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The knowledge of demographic traits such as longevity, growth rates and age at sexual maturity is crucial for understanding the structure of a population in its natural environment and implementing appropriate strategies for its management and conservation. Based on counts of growth layer groups in sections of decalcified teeth using the paraffin technique, we estimated the age and growth of 25 individuals of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) found dead stranded along the coast of Campania and Calabria (south Italy, central-western Mediterranean) from 2013 to 2018. Seven individuals, with TL of 100–110 cm, were calves under 1 year old. The oldest male and female individuals were 19 and 14 years old, respectively. Growth curve estimated using the Gompertz growth model (GGM) showed that in S. coeruleoalba male growth trajectories are partly in accordance with those reported in other studies on the same species from different Mediterranean areas. The high frequency (28%) of calves strongly suggests that females of this species use the marine area all around the south-western Italian coasts to give birth to their offspring. Furthermore, a comparison with the estimated age of striped dolphins from other Mediterranean marine areas shows that the longevity of the individuals examined in this study is much lower. Our study provides information toward understanding the demographic traits of S. coeruleoalba from Mediterranean Sea. The results reported here can be useful for future research aimed at understanding population structure, mortality patterns and the effects of anthropogenic activity on the survival of this species in this marine area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen with a worldwide distribution, and infects several mammalian species, including pigs and wild boars, which are recognized as its natural reservoirs. The virus causes a usually self‐limiting liver disease with a mortality rate generally below 1%, although mortality rates of 15%–25% have been recorded in pregnant woman. Chronic infections can also occur. The prevalence of HEV has been extensively studied in wild boars and pigs in northern Italy, where intensive pig herds are predominantly located. In contrast, few data have been collected in south‐central Italy, where small pig herds are surrounded by large regional parks populated with heterogeneous wild fauna. In this study, 291 liver samples from wild boars caught in south‐central Italy were analysed with the molecular detection of viral RNA. Our results confirm the circulation of HEV in these animals, with a mean prevalence of 13.7% (40 of 291). A nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the HEV strains were highly conserved within the same geographic areas. The wild boar HEV strains belonged to the HEV‐3c subtype, which is frequently described in wild boars, and to an uncommon undefined subtype (HEV‐3j‐like).The viral prevalence detected is concerning because it could represent a potential risk to hunters, meat workers and consumers of wild boar liver and derivative products. The hypothesized inter‐species transmission of HEV to pigs and the possibility that the virus maintains its virulence in the environment and the meat chain also present potential risks to human health, and warrant further investigations in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The air sacs of free-ranging birds of prey (n= 652) from southern Italy, including 11 species of Accipitriformes and six of Falconiforms, were examined for infections with Serratospiculumtendo (Nematoda: Diplotriaenoidea). Of the 17 species of birds examined, 25 of 31 (80.6%) peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) from Calabria Region and a single northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) from Campania Region were infected with S. tendo, suggesting a strong host specificity for the peregrine falcon. The northern goshawk and 18 of 25 infected peregrine falcons showed cachexia and all infected birds had bone fractures. At gross examination, air sacculitis and pneumonia were the most common lesions in infected birds. Microscopically, the air-sac walls showed thickening of the smooth muscle cells, resulting in a papillary appearance, along with hyperplasia of the mesothelium and epithelium, and foci of plasma cell infiltration and macrophages associated with several embryonated eggs and adult parasites. Extensive areas of inflammation were found in the lungs, characterized by lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblasts surrounding embryonated eggs. The northern goshawk also had detachment of the dextral lung with several necrotic foci. In this case, the death of the bird was directly attributed to S. tendo infection. Lesions and pathological changes observed here suggest that S. tendo can cause disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the first case of natural bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) infection in water buffalo. Topics covered include the factors that can influence the severity of BoHV-1 infection such as potential concurrent bacterial infections, host resistance factors and virulence of the virus strain.

Post-mortem examination of a sub-adult debilitated white stork ( Ciconia ciconia) from southern Italy showed nodular enteritis associated with massive infection by Chaunocephalus ferox (Digenea: Echinostomatidae). Pathological changes included lesions ranging from traumatic destruction of tissues with hemorrhages and thickness of mucosa and submucosa at fluke penetration site to loss of duodenal villi and necrosis. Lesions through the whole intestinal tract associated with the digenean infection were considered as compatible with causing the cachexia and death of the white stork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two healthy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in a herd which had not been vaccinated against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), were selected for their seropositivity for anti-bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BoHV-1) glycoprotein E antibodies, and injected intramuscularly daily with dexamethasone for five consecutive days (day 1 to day 5) to reactivate any latent herpesvirus. Blood samples and nasal and vaginal swabs were collected daily from day 5 to day 15 from each buffalo for virological examination. All the vaginal swabs and blood samples were negative, but 13 of the 22 nasal swabs were positive; a cytopathic effect was observed in primary cultures of bovine fetal lung cells, and the viral isolates were identified as a herpesvirus by PCR. The viral strains were characterised by the sequence analysis of the genes coding for glycoproteins D and B, and the gene sequences were then used for phylogenetic analysis. The isolates from both buffaloes appeared identical at the level of the two genes, and were more closely related to bovine herpesvirus type 5 than to BoHV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During disaster events, the displaced populations living in tent camps are at high risk from foodborne illness outbreaks (FBO) as in these circumstances it is difficult to follow proper hygienic procedures during food handling and storage. When an outbreak occurs, an epidemiological investigation able to identify the source(s) of the exposure is essential to rapidly establish control measures to prevent continuing episodes of illness. This work aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and the applicability under simulated field conditions of an investigation protocol to be used during a FBO. Moreover, the application of the software ‘TOSSINFO’ for data analysis was evaluated. Methods: In May 2018, a FBO associated with the consumption of a tuna affecting 46 out of 75 people present in a tent camp in southern Italy was simulated. During the simulation, two teams of doctors and veterinarians participated in the investigation. The investigation protocol involved three steps: environmental inspection, epidemiological investigation, and data analysis through TOSSINFO. This software allows calculating different epidemiological indicators, several measures of association, and the visualization of the progression of the outbreak through epidemic curves. Results: At the end of the exercise, both teams were able to trace the source of the infection. After data collection and data analysis, the groups demonstrated a strong association between illness people and tuna consumption. Furthermore, the teams achieved similar Results: RR (7.50 vs 7.01), OR (27 vs 28), and Chi-square (12.1 vs 10.1). Conclusions: The results demonstrated the validity of the procedure and the simple execution of the software analysis. These guidelines represent an opportunity for the implementation of foodborne disease management strategies and could be used throughout the community, leading to an improvement of the Public Health surveillance system. Key messages: These guidelines allow for effective management of a food toxinfection episode. The original software TOSSINFO used in this procedure enables quick and easy identification of infected food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a retrospective study that investigates whether leptospirosis was the cause of abortions over a three-year period in water buffaloes in Salerno province in the south of Italy. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used in the study for the rapid and specific detection of Lestospira DNA in fetal kidney tissue. The findings, together with the previous studies, indicate the prevalence and high susceptibility of infection with Leptospira species in buffaloes in the area.

The article focuses on the isolation of RB51 vaccine from the virulent B abortus strain 2308 from aborted buffalo fetuses. The fetuses are tested for the most common infectious agents responsible for abortion. These isolated colonies are Gram stained. Isolation of the strain from the fetuses have been due to incorrect use of vaccine if it had been administered to pregnant buffaloes.

Examines the presence of verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) in water buffalo herds in Italy. Collection of fresh faecal samples from the herds to be used for testing; Use of biochemical assays in the testing which confirmed the presence of VTEC O157 in some of the animals; Average prevalence of VTEC O157 in farms.