Salmonella in horses at slaughter and public health effects in Italy.

The study assessed the role of equids at slaughter as faecal carriers of Salmonella enterica and the occurrence of contaminated equid carcasses during the slaughter process in Northern Italy (Emilia-Romagna Region). From June to November 2021, 152 equids (146 horses, 5 donkeys and 1 mule) were tested for Salmonella both in caecal contents and through carcass swabs. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of recovered strains was tested against 15 antimicrobials.

Cardiac sympathetic-parasympathetic balance in rats with experimentally-induced acute chagasic myocarditis.

To clarify the mechanism responsible for the transient sinus tachycardia in rats with acute chagasic myocarditis, we have examined the cardiac sympathetic-parasympathetic balance of 29 rats inoculated with 200,000 parasites (Trypanosoma cruzi). Sixteen infected animals and 8 controls were studied between days 18 and 21 after inoculation (acute stage). The remaining 13 infected animals and 9 controls were studied between days 60 and 70 after inoculation (sub-acute stage).

Apical left ventricular aneurysms and cardiac parasympathetic innervation in Chagas' heart disease.

Left ventricular apical aneurysms are present in Chagasic patients who have normal cardiac parasympathetic innervation. Cardiac parasympathetic abnormalities are found, in later stages of the disease, when diffuse myocardial damage and ventricular dilatation are already present. The apical region of the left ventricle is also affected in several acute and chronic non-Chagasic cardiac diseases.