The illegal trade of animals poses several health issues to the global community, among which are the underestimated risk for spillover infection and the potential for an epizootic in both wildlife ...and domestic naïve populations. We herein describe the genetic and antigenic characterization of viruses of the specie
detected at high prevalence in puppies illegally introduced in North Eastern Italy and compared them with those circulating in wild carnivores from the same area. We found evidence of a wide diversity of canine parvoviruses (CPV-2) belonging to different antigenic types in illegally imported pups. In wildlife, we found a high circulation of feline parvovirus (FPV) in golden jackals and badgers, whereas CPV-2 was observed in one wolf only. Although supporting a possible spillover event, the low representation of wolf samples in the present study prevented us from inferring the origin, prevalence and viral diversity of the viruses circulating in this species. Therefore, we suggest performing more thorough investigations before excluding endemic CPV-2 circulation in this species.
Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. The role of the cat as a susceptible host and potential environmental reservoir of
is ...still not well understood, due to the lack of obvious clinical signs associated with
spp. infection in this species. This study aims to describe the first European detection of
serogroup Australis ST 24 in a young outdoor cat with a severe comorbidity (feline panleukopenia virus). In addition, the results of a preliminary study conducted in 2014-2016 are presented (RC IZSVE 16/12), which reports an investigation of
exposure of outdoor cats in Northeast Italy by means of serological investigation and molecular evaluation of urine. The animals included in the survey are part of samples collected during active and passive surveillance (diagnostic samples). The study reported a seroprevalence of 10.5% among outdoor cats and the serogroups identified were Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, Canicola and Ballum. Symptomatic cats reported high MAT titres (ranging from 1:800 to 1:1600) towards antigens belonging to the serovars Grippotyphosa (1:800), Bratislava (1:1600), Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:200) and Copenhageni (1:200-1:800). In one subject, urine tested positive for
PCR. Cats with high antibody titres for
and/or positivity on molecular test suffered from immunosuppressive comorbidities (feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus; feline herpesvirus and lymphoma; hyperthyroidism). The overall prevalence of serum antibodies against
found in free-ranging cats (10.53%, 95% CI: 4.35-16.70%) and the identification of
ST 24 in a young cat with immunosuppressive disease (feline panleukopenia virus) suggest the possibility of natural resistance to clinical leptospirosis in healthy cats. In a One Health perspective, further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of leptospirosis in cats and their epidemiological role as environmental sentinels or possible carriers of pathogenic
.
The illegal trade of companion animals in the European Union poses several legal, ethical and health issues to the entire community. In the framework of the Biocrime Interreg project between Italy ...and Austria, we surveyed puppies and kittens confiscated at the borders to identify the most frequent pathogens associated with (i) the risk of spread within the shelter, (ii) the development of fatal disease and (iii) the zoonotic potential. From January 2018 to December 2020, we examined a total of 613 puppies and 62 kittens coming from 44 requisitions. Feces, skin specimens and blood sera from confiscated animals were tested to verify the presence of major infections and to assess the rabies post-vaccination immunity. Out of the total of individuals under investigation, necropsies and laboratory investigations were also performed on 79 puppies and three kittens that had died during the observation period. Results indicated a high prevalence of Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Giardia spp. infections, CPV as the most likely cause of fatal gastroenteritis in puppies and Salmonella and Microsporum canis as major zoonotic pathogens. Conversely, both extended spectrum beta lactamases Escherichia coli and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains as rare findings. Results highlighted that illegal animal trade could expose the human population to potential zoonotic risk and naïve animal population to potentially disrupting epidemic waves, both of these issues being largely underestimated when buying companion animals.
A 2‐month‐old cria that died following a short episode of constipation and diarrhoea was presented for a postmortem examination. The main macroscopic findings were widely disseminated, multinodular, ...whitish lesions involving liver and kidney and severe and diffuse haemorrhagic jejunitis. Histopathologically, the nodules are characterised by sheets of neoplastic round cells. An immunohistochemical panel including lymphoid, histiocytic/myeloid and pan‐neuroendocrine markers was performed. Taking into account the epidemiology of malignant round cell tumours in camelids, the neoplastic cell morphology as well as the negativity to all the tested markers, null cell lymphoma is considered as the most likely differential diagnosis. As recently highlighted by the literature, these findings confirm lymphoma as a potential systemic and aggressive neoplasm in young alpacas.
The illegal trade of animals poses several health issues to the global community, among which are the underestimated risk for spillover infection and the potential for an epizootic in both wildlife ...and domestic naïve populations. We herein describe the genetic and antigenic characterization of viruses of the specie Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 detected at high prevalence in puppies illegally introduced in North Eastern Italy and compared them with those circulating in wild carnivores from the same area. We found evidence of a wide diversity of canine parvoviruses (CPV-2) belonging to different antigenic types in illegally imported pups. In wildlife, we found a high circulation of feline parvovirus (FPV) in golden jackals and badgers, whereas CPV-2 was observed in one wolf only. Although supporting a possible spillover event, the low representation of wolf samples in the present study prevented us from inferring the origin, prevalence and viral diversity of the viruses circulating in this species. Therefore, we suggest performing more thorough investigations before excluding endemic CPV-2 circulation in this species.
Canine angiostrongylosis is an emergent cardio-pulmonary gastropod-borne helminthic infection caused by the metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum. Clinically, it is characterized by a wide ...spectrum of non-specific signs and the red fox serves as the most important reservoir for dog infections. In Italy, this disease has been well documented both in northwestern and central-southern regions, whereas it is apparently poorly recognized in the northeastern area of the country.
This report describes the diagnostic findings of two autochthonous cases of fatal canine angiostrongylosis and of one case in a wild red fox detected in northeastern Italy. Reporting cases is relevant to clinicians in order to increase their awareness for the prompt diagnosis of a potentially life-threatening disease that may go unnoticed or misdiagnosed.
Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases and can infect both humans and animals worldwide. The role of the cat as a susceptible host and potential environmental reservoir of ...Leptospira is still not well understood, due to the lack of obvious clinical signs associated with Leptospira spp. infection in this species. This study aims to describe the first European detection of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis ST 24 in a young outdoor cat with a severe comorbidity (feline panleukopenia virus). In addition, the results of a preliminary study conducted in 2014-2016 are presented (RC IZSVE 16/12), which reports an investigation of Leptospira exposure of outdoor cats in Northeast Italy by means of serological investigation and molecular evaluation of urine. The animals included in the survey are part of samples collected during active and passive surveillance (diagnostic samples). The study reported a seroprevalence of 10.5% among outdoor cats and the serogroups identified were Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Bratislava, Canicola and Ballum. Symptomatic cats reported high MAT titres (ranging from 1:800 to 1:1600) towards antigens belonging to the serovars Grippotyphosa (1:800), Bratislava (1:1600), Icterohaemorrhagiae (1:200) and Copenhageni (1:200-1:800). In one subject, urine tested positive for Leptospira PCR. Cats with high antibody titres for Leptospira and/or positivity on molecular test suffered from immunosuppressive comorbidities (feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus; feline herpesvirus and lymphoma; hyperthyroidism). The overall prevalence of serum antibodies against Leptospira found in free-ranging cats (10.53%, 95% CI: 4.35-16.70%) and the identification of L. interrogans ST 24 in a young cat with immunosuppressive disease (feline panleukopenia virus) suggest the possibility of natural resistance to clinical leptospirosis in healthy cats. In a One Health perspective, further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of leptospirosis in cats and their epidemiological role as environmental sentinels or possible carriers of pathogenic Leptospira.
Correspondence: 1 Corresponding Author: De Zan Gabrita, Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica, Patologia Comparata ed Igiene Veterinaria, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Padova, ...Agripolis, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy. gabrita.dezan{at}unipd.it
A gastric lymphoid tumor with involvement of regional lymph nodes and spleen was diagnosed in an 8-year-old crossbreed male dog with a 6-month history of gastrointestinal disease. Despite surgical excision and palliative therapy (prednisolone and cimetidine), the dog was euthanatized due to worsening of clinical signs. At necropsy, multiple white, solid, nodular, infiltrative masses were observed in the stomach, duodenum, spleen, liver, and lungs in association with generalized lymph node enlargement. Cytology, histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy revealed that the neoplastic cell population was composed of B lymphocytes that contained variable amounts of round periodic acid–Schiff-positive cytoplasmic globules consistent with Russell bodies. The tumor most likely represented a variant of B-cell neoplasia with extensive Mott cell differentiation.
Key Words: B-cell lymphoma dogs electron microscopy immunohistochemistry Mott cell
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