Alessandra Torina - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Alessandra Torina
Veterinary Parasitology, Jun 1, 2009
This paper reports two new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, developed in an attempt to improve the... more This paper reports two new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, developed in an attempt to improve the detection of bovine piroplasmids. The first of these techniques is a duplex TaqMan assay for the simultaneous diagnosis of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. This technique is ideal for use in South America where bovids harbour no theilerids. The second technique, which is suitable for the diagnosis of both babesiosis and theileriosis worldwide, involves fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes. In FRET assays, Babesia bovis, B. divergens, Babesia sp. (B. major or B. bigemina), Theileria annae and Theileria sp. were all identifiable based on the melting temperatures of their amplified fragments. Both techniques provided linear calibration curves over the 0.1 fg/ml to 0.01 ng/ml DNA range. The assays showed good sensitivity and specificity. To assess their performance, both procedures were compared in two separate studies: the first was intended to monitor the experimental infection of calves with B. bovis and the second was a survey where 200 bovid/equine DNA samples from different countries were screened for piroplasmids. Comparative studies showed that duplex TaqMan qPCR was more sensitive than FRET qPCR in the detection of babesids.
Microorganisms
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of public health concern. Its prevalence in stray animals in the Sout... more Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of public health concern. Its prevalence in stray animals in the South of Italy is unknown. This study aimed to investigate Leptospira spp. prevalence in 1009 stray animals. Out of them, 749 were alive animals, including 358 dogs (316 from Palermo and 42 from Ragusa) and 391 cats (359 from Palermo and 32 from Ragusa), and 260 were corpses (216 dogs and 44 cats) randomly collected in Sicily. Dogs and cats underwent a serological screening by Microscopic Agglutination Test and a molecular investigation by Real-Time PCR targeting lipL32. Corpses were subjected to Real-Time PCR. Serological analyses showed a prevalence of 1.12% (4/358) for dogs and 0.26% (1/391) for cats, with the only positive cat coming from Palermo. Serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae or Copenhageni, followed by Canicola and Bratislava, were the most spread among dogs, while the serological positive cat reacted with Hardjo serogroup. Two urine (2/32, 6.25%) and one bl...
Veterinary Record
BackgroundIn humans, blood groups are associated with varying prevalence of infections. The aim o... more BackgroundIn humans, blood groups are associated with varying prevalence of infections. The aim of this study was to determine if associations exist between the feline AB blood group system and haemoplasma infection.MethodsData from two studies were combined. In the first study, DNA samples from 131 haemoplasma‐infected and 132 haemoplasma‐uninfected UK cats underwent pyrosequencing to determine their blood genotype as AA, Ab or bb. In the second study, blood samples from 160 Italian cats of known blood phenotype A, B or AB underwent PCR testing for feline haemoplasma species DNA.ResultsHaemoplasma infection was demonstrated in cats of all phenotypes and genotypes. A significantly higher number of Ab genotype cats tested positive for overall haemoplasma infection status (p = 0.04) and for Mycoplasma haemofelis infection (p = 0.03).LimitationsHaemoplasma‐infected Italian cats were few, possibly increasing the chance of type II error, and the presence of purebred cats in the sample po...
Ecology and Control of Vector-borne Diseases
XV Congresso Nazionale S.I.Di.L.V., Monreale (PA), Italia, 23-25 ottobre 2013, 2013
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020
Background. Tick-borne diseases are widespread in many European Countries and high incidence has ... more Background. Tick-borne diseases are widespread in many European Countries and high incidence has been reported in the past few years. Ticks are able to transmit several pathogens to the host while feeding and are considered the most important vectors of infectious agents worldwide together with mosquitos. As tick-bite events has remarkably increased in North-Western Italy and information about the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from humans in Italy are scarce, this study aimed to identify the species of ticks biting humans and the tick-borne pathogens they can transmit.Methods. Ticks collected from bitten humans during 2017-2019 were morphologically identified and screened by biomolecular essays. A total of 1,290 ticks were analysed. Most of the ticks belonged to the Ixodes genus: 1,009 ticks (78.0%) were classified as Ixodes ricinus. Some Ixodes ticks (n = 158; 12.3%) were identified only at genus level due to lack of morphological features. Overall, 500 ticks ...
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2018
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2019
Insect Molecular Biology, 2018
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are known vectors of arboviruses affecting human and animal... more Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are known vectors of arboviruses affecting human and animal health. However, little is known about Culicoides imicola microbiota and its influence on this insect's biology. In this study, the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on C. imicola microbiota was characterized using shotgun-metagenomic sequencing of whole body DNA samples. Wild-caught C. imicola adult nulliparous females were sampled in two locations from Sicily, Italy. The climatic variables of temperature and soil moisture from both localities were recorded together with potential host blood meal sources. Shared core microbiome among C. imicola populations included Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Halomonas, Candidatus Zinderia, Propionibacterium, and Schizosaccharomyces. Specific and unique taxa were also found in C. imicola from each location, highlighting similarities and differences in microbiome composition between both populations. DNA and protein identification showed differences in host preferences between both populations with Homo sapiens and Canis lupus familiaris L. being the preferred blood meal source in both locations. A principal component analysis showed that the combined effect of host preferences (H. sapiens) and local soil moisture factors shape the microbiome composition of wild-caught populations of C. imicola. These results contribute to characterizing the role of the microbiome in insect adaptation and its utility in predicting geographic expansion of Culicoides species with potential implications for the control of vector-borne diseases.
Veterinary Record, 2003
The vectors of bluetongue virus are certain species of Culicoides biting midges, and in the Medit... more The vectors of bluetongue virus are certain species of Culicoides biting midges, and in the Mediterranean area Culicoides imicola has long been considered to be the only field vector. In Sicily an entomological and serological surveillance programme has been in operation since the autumn of 2000, which has shown that the prevalence and abundance of C imicola is lower than in many other Italian regions. Moreover, in 2002, there were outbreaks of bluetongue in the absence of C imicola, and in these regions bluetongue viral RNA was detected by means of a nested reverse‐transcriptase PCR in wild‐caught, non‐blood‐engorged, parous Culicoides pulicaris. Furthermore, bluetongue virus serotype 2 was isolated on five occasions from extracts of non‐blood‐engorged parous C pulicaris by using embryonated hens eggs and BHK‐21 cells as assay systems. These findings suggest that in parts of Italy and possibly in other areas of Europe, where C imicola is absent or rare, C pulicaris may act as a ful...
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), 2013
The importance of Dermacentor spp. in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens is not well recogn... more The importance of Dermacentor spp. in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens is not well recognized in Europe. To investigate the role of Dermacentor spp. in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens, questing ticks were collected in 9 sites from southern to northwestern France (Camargue Delta to Eastern Brittany) where Dermacentor spp. exist and tick-borne diseases had occurred previously. Three tick species were collected during the spring and autumn of 2009. Collected ticks (both males and females) included D. marginatus (n=377), D. reticulatus (n=74), and I. ricinus (n=45). All ticks were analyzed by PCR or reverse line blot for the presence of pathogens' DNA. Pathogens analyzed were based on veterinarian reports and included Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Anaplasma marginale, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Francisella sp. Francisella tularensis was not detected in any of the analyzed ticks. In D. marginatus, infectio...
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2013
Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are obligate bloodsucking insects, which parasitize birds and mamma... more Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are obligate bloodsucking insects, which parasitize birds and mammals, and are distributed throughout the world. Several species have been implicated in pathogen transmission. This study aimed to monitor red foxes and the fleas isolated from them in the Palermo and Ragusa provinces of Sicily, Italy, as these organisms are potential reservoirs and vectors of pathogens. Thirteen foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 110 fleas were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect DNA of the pathogens Ehrlichia canis, Babesia microti, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis. In the foxes, A. ovis was detected in only one animal, whereas the prevalence of the E. canis pathogen was 31%. B. microti and Rickettsia spp. were not detected. Of all of the collected fleas, 75 belonged to the species Xenopsylla cheopis, 32 belonged to Ctenocephalides canis, two belonged to Ctenocephalides felis and one belonged to Cediopsylla inaequalis. In the fleas, the following pathogens were found: A. ovis (prevalence 25%), A. marginale (1%), A. phagocytophilum (1%), Rickettsia felis (2%) and E. canis (3%). X. cheopis was the flea species most frequently infected with Anaplasma, in particular A. ovis (33%), A. marginale (1%) and A. phagocytophilum (1%). Both C. felis exemplars were positive for R. felis. E. canis was found in the lone C. inaequalis and also in 3% of the X. cheopis specimens. No fleas were positive for B. microti or A. platys. As foxes often live in proximity to domestic areas, they may constitute potential reservoirs for human and animal parasites. Further studies should be performed on fleas to determine their vectorial capacity.
Veterinary Parasitology, Jun 1, 2009
This paper reports two new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, developed in an attempt to improve the... more This paper reports two new quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays, developed in an attempt to improve the detection of bovine piroplasmids. The first of these techniques is a duplex TaqMan assay for the simultaneous diagnosis of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina. This technique is ideal for use in South America where bovids harbour no theilerids. The second technique, which is suitable for the diagnosis of both babesiosis and theileriosis worldwide, involves fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes. In FRET assays, Babesia bovis, B. divergens, Babesia sp. (B. major or B. bigemina), Theileria annae and Theileria sp. were all identifiable based on the melting temperatures of their amplified fragments. Both techniques provided linear calibration curves over the 0.1 fg/ml to 0.01 ng/ml DNA range. The assays showed good sensitivity and specificity. To assess their performance, both procedures were compared in two separate studies: the first was intended to monitor the experimental infection of calves with B. bovis and the second was a survey where 200 bovid/equine DNA samples from different countries were screened for piroplasmids. Comparative studies showed that duplex TaqMan qPCR was more sensitive than FRET qPCR in the detection of babesids.
Microorganisms
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of public health concern. Its prevalence in stray animals in the Sout... more Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of public health concern. Its prevalence in stray animals in the South of Italy is unknown. This study aimed to investigate Leptospira spp. prevalence in 1009 stray animals. Out of them, 749 were alive animals, including 358 dogs (316 from Palermo and 42 from Ragusa) and 391 cats (359 from Palermo and 32 from Ragusa), and 260 were corpses (216 dogs and 44 cats) randomly collected in Sicily. Dogs and cats underwent a serological screening by Microscopic Agglutination Test and a molecular investigation by Real-Time PCR targeting lipL32. Corpses were subjected to Real-Time PCR. Serological analyses showed a prevalence of 1.12% (4/358) for dogs and 0.26% (1/391) for cats, with the only positive cat coming from Palermo. Serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae or Copenhageni, followed by Canicola and Bratislava, were the most spread among dogs, while the serological positive cat reacted with Hardjo serogroup. Two urine (2/32, 6.25%) and one bl...
Veterinary Record
BackgroundIn humans, blood groups are associated with varying prevalence of infections. The aim o... more BackgroundIn humans, blood groups are associated with varying prevalence of infections. The aim of this study was to determine if associations exist between the feline AB blood group system and haemoplasma infection.MethodsData from two studies were combined. In the first study, DNA samples from 131 haemoplasma‐infected and 132 haemoplasma‐uninfected UK cats underwent pyrosequencing to determine their blood genotype as AA, Ab or bb. In the second study, blood samples from 160 Italian cats of known blood phenotype A, B or AB underwent PCR testing for feline haemoplasma species DNA.ResultsHaemoplasma infection was demonstrated in cats of all phenotypes and genotypes. A significantly higher number of Ab genotype cats tested positive for overall haemoplasma infection status (p = 0.04) and for Mycoplasma haemofelis infection (p = 0.03).LimitationsHaemoplasma‐infected Italian cats were few, possibly increasing the chance of type II error, and the presence of purebred cats in the sample po...
Ecology and Control of Vector-borne Diseases
XV Congresso Nazionale S.I.Di.L.V., Monreale (PA), Italia, 23-25 ottobre 2013, 2013
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020
Background. Tick-borne diseases are widespread in many European Countries and high incidence has ... more Background. Tick-borne diseases are widespread in many European Countries and high incidence has been reported in the past few years. Ticks are able to transmit several pathogens to the host while feeding and are considered the most important vectors of infectious agents worldwide together with mosquitos. As tick-bite events has remarkably increased in North-Western Italy and information about the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in ticks removed from humans in Italy are scarce, this study aimed to identify the species of ticks biting humans and the tick-borne pathogens they can transmit.Methods. Ticks collected from bitten humans during 2017-2019 were morphologically identified and screened by biomolecular essays. A total of 1,290 ticks were analysed. Most of the ticks belonged to the Ixodes genus: 1,009 ticks (78.0%) were classified as Ixodes ricinus. Some Ixodes ticks (n = 158; 12.3%) were identified only at genus level due to lack of morphological features. Overall, 500 ticks ...
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2018
International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2019
Insect Molecular Biology, 2018
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are known vectors of arboviruses affecting human and animal... more Biting midges of the genus Culicoides are known vectors of arboviruses affecting human and animal health. However, little is known about Culicoides imicola microbiota and its influence on this insect's biology. In this study, the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on C. imicola microbiota was characterized using shotgun-metagenomic sequencing of whole body DNA samples. Wild-caught C. imicola adult nulliparous females were sampled in two locations from Sicily, Italy. The climatic variables of temperature and soil moisture from both localities were recorded together with potential host blood meal sources. Shared core microbiome among C. imicola populations included Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Halomonas, Candidatus Zinderia, Propionibacterium, and Schizosaccharomyces. Specific and unique taxa were also found in C. imicola from each location, highlighting similarities and differences in microbiome composition between both populations. DNA and protein identification showed differences in host preferences between both populations with Homo sapiens and Canis lupus familiaris L. being the preferred blood meal source in both locations. A principal component analysis showed that the combined effect of host preferences (H. sapiens) and local soil moisture factors shape the microbiome composition of wild-caught populations of C. imicola. These results contribute to characterizing the role of the microbiome in insect adaptation and its utility in predicting geographic expansion of Culicoides species with potential implications for the control of vector-borne diseases.
Veterinary Record, 2003
The vectors of bluetongue virus are certain species of Culicoides biting midges, and in the Medit... more The vectors of bluetongue virus are certain species of Culicoides biting midges, and in the Mediterranean area Culicoides imicola has long been considered to be the only field vector. In Sicily an entomological and serological surveillance programme has been in operation since the autumn of 2000, which has shown that the prevalence and abundance of C imicola is lower than in many other Italian regions. Moreover, in 2002, there were outbreaks of bluetongue in the absence of C imicola, and in these regions bluetongue viral RNA was detected by means of a nested reverse‐transcriptase PCR in wild‐caught, non‐blood‐engorged, parous Culicoides pulicaris. Furthermore, bluetongue virus serotype 2 was isolated on five occasions from extracts of non‐blood‐engorged parous C pulicaris by using embryonated hens eggs and BHK‐21 cells as assay systems. These findings suggest that in parts of Italy and possibly in other areas of Europe, where C imicola is absent or rare, C pulicaris may act as a ful...
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.), 2013
The importance of Dermacentor spp. in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens is not well recogn... more The importance of Dermacentor spp. in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens is not well recognized in Europe. To investigate the role of Dermacentor spp. in the transmission of tick-borne pathogens, questing ticks were collected in 9 sites from southern to northwestern France (Camargue Delta to Eastern Brittany) where Dermacentor spp. exist and tick-borne diseases had occurred previously. Three tick species were collected during the spring and autumn of 2009. Collected ticks (both males and females) included D. marginatus (n=377), D. reticulatus (n=74), and I. ricinus (n=45). All ticks were analyzed by PCR or reverse line blot for the presence of pathogens' DNA. Pathogens analyzed were based on veterinarian reports and included Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Anaplasma marginale, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Francisella sp. Francisella tularensis was not detected in any of the analyzed ticks. In D. marginatus, infectio...
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2013
Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are obligate bloodsucking insects, which parasitize birds and mamma... more Fleas (Insecta: Siphonaptera) are obligate bloodsucking insects, which parasitize birds and mammals, and are distributed throughout the world. Several species have been implicated in pathogen transmission. This study aimed to monitor red foxes and the fleas isolated from them in the Palermo and Ragusa provinces of Sicily, Italy, as these organisms are potential reservoirs and vectors of pathogens. Thirteen foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 110 fleas were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect DNA of the pathogens Ehrlichia canis, Babesia microti, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis. In the foxes, A. ovis was detected in only one animal, whereas the prevalence of the E. canis pathogen was 31%. B. microti and Rickettsia spp. were not detected. Of all of the collected fleas, 75 belonged to the species Xenopsylla cheopis, 32 belonged to Ctenocephalides canis, two belonged to Ctenocephalides felis and one belonged to Cediopsylla inaequalis. In the fleas, the following pathogens were found: A. ovis (prevalence 25%), A. marginale (1%), A. phagocytophilum (1%), Rickettsia felis (2%) and E. canis (3%). X. cheopis was the flea species most frequently infected with Anaplasma, in particular A. ovis (33%), A. marginale (1%) and A. phagocytophilum (1%). Both C. felis exemplars were positive for R. felis. E. canis was found in the lone C. inaequalis and also in 3% of the X. cheopis specimens. No fleas were positive for B. microti or A. platys. As foxes often live in proximity to domestic areas, they may constitute potential reservoirs for human and animal parasites. Further studies should be performed on fleas to determine their vectorial capacity.