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Examination of spicules from a living sponge confirmed the presence of Corvomeyenia carolinensis in Mohawk Pond, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Until recently this species had only been reported from one locality in South Carolina. Based upon spicule observations in dated sediment samples this species appears to have existed within Mohawk Pond throughout the past 100+ years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of 28 Connecticut water bodies for spicular remains of freshwater sponges preserved in lacustrine sediments revealed 14 species representing 10 genera. Sediments were examined at five levels (ca 1991, ca 1970, ca 1934, ca 1890, ca < or = 1875) to document changes inspecies composition, distribution, and abundance. Five species were recorded statewide in all five geologic regions: Spongilla lacustris,Heteromeyenia tubisperma, Anheteromeyenia ryderi, Eunapius fragilis,and Ephydatia muelleri. Spongilla lacustris was the most common and widely distributed species. Factors that may have contributed to the observed distribution of the spongillids in Connecticut are regional differences in lake water chemistries, individual species tolerances,and differences in extent of dispersal of various species. Most of the more abundant species are widely distributed with respect to waterquality parameters. Anheteromeyenia argyrosperma, Duosclera mackayi and Trochospongilla pennsylvanica appear to be restricted to waters exhibiting the lower ranges for conductivity, alkalinity and calcium content. In general, a greater number of spicules was found in bottom sediments of the surveyed lakes as compared with the surface sediments. Often this was correlated with increased sediment accumulation rates in more recent periods. When this fact is taken into account, it appears that populations of a number of sponge species have remained relatively constant in many of the lakes over the past century. However, in some lakes exhibiting lower or only slightly higher sediment accumulation rates at the surface, fewer spicules were also found in more recent sediments, suggesting an actual decline in sponge population sizes. Changes in abundance over the last 100 years may be related to changes in land use practices in surrounding watersheds and the associated changes in water chemistries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to evaluate parents' knowledge about vaccination targeted for adolescents., Methods: The cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and April 2024 in a sample of parents of adolescents attending middle and high schools in Southern Italy., Results: Only 10.9% of parents correctly answered all the questions related to the knowledge of vaccinations during adolescence. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that male parents, those who were married/cohabitants, those who had a university degree/masters/PhD, those who were unemployed, those who had a higher number of cohabitants, those who had more than one son/daughter, and parents of older adolescents were significantly more likely to have correct knowledge regarding the vaccinations during adolescence. Overall, more than half of the parents reported that their sons/daughters received the vaccinations indicated during adolescence. Moreover, regarding the vaccinations recommended during adolescence, only 37.2% of parents reported having vaccinated their sons/daughtesr with HPV and tetravalent meningococcal vaccinations. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that those who had correct knowledge regarding vaccination during adolescence, those who had only one son/daughter, parents of older adolescents, those who had a daughter, those who had at least one chronic disease, and those who had a higher number of cohabitants were significantly more likely to have vaccinated their sosn/daughters with HPV and tetravalent meningococcal vaccinations., Conclusions: These findings underlined the need to plan immunization campaigns for adolescents and their parents, with the implementation of educational programs specifically targeted to these groups.

Introduction: This study investigated the quality of sleep in a sample of individuals from Southern Italy after the major waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of evaluating how sleep patterns changed., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2022 and January 2023 and involved adults who had a COVID-19 infection, who were invited to complete a self-administered online questionnaire., Results: A total of 408 individuals participated in the survey. Overall, 66.4% had a reduction in social relations; 72.1% had an increase in the use of social media; and 86%, 77.2%, and 71.1% reported an extremely severe level of anxiety, stress, and depression, respectively. Almost all of the respondents had a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score (PSQI) ≥5, indicating poor sleep quality. Subjects with a severe or extremely severe depression score, a severe or extremely severe stress score, who had a job, and who had someone close who died because of a COVID-19 infection were more likely to have a high PSQI global score. The use of sleep medication in the past months was significantly higher in those who were older, who had a job, who had a COVID-19 infection in the first and second waves, who had someone close who died from COVID-19, and who did not have changes in social relationships during the pandemic. Moreover, participants with severe or extremely severe depression scores, with severe or extremely severe stress scores, who were women, and who were older had troubles staying awake while engaging in social activities during the past month., Conclusion: The results bring to light the high prevalence of poor sleep quality among individuals who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Future research is needed to understand whether these disturbances are still present in the endemic period and whether it is necessary to investigate further determinants that have affected and/or are affecting sleep quality., 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 © 2024 Sansone, Angelillo, Paduano, Pileggi, Nobile and Di Giuseppe.)

Antimicrobial resistance affects all environments, endangering the health of numerous species, including wildlife. Increasing anthropic pressure promotes the acquisition and dissemination of antibiotic resistance by wild animals. Sea turtles, being particularly exposed, are considered sentinels and carriers of potential zoonotic pathogens and resistant strains. Therefore, this study examined the antibiotic resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from loggerhead sea turtles hospitalised in a rescue centre of Southern Italy over a 9-year period. Resistance to ceftazidime, doxycycline, enrofloxacin, flumequine, gentamicin, oxytetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim was evaluated for 138 strains isolated from the clinical samples or organs of 60 animals. Gram-negative families were the most isolated: Vibrionaceae were predominant, followed by Shewanellaceae , Pseudomonadaceae , Enterobacteriaceae and Morganellaceae . These last three families exhibited the highest proportion of resistance and multidrug-resistant strains. Among the three Gram-positive families isolated, Enterococcaceae were the most represented and resistant. The opportunistic behaviour of all the isolated species is particularly concerning for diseased sea turtles, especially considering their resistance to commonly utilised antibiotics. Actually, the multiple antibiotic resistance was higher when the sea turtles were previously treated. Taken together, these findings highlight the need to improve antimicrobial stewardship and monitor antibiotic resistance in wildlife, to preserve the health of endangered species, along with public and environmental health.

Rhodococcus equi is a terrestrial bacterium and a common pathogen in foals (Equus caballus), in which causes pneumonia. This report describes for the first time the infection caused by R. equi in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Calabrian coast, Italy. The post mortem examination of the animal revealed lesions in lung and colon. The animal was also positive to dolphin morbillivirus. The histological study showed lesions attributable to R. equi infection, such as pyogranulomatous bacterial pneumonia and chronic granulomatous colitis. Whole genome sequencing of the isolated strain confirmed its identification as R. equi., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Listeria monocytogenes is a ubiquitous pathogen found both in the environment and food. It can cause listeriosis in a wide range of animals as well as in humans. Investigations on presence, spread and virulence are still limited to terrestrial and human environments. Embracing the One Health Approach, investigating the presence and spread of L. monocytogenes in marine ecosystems and among wildlife, would provide us with useful information for human health. This study investigated the presence of L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp. in two species of sea turtles common in the Mediterranean Sea ( Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas ). A total of one hundred and sixty-four carcasses of sea turtles ( C. caretta n = 161 and C. mydas n = 3) stranded along the Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, and Calabria coasts, were collected. Brain and fecal samples were taken, enriched, and cultured for the detection of Listeria spp. From the specimens collected, strains of L. monocytogenes (brain n = 1, brain and feces n = 1, multiorgan n = 1 and feces n = 1), L. innocua (feces n = 1 and brain n = 1), and L. ivanovii (brain n = 1) were isolated. Typical colonies were isolated for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Virulence genes, disinfectants/metal resistance, and antimicrobial resistance were also investigated. L. monocytogenes , L. innocua, and L. ivanovii were detected in C. caretta , whilst only L. monocytogenes and L. innocua in C. mydas . Notable among the results is the lack of significant differences in gene distribution between human and sea turtle strains. Furthermore, potentially pathogenic strains of L. monocytogenes were found in sea turtles.