"Till death do us apart": The common destiny of brown hare and its parasite community.

Although parasites may threaten individual hosts' survival and reproduction, their role as an essential part of ecosystem functioning and biodiversity has been recognized. In Northern Italy, the hare population has evidently declined since 2008. This paper aims to assess the relationship between host demographic trends and helminth parasite community diversity in a two-year survey in Northern Italy to evaluate the impact of parasites on hosts and confirm the hypothesis that endangered host populations are poor in parasites. In 2013 and 2015 the viscera of 54 and 61 hares legally hunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain were collected. This area is characterized by heavy anthropic pressure: more than 60% of the landscape is represented by agricultural or urbanized territories. No intestinal cestodes were detected. Trichuris sp. and Micipsella numidica were collected in 2015 only; Trichostrongylus retortaeformis, Taenia pisiformis cysticercosis and bronchopulmonary lesions caused by small strongyles were observed in both years. The richness and evenness appeared increased in the second year of the survey, although lower than those obtained by literature data from similar populations examined in the last two decades of 1900. The dominant helminth, T. retortaeformis, was more abundant in individuals with higher weight, while pathological findings were mostly unrelated to this nematode infection; this is consistent with a reduced action, even no harm, of the parasites on the individual host or population level. Our results suggest that the conservation of hosts, environment, and parasites cannot be achieved separately and that parasites and wildlife hosts' destinies are intimately linked, confirming the complexity of ecosystems and the need to contemplate parasite biodiversity in conservation strategies.

KDM2B-associated paunch calf syndrome in Marchigiana cattle.

BACKGROUND: Chianina, Romagnola, and Marchigiana are the 3 most important Italian breeds of cattle raised in the Apennine Mountains. Inherited disorders have been reported in the Chianina and Romagnola breeds but not in the Marchigiana breed. Recently, a case resembling recessively inherited KDM2B-associated paunch calf syndrome (PCS) in Romagnola cattle was identified in Marchigiana cattle. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To characterize the features of the observed congenital anomaly, evaluate its possible genetic etiology, and determine the prevalence of the deleterious allele in the Marchigiana population. ANIMALS: A single stillborn Marchigiana calf was referred for clinicopathological examination because of the presence of PCS-like morphological lesions. METHODS: The animal was necropsied and the calf and its parents were genotyped. A PCR-based direct gene test was applied to determine the KDM2B genotype and 114 Marchigiana bulls were genotyped. RESULTS: The pathological phenotype included facial deformities, enlarged fluid-filled abdomen, and hepatic fibrosis. The affected animal was the offspring of consanguineous mating and homozygous presence of the KDM2B missense variant was confirmed. Both parents were heterozygous for KDM2B and the prevalence of carriers in a selected population of Marchigiana bulls was <2%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The characteristic malformations and genetic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of PCS and provide evidence that the deleterious KDM2B variant initially detected in Romagnola cattle also occurs in the Marchigiana breed.

Corrigendum: Cellular Distribution of Canonical and Putative Cannabinoid Receptors in Canine Cervical Dorsal Root Ganglia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00313.].

Cellular Distribution of Canonical and Putative Cannabinoid Receptors in Canine Cervical Dorsal Root Ganglia.

Growing evidence indicates cannabinoid receptors as potential therapeutic targets for chronic pain. Consequently, there is an increasing interest in developing cannabinoid receptor agonists for treating human and veterinary pain. To better understand the actions of a drug, it is of paramount importance to know the cellular distribution of its specific receptor(s). The distribution of canonical and putative cannabinoid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system of dogs is still in its infancy. In order to help fill this anatomical gap, the present ex vivo study has been designed to identify the cellular sites of cannabinoid and cannabinoid-related receptors in canine spinal ganglia. In particular, the cellular distribution of the cannabinoid receptors type 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) and putative cannabinoid receptors G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) have been immunohistochemically investigated in the C6-C8 cervical ganglia of dogs. About 50% of the neuronal population displayed weak to moderate CB1 receptor and TRPV1 immunoreactivity, while all of them were CB2-positive and nearly 40% also expressed GPR55 immunolabeling. Schwann cells, blood vessel smooth muscle cells, and pericyte-like cells all expressed CB2 receptor immunoreactivity, endothelial cell being also PPARα-positive. All the satellite glial cells (SGCs) displayed bright GPR55 receptor immunoreactivity. In half of the study dogs, SGCs were also PPARα-positive, and limited to older dogs displayed TRPV1 immunoreactivity. The present study may represent a morphological substrate to consider in order to develop therapeutic strategies against chronic pain.

Cysticercosis by Taenia pisiformis in Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) in Northern Italy: Epidemiologic and pathologic features.

In Northern Italy, a hastening of hare population decline was noticeable from 2008. In the same year hunters reported a sudden increase of hares infected by Taenia sp. larvae, whose morphology was consistent with T. pisiformis cysticerci. The aim of the survey was: i)to identify the parasites through morphological features and molecular techniques; ii)to quantify the prevalence and abundance of cysticerci in hunted hares; iii)to describe pathological aspects of parasite-induced lesions; iv)to evaluate the short-term trend of the infection comparing two different hunting seasons; v)to highlight possible relationship between T. pisiformis infection and hare-related variables. In 2013, 2015 the viscera of 54 and 61 hares legally hunted in agro-ecosystems of the Po Plain were collected. Peritoneum, liver and lungs were examined for cysticercosis; abundance was estimated counting superficial parasites in liver; parasites were microscopically identified by shape and measure of both large and small hooks. One cysticercus from each hare was analized by a PCR targeting Taeniid species and then sequenced. Frozen liver, lungs and gastrointestinal peritoneum were macroscopically observed and, after thawing, representative samples from the available organs were collected for histologic examination to verify parasitic cysts and the subsequent damage of the involved organs. Sex, weight and age class of the animals were recorded. Generalized linear models were used for statistical analysis. T. pisiformis was isolated in 8 hares in 2013 (prevalence 14.8%; abundance range: 0-400; mean abundance 17.8) and in 2 hares in 2015 (prevalence 3.28%; abundance range: 0-180; mean abundance 3.22). Identification was confirmed morphologically and by PCR. The DNA sequencing confirmed T. pisiformis in all samples. The sequences were all identical each-other. Infection was significantly related with adult age class, sampling year and low full-weight. Epidemiological and pathological pattern suggest both a possible role on host population health and a tendency toward host-parasite equilibrium.

Heterotopy ("Error loci") of the spiral loop of the ascending colon in cattle.

The term heterotopy of the spiral colon encompasses a dysmorphological condition in which the spiral loops of the ascending colon (SLACs) do not form an orderly spiraling mass adjacent to the left side of the mesojejunum. As a consequence, the spiral loops are spread over a larger surface, making them more or less movable. It has been hypothesized that the abnormal position of the spiral loops of the ascending colon might constitute a predisposing factor for an intestinal obstruction or an ileus condition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anatomy of the spiral loops of the ascending colon in a population of healthy calves and to determine the prevalence of dysmorphism. The investigation was carried out on 1113 slaughtered veal calves. In 472 out of the 1113 calves, the spiral loops showed conformational aspects different from what has so far been described as normal in reference textbooks. In 91 calves the condition was definitely considered a pathological deviation from normality: in fact, the spiral colon had lost its typical spiral shape with random spacing between the loops, and it was nearly or completely detached from the mesojejunum. The lack of a broad attachment of the spiral loops of the ascending colon to the mesentery could provoke an alteration of the intestinal centre of gravity, enhancing the already asymmetrical distribution of weight between the jejunum and the descending colon.

Mislabelling of Döner Kebab Sold in Italy.

The aim of this study was to assess whether Döner kebabs sold in Italy comply with legal labelling requirements. A checklist of EU labelling requirements was drawn up and nine labels of Döner kebab marketed in the province of Modena were collected to evaluate the mandatory information laid down in article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 together with the mandatory requirements of Regulation (EC) 853/2004 for meat preparations. The study showed that different additives are commonly used in Döner kebabs, including E 621 (monosodium glutamate). This additive is not included among the ingredients authorized for the meat preparation food category. Eight frozen Döner kebab samples were taken and a visual assessment and a histologic examination were performed to verify potential changes in the meat's inner muscle fibre structure that could allow the product to be considered among meat preparations or meat products. The Döner kebab labels showed several systematically deficient regulatory requirements in both extrinsic defects (not related to food composition) and aspects concerning the protection of consumers' health. Histological examination showed that the tissue was moderately swollen, but the muscle fibre structure was intact. Kebab can be reasonably classified as a meat preparation thereby precluding the use monosodium glutamate (E 621) as an ingredient.

Retroperitoneal pulmonary choristoma in a newborn calf.

A newborn male Romagnola calf, who had died a few hours after birth, was submitted for postmortem examination. Necropsy revealed a 23 cm × 22 cm × 5 cm, pale pink, lobulated, elastic, partially fluctuant mass that protruded from the dorsal retroperitoneal space into the abdominal cavity, extending from the diaphragm to the left kidney. The mass consisted of mature pulmonary tissue and was consistent with a pulmonary choristoma. The gross and microscopic appearance of this rare tumor-like congenital lesion and the possible pathogenesis are discussed.

Evaluation of CALC-I gene (CALCA) expression in tissues of dogs with signs of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a qualitative evaluation of procalcitonin gene (CALCA) expression in a tissue-specific manner in dogs with signs of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. ANIMALS: Nine clinical cases and 5 research dogs. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fresh tissue samples (thyroid, lung, liver, spleen) from 9 dogs that died with a diagnosis of parvoviral infection or SIRS were collected and immediately stored at -80 °C. Diagnosis of parvoviral infection was based on clinical signs, positive fecal antigen test, and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical diagnosis of SIRS was based on the clinical criteria reported in veterinary literature. Necropsy was performed on all subjects in the study. Furthermore, thyroid, lung, liver, spleen were collected from 5 normal research dogs immediately postmortem for testing. The 9 dogs with a clinical diagnosis of SIRS died from either parvovirus (n=5), bacterial sepsis (n=3), or neoplasia (n=1). CALCA was amplified by PCR in the following samples: thyroid (9/9), spleen (6/9), lung (4/9), liver (3/9). Only thyroid expressed CALCA in the 5 normal dogs. CONCLUSIONS: In SIRS, extrathyroidal transcription of CALCA was documented. Quantitative analysis (real-time polymerase chain reaction) in a wider population of SIRS and normal dogs will provide essential information about the extent and source of extrathyroidal expression of canine CALCA induced by septic and nonseptic systemic inflammation.