Franco Ruggeri - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Franco Ruggeri

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2007

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1989

We examined the relationship between serotype and cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) production i... more We examined the relationship between serotype and cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) production in 123 hemolytic strains of Escherichia coli isolated from both stools and extraintestinal infections. Of 76 strains producing both hemolysin (Hly) and CNF, 66 (87%) belonged to one of six serogroups (O2, O4, O6, O22, O75, and O83). In contrast, 47 E. coli strains producing Hly only belonged to 21 different O serogroups, and only 2 of these (O6 and O18ac) were widely represented. Generally, CNF-positive and CNF-negative hemolytic isolates were assigned to different O serogroups, with the exception of O6, often present in both categories of isolates. Serogroups O4 and O18ac were significantly more prevalent among strains from extraintestinal infections than among those from stools. In contrast, the Hly-positive, CNF-negative isolates, belonging to numerous less common serogroups, were hardly ever isolated from extraintestinal infections. Serological typing further confirmed that hemolytic ...

A factor produced by several strains of Escherichia coli isolated from enteritisaffected children... more A factor produced by several strains of Escherichia coli isolated from enteritisaffected children has been shown to produce both a necrotizing effect on rabbit skin and striking morphological alterations on CHO, Vero, and HeLa cells. The same strains were found to have hemolytic activity on sheep erythrocytes. The toxic, cell-altering factor was demonstrated to be different from both heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins and from Vero toxin. The main effect induced by the isolated factor on cultured cells was the formation of large multinucleated cells. The partial purification achieved suggests that the same factor (most likely a protein with a molecular weight of 70,000 to 80,000) is responsible for toxic and cell-altering activities, whereas a different molecular species is responsible for hemolytic activity.

Research in veterinary science, 2010

In this study we investigated the HEV prevalence in Italian pigs displaying different pathologica... more In this study we investigated the HEV prevalence in Italian pigs displaying different pathological lesions, possible risk factors related to the infection, and the possible relations occurring between HEV and other concomitant pig pathogens. Genetic characterization of some of the identified strains was also performed. Detection of HEV RNA was accomplished using a nested reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on bile samples from 137 pigs of 2-4months of age submitted for diagnostic purposes. Forty-one of the 137 examined pigs (29.9%) tested positive for HEV RNA. Animals of 80-120days of age showed a higher prevalence of HEV infection (46.9% against 20% of younger animals). No statistically significant correlations between HEV positivity and the presence of other pathological conditions detected at necropsy, or concomitant coinfections with PCV2 and/or PRRSV were detected. All identified strains belonged to genotype 3, and were similar to other HEV subtypes 3e, 3f, 3c circu...

Hepatitis E Virus, 2013

Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepa... more Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepatitis. The etiological agent is the hepatitis E virus (HEV), mainly transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The disease represents an important public health problem in developing countries, where it is often related to epidemic outbreaks mainly associated with consumption of contaminated water. In recent years, an increasing number of sporadic cases have also been described in industrialized countries. Besides humans, the virus has also been identified in animals, firstly swine in 1997, and is now considered ubiquitous. Human and swine HEV strains from the same regions present a high level of nucleotide identity, and experimental infections have confirmed the cross-species transmission of swine strains to humans and of human strains to non-human primates. Studies on anti-HEV antibodies detection have demonstrated that people working in contact with swine or wild boar have a higher risk of infection than normal blood donors. Recently, cases of hepatitis E in Japan and France were directly associated with ingestion of uncooked meat from pigs, wild boar or deer. Today the disease is considered an emerging zoonosis. This book summarizes the current virological and epidemiological knowledge on HEV infections, focusing on a virus that has not yet received enough attention in veterinary medicine, although it may become an important zoonotic agent.

Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series B, 2006

Anellovirus is a recently created, floating genus of viruses. Torque teno virus (TTV), the type s... more Anellovirus is a recently created, floating genus of viruses. Torque teno virus (TTV), the type species in the genus, was first discovered in a human patient with a post-transfusion hepatitis of unknown aetiology. Recently, TTV genetically related to but distinct from those discovered in humans have also been found in animals, including pigs. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of swine TTV in Italian pig herds and some risk factors possibly associated with this infection. Serum samples from 179 healthy pigs from 10 farms located in north-central Italy were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of swine TTV DNA. Viral DNA was found in the sera of 43 pigs (24.0%), coming from eight of the 10 farms examined. Prevalence was significantly higher in finishing herds (40.1%) than in farrow-to-finish herds (11.0%) and did not depend on the size of the herd. Within the finishing herds the prevalence was significantly higher in weaners (57.4%) than in fatteners (22.9%), but this difference was not observed in farrow-to-finish herds. No relationship was observed between the prevalence of swine TTV and the implementation of some general hygiene practices and biosecurity procedures within the herds.

Virology, 2002

The epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) is a strain of the Iridovirus genus, which incl... more The epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) is a strain of the Iridovirus genus, which includes viruses seriously affecting native and aquacultured fish and amphibians. Despite its growing importance as a threat to fish farming, very little information is available on the biochemical and immunological nature of this virus. To identify and characterize the main antigenic determinants of EHNV, a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies was produced upon parenteral inoculation with live virus. A total of 124 primary hybridoma cultures from two fusions was found to produce antibodies reacting with EHNV by ELISA, but no neutralizing monoclonal antibody was detected. Twenty hybridoma cultures were randomly chosen for further study, and the antibodies secreted were analyzed by Western blotting, radioimmunoprecipitation, and immunostaining of infected cells. Only three MAbs immunoprecipitated the 50-kDa EHNV major capsid protein (MCP) from infected cell lysates, but they did not stain this protein in Western blotting. Eight and five further MAbs recognized peptides of approximately 15 and 18 kDa, respectively. Four antibodies could not be mapped into any viral protein, although they specifically immunostained virus-infected cells and reacted with purified EHNV virions by ELISA. These latter MAbs and the three antibodies directed at the MCP are likely to recognize conformation-dependent epitopes on the virus capsid proteins.

Microbes and Infection, 2010

Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Infection is usually chronic ... more Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Infection is usually chronic and sometimes lifelong. Different mechanisms can be postulated as to the basis for the induction of the chronic status of brucellosis, but a comprehensive knowledge is still lacking. Here, we carried out a series of experiments in order to assess if the persistence of Brucella abortus could be ascribed to the effect of a down regulation of the immune response due to activity of regulatory T cells. We demonstrate that CD4 þ CD25 þ T regulatory cells are able to limit the effectiveness of CD4 þ T cells and are able to favor the maintenance and the progression of B. abortus infection.

Epidemiology and Infection, 2005

Routine surveillance systems capture only a fraction of infectious intestinal disease (IID) that ... more Routine surveillance systems capture only a fraction of infectious intestinal disease (IID) that is actually occurring in the community. Different methodologies utilized among various international studies in the field were reviewed in order to devise an appropriate survey to obtain current estimates of prevalence of IID in Malta. An age-stratified retrospective cross-sectional telephone study was selected for the study due to its feasibility in terms of limited resources necessary (funds, time and human). The disadvantages of this type of study include the inherent biases such as selection bias (sampling, ascertainment and participation bias) and information bias (recall and observer bias). A pilot study was carried out using a random age-stratified sample of 100 persons over a 3-month period. A total of 5·0% (95% CI ±4·27) of the population was estimated to have suffered from IID during that period. This estimate was used in order to assist in sample size calculations for a large-...

Veterinary Microbiology, 2008

Journal of Virology, 1998

Rotaviruses are the major cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Due t... more Rotaviruses are the major cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Due to their restricted site of replication, i.e., mature enterocytes, local intestinal antibodies have been proposed to play a major role in protective immunity. Whether secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies alone can provide protection against rotavirus diarrhea has not been fully established. To address this question, a library of IgA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) previously developed against different proteins of rhesus rotavirus was used. A murine hybridoma “backpack tumor” model was established to examine if a single MAb secreted onto mucosal surfaces via the normal epithelial transport pathway was capable of protecting mice against diarrhea upon oral challenge with rotavirus. Of several IgA and IgG MAbs directed against VP8 and VP6 of rotavirus, only IgA VP8 MAbs (four of four) were found to protect newborn mice from diarrhea. An IgG MAb recognizing the same epitope as one of the ...

Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanità, 2015

Rotavirus is recognized as the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old,... more Rotavirus is recognized as the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old, representing a considerable public health problem with a great impact on social and public health costs in developed countries. This study aims to assess the frequency and the epidemiological aspect of the hospitalization associated with Rotavirus-gastroenteritis in Lombardy, Northern Italy, from 2005 to 2011. The Lombardy Hospital Discharge Database was inquired from the official data of the Italian Ministry of Health and investigated for acute gastroenteritis (ICD9-CM code for bacteria, parasitic, viral and undetermined etiologic diarrhea) in primary and secondary diagnosis in children ≤ 5 years, between 2005 and 2011. Out of the 32 944 acute-gastroenteritis hospitalizations reported in Lombardy, the 50.8% was caused by Rotavirus infection; of these, the 65.5% were reported in primary diagnosis. The peak of Rotavirus-gastroenteritis hospitalization was observed in February-March in ch...

Archives of Virology, 2015

Gastrointestinal disease is frequent in pigs, and among the different etiological agents involved... more Gastrointestinal disease is frequent in pigs, and among the different etiological agents involved, viruses are considered the leading cause of infection in this animal species. Furthermore, about half of the newly identified swine pathogens are viruses, many of which may be transmitted to humans by direct contact or by indirect transmission pathways. In this study, the prevalence of astrovirus (AstV), group A rotavirus (RVA), norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in pigs was investigated. During 2012-2014, 242 fecal samples were collected from pigs at different production stages (5 to 220 days old) on eight swine farms located in northern, central and southern Italy. Seven out of eight farms analyzed were positive for AstV, which was detected in 163 out of 242 (67.4 %) samples and was the most prevalent virus; 61 of the 163 AstV-positive animals (37.4 %) had diarrhea. HEV was detected on six farms and in 45 (18.6 %) of the 242 samples analyzed. Twenty-three HEV-infected pigs had diarrhea (51.1 %). A lower prevalence was observed for RVA, which was found in 10 of the 242 samples (4.1 %) from three positive farms, and diarrhea was present only in six infected pigs (60.0 %). No swine samples were found to be positive for NoV. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of some strains representative of the different viruses detected were investigated, confirming a wide heterogeneity of viral strains circulating among pigs.

Science of The Total Environment, 2016

Polio and rotavirus titers are significantly reduced by zebra mussel biofiltration. • E. coli cou... more Polio and rotavirus titers are significantly reduced by zebra mussel biofiltration. • E. coli counts are almost completely reduced by zebra mussels. • A bioremediation strategy by zebra mussel biofiltration. • Zebra mussel ability to filter/inactivate pathogens may control human health risks.

BMC veterinary research, Jan 16, 2014

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in both humans and animals, particularly pigs, worl... more The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in both humans and animals, particularly pigs, worldwide. Several evidences, including human infection following consumption of raw contaminated meat, suggest a zoonotic transmission of HEV. In Italy, large circulation of genotype 3 HEV has been reported in swine, and recent studies have confirmed the involvement of this genotype in autochthonous human cases. In this study 111 sera collected from healthy pigs in two Italian regions were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. For specific HEV antibody detection in swine, we developed ELISA and Western blotting methods, using a truncated capsid (ORF2) protein lacking the first 111 amino acids of a swine HEV genotype 3 strain. The ORF2-based ELISA revealed anti-HEV antibodies in 104 out of 111 pigs compared with 102 detected with a commercial ELISA kit. A lower number of sera reacted with the recombinant ORF2 protein in a Western blotting format (81/111). Using a Latent class analysis (LCA), t...

The new microbiologica, 2013

Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepa... more Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepatitis. The disease represents an important public health problem in developing countries, where it is often related to outbreaks mainly associated with consumption of contaminated water. During recent years, an increasing number of sporadic cases have also been described in industrialized countries. Besides humans, the hepatitis E virus (HEV) has also been identified in animals. In 1997, the virus was first detected in swine, and is now considered ubiquitous. Human and swine HEV strains from the same geographical region present a high level of nucleotide identity, and experimental infections have confirmed the cross-species transmission of swine strains to humans and of human strains to non-human primates. Studies on anti-HEV antibodies detection have demonstrated that people working in contact with swine or wild boar have a higher risk of infection than normal blood donors. In Japan and...

The Open Virology Journal, 2010

The emergence and spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) from North through South America during the las... more The emergence and spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) from North through South America during the last decade, and the recent outbreaks of disease in both humans and horses in Europe suggest that the epidemiology of this infection is evolving. WNV is now considered among the emerging threats for both human and veterinary public health in areas like Europe where it was previously regarded to as an exotic agent. Further knowledge has built up from studies investigating the characteristics of the virus and its genome evolution capacity, the adaptation to new avian host species, the changes in vector competence and biology, and the host-pathogen interactions, including the immune response. Also, the new needs for preparedness to future major outbursts of disease have stimulated research on virus detection and characterization, filling the gaps in both specialized diagnostic technology and the need for field rapid assays. This review will present an overview of WNV virology, remarking the impact of virus diversity and evolution on theoretical and practical aspects involved in both risk definition, detection and control of infection.

Veterinaria italiana

A major gastroenteritis outbreak was reported in a vacation resort in Central Italy in 2003. A to... more A major gastroenteritis outbreak was reported in a vacation resort in Central Italy in 2003. A total of 183 cases were identified. The case-control study identified a statistically significant correlation between the disease and sea bathing, use of sanitary facilities in bungalows and of common showers. Stool samples taken from people affected were found positive for Norovirus (68%, 13 of 19 samples), Rotavirus (38%, 1 of 14 samples) and Campylobacter (7%, 3 of 8 samples). Environmental investigations revealed serious faecal contamination of the groundwater and the presence of Norovirus in the seawater near the resort. The mixing of groundwater and seawater with the non-drinking water system - which was also found to be connected to the drinking water system - had a primary role in the onset and spread of infection within the village. The complete absence of any gastroenteritis epidemics among the site guests since 2006 demonstrates the effectiveness of the environmental corrective ...

PloS one, 2014

Rotavirus (RV) infection causes watery diarrhea via multiple mechanisms, primarily chloride secre... more Rotavirus (RV) infection causes watery diarrhea via multiple mechanisms, primarily chloride secretion in intestinal epithelial cell. The chloride secretion largely depends on non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) enterotoxic activity in human enterocytes through mechanisms that have not been defined. Redox imbalance is a common event in cells infected by viruses, but the role of oxidative stress in RV infection is unknown. RV SA11 induced chloride secretion in association with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Caco-2 cells. The ratio between reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione was decreased by RV. The same effects were observed when purified NSP4 was added to Caco-2 cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, strongly inhibited the increase in ROS and GSH imbalance. These results suggest a link between oxidative stress and RV-induced diarrhea. Because Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) has been effectively used to treat RV diarrhea, we tested its effects on RV-i...

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2007

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1989

We examined the relationship between serotype and cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) production i... more We examined the relationship between serotype and cytotoxic necrotizing factor (CNF) production in 123 hemolytic strains of Escherichia coli isolated from both stools and extraintestinal infections. Of 76 strains producing both hemolysin (Hly) and CNF, 66 (87%) belonged to one of six serogroups (O2, O4, O6, O22, O75, and O83). In contrast, 47 E. coli strains producing Hly only belonged to 21 different O serogroups, and only 2 of these (O6 and O18ac) were widely represented. Generally, CNF-positive and CNF-negative hemolytic isolates were assigned to different O serogroups, with the exception of O6, often present in both categories of isolates. Serogroups O4 and O18ac were significantly more prevalent among strains from extraintestinal infections than among those from stools. In contrast, the Hly-positive, CNF-negative isolates, belonging to numerous less common serogroups, were hardly ever isolated from extraintestinal infections. Serological typing further confirmed that hemolytic ...

A factor produced by several strains of Escherichia coli isolated from enteritisaffected children... more A factor produced by several strains of Escherichia coli isolated from enteritisaffected children has been shown to produce both a necrotizing effect on rabbit skin and striking morphological alterations on CHO, Vero, and HeLa cells. The same strains were found to have hemolytic activity on sheep erythrocytes. The toxic, cell-altering factor was demonstrated to be different from both heat-labile and heat-stable enterotoxins and from Vero toxin. The main effect induced by the isolated factor on cultured cells was the formation of large multinucleated cells. The partial purification achieved suggests that the same factor (most likely a protein with a molecular weight of 70,000 to 80,000) is responsible for toxic and cell-altering activities, whereas a different molecular species is responsible for hemolytic activity.

Research in veterinary science, 2010

In this study we investigated the HEV prevalence in Italian pigs displaying different pathologica... more In this study we investigated the HEV prevalence in Italian pigs displaying different pathological lesions, possible risk factors related to the infection, and the possible relations occurring between HEV and other concomitant pig pathogens. Genetic characterization of some of the identified strains was also performed. Detection of HEV RNA was accomplished using a nested reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction on bile samples from 137 pigs of 2-4months of age submitted for diagnostic purposes. Forty-one of the 137 examined pigs (29.9%) tested positive for HEV RNA. Animals of 80-120days of age showed a higher prevalence of HEV infection (46.9% against 20% of younger animals). No statistically significant correlations between HEV positivity and the presence of other pathological conditions detected at necropsy, or concomitant coinfections with PCV2 and/or PRRSV were detected. All identified strains belonged to genotype 3, and were similar to other HEV subtypes 3e, 3f, 3c circu...

Hepatitis E Virus, 2013

Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepa... more Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepatitis. The etiological agent is the hepatitis E virus (HEV), mainly transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The disease represents an important public health problem in developing countries, where it is often related to epidemic outbreaks mainly associated with consumption of contaminated water. In recent years, an increasing number of sporadic cases have also been described in industrialized countries. Besides humans, the virus has also been identified in animals, firstly swine in 1997, and is now considered ubiquitous. Human and swine HEV strains from the same regions present a high level of nucleotide identity, and experimental infections have confirmed the cross-species transmission of swine strains to humans and of human strains to non-human primates. Studies on anti-HEV antibodies detection have demonstrated that people working in contact with swine or wild boar have a higher risk of infection than normal blood donors. Recently, cases of hepatitis E in Japan and France were directly associated with ingestion of uncooked meat from pigs, wild boar or deer. Today the disease is considered an emerging zoonosis. This book summarizes the current virological and epidemiological knowledge on HEV infections, focusing on a virus that has not yet received enough attention in veterinary medicine, although it may become an important zoonotic agent.

Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series B, 2006

Anellovirus is a recently created, floating genus of viruses. Torque teno virus (TTV), the type s... more Anellovirus is a recently created, floating genus of viruses. Torque teno virus (TTV), the type species in the genus, was first discovered in a human patient with a post-transfusion hepatitis of unknown aetiology. Recently, TTV genetically related to but distinct from those discovered in humans have also been found in animals, including pigs. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of swine TTV in Italian pig herds and some risk factors possibly associated with this infection. Serum samples from 179 healthy pigs from 10 farms located in north-central Italy were tested by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of swine TTV DNA. Viral DNA was found in the sera of 43 pigs (24.0%), coming from eight of the 10 farms examined. Prevalence was significantly higher in finishing herds (40.1%) than in farrow-to-finish herds (11.0%) and did not depend on the size of the herd. Within the finishing herds the prevalence was significantly higher in weaners (57.4%) than in fatteners (22.9%), but this difference was not observed in farrow-to-finish herds. No relationship was observed between the prevalence of swine TTV and the implementation of some general hygiene practices and biosecurity procedures within the herds.

Virology, 2002

The epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) is a strain of the Iridovirus genus, which incl... more The epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) is a strain of the Iridovirus genus, which includes viruses seriously affecting native and aquacultured fish and amphibians. Despite its growing importance as a threat to fish farming, very little information is available on the biochemical and immunological nature of this virus. To identify and characterize the main antigenic determinants of EHNV, a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies was produced upon parenteral inoculation with live virus. A total of 124 primary hybridoma cultures from two fusions was found to produce antibodies reacting with EHNV by ELISA, but no neutralizing monoclonal antibody was detected. Twenty hybridoma cultures were randomly chosen for further study, and the antibodies secreted were analyzed by Western blotting, radioimmunoprecipitation, and immunostaining of infected cells. Only three MAbs immunoprecipitated the 50-kDa EHNV major capsid protein (MCP) from infected cell lysates, but they did not stain this protein in Western blotting. Eight and five further MAbs recognized peptides of approximately 15 and 18 kDa, respectively. Four antibodies could not be mapped into any viral protein, although they specifically immunostained virus-infected cells and reacted with purified EHNV virions by ELISA. These latter MAbs and the three antibodies directed at the MCP are likely to recognize conformation-dependent epitopes on the virus capsid proteins.

Microbes and Infection, 2010

Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Infection is usually chronic ... more Brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial zoonoses worldwide. Infection is usually chronic and sometimes lifelong. Different mechanisms can be postulated as to the basis for the induction of the chronic status of brucellosis, but a comprehensive knowledge is still lacking. Here, we carried out a series of experiments in order to assess if the persistence of Brucella abortus could be ascribed to the effect of a down regulation of the immune response due to activity of regulatory T cells. We demonstrate that CD4 þ CD25 þ T regulatory cells are able to limit the effectiveness of CD4 þ T cells and are able to favor the maintenance and the progression of B. abortus infection.

Epidemiology and Infection, 2005

Routine surveillance systems capture only a fraction of infectious intestinal disease (IID) that ... more Routine surveillance systems capture only a fraction of infectious intestinal disease (IID) that is actually occurring in the community. Different methodologies utilized among various international studies in the field were reviewed in order to devise an appropriate survey to obtain current estimates of prevalence of IID in Malta. An age-stratified retrospective cross-sectional telephone study was selected for the study due to its feasibility in terms of limited resources necessary (funds, time and human). The disadvantages of this type of study include the inherent biases such as selection bias (sampling, ascertainment and participation bias) and information bias (recall and observer bias). A pilot study was carried out using a random age-stratified sample of 100 persons over a 3-month period. A total of 5·0% (95% CI ±4·27) of the population was estimated to have suffered from IID during that period. This estimate was used in order to assist in sample size calculations for a large-...

Veterinary Microbiology, 2008

Journal of Virology, 1998

Rotaviruses are the major cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Due t... more Rotaviruses are the major cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide. Due to their restricted site of replication, i.e., mature enterocytes, local intestinal antibodies have been proposed to play a major role in protective immunity. Whether secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies alone can provide protection against rotavirus diarrhea has not been fully established. To address this question, a library of IgA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) previously developed against different proteins of rhesus rotavirus was used. A murine hybridoma “backpack tumor” model was established to examine if a single MAb secreted onto mucosal surfaces via the normal epithelial transport pathway was capable of protecting mice against diarrhea upon oral challenge with rotavirus. Of several IgA and IgG MAbs directed against VP8 and VP6 of rotavirus, only IgA VP8 MAbs (four of four) were found to protect newborn mice from diarrhea. An IgG MAb recognizing the same epitope as one of the ...

Annali dell'Istituto superiore di sanità, 2015

Rotavirus is recognized as the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old,... more Rotavirus is recognized as the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old, representing a considerable public health problem with a great impact on social and public health costs in developed countries. This study aims to assess the frequency and the epidemiological aspect of the hospitalization associated with Rotavirus-gastroenteritis in Lombardy, Northern Italy, from 2005 to 2011. The Lombardy Hospital Discharge Database was inquired from the official data of the Italian Ministry of Health and investigated for acute gastroenteritis (ICD9-CM code for bacteria, parasitic, viral and undetermined etiologic diarrhea) in primary and secondary diagnosis in children ≤ 5 years, between 2005 and 2011. Out of the 32 944 acute-gastroenteritis hospitalizations reported in Lombardy, the 50.8% was caused by Rotavirus infection; of these, the 65.5% were reported in primary diagnosis. The peak of Rotavirus-gastroenteritis hospitalization was observed in February-March in ch...

Archives of Virology, 2015

Gastrointestinal disease is frequent in pigs, and among the different etiological agents involved... more Gastrointestinal disease is frequent in pigs, and among the different etiological agents involved, viruses are considered the leading cause of infection in this animal species. Furthermore, about half of the newly identified swine pathogens are viruses, many of which may be transmitted to humans by direct contact or by indirect transmission pathways. In this study, the prevalence of astrovirus (AstV), group A rotavirus (RVA), norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in pigs was investigated. During 2012-2014, 242 fecal samples were collected from pigs at different production stages (5 to 220 days old) on eight swine farms located in northern, central and southern Italy. Seven out of eight farms analyzed were positive for AstV, which was detected in 163 out of 242 (67.4 %) samples and was the most prevalent virus; 61 of the 163 AstV-positive animals (37.4 %) had diarrhea. HEV was detected on six farms and in 45 (18.6 %) of the 242 samples analyzed. Twenty-three HEV-infected pigs had diarrhea (51.1 %). A lower prevalence was observed for RVA, which was found in 10 of the 242 samples (4.1 %) from three positive farms, and diarrhea was present only in six infected pigs (60.0 %). No swine samples were found to be positive for NoV. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of some strains representative of the different viruses detected were investigated, confirming a wide heterogeneity of viral strains circulating among pigs.

Science of The Total Environment, 2016

Polio and rotavirus titers are significantly reduced by zebra mussel biofiltration. • E. coli cou... more Polio and rotavirus titers are significantly reduced by zebra mussel biofiltration. • E. coli counts are almost completely reduced by zebra mussels. • A bioremediation strategy by zebra mussel biofiltration. • Zebra mussel ability to filter/inactivate pathogens may control human health risks.

BMC veterinary research, Jan 16, 2014

The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in both humans and animals, particularly pigs, worl... more The hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been detected in both humans and animals, particularly pigs, worldwide. Several evidences, including human infection following consumption of raw contaminated meat, suggest a zoonotic transmission of HEV. In Italy, large circulation of genotype 3 HEV has been reported in swine, and recent studies have confirmed the involvement of this genotype in autochthonous human cases. In this study 111 sera collected from healthy pigs in two Italian regions were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies. For specific HEV antibody detection in swine, we developed ELISA and Western blotting methods, using a truncated capsid (ORF2) protein lacking the first 111 amino acids of a swine HEV genotype 3 strain. The ORF2-based ELISA revealed anti-HEV antibodies in 104 out of 111 pigs compared with 102 detected with a commercial ELISA kit. A lower number of sera reacted with the recombinant ORF2 protein in a Western blotting format (81/111). Using a Latent class analysis (LCA), t...

The new microbiologica, 2013

Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepa... more Hepatitis E is an infectious viral disease with clinical and morphological features of acute hepatitis. The disease represents an important public health problem in developing countries, where it is often related to outbreaks mainly associated with consumption of contaminated water. During recent years, an increasing number of sporadic cases have also been described in industrialized countries. Besides humans, the hepatitis E virus (HEV) has also been identified in animals. In 1997, the virus was first detected in swine, and is now considered ubiquitous. Human and swine HEV strains from the same geographical region present a high level of nucleotide identity, and experimental infections have confirmed the cross-species transmission of swine strains to humans and of human strains to non-human primates. Studies on anti-HEV antibodies detection have demonstrated that people working in contact with swine or wild boar have a higher risk of infection than normal blood donors. In Japan and...

The Open Virology Journal, 2010

The emergence and spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) from North through South America during the las... more The emergence and spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) from North through South America during the last decade, and the recent outbreaks of disease in both humans and horses in Europe suggest that the epidemiology of this infection is evolving. WNV is now considered among the emerging threats for both human and veterinary public health in areas like Europe where it was previously regarded to as an exotic agent. Further knowledge has built up from studies investigating the characteristics of the virus and its genome evolution capacity, the adaptation to new avian host species, the changes in vector competence and biology, and the host-pathogen interactions, including the immune response. Also, the new needs for preparedness to future major outbursts of disease have stimulated research on virus detection and characterization, filling the gaps in both specialized diagnostic technology and the need for field rapid assays. This review will present an overview of WNV virology, remarking the impact of virus diversity and evolution on theoretical and practical aspects involved in both risk definition, detection and control of infection.

Veterinaria italiana

A major gastroenteritis outbreak was reported in a vacation resort in Central Italy in 2003. A to... more A major gastroenteritis outbreak was reported in a vacation resort in Central Italy in 2003. A total of 183 cases were identified. The case-control study identified a statistically significant correlation between the disease and sea bathing, use of sanitary facilities in bungalows and of common showers. Stool samples taken from people affected were found positive for Norovirus (68%, 13 of 19 samples), Rotavirus (38%, 1 of 14 samples) and Campylobacter (7%, 3 of 8 samples). Environmental investigations revealed serious faecal contamination of the groundwater and the presence of Norovirus in the seawater near the resort. The mixing of groundwater and seawater with the non-drinking water system - which was also found to be connected to the drinking water system - had a primary role in the onset and spread of infection within the village. The complete absence of any gastroenteritis epidemics among the site guests since 2006 demonstrates the effectiveness of the environmental corrective ...

PloS one, 2014

Rotavirus (RV) infection causes watery diarrhea via multiple mechanisms, primarily chloride secre... more Rotavirus (RV) infection causes watery diarrhea via multiple mechanisms, primarily chloride secretion in intestinal epithelial cell. The chloride secretion largely depends on non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) enterotoxic activity in human enterocytes through mechanisms that have not been defined. Redox imbalance is a common event in cells infected by viruses, but the role of oxidative stress in RV infection is unknown. RV SA11 induced chloride secretion in association with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Caco-2 cells. The ratio between reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione was decreased by RV. The same effects were observed when purified NSP4 was added to Caco-2 cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, strongly inhibited the increase in ROS and GSH imbalance. These results suggest a link between oxidative stress and RV-induced diarrhea. Because Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) has been effectively used to treat RV diarrhea, we tested its effects on RV-i...