Maria Franciosini - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Maria Franciosini

Research in Veterinary Science, Dec 1, 2010

This is the first paper describing the cloning of pigeon IFN-c gene (PiIFN-c) and the analysis of... more This is the first paper describing the cloning of pigeon IFN-c gene (PiIFN-c) and the analysis of the in vitro expressed recombinant protein. The PiIFN-c gene was identified by RT-PCR as a 498 bp, fragment coding for a precursor protein of 165 amino acids instead of 164 amino acids, as observed in the other avian species. The recombinant protein was expressed in vitro by an eukaryotic system and the biological properties of the cytokine were tested using a chicken macrophage cell line. The high degree of amino acid and nucleotide identity, shared with the ChIFN-c, and the fact that the pigeon protein was functional on chicken cells, indicates a cross-reactivity between pigeon and chicken IFN-c. The detection of the PiIFN-c could represent an useful instrument in understanding the role played by this cytokine in immune response related to vaccinations and infectious diseases in the pigeon.

Avian Diseases, Sep 1, 2005

ABSTRACT This paper describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method performed on blood s... more ABSTRACT This paper describes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method performed on blood samples and intestinal content to detect subclinical pigeon circovirus (PiCV) infection in live pigeons. In addition, two sets of primers (primer set 1 and 2), designed in two different regions of the viral genome, were used to provide evidence of possible differences in PCR responses. Blood and intestinal content samples were randomly collected from a total of 50 apparently healthy meat pigeons, aged 1 to 5 wk, which came from central Italy. Samples of primary lymphoid organs were also collected. Results showed a high level of PiCV infection, although clinical signs were not present. The results obtained with the two sets of primers showed that primer set 2 was able to detect a higher number of PCR-positive pigeons (45 of 50 pigeons) than primer set 1 (11 of 50 pigeons). In both cases an increase in positive results with pigeon age indicates that the major direction of transmission is likely horizontal. In these circumstances feces can play an important epidemiologic role, as supported by the consistent circovirus detection in intestinal content. The high sensitivity of this PCR test, which is able to detect very low amounts of viral DNA (5.5 x 10(-3) fg of plasmid containing the cloned PiCV genome), makes it suitable for possible application as an epidemiologic tool for identifying virus carriers for subsequent removal from lofts.

La globalizzazione ha determinato, anche nell\u2019avicoltura, come in tutte le attivit\ue0 umane... more La globalizzazione ha determinato, anche nell\u2019avicoltura, come in tutte le attivit\ue0 umane, uniformit\ue0 fra i diversi Paesi, ma le differenti condizioni ambientali, climatiche e sociologiche, sostengono diversit\ue0 significative, sia nelle tecnologie applicate, sia nell\u2019incidenza delle diverse patologie e loro controllo. Nella scuola e nell\u2019attivit\ue0 professionale vi \ue8, dunque, la necessit\ue0 di disporre di conoscenze il pi\uf9 aderenti alle realt\ue0 del territorio. I numerosi autori, che hanno dato il loro apporto alla costituzione di questo testo, rappresentano le maggiori competenze nella Patologia Aviare Italiana

Italian Journal of Animal Science, 2005

Adrenocortical and thyroidal hormones are physiological indicators of various forms of stress in ... more Adrenocortical and thyroidal hormones are physiological indicators of various forms of stress in the fowl. In order to establish possible variations in corticosterone levels, blood samples were collected from ISA Brown hens reared in three different housing systems (cage, floor and organic way). Results showed that corticosterone concentrations were highest in caged hens, intermediate in organic reared hens and lowest in floor reared hens. It could be assumed that in the last one system birds have an adequate space in controlled environment that permits them to satisfy, though partially, their behavioural needs without the presence of different chronic stress factors acting in the other systems.

Journal of Veterinary Science, 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Helicobacter (H.) spp. in swine affected by... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Helicobacter (H.) spp. in swine affected by gastric ulceration. Stomachs from 400 regularly slaughtered swine were subjected to gross pathological examination to evaluate the presence of gastric ulcers. Sixty-five samples collected from ulcerated pars esophagea and 15 samples from non-ulcerated pyloric portions were submitted to histopathological and molecular analyses, to detect Helicobacter spp., H. suis and H. pylori by PCR. Feces and saliva swabs were also collected from 25 animals in order to detect in vivo the presence of Helicobacter spp.. Gastric ulcers were detected in 373 cases (93%). The presence of ulcers in association with inflammatory processes was further confirmed by histological examination. Forty-nine percent (32/65) of the ulcerated esophageal portions as well as 53% (8/15) of the non-ulcerated pyloric portions were positive for Helicobacter spp. by PCR. The Helicobacter spp. positive samples were also positive for H. suis, while H. pylori was not detected. These results were confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. With regard to feces and saliva samples, 15/25 (60%) and 16/25 (64%) were positive for Helicobacter spp. PCR, respectively but all were negative in H. suis and H. pylori specific PCR.

Animals, Jul 17, 2020

Following the spread of antibiotic resistance and the high consumption of chicken meat, conventio... more Following the spread of antibiotic resistance and the high consumption of chicken meat, conventional poultry-producing companies have turned to antibiotic-free and organic lines of products. Our work investigated E. coli susceptibility to different antimicrobials and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli diffusion from samples collected in slaughterhouse from conventional (C), organic (O) and reared without antibiotics (ABF) chickens. Conventional samples showed the highest number of E. coli strains resistant to ampicillin (89.6%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (62.2%), nalidixic acid (57.8%), ciprofloxacin (44.4%), and cefotaxime (43.7%), with prevalent patterns of multi-resistance to three (35.1%) and to four antimicrobials (31.3%). The highest numbers of ESBL E. coli were observed in conventional and the lowest in organic. Our results are relevant with an influence of farming typology regarding the susceptibility of E. coli and the presence of ESBL E. coli. Conventional farms, in which the use of antibiotics is allowed, showed samples with the highest number of strains resistant to antimicrobials commonly used in poultry as well as the highest amounts of ESBL E. coli. Organic samples exhibited the lowest value for ESBL due to a lack of antimicrobial treatment in chickens and the possibility to have access to the outdoors, limiting contact with litter as a potential source of resistant bacteria.

Journal of Applied Animal Research, Oct 18, 2015

A 57-day study was performed to determine the effects of two aqueous extracts (AEs) on broiler pe... more A 57-day study was performed to determine the effects of two aqueous extracts (AEs) on broiler performance, immune function and intestinal microflora. Four groups of 75 one-day-old female broilers (Ross308) received one of the following treatments: (1) a standard commercial feed (C); (2) C supplemented with 2 g/kg rosemary AE (R); (3) C supplemented with 2 g/kg oregano AE (O); (4) C supplemented with 1 g/kg oregano AE + 1 g/kg rosemary AE (OR). Individual body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were determined at 1, 11, 22, 36 and 57 days. Sample collections for IgG titration and intestinal microflora examination were performed at 22 and 57 days. The addition of oregano AE alone or in combination with rosemary AEs improved body weight up to 36 days of age (P < .01). A time effect was recorded for total serum IgG in all groups (P < .001) and the percentage increase of the value was positively (P < .05) influenced by the AE supplementation. Lactobacilli raised (P < .001) in ileum and cecum of all groups supplemented with AEs. Staphylococcus spp. population was constantly lower in both intestinal tracts of the AE supplemented groups. On the basis of our results, AEs could improve broiler performance and immune function and contribute to a balanced gut microflora, essential for the digestion process and protection against enteropathogenic organisms.

Large Animal Review, 2003

Poultry, Oct 7, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Avian Diseases, Oct 1, 2001

The study was divided into two experiments. In the first experiment, the efficacy of in ovo inter... more The study was divided into two experiments. In the first experiment, the efficacy of in ovo intermediate vaccine against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was determined by challenge at 21 days of age with virulent IBDV in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) and commercial chickens. This vaccine was able to induce active immunity and to protect SPF chickens to challenge; protection was not complete in commercial chickens, as testified by bursal lesions, bursal index after challenge, and vaccine immunoresponse. In order to detect field and vaccinal viruses, immunoperoxidase staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, capture, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were tested; the RT-PCR was more effective at detecting both kind of viruses. In the second experiment, the immunosuppressive effect of in ovo vaccination was determined by evaluating the immunoresponse against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination effected at 10 days in both SPF and commercial chickens vaccinated in ovo. The in ovo vaccine causes a reduction of NDV immunoresponse, as testified by lowest geometric mean titer in group I (SPF chickens vaccinated against IBDV in ovo and against NDV at 11 days). In commercial chickens, immunoresponse to NDV vaccination was not influenced by in ovo vaccination.

Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2017

European Journal of Histochemistry, 2020

Among oregano properties, its antioxidant and antibacterial effects are particularly interesting.... more Among oregano properties, its antioxidant and antibacterial effects are particularly interesting. Oregano is also able to induce a higher glycoconjugate production in gut, creating a physical barrier against microorganisms. This study evaluated the effects of adding an aqueous extract of oregano (OAE) to the diet of two homogenous groups of pigs during the finisher phase. The diets were as follows: control commercial diet (CTR group) and CTR diet supplemented (2 g/kg) with OAE (O group). Samples of ileum and caecum from the two groups were examined by conventional histochemistry to analyze complex carbohydrates and by immunohistochemistry to detect Bcl-2 Associate X protein (BAX), an indicator of oxidative stress. Glyco-histochemistry showed significant differences between the two groups. Immunohistochemistry revealed a lower presence of BAX in O group. The OAE supplementation improved the production of glycoconjugates, able to enhance in pig the protection of intestinal mucosa by m...

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2016

SummaryOne hundred and seventy one‐day‐old female broiler chicks were randomly divided into three... more SummaryOne hundred and seventy one‐day‐old female broiler chicks were randomly divided into three groups fed with different dietary treatments: basal control diet (C); C supplemented (2 g/kg) with an oregano aqueous extract (O); C supplemented (150 mg/kg) with vitamin E (E). Growth performance was evaluated at 21 (T1) and 42 days (T2). On the same days, morphological, histochemical and microbiological analyses were performed. The O group showed the highest (p < 0.01) body weight at T1, while no differences were observed at T2. Light microscopic observation and conventional histochemistry showed no differences with regard to the two sampling times, whereas significant differences emerged among the treatments. The O treatment generally enhanced goblet cell reactivity more than both the C and E treatments. Coliform count was lower in the ileum tract of the O group at both T1 and T2 (p < 0.05) and increased with age in all groups. Escherichia coli showed the lowest values in the c...

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2015

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different probiotic micro‐o... more SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different probiotic micro‐organisms on the performance, egg quality and blood parameters of organically reared hens. A total of 900 16‐week‐old Hy‐Line layer hybrids were randomly assigned to three groups of 300 birds each. The control (CTR) group was fed a corn–soya bean cake‐based diet; the L group was fed the same diet supplemented with 0.1% Lactobacillus acidophilus, while the B group was fed the same diet supplemented with 0.05% Bacillus subtilis. Data were recorded at the beginning (weeks 5 and 6: T1) and at the end (weeks 19 and 20: T2) of the experiment, and no differences in hen performance were recorded between dietary groups or sampling times. All of the investigated clinical chemistry parameters, except GGT, were affected by diet (p < 0.05), with the best results recorded for the probiotic‐treated groups. The immune‐response values showed higher blood bactericidal activity in the B and L groups at T...