Italy.

The description of the pattern of livestock movements between herds provides essential information for both improving risk-based surveillance and to understand the likely spread of infectious diseases. This study provides a description of the temporal pattern of pig movements recorded in Italy on a 4-year period (2013-2016). Data, provided by the National Livestock registry, were described by social network analysis and the application of a walk-trap algorithm for community detection.

Evaluation of the effects of hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) administration as a constant rate infusion on plasma colloid osmotic pressure in hypoabluminemic dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of 2 constant rate infusions of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 on plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in hypoalbuminemic dogs.

Design: Prospective, randomized clinical trial.

HAV detection from milk-based products containing soft fruits: Comparison between four different extraction methods.

Virus detection in food requires appropriate elution and concentration techniques which need to be adapted for different food matrices. ISO/TS-15216-1:2017 and ISO/TS-15216-2:2019 describe standard methods for hepatitis A virus (HAV) research in some food only. Milk-based products containing one or more types of fruit are not covered by ISO procedures, even though they can be contaminated by fruit added to these products or by the food handlers.

spp. in raw milk from vending machines in Piedmont and occurrence of virulence genes in isolates.

spp. has been recognized as an emerging foodborne pathogen and a hazard to human health. In the dairy chain, it has been isolated from different sources, nevertheless data on occurrence in raw milk provided by vending machines are few.

Distinguishing between Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Smoked Salmon: Histology To Detect Food Adulteration in High-Value Products.

The issue of food safety has acquired increased importance, and fraud is a major concern for the food industry. Among different types of food adulteration, there is the sale of frozen-thawed smoked salmon product as fresh, which not only decreases the quality of products but also misleads consumers and may involve associated health risks. In response to this problem, we tested the performance of histology to identify smoked salmon as fresh or frozen-thawed as a valid analytical method, so food business operators and official controllers can reliably and correctly classify the storage state of the product.

Antiviral Activity of Essential Oils Against Hepatitis A Virus in Soft Fruits.

Berries have repeatedly been associated with outbreaks of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. The fruits are usually minimally processed in the food industry due to their delicate nature. While washing treatments partially remove enteric viruses, the commonly used chemical additives produce toxic by-products.

Analysis of Gluten Content in Gluten-Free Pizza from Certified Take-Away Pizza Restaurants.

Currently, a strict gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. In Italy, food service establishments and restaurants can be certified for providing gluten-free foods, including pizza restaurants that make both gluten-free pizza and traditional wheat-based pizza. With this study we analyzed the gluten content in samples of gluten-free pizza prepared and purchased at certified restaurants in the Turin metropolitan area.