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This paper aims to establish the interface conditions influence on the flexible pavement structures life. The methodology consists in using the interface constitutive model available in the Alizé calculation program to calculate the stresses and strains in the flexible pavement structures.

Mycolicibacterium hassiacum (homotypic synonym: Mycobacterium hassiacum ) represents an ungrouped thermotolerant rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) species occasionally associated with infections and disease in humans. In this report, we describe a case of pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis due to M. hassiacum in an immunocompetent adult cat. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of M. hassiacum infection in animals. We also report the results of the in-depth genome characterization of the isolate using a combined short- and long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approach. We observed the lack of acquired-resistance genes and no evidence of mutations in housekeeping genes associated with resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid. We detected some virulence factors in our isolate, such as some associated with the interaction of mycobacteria with host cells, and the presence of multiple copies of heavy metal resistance genes ( ars B, ars R, and ars L/ cad L). In conclusion, M. hassiacum should be included among the RGM species associated with feline subcutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis (SAM). A reliable and fast RGM laboratory identification and characterization is important not only for an accurate etiological diagnosis but also for a correct approach to SAM treatment options.

Background: Equine influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral disease of equids characterized by pyrexia and respiratory signs. Like other influenza A viruses, antigenic drift or shift could lead to a vaccine-induced immunity breakdown if vaccine strains are not updated. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize EIV strains circulating in Italy, detected in PCR-positive samples collected from suspected cases, especially in the absence of formal active surveillance., Methods: Between February and April 2019, blood samples and nasal swabs collected from each of the 20 symptomatic horses from North and Central Italy were submitted to the National Reference Centre for Equine Diseases in Italy to confirm preliminary analysis performed by other laboratories., Results: None of the sera analysed using haemagglutination inhibition and single radial haemolysis presented a predominant serological reactivity pattern for any antigen employed. All nasal swabs were positive with IAV RRT-PCR. Only one strain, isolated in an embryonated chicken egg from a sample collected from a horse of a stable located in Brescia, Lombardy, was identified as H3N8 Florida lineage clade 1 (FC1). In the constructed phylogenetic trees, this strain is located within the FC1, together with the virus isolated in France in 2018 (MK501761)., Conclusions: This study reports the first detection of H3N8 FC1 in Italy, highlighting the importance of monitoring circulating EIV strains to verify the vaccine composition appropriateness for maximum efficacy.

Tuberculosis (TB) affects humans and other animals, and it is caused by bacteria within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). In this study, we report the characterisation of Mycobacterium pinnipedii that caused a TB case in a sea lion ( Otaria flavescens ) kept in an Italian zoo. The animal died due to severe, progressive disorders involving the respiratory and gastro-enteric systems and the skin. At necropsy, typical gross lesions referable to a TB generalised form were found. In particular, nodular granulomatous lesions were detected in the lungs and several lymph nodes, and colonies referable to Mycobacterium spp. were isolated from lung, mesenteric, and mediastinal lymph nodes. The isolate was identified by PCR as a MTBC, had a spoligotype SB 1480 ("seal lineage"), and was characterised and characterised by whole-genome sequencing analysis confirming that the MTBC involved was M. pinnipedii . The analysis of the resistome and virulome indicated the presence of macrolide and aminoglycoside resistance genes intrinsic in M. tuberculosis [ erm-37 and aac (2')-Ic] and confirmed the presence of the region of difference 1 (RD1), harbouring the esx A and esx B virulence genes, differently from its closest taxon, M. microti . As for other MTCB members, M. pinnipedii infection can spill over into non-pinniped mammalian species; therefore, zoological gardens, veterinary practitioners, and public health officers should be aware of the hazard posed by tuberculosis from marine mammals. Since the isolate under study, as well as all available genomes of M. pinnipedii investigated in this study retains almost all the M. tuberculosis virulence genes, it could indeed cause infection, lesions, and disease in other animal species, including humans., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2023 Alba, Caprioli, Cocumelli, Eleni, Diaconu, Donati, Ianzano, Sorbara, Stravino, Cerini, Boniotti, Zanoni, Franco and Battisti.)

The cfr genes encode for a 23S rRNA methyltransferase, conferring a multiresistance phenotype to phenicol, lincosamide, oxazolidinone, pleuromutilin, and streptogramin A antibiotics. These genes have been described in staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, we retrospectively performed an in-depth genomic characterisation of three cfr -positive, multidrug-resistant (MDR) livestock-associated (LA) MRSA clonal complexes (CCs) 1 and 398 detected in different Italian pig holdings (2008-2011) during population studies on Italian livestock (2008-2014). We used a combined Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) whole genome sequencing (WGS) approach on two isolates (the 2008 CC1 and the 2010 CC398 isolates, but not the 2011 CC1 isolate). Interestingly, the three isolates presented different cfr variants, with only one displaying a linezolid-resistant phenotype. In isolate 2008 CC1, the cfr gene was identified within a Tn558 composite transposon-like structure flanked by IS elements located on a novel 44,826 bp plasmid. This represents the first report of CC1 LA-MRSA harbouring the cfr gene in its functional variant. Differently, cfr was chromosomally located in isolate 2010 CC398. Our findings have significant public health implications, confirm the need for the continuous genomic surveillance of cfr -positive zoonotic LA-MRSA, and backdate cfr presence in LA-MRSA from Italian pigs to at least 2008.

The increasing prevalence of pESI(like)-positive, multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. Infantis in Europe is a cause of major concern. As previously demonstrated, the pESI(like) megaplasmid is not only a carrier of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) genes (at least tet, dfr, and sul genes), but also harbours several virulence and fitness genes, and toxin/antitoxin systems that enhance its persistence in the S. Infantis host. In this study, five prototype pESI(like) plasmids, of either CTX-M-1 or CTX-M-65 ESBL-producing strains, were long-read sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT), and their complete sequences were resolved. Comparison of the structure and gene content of the five sequenced plasmids, and further comparison with previously published pESI(like) sequences, indicated that although the sequence of such pESI(like) 'mosaic' plasmids remains almost identical, their structures appear different and composed of regions inserted or transposed after different events. The results obtained in this study are essential to better understand the plasticity and the evolution of the pESI(like) megaplasmid, and therefore to better address risk management options and policy decisions to fight against AMR and MDR in Salmonella and other food-borne pathogens. Graphical representation of the pESI-like plasmid complete sequence (ID 12037823/11). Block colours indicate the function of the genes: red: repB gene; pink: class I integrons (IntI); yellow; mobile elements; blue: resistance genes; green: toxin/anti-toxin systems; grey: mer operon; light green: genes involve in conjugation., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of FEMS.)

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are considered a major public health issue. In the frame of the EU Harmonized AMR Monitoring program conducted in Italy in 2021, 21 epidemiological units of fattening pigs (6.98%; 95% CI 4.37-10.47%; 21/301) and four epidemiological units of bovines <12 months (1.29%; 95% CI 0.35-3.27%, 4/310) resulted positive to OXA-48-like-producing E. coli ( n  = 24 OXA-181, n  = 1 OXA-48). Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) for in-depth characterization, genomics and cluster analysis of OXA-181-(and one OXA-48) producing E. coli isolated, was performed. Tracing-back activities at: (a) the fattening holding of origin of one positive slaughter batch, (b) the breeding holding, and (c) one epidemiologically related dairy cattle holding, allowed detection of OXA-48-like-producing E. coli in different units and comparison of further human isolates from fecal samples of farm workers. The OXA-181-producing isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), belonged to different Sequence Types (STs), harbored the IncX and IncF plasmid replicons and multiple virulence genes. Bioinformatics analysis of combined Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long reads and Illumina short reads identified bla OXA-181 as part of a transposon in IncX1, IncX3, and IncFII fully resolved plasmids from 16 selected E. coli, mostly belonging to ST5229, isolated during the survey at slaughter and tracing-back activities. Although human source could be the most likely cause for the introduction of the bla OXA-181 -carrying IncX1 plasmid in the breeding holding, concerns arise from carbapenemase OXA-48-like-producing E. coli spreading in 2021 in Italian fattening pigs and, to a lesser extent, in veal calf holdings., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Carfora, Diaconu, Ianzano, Di Matteo, Amoruso, Dell'Aira, Sorbara, Bottoni, Guarneri, Campana, Franco, Alba and Battisti.)

Contrary to humans, candidiasis is a rare infection in animals. However, in reptiles, candidiasis can cause gastrointestinal, cutaneous, or rarely systemic infections in stressed animals. The infections due to Yarrowia lipolytica have been increasingly described in human medicine, and hundreds of cases are reported, comprised of granulomatous lung lesions. Herein, granulomatous pneumonia of a spectacled caiman, Caiman crocodilus , was described, and the presence of Y. lipolytica in the lesion was confirmed through histopathology, microbiologic cultures, and molecular methods. The cause of death of the spectacled caiman was ascribed to bacterial shock septicemia consequentially to a traumatic lesion. However, in the right lung, several nodules containing white exudate were evidenced. At mycological and molecular analyses, Y. lipolytica was evidenced, and the histological finding confirmed the presence of a Candida infection in the lung granulomatous lesions. The comparison of ITS sequences with 11 Yarrowia spp. isolates, recently described in green sea turtles, and with a human strain was conducted, and the whole genome of a strain isolated in the spectacled caiman was sequenced. Even though Y. lipolytica is considered a non-pathogenic yeast and has been rarely described in animals, it seems to cause granulomatous lesions in reptiles as in humans., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This paper reported a case of a metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a fennec ( Vulpes zerda ) kept in a zoo in central Italy. The fennec had shown paralysis of the hind limbs, anorexia, weakness and respiratory signs before death. Cardiomegaly and granulomatous pneumonia were the major anatomopathological findings. Inflammatory lesions associated with parasitic larvae were observed in the lungs, brain, liver, heart, spinal cord and kidney of the fennec at histology. A. vasorum diagnosis was confirmed by both morphological and molecular identification of adult worms recovered at necropsy. Fennecs are active predators and maintain their hunting behaviour in captivity. Hence, it is likely that the animal was exposed to infection by preying on parasitised gastropods, intermediate hosts of A. vasorum , entering zoo enclosures from the surrounding environment. This is the first report of A. vasorum systemic infection in a captive fennec ( V. zerda) in a zoo in Italy.

Background: Due to their abundance in some environments, the blood-sucking habit and the involvement in the transmission of several diseases, blackflies of the genus Simulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) can be considered among the most annoying biting arthropods., Methods: Following repeated attacks to humans and animals, entomological investigations were carried out in green areas of Rome and surroundings. Site and period of attacks were reported, together with the human and animal reactions to the bites., Results: Four Simulium species have been identified through morphological or molecular analysis: Simulium intermedium, Simulium lineatum, Simulium lundstromi and Simulium ornatum (complex). Larval breeding sites were identified in small moats, where a high density of blackflies larvae and pupae was revealed., Conclusions: Being able to thrive in highly polluted water, even in few mm depth watercourses, some blackfly species are widely distributed in the area and their bites caused mild to severe reactions to humans and animals.

Listeriosis is currently the fifth most common foodborne disease in Europe. Most cases are sporadic; however, outbreaks have also been reported. Compared to other foodborne infections, listeriosis has a modest incidence but can cause life-threatening complications, especially in elderly or immunocompromised people and pregnant women. In the latter case, the pathology can be the cause of premature birth or spontaneous abortion, especially if the fetus is affected during the first months of gestation. The causative agent of listeriosis, Listeria monocytogenes , is characterized by the innate ability to survive in the environment and in food, even in adverse conditions and for long periods. Ready-to-eat food represents the category most at risk for contracting listeriosis. This study presents the result of an investigation carried out on a case of maternal-fetal transmission of listeriosis which occurred in 2020 in central Italy and which was linked, with a retrospective approach, to other cases residing in the same city of the pregnant woman. Thanks to the use of next-generation sequencing methodologies, it was possible to identify an outbreak of infection, linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat sliced products sold in a supermarket in the investigated city.

Baylisascaris procyonis is a nematode parasite of the raccoon (Procyon lotor), and it can be responsible for a severe form of larva migrans in humans. This parasite has been reported from many countries all over the world, after translocation of its natural host outside its native geographic range, North America. In the period between January and August 2021, 21 raccoons were cage-trapped and euthanized in Tuscany (Central Italy), in the context of a plan aimed at eradicating a reproductive population of this non-native species. All the animals were submitted for necroscopic examination. Adult ascariids were found in the small intestine of seven raccoons (prevalence 33.3%). Parasites have been identified as B. procyonis based on both morphometric and molecular approaches. The aim of the present article is to report the first finding of this zoonotic parasite from Italy, highlighting the sanitary risks linked to the introduction of alien vertebrate species in new areas., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

A collection of 177 genomes of Salmonella Typhimurium and its monophasic variant isolated in 2014-2019 from Italian poultry/livestock ( n = 165) and foodstuff ( n = 12), previously screened for antimicrobial susceptibility and assigned to ST34 and single-locus variants, were studied in-depth to check the presence of the novel mcr-9 gene and to investigate their genetic relatedness by whole genome sequencing (WGS). The study of accessory resistance genes revealed the presence of mcr -9.1 in 11 ST34 isolates, displaying elevated colistin minimum inhibitory concentration values up to 2 mg/L and also a multidrug-resistant (MDR) profile toward up to seven antimicrobial classes. Five of them were also extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producers ( bla SHV - 12 type), mediated by the corresponding antimicrobial resistance (AMR) accessory genes. All mcr -9-positive isolates harbored IncHI2-ST1 plasmids. From the results of the Mash analysis performed on all 177 genomes, the 11 mcr-9 -positive isolates fell together in the same subcluster and were all closely related. This subcluster included also two mcr -9-negative isolates, and other eight mcr -9-negative ST34 isolates were present within the same parental branch. All the 21 isolates within this branch presented an IncHI2/2A plasmid and a similar MDR gene pattern. In three representative mcr -9-positive isolates, mcr-9 was demonstrated to be located on different IncHI2/IncHI2A large-size (∼277-297 kb) plasmids, using a combined Illumina-Oxford Nanopore WGS approach. These plasmids were also compared by BLAST analysis with publicly available IncHI2 plasmid sequences harboring mcr -9. In our plasmids, mcr -9 was located in a ∼30-kb region lacking different genetic elements of the typical core structure of mcr -9 cassettes. In this region were also identified different genes involved in heavy metal metabolism. Our results underline how genomics and WGS-based surveillance are increasingly indispensable to achieve better insights into the genetic environment and features of plasmid-mediated AMR, as in the case of such IncHI2 plasmids harboring other MDR genes beside mcr -9, that can be transferred horizontally also to other major Salmonella serovars spreading along the food chain., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Diaconu, Alba, Feltrin, Di Matteo, Iurescia, Chelli, Donati, Marani, Giacomi, Franco and Carfora.)

Avian malaria is a worldwide distributed, vector-born disease of birds caused by parasites of the order Haemosporida. There is a lack of knowledge about the presence and pathogenetic role of Haemosporida in Psittacidae. Here we report a case of avian malaria infection in lovebirds ( Agapornis roseicollis ), with the genetic characterization of the Plasmodium species involved. The birds were hosted in a zoo located in Italy, where avian malaria cases in African penguins ( Spheniscus demersus ) were already reported. Animals ( n = 11) were submitted for necropsy after sudden death and were subjected to further analyses including histopathology, bacteriology, and PCR for the research of haemosporidians. Clinical history, gross lesions and histopathological observation of schizonts, together with positive PCR results for Plasmodium spp., demonstrated that avian malaria was the cause of death for one animal and the possible cause of death for the other nine. The sequences obtained were compared using BLAST and analyzed for similarity to sequences available at the MalAvi database. Genetic analyses demonstrated a 100% nucleotide identity to Plasmodium matutinum LINN1 for all the obtained sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing avian malaria in lovebirds.

The blaNDM-5-producing E. coli Sequence Type (ST)167 high-risk clone is emerging worldwide in human clinical cases, while its presence in companion animals is sporadic and has never been described in Italy. Using a combined Oxford Nanopore (ONT) long-reads and Illumina short-reads sequencing approach, an E. coli ST167 isolated from a hospitalized dog, was in-depth characterized by WGS and the plasmid containing bla NDM-5 was fully reconstructed. The complete sequence of the pMOL008 mosaic plasmid (F36:F31:A4:B1; pMOL008) harbouring bla NDM-5 , was resolved and characterized. Moreover, a (pro)phage and IncFII, containing bla CMY-2 and ermB, and IncI2 plasmid types were also identified. pMOL008 was almost identical to bla NDM-5 -containing plasmids from E. coli ST167 isolated from Italian human clinical cases and from a Swiss dog and colonized humans. bla NDM-5 was located in a class 1 integron together with aadA2, aac(3)-IIa, mph(A), sul1, tet(A) and dfrA12. The risk of spill-over and spill-back transmission of carbapenem-resistance genes, related plasmids and strains between humans and dogs, represents a Public Health threat and highlights the importance of the One Health approach for the AMR surveillance., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Avian malaria is a parasitic disease of birds caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Plasmodium , within the order Haemosporida. Penguins are considered particularly susceptible, and outbreaks in captive populations can lead to high mortality. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the death due to avian malaria, occurred between 2015 and 2019, in eight African penguins ( Spheniscus demersus ) kept in two Italian zoos located in central Italy, and situated about 30 km apart. We also provided information about the presence and circulation of Plasmodium spp. in mosquitoes in central Italy by sampling mosquitoes in both zoos where penguin mortalities occurred. In the eight dead penguins, gross and histopathological lesions were consistent with those previously observed by other authors in avian malaria outbreaks. Organs from dead penguins and mosquitoes collected in both zoos were tested for avian malaria parasites by using a PCR assay targeting the partial mitochondrial conserved region of the cytochrome b gene. Identification at species level was performed by sequencing analysis. Plasmodium matutinum was detected in both dead penguins and in mosquitoes ( Culex pipiens ), while Plasmodium vaughani in Culex pipiens only. Parasites were not found in any of the PCR tested Aedes albopictus samples. Based on our phylogenetic analysis, we detected three previously characterized lineages: Plasmodium matutinum LINN1 and AFTRU5, P. vaughani SYAT05. In Culex pipiens we also identified two novel lineages, CXPIP32 (inferred morphospecies Plasmodium matutinum ) and CXPIP33 (inferred morphospecies P. vaughani ). Significantly, LINN1 and AFTRU5 were found to be associated to penguin deaths, although only LINN1 was detected both in penguins (along the years of the study) and in Culex pipiens , while AFTRU5 was detected in a single penguin dead in 2017. In conclusion, in our study Plasmodium matutinum was found to cause avian malaria in captive penguins kept in Europe, with Culex pipiens being its most probable vector. Our results are in agreement with previous studies suggesting that Culex pipiens is one of the main vectors of Plasmodium spp. in Europe and the Northern Hemisphere. Zoos maintaining captive penguins in temperate areas where Culex pipiens is abundant should be well aware of the risks of avian malaria, and should put every effort to prevent outbreaks, in particular during the periods when the number of vectors is higher., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Iurescia, Romiti, Cocumelli, Diaconu, Stravino, Onorati, Alba, Friedrich, Maggi, Magliano, Ermenegildi, Carfora, Caprioli, De Liberato and Battisti.)

Objectives: To the best of our knowledge, we describe the first evidence in Europe of an MDR, blaNDM-4-positive Escherichia coli isolated from a food-producing animal, harboured by a novel IncFII plasmid of which we report the complete sequence., Methods: One blaNDM-4-positive E. coli isolated in 2019 from the caecal contents of a fattening pig in Italy was in-depth characterized by combined bioinformatic analysis of Oxford Nanopore long reads and Illumina short reads, for in silico typing, determination of the blaNDM-4 genetic context and full reconstruction of the blaNDM-4-carrying plasmid., Results: The isolate belonged to ST641 and to the genoserotype O108:H23 and tested positive for different virulence genes and plasmid replicons. The MDR phenotype of resistance to all β-lactams, carbapenems, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim was mediated by blaTEM-1B, blaNDM-4, sul1/sul3 and dfrA12, respectively. The blaNDM-4 gene was harboured by a novel 53 043 bp IncFII plasmid (pMOL412&#95;FII) composed of four main genetic regions, including an MDR region (MRR-NDM-4) of 16 kb carrying blaNDM-4 and several antimicrobial resistance genes located in a class 1 integron. pMOL412&#95;FII was closely related to another ∼90.3 kb plasmid (pM109&#95;FII) harbouring blaNDM-4 in an E. coli isolated from a human patient in Myanmar., Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, we have identified for the first time in Europe an NDM-producing Enterobacterales in livestock and resolved the complete sequence of the novel pMOL412&#95;FII plasmid harbouring blaNDM-4 in an MRR. A global One Health approach, comparing genomic data from different sources and geographical areas, may help to trace back and control possible plasmid-borne carbapenemase gene transmission between animals and humans and along the food chain at international level., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.)

Salmonella Infantis is one of the five serovars most frequently causing human salmonellosis in Europe, mainly associated with poultry. A clone harbouring a conjugative plasmid of emerging S . Infantis (pESI)-like megaplasmid, carrying multidrug resistant (MDR) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) genes, has spread in the Italian broiler chicken industry also causing human illness. This work is aimed at elucidating the molecular epidemiology of S . Infantis and pESI-like in Europe using whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, and to investigate the genetic relatedness of S . Infantis clones and pESI-like from animals, meat, feed and humans provided by institutions of nine European countries. Two genotyping approaches were used: chromosome or plasmid SNP-based analysis and the minimum spanning tree (MST) algorithm based on core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). The European S . Infantis population appeared heterogeneous, with different genetic clusters defined at core-genome level. However, pESI-like variants present in 64.1 % of the isolates were more genetically homogeneous and capable of infecting different clonal lineages in most of the countries. Two different pESI-like with ESBL genes ( n =82) were observed: bla CTX-M-1 -positive in European isolates and bla CTX-M-65 -positive in American isolates (study outgroup). Both variants had toxin-antitoxin systems, resistance genes towards tetracyclines, trimethoprim, sulphonamides and aminoglycosides, heavy metals ( mer A) and disinfectants ( qac EΔ). Worryingly, 66 % of the total isolates studied presented different gyr A chromosomal point mutations associated with (fluoro)quinolone resistance (MIC range 0.125-0.5 mg/L), while 18 % displayed transferable macrolide resistance mediated by mph , mef and erm (B) genes. Proper intervention strategies are needed to prevent further dissemination/transmission of MDR S . Infantis and pESI-like along the food chain in Europe.

Stemphylium vesicarium is the causal agent of several plant diseases as well brown spot of pear (BSP), which is one of the most economically important fungal diseases in European pear-production areas. In addition to the relevance of the economic impact, conidia spread widely from plant material infected by the pathogen can trigger respiratory allergy. Here, we report the first genome of a S. vesicarium strain, 173-1a13FI1M3, isolated from pear and sensitive to the mostly used fungicide classes currently authorized in Europe against BSP. The availability of this draft genome could represent a first important step in understanding the physiology and the infection mechanism of the pathogen. Furthermore, this contribution could be fundamental in order to design more effective and sustainable strategies to control the disease.