D. Lelli - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by D. Lelli
Sin dai primi giorni della circolazione del virus pandemico H1N1-2009 nella popolazione, \ue8 sta... more Sin dai primi giorni della circolazione del virus pandemico H1N1-2009 nella popolazione, \ue8 stata segnalata la trasmissione del virus dall\u2019uomo a specie animali diverse (suino, tacchino, cane, gatto). La trasmissione di virus influenzali dall\u2019uomo agli animali non rappresenta solo un problema limitato al settore zootecnico, ma un problema di sanit\ue0 pubblica per il ruolo di \u201cserbatoio\u201d dei virus influenzali rappresentato da tali specie. Il suino non ha sinora dimostrato un ruolo epidemiologico importante nella diffusione di (H1N1)pdm all\u2019uomo; tuttavia ci\uf2 non esclude, che a seguito dell\u2019evoluzione virale, o di fenomeni di riassortimento, da tale specie emergano e si trasmettano all\u2019uomo virus con diversa e/o maggiore patogenicit\ue0. L\u2019identificazione, in tempi brevi, dei nuovi ceppi influenzali circolanti nel suino, rappresenta quindi il cardine dell\u2019attivit\ue0 di sorveglianza per i virus influenzali; a tal fine \ue8 stato ottim...
23rd International Pig Veterinary Society (IPVS) Congress, 2014
PCV2 is involved in reproductive failure in swine that includes clinical and subclinical forms. S... more PCV2 is involved in reproductive failure in swine that includes clinical and subclinical forms. Subclinical PCV2 in utero infection is diagnosed by the detection of PCV2 DNA or specific antibodies in foetal tissues, presuckling serum or foetal thoracic fluid without the presence of microscopic lesions or indication of reproductive failure. We have evaluated the efficacy of two vaccines against subclinical PCV2-related reproductive pathology and detected modifications in the classic target (lymphoid tissues) of the infected gilts. Specific Ab titres in serum, viraemia, foetus and foetal membranes/fluids samples positivity to PCV2 were compared in four groups of conventional gilts. Six gilts (group VAI) received 2mL, IM of a commercial inactivated PCV2 vaccine licensed for sows and piglets and 6 gilts (group VBI) received 1 mL, IM of a commercial vaccine based on an ORF2 capsid protein expressed in a baculovirus system, and licensed for use in piglets. Both vaccines were administered in gilts at 120 and 150 days of life. Nine additional gilts (group NVI, n=6 and group CTR, n=3) were kept unvaccinated. All animals received Regumate\uae for 18 days followed by an oestrus synchronization and superovulation protocol. Gilts in VAI, VBI and NVI groups were inseminated with a double (24 h apart) dose of PCV2-negative semen spiked with a PCV2b (0.2 ml of suspension containing 103.9 TCID50/25 \u3bcl of virus) strain isolated in a PMWS outbreak in Italy. CTR gilts were fecundated with a double dose of PCV2-free semen. Necropsies were performed 30 days or 54 days following insemination depending on the gestational status of the gilts: samples of lymph nodes (Lfns: superficial inguinal, mesometrial, tracheobronchial and mesenteric), tonsils and spleen in the dam as well as placenta, amniotic fluid and tissues (heart, liver, spleen) from foetuses were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry to PCV2 and its quantitation by real time PCR. Lymphoid tissue was graded according to a previous system. Pearson Chisquare test was used for statistic. No statistically significant differences in antibody titres nor viraemia were revealed among groups during the trial. Mainly mesometrial (3/12 VAI; 4/12 VBI; 5/12 NVI; 0/6 CTR) Lfns, and in a lesser extent superficial inguinal (1/12 NVI) Lfns, showed grade 3 (depletion and presence of giant cells) while the other lymphoid tissues were normal or at least with grade 1 depletion. Four out of 6 gilts were pregnant in the VAI group, 3 out of 6 in VBI, 3 out of 6 in NVI and 2 out of 3 in CTR, from which were collected 23, 19, 33 and 15 foetuses, respectively and the corresponding placenta membranes and amniotic fluid. CTR group showed the lowest positivity proportion of all sample types compared to the other groups. In the experimentally infected animals, the percentage of positive fetuses was significantly lower in the 2 vaccinated groups compared to NVI, while the percentage of PCV2 positive placentas and amniotic fluids was significantly lower in VAI compared to VBI. Immunohistochemical stain to PCV2 was found in one foetus of the VBI group in placenta, heart and liver and in the superficial inguinal lymph node of a gilt of the NVI group. From the results of the trial it was successfully produced a subclinical form of PCV2 reproductive failure, in which it was possible to demonstrate the presence of PCV2 specific lesion mainly in loco-regional Lfns (those mesometrial). In the present experimental conditions with a very severe challenge, vaccination with a commercial inactivated PCV2 vaccine licensed for sows and piglets (vaccine A) did not eliminate but significantly reduced the risk of foetus infection. Considering the most common way of foetus infection through the foetal membranes/fluids, the protective role of the two vaccines against the subclinical form of PCV2-associated reproductive failure does not seem to be similar. The lowest proportion of placentas and amniotic fluid infected in VAI compared to VBI groups may explain the lowest foetal positivity to PCV2 in this group of gilts compared to NVI animals
Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2022
Introduction: Recent studies have shown that bats are the reservoir hosts of several novel viruse... more Introduction: Recent studies have shown that bats are the reservoir hosts of several novel viruses, increasing the interest in bats as potential vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Several studies investigated the presence of infectious agents in bats, but their impact on the individual host and their importance on bat mortality is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological and histopathological findings in 77 deceased bats belonging to nine European species (families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae). Materials and Methods: Bat carcasses were collected in the Piedmont region (Italy) by the Unconventional Rehabilitation Centre (CANC), Torino University, and submitted to necropsy. Species, age and sex of each bat were recorded. Virological (orthoreovirus, coronavirus, flavivirus, rhabdovirus, poxvirus, kobuvirus) and histopathological examinations were performed on the main organs (liver, spleen, kidney, gut, lung, heart and brain). Results: Traumatic injuries (fractures, haemorrhages, skin lesions;43%) and predation injuries (8.4%) represented the two main causes of death. Regardless of species, age and sex, the pathological examination revealed inflammatory/degenerative lesions mainly involving liver (non-suppurative hepatitis and vacuolar degeneration;20.8%) and lung (bronchopneumonia;29.9%). Coronavirus, flavivirus, rhabdovirus and kobuvirus were not detected. Poxviruses were detected in three lungs, two with pneumonia, and 14.3% of animals were positive for reoviruses. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of inflammatory lesions in bat mortality, and shows that bats can harbour infectious agents. However, there is no evidence that Italian bats may represent a severe risk for human health.
La prova \ue8 stata condotta per valutare l\u2019efficacia sierologica di un vaccino anti PCV2 in... more La prova \ue8 stata condotta per valutare l\u2019efficacia sierologica di un vaccino anti PCV2 in un allevamento con anamnesi positiva per PMWS. In due gruppi di scrofe (vaccinate e non vaccinate), sono stati valutati i titoli anticorpali pre-vaccinazione (6 settimane dal parto) e quelli presenti 10 giorni dopo il parto. Analogamente, su un campione di suinetti nati sia da scofe vaccinate sia da scrofe non vaccinate, \ue8 stato determinato il titolo anticorpale anti PCV2 a 10 e a 20 giorni di vita. Per la valutazione sierologica sono state utilizzate due diverse metodiche immunoenzimatiche. Nelle scrofe vaccinate, il titolo anticorpale a 10 giorni dopo il parto \ue8 risultato significativamente pi\uf9 elevato rispetto al gruppo di controllo. Anche i titoli anticorpali nei suinetti nati da madri vaccinate hanno messo in evidenza un\u2019analoga differenza sia a 10 che a 20 giorni di vita
PloS one, 2017
West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) was mainly confined to sub-Saharan Africa until the early 2000s... more West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) was mainly confined to sub-Saharan Africa until the early 2000s, when it was identified for the first time in Central Europe causing outbreaks of human and animal infection. The aim of this study was to reconstruct the origin and dispersion of WNV-2 in Central Europe and Italy on a phylodynamic and phylogeographical basis. To this aim, discrete and continuous space phylogeographical models were applied to a total of 33 newly characterised full-length viral genomes obtained from mosquitoes, birds and humans in Northern Italy in the years 2013-2015 aligned with 64 complete sequences isolated mainly in Europe. The European isolates segregated into two highly significant clades: a small one including three sequences and a large clade including the majority of isolates obtained in Central Europe since 2004. Discrete phylogeographical analysis showed that the most probable location of the root of the largest European clade was in Hungary a mean 12.78 year...
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2007
The health status of 276 hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix) from various provinces of Lombardy w... more The health status of 276 hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix) from various provinces of Lombardy was monitored for three years. Bacteriological examination detected E. coli (76%), Campylobacter jejuni (17%), Salmonella typhimurium (11.6%), Yersinia spp. (6.5%), Clamydophila abortus and C. psittaci (2.6%); from six birds showing severe prostration Pasteurella multocida was isolated. Virological and serological tests were negative for Avian Influenza virus (AIV), West Nile virus (WNV) and only three samples were positive for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) but only at serology (titre 1:16).
Veterinary Microbiology, 2019
Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV) type 3 have been recently identified in human and several animal ... more Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV) type 3 have been recently identified in human and several animal hosts, highlighting the apparent lack of species barriers. Here we report the identification and genetic characterization of MRVs strains in alpine chamois, one of the most abundant wild ungulate in the Alps. Serological survey was also performed by MRV neutralization test in chamois population during five consecutive years (2008-2012). Three novel MRVs were isolated on cell culture from chamois lung tissues. No respiratory or other clinical symptoms neither lung macroscopic lesions were observed in the chamois population. MRV strains were classified as MRV-3 within the lineage III, based on S1 phylogeny, and were closely related to Italian strains identified in dog, bat and diarrheic pig. The full genome sequence was obtained by next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed that other segments were more similar to MRVs of different geographic locations, serotypes and hosts, including human, highlighting genome reassortment and lack of host specific barriers. By using serum neutralization test, a high prevalence of MRV-3 antibodies was observed in chamois population throughout the monitored period, showing an endemic level of infection and suggesting a self-maintenance of MRV and/or a continuous spill-over of infection from other animal species.
Veterinary Microbiology, 2015
Aujeszky&... more Aujeszky's disease (AD) is one of the most economically important diseases of farmed pigs. Wild boars can act as reservoirs and might represent a potential threat for domestic animals, including dogs. The aim of this study was to report the results of an AD survey based on the Pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome detection in samples of dogs clinically suspected of AD and of wild boars collected during four consecutive hunting seasons in the period 2010-2014. Genomic characterization was based on the partial gC sequence of the Italian strains and the comparison with those from domestic pigs and European PRV strains circulating in wild boars. The Italian PRV strains were mainly distributed into three different clusters and revealed two interesting findings. First, there was a clear distinction between the viral strains that were isolated from dogs used for hunting and subsequently traced back to wild boars and the strains that were isolated from working dogs and subsequently found to be closely related to domestic pigs. Second, the Italian epidemiological situation was found to be different from those of European countries in that the Italian situation was characterized by the presence of both the typical Italian clades 1 and 2 and supported by new patterns of aa deletions/insertions. Italian clade 1 included strains from hunting dogs and two Italian wild boars, and Italian clade 2 grouped with recent strains from dogs that were unable to hunt and domestic pigs that were related to one old reference strain (S66) and not included elsewhere. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of PRV strains are therefore necessary to improve the understanding of the distribution of the PRV clusters and their evolution.
Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2010
Porcine enterovirus (PEV), Porcine Teschovirus and Porcine sapelovirus, belonging to the family P... more Porcine enterovirus (PEV), Porcine Teschovirus and Porcine sapelovirus, belonging to the family Picornaviridae, are ubiquitous and mainly cause asymptomatic infections in pigs. In this study, a total of 40 Italian porcine picornavirus isolates were characterized by sequencing the capsid VP1-encoding gene. This procedure turned out to be a useful diagnostic tool for the molecular identification of porcine enterovirus, teschovirus and sapelovirus strains and for the study of molecular epidemiology and evolution of these viruses confirming the possibility of correlating virus genotype to serotype.
Virus Evolution
Bats are the natural reservoir of Coronaviruses (CoVs). Human CoVs cause mild respiratory disease... more Bats are the natural reservoir of Coronaviruses (CoVs). Human CoVs cause mild respiratory diseases worldwide, but, in the last decade, two Beta-CoVs [Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome] caused thousands of deaths and cases worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the evolutionary origin of mammalian CoVs is derived from bats. In this study, we characterized three Alpha-CoVs and two Beta-CoVs demonstrating the circulation of bat strains in Italy. Isolates were sequenced using a next-generation sequencing approach and genomes reconstructed using the online tool Galaxy Aries. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using MEGA7 and MrBayes. Similarity plots were generated using SSE v1.2. The structure of the receptor binding domain (RBD) in the S protein was predicted by sequence-homology method using the protein data bank. Bioinformatics analysis permitted the identification of 2 Beta-CoV complete genomes of 30 kb and three Alpha-CoV of 28 ...
Epidemiology and Infection
The wide geographical distribution and genetic diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses (LYSVs) a... more The wide geographical distribution and genetic diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses (LYSVs) across Europe suggest that similar viruses may also be harboured in Italian insectivorous bats. Indeed, bats were first included within the passive national surveillance programme for rabies in wildlife in the 1980s, while active surveillance has been performed since 2008. The active surveillance strategies implemented allowed us to detect neutralizing antibodies directed towards European bat 1 lyssavirus in six out of the nine maternity colonies object of the study across the whole country. Seropositive bats were Myotis myotis, M. blythii and Tadarida teniotis. On the contrary, the virus was neither detected through passive nor active surveillance, suggesting that fatal neurological infection is rare also in seropositive colonies. Although the number of tested samples has steadily increased in recent years, submission turned out to be rather sporadic and did not include carcasses from ba...
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2016
The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae includes some of the most important examples of e... more The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae includes some of the most important examples of emerging zoonotic arboviruses that are rapidly spreading across the globe. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne members of the JEV serological group. Although most infections in humans are asymptomatic or present with mild flu-like symptoms, clinical manifestations of JEV, WNV, SLEV, USUV and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) can include severe neurological disease and death. In horses, infection with WNV and JEV can lead to severe neurological disease and death, while USUV, SLEV and TBEV infections are mainly asymptomatic, however, and induce antibody responses. Horses often serve as sentinels to monitor active virus circulation in serological surveillance programmes specifically for WNV, USUV and JEV. Here, we developed and validated a NS1-antigen protein microarray for the serological differential diagnosis of flavivirus infections in horses using sera of experimentally and naturally infected symptomatic as well as asymptomatic horses. Using samples from experimentally infected horses, an IgG and IgM specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 95% for WNV and 100% for JEV was achieved with a cut-off titre of 1 : 20 based on ROC calculation. In field settings, the microarray identified 93-100% of IgG-positive horses with recent WNV infections and 87% of TBEV IgG-positive horses. WNV IgM sensitivity was 80%. Differentiation between closely related flaviviruses by the NS1-antigen protein microarray is possible, even though we identified some instances of cross-reactivity among antibodies. However, the assay is not able to differentiate between naturally infected horses and animals vaccinated with an inactivated WNV whole-virus vaccine. We showed that the NS1-microarray can potentially be used for diagnosing and distinguishing flavivirus infections in horses and for public health purposes within a surveillance setting. This allows for fast, cheap, syndrome-based laboratory testing for multiple viruses simultaneously for veterinary and public health purposes.
Avian pathology : journal of the W.V.P.A, Jan 22, 2016
Infectious bronchitis (IB) is considered to be one of the most devastating diseases in poultry. C... more Infectious bronchitis (IB) is considered to be one of the most devastating diseases in poultry. Control of its spread is typically attempted through biosecurity measures and extensive vaccination. However, the remarkable genetic and antigenic variability of the virus, which originate from both mutations and recombination events, represents an unsolved challenge for this disease. The present study reports on the emergence and spread of recombinant clusters detected in Italy and Spain between 2012 and 2014. A total of 36 Spanish and Italian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) field strains were investigated and genetically characterized using phylogenetic, molecular, recombination and selection pressure analyses of the complete S1 gene. Based on the partial S1 sequencing, 27 IBV strains originating from Spain and nine from Italy were initially classified as being closely related to the Guandong/Xindadi (XDN) genotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete S1 gene revealed that the XDN s...
Sin dai primi giorni della circolazione del virus pandemico H1N1-2009 nella popolazione, \ue8 sta... more Sin dai primi giorni della circolazione del virus pandemico H1N1-2009 nella popolazione, \ue8 stata segnalata la trasmissione del virus dall\u2019uomo a specie animali diverse (suino, tacchino, cane, gatto). La trasmissione di virus influenzali dall\u2019uomo agli animali non rappresenta solo un problema limitato al settore zootecnico, ma un problema di sanit\ue0 pubblica per il ruolo di \u201cserbatoio\u201d dei virus influenzali rappresentato da tali specie. Il suino non ha sinora dimostrato un ruolo epidemiologico importante nella diffusione di (H1N1)pdm all\u2019uomo; tuttavia ci\uf2 non esclude, che a seguito dell\u2019evoluzione virale, o di fenomeni di riassortimento, da tale specie emergano e si trasmettano all\u2019uomo virus con diversa e/o maggiore patogenicit\ue0. L\u2019identificazione, in tempi brevi, dei nuovi ceppi influenzali circolanti nel suino, rappresenta quindi il cardine dell\u2019attivit\ue0 di sorveglianza per i virus influenzali; a tal fine \ue8 stato ottim...
23rd International Pig Veterinary Society (IPVS) Congress, 2014
PCV2 is involved in reproductive failure in swine that includes clinical and subclinical forms. S... more PCV2 is involved in reproductive failure in swine that includes clinical and subclinical forms. Subclinical PCV2 in utero infection is diagnosed by the detection of PCV2 DNA or specific antibodies in foetal tissues, presuckling serum or foetal thoracic fluid without the presence of microscopic lesions or indication of reproductive failure. We have evaluated the efficacy of two vaccines against subclinical PCV2-related reproductive pathology and detected modifications in the classic target (lymphoid tissues) of the infected gilts. Specific Ab titres in serum, viraemia, foetus and foetal membranes/fluids samples positivity to PCV2 were compared in four groups of conventional gilts. Six gilts (group VAI) received 2mL, IM of a commercial inactivated PCV2 vaccine licensed for sows and piglets and 6 gilts (group VBI) received 1 mL, IM of a commercial vaccine based on an ORF2 capsid protein expressed in a baculovirus system, and licensed for use in piglets. Both vaccines were administered in gilts at 120 and 150 days of life. Nine additional gilts (group NVI, n=6 and group CTR, n=3) were kept unvaccinated. All animals received Regumate\uae for 18 days followed by an oestrus synchronization and superovulation protocol. Gilts in VAI, VBI and NVI groups were inseminated with a double (24 h apart) dose of PCV2-negative semen spiked with a PCV2b (0.2 ml of suspension containing 103.9 TCID50/25 \u3bcl of virus) strain isolated in a PMWS outbreak in Italy. CTR gilts were fecundated with a double dose of PCV2-free semen. Necropsies were performed 30 days or 54 days following insemination depending on the gestational status of the gilts: samples of lymph nodes (Lfns: superficial inguinal, mesometrial, tracheobronchial and mesenteric), tonsils and spleen in the dam as well as placenta, amniotic fluid and tissues (heart, liver, spleen) from foetuses were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry to PCV2 and its quantitation by real time PCR. Lymphoid tissue was graded according to a previous system. Pearson Chisquare test was used for statistic. No statistically significant differences in antibody titres nor viraemia were revealed among groups during the trial. Mainly mesometrial (3/12 VAI; 4/12 VBI; 5/12 NVI; 0/6 CTR) Lfns, and in a lesser extent superficial inguinal (1/12 NVI) Lfns, showed grade 3 (depletion and presence of giant cells) while the other lymphoid tissues were normal or at least with grade 1 depletion. Four out of 6 gilts were pregnant in the VAI group, 3 out of 6 in VBI, 3 out of 6 in NVI and 2 out of 3 in CTR, from which were collected 23, 19, 33 and 15 foetuses, respectively and the corresponding placenta membranes and amniotic fluid. CTR group showed the lowest positivity proportion of all sample types compared to the other groups. In the experimentally infected animals, the percentage of positive fetuses was significantly lower in the 2 vaccinated groups compared to NVI, while the percentage of PCV2 positive placentas and amniotic fluids was significantly lower in VAI compared to VBI. Immunohistochemical stain to PCV2 was found in one foetus of the VBI group in placenta, heart and liver and in the superficial inguinal lymph node of a gilt of the NVI group. From the results of the trial it was successfully produced a subclinical form of PCV2 reproductive failure, in which it was possible to demonstrate the presence of PCV2 specific lesion mainly in loco-regional Lfns (those mesometrial). In the present experimental conditions with a very severe challenge, vaccination with a commercial inactivated PCV2 vaccine licensed for sows and piglets (vaccine A) did not eliminate but significantly reduced the risk of foetus infection. Considering the most common way of foetus infection through the foetal membranes/fluids, the protective role of the two vaccines against the subclinical form of PCV2-associated reproductive failure does not seem to be similar. The lowest proportion of placentas and amniotic fluid infected in VAI compared to VBI groups may explain the lowest foetal positivity to PCV2 in this group of gilts compared to NVI animals
Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2022
Introduction: Recent studies have shown that bats are the reservoir hosts of several novel viruse... more Introduction: Recent studies have shown that bats are the reservoir hosts of several novel viruses, increasing the interest in bats as potential vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Several studies investigated the presence of infectious agents in bats, but their impact on the individual host and their importance on bat mortality is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological and histopathological findings in 77 deceased bats belonging to nine European species (families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae). Materials and Methods: Bat carcasses were collected in the Piedmont region (Italy) by the Unconventional Rehabilitation Centre (CANC), Torino University, and submitted to necropsy. Species, age and sex of each bat were recorded. Virological (orthoreovirus, coronavirus, flavivirus, rhabdovirus, poxvirus, kobuvirus) and histopathological examinations were performed on the main organs (liver, spleen, kidney, gut, lung, heart and brain). Results: Traumatic injuries (fractures, haemorrhages, skin lesions;43%) and predation injuries (8.4%) represented the two main causes of death. Regardless of species, age and sex, the pathological examination revealed inflammatory/degenerative lesions mainly involving liver (non-suppurative hepatitis and vacuolar degeneration;20.8%) and lung (bronchopneumonia;29.9%). Coronavirus, flavivirus, rhabdovirus and kobuvirus were not detected. Poxviruses were detected in three lungs, two with pneumonia, and 14.3% of animals were positive for reoviruses. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of inflammatory lesions in bat mortality, and shows that bats can harbour infectious agents. However, there is no evidence that Italian bats may represent a severe risk for human health.
La prova \ue8 stata condotta per valutare l\u2019efficacia sierologica di un vaccino anti PCV2 in... more La prova \ue8 stata condotta per valutare l\u2019efficacia sierologica di un vaccino anti PCV2 in un allevamento con anamnesi positiva per PMWS. In due gruppi di scrofe (vaccinate e non vaccinate), sono stati valutati i titoli anticorpali pre-vaccinazione (6 settimane dal parto) e quelli presenti 10 giorni dopo il parto. Analogamente, su un campione di suinetti nati sia da scofe vaccinate sia da scrofe non vaccinate, \ue8 stato determinato il titolo anticorpale anti PCV2 a 10 e a 20 giorni di vita. Per la valutazione sierologica sono state utilizzate due diverse metodiche immunoenzimatiche. Nelle scrofe vaccinate, il titolo anticorpale a 10 giorni dopo il parto \ue8 risultato significativamente pi\uf9 elevato rispetto al gruppo di controllo. Anche i titoli anticorpali nei suinetti nati da madri vaccinate hanno messo in evidenza un\u2019analoga differenza sia a 10 che a 20 giorni di vita
PloS one, 2017
West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) was mainly confined to sub-Saharan Africa until the early 2000s... more West Nile virus lineage 2 (WNV-2) was mainly confined to sub-Saharan Africa until the early 2000s, when it was identified for the first time in Central Europe causing outbreaks of human and animal infection. The aim of this study was to reconstruct the origin and dispersion of WNV-2 in Central Europe and Italy on a phylodynamic and phylogeographical basis. To this aim, discrete and continuous space phylogeographical models were applied to a total of 33 newly characterised full-length viral genomes obtained from mosquitoes, birds and humans in Northern Italy in the years 2013-2015 aligned with 64 complete sequences isolated mainly in Europe. The European isolates segregated into two highly significant clades: a small one including three sequences and a large clade including the majority of isolates obtained in Central Europe since 2004. Discrete phylogeographical analysis showed that the most probable location of the root of the largest European clade was in Hungary a mean 12.78 year...
Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2007
The health status of 276 hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix) from various provinces of Lombardy w... more The health status of 276 hooded crows (Corvus corone cornix) from various provinces of Lombardy was monitored for three years. Bacteriological examination detected E. coli (76%), Campylobacter jejuni (17%), Salmonella typhimurium (11.6%), Yersinia spp. (6.5%), Clamydophila abortus and C. psittaci (2.6%); from six birds showing severe prostration Pasteurella multocida was isolated. Virological and serological tests were negative for Avian Influenza virus (AIV), West Nile virus (WNV) and only three samples were positive for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) but only at serology (titre 1:16).
Veterinary Microbiology, 2019
Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV) type 3 have been recently identified in human and several animal ... more Mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRV) type 3 have been recently identified in human and several animal hosts, highlighting the apparent lack of species barriers. Here we report the identification and genetic characterization of MRVs strains in alpine chamois, one of the most abundant wild ungulate in the Alps. Serological survey was also performed by MRV neutralization test in chamois population during five consecutive years (2008-2012). Three novel MRVs were isolated on cell culture from chamois lung tissues. No respiratory or other clinical symptoms neither lung macroscopic lesions were observed in the chamois population. MRV strains were classified as MRV-3 within the lineage III, based on S1 phylogeny, and were closely related to Italian strains identified in dog, bat and diarrheic pig. The full genome sequence was obtained by next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed that other segments were more similar to MRVs of different geographic locations, serotypes and hosts, including human, highlighting genome reassortment and lack of host specific barriers. By using serum neutralization test, a high prevalence of MRV-3 antibodies was observed in chamois population throughout the monitored period, showing an endemic level of infection and suggesting a self-maintenance of MRV and/or a continuous spill-over of infection from other animal species.
Veterinary Microbiology, 2015
Aujeszky&... more Aujeszky's disease (AD) is one of the most economically important diseases of farmed pigs. Wild boars can act as reservoirs and might represent a potential threat for domestic animals, including dogs. The aim of this study was to report the results of an AD survey based on the Pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome detection in samples of dogs clinically suspected of AD and of wild boars collected during four consecutive hunting seasons in the period 2010-2014. Genomic characterization was based on the partial gC sequence of the Italian strains and the comparison with those from domestic pigs and European PRV strains circulating in wild boars. The Italian PRV strains were mainly distributed into three different clusters and revealed two interesting findings. First, there was a clear distinction between the viral strains that were isolated from dogs used for hunting and subsequently traced back to wild boars and the strains that were isolated from working dogs and subsequently found to be closely related to domestic pigs. Second, the Italian epidemiological situation was found to be different from those of European countries in that the Italian situation was characterized by the presence of both the typical Italian clades 1 and 2 and supported by new patterns of aa deletions/insertions. Italian clade 1 included strains from hunting dogs and two Italian wild boars, and Italian clade 2 grouped with recent strains from dogs that were unable to hunt and domestic pigs that were related to one old reference strain (S66) and not included elsewhere. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses of PRV strains are therefore necessary to improve the understanding of the distribution of the PRV clusters and their evolution.
Transboundary and emerging diseases, 2010
Porcine enterovirus (PEV), Porcine Teschovirus and Porcine sapelovirus, belonging to the family P... more Porcine enterovirus (PEV), Porcine Teschovirus and Porcine sapelovirus, belonging to the family Picornaviridae, are ubiquitous and mainly cause asymptomatic infections in pigs. In this study, a total of 40 Italian porcine picornavirus isolates were characterized by sequencing the capsid VP1-encoding gene. This procedure turned out to be a useful diagnostic tool for the molecular identification of porcine enterovirus, teschovirus and sapelovirus strains and for the study of molecular epidemiology and evolution of these viruses confirming the possibility of correlating virus genotype to serotype.
Virus Evolution
Bats are the natural reservoir of Coronaviruses (CoVs). Human CoVs cause mild respiratory disease... more Bats are the natural reservoir of Coronaviruses (CoVs). Human CoVs cause mild respiratory diseases worldwide, but, in the last decade, two Beta-CoVs [Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome] caused thousands of deaths and cases worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the evolutionary origin of mammalian CoVs is derived from bats. In this study, we characterized three Alpha-CoVs and two Beta-CoVs demonstrating the circulation of bat strains in Italy. Isolates were sequenced using a next-generation sequencing approach and genomes reconstructed using the online tool Galaxy Aries. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using MEGA7 and MrBayes. Similarity plots were generated using SSE v1.2. The structure of the receptor binding domain (RBD) in the S protein was predicted by sequence-homology method using the protein data bank. Bioinformatics analysis permitted the identification of 2 Beta-CoV complete genomes of 30 kb and three Alpha-CoV of 28 ...
Epidemiology and Infection
The wide geographical distribution and genetic diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses (LYSVs) a... more The wide geographical distribution and genetic diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses (LYSVs) across Europe suggest that similar viruses may also be harboured in Italian insectivorous bats. Indeed, bats were first included within the passive national surveillance programme for rabies in wildlife in the 1980s, while active surveillance has been performed since 2008. The active surveillance strategies implemented allowed us to detect neutralizing antibodies directed towards European bat 1 lyssavirus in six out of the nine maternity colonies object of the study across the whole country. Seropositive bats were Myotis myotis, M. blythii and Tadarida teniotis. On the contrary, the virus was neither detected through passive nor active surveillance, suggesting that fatal neurological infection is rare also in seropositive colonies. Although the number of tested samples has steadily increased in recent years, submission turned out to be rather sporadic and did not include carcasses from ba...
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2016
The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae includes some of the most important examples of e... more The genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae includes some of the most important examples of emerging zoonotic arboviruses that are rapidly spreading across the globe. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mosquito-borne members of the JEV serological group. Although most infections in humans are asymptomatic or present with mild flu-like symptoms, clinical manifestations of JEV, WNV, SLEV, USUV and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) can include severe neurological disease and death. In horses, infection with WNV and JEV can lead to severe neurological disease and death, while USUV, SLEV and TBEV infections are mainly asymptomatic, however, and induce antibody responses. Horses often serve as sentinels to monitor active virus circulation in serological surveillance programmes specifically for WNV, USUV and JEV. Here, we developed and validated a NS1-antigen protein microarray for the serological differential diagnosis of flavivirus infections in horses using sera of experimentally and naturally infected symptomatic as well as asymptomatic horses. Using samples from experimentally infected horses, an IgG and IgM specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 95% for WNV and 100% for JEV was achieved with a cut-off titre of 1 : 20 based on ROC calculation. In field settings, the microarray identified 93-100% of IgG-positive horses with recent WNV infections and 87% of TBEV IgG-positive horses. WNV IgM sensitivity was 80%. Differentiation between closely related flaviviruses by the NS1-antigen protein microarray is possible, even though we identified some instances of cross-reactivity among antibodies. However, the assay is not able to differentiate between naturally infected horses and animals vaccinated with an inactivated WNV whole-virus vaccine. We showed that the NS1-microarray can potentially be used for diagnosing and distinguishing flavivirus infections in horses and for public health purposes within a surveillance setting. This allows for fast, cheap, syndrome-based laboratory testing for multiple viruses simultaneously for veterinary and public health purposes.
Avian pathology : journal of the W.V.P.A, Jan 22, 2016
Infectious bronchitis (IB) is considered to be one of the most devastating diseases in poultry. C... more Infectious bronchitis (IB) is considered to be one of the most devastating diseases in poultry. Control of its spread is typically attempted through biosecurity measures and extensive vaccination. However, the remarkable genetic and antigenic variability of the virus, which originate from both mutations and recombination events, represents an unsolved challenge for this disease. The present study reports on the emergence and spread of recombinant clusters detected in Italy and Spain between 2012 and 2014. A total of 36 Spanish and Italian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) field strains were investigated and genetically characterized using phylogenetic, molecular, recombination and selection pressure analyses of the complete S1 gene. Based on the partial S1 sequencing, 27 IBV strains originating from Spain and nine from Italy were initially classified as being closely related to the Guandong/Xindadi (XDN) genotype. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete S1 gene revealed that the XDN s...