Publications by authors named "Michele Fiasconaro"

Background: Two outbreaks of swinepox were investigated in free-range domestic pig farms located in the northeastern side of Sicily, Italy. The disease is generally self-limiting with a low mortality rate, but morbidity can reach high rates in case of poor sanitary conditions, improper husbandry practices and ectoparasitic infestation. The presented cases are the first ever reported on the island and part of the few cases reported in domestic pigs.

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Bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis are endemic in many areas worldwide. This work aims to study cytokines production and gene expression profiles of bovine macrophages infected with and subsp. (MAP) strains to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers.

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Introduction: Paratuberculosis (PTB) is a worldwide chronic, contagious enteric disease caused by subsp. (MAP) mainly affecting ruminant species. PTB is a WOAH-listed disease with direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock sector, negative impact on animal welfare and significant public health concerns.

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() is the causative agent of animal tuberculosis (bTB), infecting and causing disease in several animal species. In areas where there are complex interactions between reservoir hosts and susceptible species, the control of this pathogen is a challenge. The authors report two outbreaks of goat tuberculosis caused by in multi-host ecosystems within two protected natural areas of Sicily, where TB is historically endemic.

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Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, affecting cattle and other mammalian species, such as pigs. In the present work, we developed a novel multi-antigen assay (The TB-Luminex multiplex test) to diagnose bTB in pig sera. Moreover, we investigated the seroreactivity to the different antigens employed (MPB83, MPB70, CFP10 and ESAT6) and the possible correlation with bTB lesions distribution in the positive pigs.

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Background: Aujeszky's disease is caused by Suid Herpes Virus-1 and species belonging to the genus Sus scrofa are the main reservoir hosts. This virus, however, is capable of infecting and causing severe disease, with an almost constant fatal outcome in other species, both domestic and wild (carnivores, monogastric herbivores and ruminants). Moreover, the possibility of transmission to humans has been demonstrated.

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Aujeszky's disease is caused by , and its main reservoir host is the pig. However, other species are also susceptible. Infection with this virus causes a severe neurological clinical picture named Aujeszky's disease, usually accompanied by itching and death a few days after the onset of symptoms.

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The role of pigs in the maintenance of bovine tuberculosis caused by has been demonstrated in many settings; however, the current control programs usually do not state any diagnostic procedure in this species, as for the cattle. Carcass inspection has shown to be insufficient to detect infection in swine; thus, the assessment of intradermal tuberculin test and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) in this species is mandatory. The current study compares the performances of the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test and IGRA.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Aujeszky's disease in cattle, caused by Suid herpes virus 1, is primarily spread through contact with infected pigs, which are the main virus reservoir; this outbreak in Sicily marks the first documented case in cattle in the region.
  • - The affected cattle exhibited severe itching and neurological symptoms, but the study found no unique gross or histological features, only skin lesions and inflammation in the central nervous system.
  • - Diagnosis was confirmed via real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, but the source of infection remains unknown; however, serological data indicated the virus is circulating in nearby pigs, emphasizing the need for improved preventive measures in cattle breeding.
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During a routine abattoir inspection of pig carcasses and control activities of hunted wildlife in 2013, 118 large white pigs Sus scrofa domesticus, 474 Nebrodi black pigs and 135 wild boars Sus scrofa scrofa were submitted to anatomopathological examination to evaluate the presence of tuberculosis-like lesions. Localized and generalized granulomatous lesions were detected with a prevalence of about 25% in large white pigs, 13% in Nebrodi black pigs and 8.15% in wild boars.

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Bovine tuberculosis, a reemerging zoonosis in diverse ecological scenarios, has been reported in the autochthonous Nebrodi black pig breed population used for meat production in Italy. During a routine abattoir inspection in 2013, 24 of 299 carcasses (8%) of Nebrodi black pigs presented tuberculosis-like lesions at pathologic examination. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from 23 animals and M.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates a 2012 outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in a fallow deer herd in Sicily, identified through health issues like cachexia and skin lesions in the animals.
  • Testing confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium bovis, specifically spoligotype SB0120, in affected deer, leading to the euthanasia of several animals with granulomatous lesions.
  • The findings highlight the significant role of wild ruminants in the spread of bTB and emphasize the need for improved monitoring of this disease in wildlife to mitigate risks to both animal and human health.
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Article Synopsis
  • Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is increasingly affecting wild animals and poses a risk to livestock and humans, prompting an investigation into the Sicilian black pig's role as a potential infection source in areas with high bTB prevalence in cattle.
  • In a preliminary study, 119 black pigs were sampled, revealing 6.7% showed tuberculous-like lesions, and 3.4% tested positive for Mycobacterium bovis, indicating a concerning level of infection.
  • Further examination of 100 pigs from infected herds revealed widespread lesions and a common presence of M. bovis, suggesting possible transmission between domestic pigs and cattle, but more research is needed to clarify the epidemiological implications of these findings.
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The present report describes a rare case of generalized bovine-type tuberculosis in a slaughtered 4-year-old ewe discovered during routine surveillance at an abattoir. A postmortem examination revealed lesions in the ewe's thoracic and abdominal cavities, ranging from encapsulated, mineralized foci to extensive, soft, caseous tissue. Lesions in the lungs, liver, and lymph nodes were consistent with mycobacterial infection.

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  • - A study evaluated Anaplasma species infections in 200 sheep, revealing a high seroprevalence of 98% for Anaplasma antibodies and documentation of A. phagocytophilum in 11.5% of sheep and A. ovis in 37%.
  • - Concurrent infections were observed in 6.5% of the sheep, highlighting the complexity of infections in this population.
  • - Genetic analysis of the A. ovis msp4 sequences uncovered 17 unique haplotypes, indicating a notable level of genetic diversity within this pathogen in a flock experiencing health issues.
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