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Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis, characterized by a complex ecological cycle, including the environment, wild and domestic animals, and humans. It is also considered a water-borne infection. Although a solid body of data is available for more conventional hosts, limited information is available on neglected species such as reptiles, especially Testudinidae, both captive and free-ranging. Molecular and serological tests were performed to detect Leptospira spp. in Testudo spp. in Italy. Leptospiral DNA was detected using cloacal swabs collected from 116 individuals (54 free-ranging and 62 captive tortoises) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Unfortunately, because of the presence of PCR inhibitors, swabs from only 50 animals were eligible for analysis. A serological microagglutination test was performed on 121 Testudo spp. (7 free-ranging and 114 rescued tortoises). Sixteen individuals were tested using both assays, and the remainder were tested with one or the other. Ten out of 50 (20%) amplifiable cloacal swabs were positive for Leptospira DNA, the identity of which was confirmed by sequencing two amplicons. Two out of four repeatedly sampled animals only tested positive in the autumn. Seroprevalence was relatively low (0.8%, 1/121), at low titer (1:100). No positivity was recorded among free-ranging animals. Although these results do not provide a complete epidemiological snapshot of leptospirosis in chelonians, they suggest that tortoises are susceptible to pathogenic Leptospira. Further data are needed to determine the role of the captive environment as a possible predisposing factor and to assess the role of these reptiles in the ecology of leptospirosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in some bacterial species of colonic microbiota, the clinical signs and the intestinal changes in mice with 2,4,6- trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. CD-1 male mice were randomly divided into three groups and inoculated intrarectally with saline, ethanol or TNBS solutions. Ethanol and TNBS treatments induced weight loss accompanied by mild and severe inflammation of the colon mucosa, respectively. However, TNBS-treated mice displayed significant differences compared to the saline group in terms of disease activity index and histological scoring. Both ethanol and TNBS groups showed an increased prevalence of Escherichia coli and Clostridium spp., a decrease in Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria counts, as well as changes in the relative proportions of bacteria in the colon. The results confirm the validity of TNBS treatment to study the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis and progression of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in CD-1 mice. Gut microbiota may become a diagnostic biomarker with therapeutic potential for IBD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the genotypic characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine milk collected from seven dairy farms in Italy. Materials and methods used in this study are described. The size polymorphism has been determined for protein A immunoglobulin G binding and genes encoding clumping factor. The study discovers that adherence to extracellular matrix proteins is essential to the colonization and establishment of Staphylococcus aureus infection. The fibronectin-binding proteins of the Staphylococcus aureus are important virulence factors.

The article focuses on a study which discusses the microbiological assessment of microbiota from the gastric juice and faeces of bottlenose dolphin under human care. Topics include the role of bacteria in animals with physiological disorders, importance of using the good manual practice to prevent external contamination by microorganisms or pathogens, and increase in Staphylococci count in faeces than in gastric juice.