Andrea Carvelli | Istituto zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lazio e Toscana (original) (raw)
Papers by Andrea Carvelli
PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2023
Background Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larva... more Background Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the species belonging to the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex. Parasitic cysts causing human CE are mainly localized in the liver and in the lungs. In a smaller number of cases, larvae may establish in any organ or tissue, including the central nervous system (CNS). Cerebral CE (CCE) is rare but poses serious clinical challenges. Methods This study presents a case of CCE in a child living in the countryside near Rome (Italy), along with a comparative molecular analysis of the isolated cyst specimens from the patient and sheep of local farms. We also systematically searched the literature to summarize the most relevant epidemiological and clinical aspects of this uncommon localization.
EFSA Journal, 2022
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) can affect the entire equine sector in EU, and the large outbreak re... more Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) can affect the entire equine sector in EU, and the large outbreak reported in 2021 in Spain drew attention to the needs of the European Commission for scientific advice for the assessment of EHV-1 infection within the framework of Animal Health Law. EHV-1 is considered endemic in the EU; its main risk is linked to the characteristic of producing latent lifelong infections. These can reactivate producing clinical disease, which can include respiratory, abortive and possibly fatal neurological forms. From the epidemiological and genomic viewpoint, there are no specific neuropathogenic EHV-1 strains; the respiratory, reproductive and neurological signs are not found to be strain-specific. This was also the case of the virus that caused the outbreak in Valencia (Spain) in 2021, which was genetically closely related to other viruses circulating before in Europe, and did not present the so-called neuropathogenic genotype. The outbreak reported in Valencia was followed by wide geographic spread of the virus possibly due to a delay in diagnosis and late application of biosecurity measures. The recommended and most sensitive diagnostic test for detecting EHV-1 is PCR performed on swabs collected according to the type of clinical signs. Serological assays on paired blood samples can help to detect a recent infection, while no diagnostic methods are available to detect EHV-1 latent infections. Safe movements of horses can be ensured at premovement phase by testing and issuing health certificates, and by isolating animals upon arrival at new premises with regular health monitoring. In case of suspicion, movements should be forbidden and EHV-1 infection early detected/confirmed by validated diagnostic tools. During outbreaks, no movements should be allowed until 21 days after the detection of the last case. In general, vaccination against EHV-1 should be promoted, although this offers limited protection against the neurological form of the disease.
EFSA Journal, 2022
Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health L... more Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of: Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on the eligibility of the disease to be listed, Article 9 for the categorisation of the disease according to disease prevention and control measures as in Annex IV and Article 8 on the list of animal species related to Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection. The assessment has been performed following a methodology composed of information collection and compilation, and expert judgement on each criterion at individual and collective level. The outcome is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether the criterion is fulfilled (66-100%) or not (0-33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment (33-66%). For the questions where no consensus was reached, the different supporting views are reported. According to the assessment performed, Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the Animal Health Law with 33-90% certainty. According to the criteria as in Annex IV of the AHL related to Article 9 of the AHL for the categorisation of diseases according to the level of prevention and control, it was assessed with less than 1% certainty that EHV-1 fulfils the criteria as in Section 1 (category A), 1-5% for the criteria as in Section 2 (category B), 10-66% for the criteria as in Section 3 (category C), 66-90% for the criteria as in Section 4 (category D) and 33-90% for the criteria as in Section 5 (category E). The animal species to be listed for EHV-1 infection according to Article 8(3) criteria are the species belonging to the families of Equidae,
Parasites & Vectors, 2021
Background: West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) are emerging vector-borne zoonotic flaviviruses. The... more Background: West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) are emerging vector-borne zoonotic flaviviruses. They are antigenically very similar, sharing the same life cycle with birds as amplification host, Culicidae as vector, and man/horse as dead-end host. They can co-circulate in an overlapping geographic range. In Europe, surveillance plans annually detect several outbreaks. Methods: In Italy, a WNV/USUV surveillance plan is in place through passive and active surveillance. After a 2018 WNV outbreak, a reinforced integrated risk-based surveillance was performed in four municipalities through clinical and serological surveillance in horses, Culicidae catches, and testing on human blood-based products for transfusion. Results: Eight WNV cases in eight equine holdings were detected. Twenty-three mosquitoe catches were performed and 2367 specimens of Culex pipiens caught; 17 pools were USUV positive. A total of 8889 human blood donations were tested, and two asymptomatic donors were USUV positive. Conclusions: Different surveillance components simultaneously detected WNV only in horses and USUV only in humans and mosquitoes. While in endemic areas (i.e. northern Italy) entomological surveillance is successfully used as an early detection warning, this method in central Italy seems ineffective. To achieve a high level of sensitivity, the entomological trapping effort should probably exceed a reasonable balance between cost and performance. Besides, WNV/USUV early detection can be addressed by horses and birds. Further research is needed to adapt the surveillance components in different epidemiological contexts.
PLoS One, 2021
Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum in the ... more Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean area and transmitted by phlebotomine sand fly vectors. The domestic dog is the main reservoir host. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different individual, environmental and spatial risk factors on the dog exposure to L. infantum and to estimate the seroprevalence among owned and kennel dogs, in the Lazio region (central Italy), where canine leishmaniasis is endemic. In the period 2010-2014, 13,292 sera from kennel and owned dogs were collected by official and private veterinarians. The presence of anti-Leishmania IgG was analysed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using a 1:80 titre cutoff. At the univariable analysis, CanL seropositivity was associated with sex, size, breed, coat length, living with other dogs and forest/semi-natural land cover. At the multivariable analysis, age, ownership and attitude were confirmed as risk factors, being more than 2 years old, owned, and hunting dogs at higher risk. Being a Maremma sheepdog was a protective factor. A true overall seroprevalence of 6.7% (95% CI: 6.2-7.2) was estimated in the whole population while 7.3% (95% CI: 6.8-7.8) was estimated in kennel dogs and 74.3% (95% CI: 70.8-77.6) in owned dogs. The role of kennels as a key component for CanL active and passive surveillance was also highlighted. This study confirmed the endemicity of CanL in the Lazio region and focused some factors that can influence the seropositivity of dogs in a Mediterranean region.
Plos One, 2020
The One Health paradigm recognizes that information on infectious diseases, zoonosis and related ... more The One Health paradigm recognizes that information on infectious diseases, zoonosis and related predictors in animal populations is essential. Pets live in close contact with humans and interact with wild animals, but the lack of reliable information on pet population size, demography and ownership profiles is a constant worldwide. Reliable data must be made available in order to address proper public health policies regarding the design of surveillance plans, the management of canine welfare and stray dog phenomenon, the control of dog behaviour-related problems, and the livestock/wildlife endangerment. Dog identification & registration (I&R) have become mandatory in most European countries in recent years, but the process is far from being widely accomplished, thus resulting in an underestimation of the real canine population. To date, data on the completeness of Dog Registries is very limited. A cross-sectional survey through 630 face-to-face questionnaires was performed with the aim of investigating the dog population size, demography, ownership profiles, and the I&R rate in central Italy. Logistic regression models investigated risk factors with the following outcome variables: dog presence into the Dog Registry, veterinary care frequency, and dog ownership. The present study identified that the dog population is higher than previously reported in Italy and in Europe, whilst lower compared to countries with a poor Human Development Index (a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators used by United Nation). Almost half of the interviewed people (47%) owned at least one dog, totalling 315 dogs. The mean number of dogs per household was 0.7 and 1.5 per dog-owning household. The Bayesian model estimated 481,294 (95% CI: 470,860-491,978) dogs (90 dogs/km 2 ; human:dog ratio 9.0, 95% CI: 8.8-9.2) suggesting that a high density of people does not limit the dog ownership. Dogs resulted predominant among pets. The majority of dogs were males, crossbred, acquires as a gift, lived in rural areas, outdoors and attended a veterinary visit 1-2 times per year. The percentage of neutered dogs were higher in females (55%) than in males (8%). Only 75.3% (95% CI: 73.6-76.9) of the dogs were correctly identified and registered. The Dog Registry completeness
Plos One, 2019
Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease that affects ruminants and is transmitted by midges of the gen... more Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease that affects ruminants and is transmitted by midges of the genus Culicoides spp. The seroprevalence, the clinical form and the occurrence rates significantly differ in relation to several factors such as bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype, host species, breed susceptibility, specific previous exposure, vector ecology, husbandry and health status. Following the 2001-2006 BTV2 and BTV16 epidemics in central Italy, a new epidemic caused by BTV1 occurred in 2013-2015 causing 398 outbreaks in a susceptible population of about 1 million ruminants. The present study assessed the BTV1 seroprevalence in the sheep population of central Italy by conducting two cross-sectional surveys, in the proximity of and within BT outbreak farms. A total of 2,984 sheep from 437 farms were sampled. The animal-level prevalence was 19% (95% CI: 17-21%), the between-herd prevalence was 46% (95% CI: 41-51%) and the within-herd prevalence was 21% (95% CI: 16-26%). Risk factors were investigated by logistic regression models. Living on a farm where an outbreak occurred and the number of outbreaks in proximity of the farm were identified as risk factors, while herd size was identified as a protective factor. This study represents the first BT survey in southern Europe and reports valuable findings on BTV epidemiology. Despite intensive virus circulation, the estimated seroprevalences were low. The assessment of the population immunity level is crucial for defining an efficient vaccination strategy and for predicting the impact of future virus circulation. In view of the low seroprevalence detected albeit an extensive BTV1 circulation, the population immunity was likely to be inadequate in preventing new BTV1 epidemics. Moreover, considering the recurrent introduction of new serotypes from North Africa and the Balkans, the control of multi-serotype BTV infections will continue to present a challenge in the near future.
Plos One, 2019
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a complex zoonosis with domestic and sylvatic life-cycles, involvin... more Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a complex zoonosis with domestic and sylvatic life-cycles,
involving different intermediate and definitive host species. Many previous studies have
highlighted the lack of a surveillance system for CE, its persistence in Italy, and endemicity
in several Italian regions. Because of the absence of a uniform surveillance program for
both humans and animals, disease occurrence is widely underestimated. This study aimed
to estimate the prevalence of ovine CE in Italy. Survey data on the prevalence of Echinococcus
granulosus complex infections in Italian sheep farms from 2010 to 2015 were obtained
in collaboration with Regional Veterinary Epidemiology Observatories (OEVRs). Bayesian
analysis was performed to estimate the true CE farm prevalence. The prior true CE prevalence
was estimated using data from Sardinia. Second, Bayesian modelling of the observed
prevalence in different regions and the true prevalence estimation from the first step were
used to ultimately estimate the prevalence of ovine CE in Italy. We obtained survey data
from 10 OEVRs, covering 14 Italian regions. We observed that the risk of CE infection
decreased over the years, and it was strictly correlated with the density of susceptible species.
Using Sardinia as prior distribution, where the disease farm prevalence was approximately
19% (95% CI, 18.82–20.02), we estimated that the highest endemic CE farm
prevalence was in Basilicata with a value of 12% (95% BCI: 7.49–18.9%) and in Piemonte
7.64%(95% BCI: 4.12–13.04%). Our results provide spatially relevant data crucial for guiding
CE control in Italy. Precise information on disease occurrence location would aid in the
identification of priority areas for disease control implementation by the authorities. The current underestimation of CE occurrence should urge the Italian and European governments
to become aware of the public health importance of CE and implement targeted interventions
for high-risk areas.
Slovenian Veterinary Research, 2019
Myo-tendinopathies are common pathological conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system of the... more Myo-tendinopathies are common pathological conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system of the horse. The competitive career of sport horses may be shortened because of tendon injuries, especially because full recovery is extremely difficult or impossible. Although several medical and surgical treatments have been proposed over the past years, nowadays, there is a growing interest in the use of stem cells for the recovery of
International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 2018
Intestinal and respiratory parasites are among the most common pathogens in dogs and some of them... more Intestinal and respiratory parasites are among the most common pathogens in dogs and some of them are recognized as zoonotic agents. In Italy, various taxa have been reported, with variable prevalence estimates depending on study area, dog category and coprological exam technique. In this paper, we report the results of six years of passive surveillance. In the period January 2006-December 2012, 2,775 dog faecal samples from Lazio Region (Central Italy), were examined for parasites, 1,156 from household and 1,619 from shelter dogs, respectively. The following parasites were detected: Giardia duodenalis, Cystoisospora sp., Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Eucoleus böhmi, Eucoleus aerophilus, Mesocestoides sp., Taeniidae and Dipylidium caninum. Helminths were more frequent than protozoa, with total prevalences of 29.1% and 10.7%, respectively. T. vulpis and Ancylostomatidae were the most common parasites, with prevalences of 9.9% and 9.6% respectively. T. vulpis and Ancylostomatidae were significantly more prevalent in shelter dogs than in household ones. T. canis and Cystoisospora sp. were significantly more frequent in household dogs. The assessment of the prevalence in sheltered and in household dogs is useful to infer the occurrence of different parasites in the origin population and to plan possible control intervention.
Acta Parasitologica, 2018
Parasites are among the most common pathogens recorded in dogs. High prevalence rates are usually... more Parasites are among the most common pathogens recorded in dogs. High prevalence rates are usually reported in stray and shelter dogs, as these animals are less likely to be tested and treated. In this study a survey was carried out on intestinal and lung parasites of stray dogs at the moment of the admission in a shelter in Central Italy. In the period June 2014-June 2015, 262 individual faecal samples were examined. Twelve parasitic taxa were detected. Helminths were more prevalent than protozoa (61.8% and 25.6%, respectively). Ancylostomatidae showed the higher prevalence (40.5%), followed by Giardia duodenalis (21.4%), Toxocara canis (20.6%) and Trichuris vulpis (17.6%). Angiostrongylus vasorum was the most prevalent lungworm (12.6%), Crenosoma vulpis being recorded just in one dog. G. duodenalis had a high prevalence, probably because of the diagnostic techniques adopted, actually the most sensitive available for its detection. Nevertheless, the zoonotic potential of this parasite in dogs appears reduced, as all the isolates were identified as C (24.0%) and D (76.0%) dog specific assemblages. Taeniidae constituted a high potential zoonotic risk, as from the eggs it is impossible to exclude they were Echinococcus granulosus, the most relevant zoonotic parasite in Europe. The present study underline the importance of stray dogs control, aimed at preventing or minimizing parasitic spread and zoonotic transmission.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2018
Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in central Italy... more Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in central Italy was investigated in order to evaluate whether indoor activity might account for the overwintering of bluetongue virus, as has been hypothesized by some authors. Weekly Culicoides collections were performed at three farms over three consecutive winter seasons. At each farm, two black-light traps were operated simultaneously, indoors and outdoors. Culicoides were identified using both morphological and molecular means. The Culicoides obsoletus group accounted for 98.2% of sampled specimens. Within this group, C. obsoletus s.s. accounted for 56.8% and Culicoides scoticus for 43.2% of samples. Nulliparous, parous and engorged females were caught throughout the entire winter, both indoors and outdoors. At times, indoor catch sizes outnumbered outdoor collections. A significant inverse correlation was found between minimum temperature and the proportion of indoor Culicoides of the total midge catch, thus indicating that lower outdoor temperatures drive Culicoides midges indoors. High rates of engorged females were recorded indoors, possibly as the result of the propensity of C. obsoletus females to feed indoors. Higher proportions of parous females were found in indoor than in outdoor catches, indicating higher survival rates indoors and, consequently, higher vectorial capacities of midges sheltering indoors compared with those remaining outdoors.
The interaction between living beings, including men, animals and pathogens, sharing the same env... more The interaction between living beings, including men, animals and pathogens, sharing the same environment, should be considered as a unique dynamic system, in which the health of each component is inextricably interconnected and dependent with the others. Nowadays, a new integrated One Health approach is reflecting this interdependence with a holistic view to the ecological system. The One Health approach can be defined as a collaborative and a multidisciplinary effort at local, national and global level to guarantee an optimal healthy status for humans, animals and environment. Strictly related to the One Health concept is to be considered the control of infectious diseases, which have influenced the course of human history. Four different components might be identified as key elements within the ‘One World – One Health’ (OWOH) approach: the geographical component, the ecological one, the human activities and the food-agricultural ones.
West Nile virus (WNV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) represent an important group of viral ag... more West Nile virus (WNV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) represent an important group of viral agents responsible for vector-borne zoonotic diseases constituting an emerging sanitary threat for the Mediterranean Basin and the neighbouring countries. WNV infection is present in several Mediterranean countries, whereas RVF has never been introduced into Europe, but it is considered a major threat for North African countries. Being vector-borne diseases, they cannot be prevented only through an animal trade control policy. Several approaches are used for the surveillance of WNV and RVFV. With the aim of assessing the surveillance systems in place in Mediterranean countries, two disease-specific questionnaires (WNV, RVFV) have been prepared and submitted to Public Health and Veterinary Authorities of six EU countries. This study presents the information gathered through the questionnaires and describes some critical points in the prevention and surveillance of these diseases as emerged by the answers received.
Guaranteeing high acaricide efficacy to control Varroa destructor is fundamental for colony survi... more Guaranteeing high acaricide efficacy to control Varroa destructor is fundamental for colony survival. In this study, we verified the efficacy and impact of a commercial thymol-based veterinary product (Apiguard®) on colony honey bee populations when used alone or combined with the biotechnical method of caging honey bee queens to create an artificial brood interruption period in the colony. Apiguard® killed 76.1% of the mites while queen caging killed 40.6% of the mites. The combination of Apiguard® administration with queen caging killed 96.8% of the mites. Comparing bee numbers before and after treatment, Apiguard® treated colonies with caged queens had 48.7% fewer bees compared to before treatment, while Apiguard® alone reduced the number of adult bees by 13.6%. None of the treatments in the different groups resulted in elevated queen mortality.
Understanding animal population size and its demographic features is essential to address Public ... more Understanding animal population size and its demographic features is essential to address Public Health policies as well as to provide valuable information to pet industries and veterinary practitioners. Nevertheless, official data on feline population are not available worldwide. In the present study, the owned cat population size, its demographic attributes, and the ownership profiles have been investigated through a face-to-face questionnaire in a semirural area of Central Italy. The human : cat ratio was equal to 6.8 (95% CI: 5.7–7.5); 29.3% of households own at least one cat. The majority of cats were living in a rural area (67.8%) and outdoors, were neutered (70.5%), and were fed with commercial food (54.8%) and they visited a veterinarian 1-2 times a year (43.3%). The cat ownership was strongly associated with people living in a rural area and owning another pet. As the cat owned population was mainly kept outdoors in rural areas, the possible relation between the owned and the stray animals is worthy to be monitored in future researches. Our study revealed that the feline owned population was larger than expected and that social and economic human factors do not influence the cat ownership. Health Authorities and veterinary practitioners should promote responsible ownership to increase the veterinary care, to intensify the official identification, and to properly manage the outdoor lifestyle.
Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 2013
a b s t r a c t Since 2000 several bluetongue virus (BTV) incursions have occurred in Sardinia (I... more a b s t r a c t Since 2000 several bluetongue virus (BTV) incursions have occurred in Sardinia (Italy) involving serotypes 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16. In October 2012, new BT outbreaks caused by BTV-1 and BTV-4 were reported. Nearly 500 flocks were infected and 9238 sheep died because of the infection. When sequenced, Seg-10 of both strains shared 99% similarity at nucleotide level with BTV strains that have circulated in the Mediterranean basin in the last few years. Similarly, Seg-5 sequences of BTV-1 and BTV-4 newly isolated Sardinian strains are identical and cluster together with recent BTV-1 circulating in the Mediterranean Basin and the BTV-4 strains isolated in Tunisia in 2007 and 2009. These BTV-4 strains differ from the ones that circulated in Europe from 2003 to 2005 and appear to be reassortant strains. Ó 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Veterinaria italiana
Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in... more Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in 2012 in Northern Italy, immediate response actions were adopted to avoid the virus circulation. The brain tested positive by 2 different one-step real-time RT-PCR protocols; these results were also confirmed by partial sequencing of the viral genome. At that time this was the first detection of the new Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family in Italy. An epidemiological investigation in the involved farm was carried out in collaboration with the CESME - National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Italy). Epidemiological information on the flock was provided and analysed, whole blood and serum samples were also collected from all animals in the farm for both virological and serological investigations. All blood samples tested negative for SBV, w...
Veterinaria italiana
Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in... more Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in 2012 in Northern Italy, immediate response actions were adopted to avoid the virus circulation. The brain tested positive by 2 different one-step real-time RT-PCR protocols; these results were also confirmed by partial sequencing of the viral genome. At that time this was the first detection of the new Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family in Italy. An epidemiological investigation in the involved farm was carried out in collaboration with the CESME - National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Italy). Epidemiological information on the flock was provided and analysed, whole blood and serum samples were also collected from all animals in the farm for both virological and serological investigations. All blood samples tested negative for SBV, w...
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2013
In 2011, Trypanosoma equiperdum reemerged in Italy, almost 10 years after its last appearance. A ... more In 2011, Trypanosoma equiperdum reemerged in Italy, almost 10 years after its last appearance. A total of eight infected horses have been observed to date. Six horses were affected by natural outbreaks of the disease, whereas two were infected experimentally. The aim of this study was to offer a recent perspective on clinical cases of dourine in Europe. Investigation of the clinical aspects confirmed the three stages reported in the literature: stage 1 (genital lesions), stage 2 (cutaneous signs), and stage 3 (nervous signs). The most common signs in the horses under study were notable weight loss, edematous skin eruptions and oedemas of the abdomen, mammary glands and hind legs. Three animals presented neurological signs (lip ptosis of lower lip and ataxia). Infections were paucisymptomatic or asymptomatic in some animals. Hyperthermia was not reported in infected animals and considerable anemia was observed. High antibody titers did not always correspond to clinical signs. Positive polymerase chain reaction test results of blood or tissue (skin, eye swab) often correspond to an advanced stage of the disease. Dourine is a variable disease; owing to its low prevalence and chronic manifestation, it can be difficult to make a quick diagnosis when facing a Dourine-positive horse.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis, 2023
Background Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larva... more Background Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the species belonging to the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) complex. Parasitic cysts causing human CE are mainly localized in the liver and in the lungs. In a smaller number of cases, larvae may establish in any organ or tissue, including the central nervous system (CNS). Cerebral CE (CCE) is rare but poses serious clinical challenges. Methods This study presents a case of CCE in a child living in the countryside near Rome (Italy), along with a comparative molecular analysis of the isolated cyst specimens from the patient and sheep of local farms. We also systematically searched the literature to summarize the most relevant epidemiological and clinical aspects of this uncommon localization.
EFSA Journal, 2022
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) can affect the entire equine sector in EU, and the large outbreak re... more Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) can affect the entire equine sector in EU, and the large outbreak reported in 2021 in Spain drew attention to the needs of the European Commission for scientific advice for the assessment of EHV-1 infection within the framework of Animal Health Law. EHV-1 is considered endemic in the EU; its main risk is linked to the characteristic of producing latent lifelong infections. These can reactivate producing clinical disease, which can include respiratory, abortive and possibly fatal neurological forms. From the epidemiological and genomic viewpoint, there are no specific neuropathogenic EHV-1 strains; the respiratory, reproductive and neurological signs are not found to be strain-specific. This was also the case of the virus that caused the outbreak in Valencia (Spain) in 2021, which was genetically closely related to other viruses circulating before in Europe, and did not present the so-called neuropathogenic genotype. The outbreak reported in Valencia was followed by wide geographic spread of the virus possibly due to a delay in diagnosis and late application of biosecurity measures. The recommended and most sensitive diagnostic test for detecting EHV-1 is PCR performed on swabs collected according to the type of clinical signs. Serological assays on paired blood samples can help to detect a recent infection, while no diagnostic methods are available to detect EHV-1 latent infections. Safe movements of horses can be ensured at premovement phase by testing and issuing health certificates, and by isolating animals upon arrival at new premises with regular health monitoring. In case of suspicion, movements should be forbidden and EHV-1 infection early detected/confirmed by validated diagnostic tools. During outbreaks, no movements should be allowed until 21 days after the detection of the last case. In general, vaccination against EHV-1 should be promoted, although this offers limited protection against the neurological form of the disease.
EFSA Journal, 2022
Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health L... more Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of: Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on the eligibility of the disease to be listed, Article 9 for the categorisation of the disease according to disease prevention and control measures as in Annex IV and Article 8 on the list of animal species related to Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection. The assessment has been performed following a methodology composed of information collection and compilation, and expert judgement on each criterion at individual and collective level. The outcome is the median of the probability ranges provided by the experts, which indicates whether the criterion is fulfilled (66-100%) or not (0-33%), or whether there is uncertainty about fulfilment (33-66%). For the questions where no consensus was reached, the different supporting views are reported. According to the assessment performed, Equine Herpesvirus-1 infection can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention according to Article 5 of the Animal Health Law with 33-90% certainty. According to the criteria as in Annex IV of the AHL related to Article 9 of the AHL for the categorisation of diseases according to the level of prevention and control, it was assessed with less than 1% certainty that EHV-1 fulfils the criteria as in Section 1 (category A), 1-5% for the criteria as in Section 2 (category B), 10-66% for the criteria as in Section 3 (category C), 66-90% for the criteria as in Section 4 (category D) and 33-90% for the criteria as in Section 5 (category E). The animal species to be listed for EHV-1 infection according to Article 8(3) criteria are the species belonging to the families of Equidae,
Parasites & Vectors, 2021
Background: West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) are emerging vector-borne zoonotic flaviviruses. The... more Background: West Nile (WNV) and Usutu (USUV) are emerging vector-borne zoonotic flaviviruses. They are antigenically very similar, sharing the same life cycle with birds as amplification host, Culicidae as vector, and man/horse as dead-end host. They can co-circulate in an overlapping geographic range. In Europe, surveillance plans annually detect several outbreaks. Methods: In Italy, a WNV/USUV surveillance plan is in place through passive and active surveillance. After a 2018 WNV outbreak, a reinforced integrated risk-based surveillance was performed in four municipalities through clinical and serological surveillance in horses, Culicidae catches, and testing on human blood-based products for transfusion. Results: Eight WNV cases in eight equine holdings were detected. Twenty-three mosquitoe catches were performed and 2367 specimens of Culex pipiens caught; 17 pools were USUV positive. A total of 8889 human blood donations were tested, and two asymptomatic donors were USUV positive. Conclusions: Different surveillance components simultaneously detected WNV only in horses and USUV only in humans and mosquitoes. While in endemic areas (i.e. northern Italy) entomological surveillance is successfully used as an early detection warning, this method in central Italy seems ineffective. To achieve a high level of sensitivity, the entomological trapping effort should probably exceed a reasonable balance between cost and performance. Besides, WNV/USUV early detection can be addressed by horses and birds. Further research is needed to adapt the surveillance components in different epidemiological contexts.
PLoS One, 2021
Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum in the ... more Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Leishmania infantum in the Mediterranean area and transmitted by phlebotomine sand fly vectors. The domestic dog is the main reservoir host. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of different individual, environmental and spatial risk factors on the dog exposure to L. infantum and to estimate the seroprevalence among owned and kennel dogs, in the Lazio region (central Italy), where canine leishmaniasis is endemic. In the period 2010-2014, 13,292 sera from kennel and owned dogs were collected by official and private veterinarians. The presence of anti-Leishmania IgG was analysed by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using a 1:80 titre cutoff. At the univariable analysis, CanL seropositivity was associated with sex, size, breed, coat length, living with other dogs and forest/semi-natural land cover. At the multivariable analysis, age, ownership and attitude were confirmed as risk factors, being more than 2 years old, owned, and hunting dogs at higher risk. Being a Maremma sheepdog was a protective factor. A true overall seroprevalence of 6.7% (95% CI: 6.2-7.2) was estimated in the whole population while 7.3% (95% CI: 6.8-7.8) was estimated in kennel dogs and 74.3% (95% CI: 70.8-77.6) in owned dogs. The role of kennels as a key component for CanL active and passive surveillance was also highlighted. This study confirmed the endemicity of CanL in the Lazio region and focused some factors that can influence the seropositivity of dogs in a Mediterranean region.
Plos One, 2020
The One Health paradigm recognizes that information on infectious diseases, zoonosis and related ... more The One Health paradigm recognizes that information on infectious diseases, zoonosis and related predictors in animal populations is essential. Pets live in close contact with humans and interact with wild animals, but the lack of reliable information on pet population size, demography and ownership profiles is a constant worldwide. Reliable data must be made available in order to address proper public health policies regarding the design of surveillance plans, the management of canine welfare and stray dog phenomenon, the control of dog behaviour-related problems, and the livestock/wildlife endangerment. Dog identification & registration (I&R) have become mandatory in most European countries in recent years, but the process is far from being widely accomplished, thus resulting in an underestimation of the real canine population. To date, data on the completeness of Dog Registries is very limited. A cross-sectional survey through 630 face-to-face questionnaires was performed with the aim of investigating the dog population size, demography, ownership profiles, and the I&R rate in central Italy. Logistic regression models investigated risk factors with the following outcome variables: dog presence into the Dog Registry, veterinary care frequency, and dog ownership. The present study identified that the dog population is higher than previously reported in Italy and in Europe, whilst lower compared to countries with a poor Human Development Index (a statistic composite index of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators used by United Nation). Almost half of the interviewed people (47%) owned at least one dog, totalling 315 dogs. The mean number of dogs per household was 0.7 and 1.5 per dog-owning household. The Bayesian model estimated 481,294 (95% CI: 470,860-491,978) dogs (90 dogs/km 2 ; human:dog ratio 9.0, 95% CI: 8.8-9.2) suggesting that a high density of people does not limit the dog ownership. Dogs resulted predominant among pets. The majority of dogs were males, crossbred, acquires as a gift, lived in rural areas, outdoors and attended a veterinary visit 1-2 times per year. The percentage of neutered dogs were higher in females (55%) than in males (8%). Only 75.3% (95% CI: 73.6-76.9) of the dogs were correctly identified and registered. The Dog Registry completeness
Plos One, 2019
Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease that affects ruminants and is transmitted by midges of the gen... more Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease that affects ruminants and is transmitted by midges of the genus Culicoides spp. The seroprevalence, the clinical form and the occurrence rates significantly differ in relation to several factors such as bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype, host species, breed susceptibility, specific previous exposure, vector ecology, husbandry and health status. Following the 2001-2006 BTV2 and BTV16 epidemics in central Italy, a new epidemic caused by BTV1 occurred in 2013-2015 causing 398 outbreaks in a susceptible population of about 1 million ruminants. The present study assessed the BTV1 seroprevalence in the sheep population of central Italy by conducting two cross-sectional surveys, in the proximity of and within BT outbreak farms. A total of 2,984 sheep from 437 farms were sampled. The animal-level prevalence was 19% (95% CI: 17-21%), the between-herd prevalence was 46% (95% CI: 41-51%) and the within-herd prevalence was 21% (95% CI: 16-26%). Risk factors were investigated by logistic regression models. Living on a farm where an outbreak occurred and the number of outbreaks in proximity of the farm were identified as risk factors, while herd size was identified as a protective factor. This study represents the first BT survey in southern Europe and reports valuable findings on BTV epidemiology. Despite intensive virus circulation, the estimated seroprevalences were low. The assessment of the population immunity level is crucial for defining an efficient vaccination strategy and for predicting the impact of future virus circulation. In view of the low seroprevalence detected albeit an extensive BTV1 circulation, the population immunity was likely to be inadequate in preventing new BTV1 epidemics. Moreover, considering the recurrent introduction of new serotypes from North Africa and the Balkans, the control of multi-serotype BTV infections will continue to present a challenge in the near future.
Plos One, 2019
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a complex zoonosis with domestic and sylvatic life-cycles, involvin... more Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a complex zoonosis with domestic and sylvatic life-cycles,
involving different intermediate and definitive host species. Many previous studies have
highlighted the lack of a surveillance system for CE, its persistence in Italy, and endemicity
in several Italian regions. Because of the absence of a uniform surveillance program for
both humans and animals, disease occurrence is widely underestimated. This study aimed
to estimate the prevalence of ovine CE in Italy. Survey data on the prevalence of Echinococcus
granulosus complex infections in Italian sheep farms from 2010 to 2015 were obtained
in collaboration with Regional Veterinary Epidemiology Observatories (OEVRs). Bayesian
analysis was performed to estimate the true CE farm prevalence. The prior true CE prevalence
was estimated using data from Sardinia. Second, Bayesian modelling of the observed
prevalence in different regions and the true prevalence estimation from the first step were
used to ultimately estimate the prevalence of ovine CE in Italy. We obtained survey data
from 10 OEVRs, covering 14 Italian regions. We observed that the risk of CE infection
decreased over the years, and it was strictly correlated with the density of susceptible species.
Using Sardinia as prior distribution, where the disease farm prevalence was approximately
19% (95% CI, 18.82–20.02), we estimated that the highest endemic CE farm
prevalence was in Basilicata with a value of 12% (95% BCI: 7.49–18.9%) and in Piemonte
7.64%(95% BCI: 4.12–13.04%). Our results provide spatially relevant data crucial for guiding
CE control in Italy. Precise information on disease occurrence location would aid in the
identification of priority areas for disease control implementation by the authorities. The current underestimation of CE occurrence should urge the Italian and European governments
to become aware of the public health importance of CE and implement targeted interventions
for high-risk areas.
Slovenian Veterinary Research, 2019
Myo-tendinopathies are common pathological conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system of the... more Myo-tendinopathies are common pathological conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system of the horse. The competitive career of sport horses may be shortened because of tendon injuries, especially because full recovery is extremely difficult or impossible. Although several medical and surgical treatments have been proposed over the past years, nowadays, there is a growing interest in the use of stem cells for the recovery of
International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine, 2018
Intestinal and respiratory parasites are among the most common pathogens in dogs and some of them... more Intestinal and respiratory parasites are among the most common pathogens in dogs and some of them are recognized as zoonotic agents. In Italy, various taxa have been reported, with variable prevalence estimates depending on study area, dog category and coprological exam technique. In this paper, we report the results of six years of passive surveillance. In the period January 2006-December 2012, 2,775 dog faecal samples from Lazio Region (Central Italy), were examined for parasites, 1,156 from household and 1,619 from shelter dogs, respectively. The following parasites were detected: Giardia duodenalis, Cystoisospora sp., Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Eucoleus böhmi, Eucoleus aerophilus, Mesocestoides sp., Taeniidae and Dipylidium caninum. Helminths were more frequent than protozoa, with total prevalences of 29.1% and 10.7%, respectively. T. vulpis and Ancylostomatidae were the most common parasites, with prevalences of 9.9% and 9.6% respectively. T. vulpis and Ancylostomatidae were significantly more prevalent in shelter dogs than in household ones. T. canis and Cystoisospora sp. were significantly more frequent in household dogs. The assessment of the prevalence in sheltered and in household dogs is useful to infer the occurrence of different parasites in the origin population and to plan possible control intervention.
Acta Parasitologica, 2018
Parasites are among the most common pathogens recorded in dogs. High prevalence rates are usually... more Parasites are among the most common pathogens recorded in dogs. High prevalence rates are usually reported in stray and shelter dogs, as these animals are less likely to be tested and treated. In this study a survey was carried out on intestinal and lung parasites of stray dogs at the moment of the admission in a shelter in Central Italy. In the period June 2014-June 2015, 262 individual faecal samples were examined. Twelve parasitic taxa were detected. Helminths were more prevalent than protozoa (61.8% and 25.6%, respectively). Ancylostomatidae showed the higher prevalence (40.5%), followed by Giardia duodenalis (21.4%), Toxocara canis (20.6%) and Trichuris vulpis (17.6%). Angiostrongylus vasorum was the most prevalent lungworm (12.6%), Crenosoma vulpis being recorded just in one dog. G. duodenalis had a high prevalence, probably because of the diagnostic techniques adopted, actually the most sensitive available for its detection. Nevertheless, the zoonotic potential of this parasite in dogs appears reduced, as all the isolates were identified as C (24.0%) and D (76.0%) dog specific assemblages. Taeniidae constituted a high potential zoonotic risk, as from the eggs it is impossible to exclude they were Echinococcus granulosus, the most relevant zoonotic parasite in Europe. The present study underline the importance of stray dogs control, aimed at preventing or minimizing parasitic spread and zoonotic transmission.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2018
Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in central Italy... more Indoor and outdoor winter activity of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in central Italy was investigated in order to evaluate whether indoor activity might account for the overwintering of bluetongue virus, as has been hypothesized by some authors. Weekly Culicoides collections were performed at three farms over three consecutive winter seasons. At each farm, two black-light traps were operated simultaneously, indoors and outdoors. Culicoides were identified using both morphological and molecular means. The Culicoides obsoletus group accounted for 98.2% of sampled specimens. Within this group, C. obsoletus s.s. accounted for 56.8% and Culicoides scoticus for 43.2% of samples. Nulliparous, parous and engorged females were caught throughout the entire winter, both indoors and outdoors. At times, indoor catch sizes outnumbered outdoor collections. A significant inverse correlation was found between minimum temperature and the proportion of indoor Culicoides of the total midge catch, thus indicating that lower outdoor temperatures drive Culicoides midges indoors. High rates of engorged females were recorded indoors, possibly as the result of the propensity of C. obsoletus females to feed indoors. Higher proportions of parous females were found in indoor than in outdoor catches, indicating higher survival rates indoors and, consequently, higher vectorial capacities of midges sheltering indoors compared with those remaining outdoors.
The interaction between living beings, including men, animals and pathogens, sharing the same env... more The interaction between living beings, including men, animals and pathogens, sharing the same environment, should be considered as a unique dynamic system, in which the health of each component is inextricably interconnected and dependent with the others. Nowadays, a new integrated One Health approach is reflecting this interdependence with a holistic view to the ecological system. The One Health approach can be defined as a collaborative and a multidisciplinary effort at local, national and global level to guarantee an optimal healthy status for humans, animals and environment. Strictly related to the One Health concept is to be considered the control of infectious diseases, which have influenced the course of human history. Four different components might be identified as key elements within the ‘One World – One Health’ (OWOH) approach: the geographical component, the ecological one, the human activities and the food-agricultural ones.
West Nile virus (WNV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) represent an important group of viral ag... more West Nile virus (WNV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) represent an important group of viral agents responsible for vector-borne zoonotic diseases constituting an emerging sanitary threat for the Mediterranean Basin and the neighbouring countries. WNV infection is present in several Mediterranean countries, whereas RVF has never been introduced into Europe, but it is considered a major threat for North African countries. Being vector-borne diseases, they cannot be prevented only through an animal trade control policy. Several approaches are used for the surveillance of WNV and RVFV. With the aim of assessing the surveillance systems in place in Mediterranean countries, two disease-specific questionnaires (WNV, RVFV) have been prepared and submitted to Public Health and Veterinary Authorities of six EU countries. This study presents the information gathered through the questionnaires and describes some critical points in the prevention and surveillance of these diseases as emerged by the answers received.
Guaranteeing high acaricide efficacy to control Varroa destructor is fundamental for colony survi... more Guaranteeing high acaricide efficacy to control Varroa destructor is fundamental for colony survival. In this study, we verified the efficacy and impact of a commercial thymol-based veterinary product (Apiguard®) on colony honey bee populations when used alone or combined with the biotechnical method of caging honey bee queens to create an artificial brood interruption period in the colony. Apiguard® killed 76.1% of the mites while queen caging killed 40.6% of the mites. The combination of Apiguard® administration with queen caging killed 96.8% of the mites. Comparing bee numbers before and after treatment, Apiguard® treated colonies with caged queens had 48.7% fewer bees compared to before treatment, while Apiguard® alone reduced the number of adult bees by 13.6%. None of the treatments in the different groups resulted in elevated queen mortality.
Understanding animal population size and its demographic features is essential to address Public ... more Understanding animal population size and its demographic features is essential to address Public Health policies as well as to provide valuable information to pet industries and veterinary practitioners. Nevertheless, official data on feline population are not available worldwide. In the present study, the owned cat population size, its demographic attributes, and the ownership profiles have been investigated through a face-to-face questionnaire in a semirural area of Central Italy. The human : cat ratio was equal to 6.8 (95% CI: 5.7–7.5); 29.3% of households own at least one cat. The majority of cats were living in a rural area (67.8%) and outdoors, were neutered (70.5%), and were fed with commercial food (54.8%) and they visited a veterinarian 1-2 times a year (43.3%). The cat ownership was strongly associated with people living in a rural area and owning another pet. As the cat owned population was mainly kept outdoors in rural areas, the possible relation between the owned and the stray animals is worthy to be monitored in future researches. Our study revealed that the feline owned population was larger than expected and that social and economic human factors do not influence the cat ownership. Health Authorities and veterinary practitioners should promote responsible ownership to increase the veterinary care, to intensify the official identification, and to properly manage the outdoor lifestyle.
Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 2013
a b s t r a c t Since 2000 several bluetongue virus (BTV) incursions have occurred in Sardinia (I... more a b s t r a c t Since 2000 several bluetongue virus (BTV) incursions have occurred in Sardinia (Italy) involving serotypes 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16. In October 2012, new BT outbreaks caused by BTV-1 and BTV-4 were reported. Nearly 500 flocks were infected and 9238 sheep died because of the infection. When sequenced, Seg-10 of both strains shared 99% similarity at nucleotide level with BTV strains that have circulated in the Mediterranean basin in the last few years. Similarly, Seg-5 sequences of BTV-1 and BTV-4 newly isolated Sardinian strains are identical and cluster together with recent BTV-1 circulating in the Mediterranean Basin and the BTV-4 strains isolated in Tunisia in 2007 and 2009. These BTV-4 strains differ from the ones that circulated in Europe from 2003 to 2005 and appear to be reassortant strains. Ó 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Veterinaria italiana
Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in... more Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in 2012 in Northern Italy, immediate response actions were adopted to avoid the virus circulation. The brain tested positive by 2 different one-step real-time RT-PCR protocols; these results were also confirmed by partial sequencing of the viral genome. At that time this was the first detection of the new Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family in Italy. An epidemiological investigation in the involved farm was carried out in collaboration with the CESME - National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Italy). Epidemiological information on the flock was provided and analysed, whole blood and serum samples were also collected from all animals in the farm for both virological and serological investigations. All blood samples tested negative for SBV, w...
Veterinaria italiana
Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in... more Following the first report of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in the brain of a dystocic goat foetus in 2012 in Northern Italy, immediate response actions were adopted to avoid the virus circulation. The brain tested positive by 2 different one-step real-time RT-PCR protocols; these results were also confirmed by partial sequencing of the viral genome. At that time this was the first detection of the new Orthobunyavirus genus within the Bunyaviridae family in Italy. An epidemiological investigation in the involved farm was carried out in collaboration with the CESME - National Reference Centre for the study and verification of Foreign Animal Diseases (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Italy). Epidemiological information on the flock was provided and analysed, whole blood and serum samples were also collected from all animals in the farm for both virological and serological investigations. All blood samples tested negative for SBV, w...
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2013
In 2011, Trypanosoma equiperdum reemerged in Italy, almost 10 years after its last appearance. A ... more In 2011, Trypanosoma equiperdum reemerged in Italy, almost 10 years after its last appearance. A total of eight infected horses have been observed to date. Six horses were affected by natural outbreaks of the disease, whereas two were infected experimentally. The aim of this study was to offer a recent perspective on clinical cases of dourine in Europe. Investigation of the clinical aspects confirmed the three stages reported in the literature: stage 1 (genital lesions), stage 2 (cutaneous signs), and stage 3 (nervous signs). The most common signs in the horses under study were notable weight loss, edematous skin eruptions and oedemas of the abdomen, mammary glands and hind legs. Three animals presented neurological signs (lip ptosis of lower lip and ataxia). Infections were paucisymptomatic or asymptomatic in some animals. Hyperthermia was not reported in infected animals and considerable anemia was observed. High antibody titers did not always correspond to clinical signs. Positive polymerase chain reaction test results of blood or tissue (skin, eye swab) often correspond to an advanced stage of the disease. Dourine is a variable disease; owing to its low prevalence and chronic manifestation, it can be difficult to make a quick diagnosis when facing a Dourine-positive horse.