A new Montanide™ Seppic IMS1313-adjuvanted autogenous vaccine as a useful emergency tool to resolve a Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar abortus equi abortion outbreak in mares.

Background: In Italy, an autogenous registered vaccine, adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide, can be administrated to contrast Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar abortus equi infection, coupled to a specific antimicrobial treatment. Case Description: Here, we report the case of an abortion outbreak by Salmonella abortus equi in Central Italy where mares were vaccinated but immediately developed a strong local reaction, maybe due to the adjuvant. Promptly, another autogenous vaccine, substituting the aluminum hydroxide with a new generation adjuvant (Montanide™ Seppic IMS1313), was produced and administrated. The new formulated vaccine did not cause any adverse outcome and conferred high protection titers against the infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of immunization by a vaccine adjuvanted with Montanide™ Seppic IMS1313 in horses. Conclusion: This approach may be used as a preventive strategy for further outbreaks in association with the application of recommended biosafety principles.

A case of generalised cutaneous apocrine cystomatosis in a Pekingese dog.

Clinical, histological and immunohistochemical examination of a 13-year-old male client-owned Pekingese dog revealed an uncommon presentation of apocrine cutaneous cystomatosis. This is a rare non-neoplastic condition of uncertain cause, characterised by multiple cystically dilated apocrine sweat glands. We aimed to describe the features of this unusual case of generalised cutaneous apocrine cystomatosis in the dog, which can be useful to distinguish it from multifocal benign cystic apocrine tumours.

Reproductive Traits of an Invasive Alien Population of Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Central Italy.

The reproductive cycle of an invasive alien Italian grey squirrel population was studied to understand its adaptation and limit its spread, in order to conserve the autochthonous red squirrel. Female and male genital traits were evaluated throughout the reproductive cycle, including the ovary, uterus, testicle, epididymis, seminiferous tubule morphometry, and germinative epithelium histology. Moreover, individual female fecundity was determined by counting uterine scars. Ovary width and uterus weight, length, and width reached their highest values in the luteal and pregnancy phases. On conducting a histological evaluation of the testicular germinal epithelium, four morphotypes related to the different reproductive phases of the male squirrels were identified: immature, pubertal, spermatogenesis, and regressive. Testicle and epididymis weights and seminiferous tubule diameters reached their largest values during spermatogenesis. Uterine scar analysis showed that 69% of the females had given birth to one or two litters, while 31% had no uterine scars. Litters were larger in the first breeding period than in the second; annual fecundity was 4.52 ± 1.88 uterine scars/female. Umbrian grey squirrels have adapted to their non-native range, showing two annual mating periods at times similar to those in their native range, and high reproductive success.

Bovine malignant catarrhal fever: case reporting in Central Italy.

A case of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) occurred in a 4­month­old calf housed in a semi­intensive herd in central Italy is described. The herd was in strict cohabitation with a group of domestic sheep. The calf displayed clinical signs that resembled the acute form of MCF and, after a few days of antibiotic and anti inflammatory therapy, died in September 2016. The diagnosis was confirmed in vivo in blood by detection of ovine herpesvirus type 2 DNA through real­time PCR. At necropsy, the gross post­mortem findings were typical of MCF and the histological and molecular assays confirmed the presence of the virus. The sheep flock was suspected to be the source of the infection. In Italy, as well as in Europe, there is little data regarding the epidemiology and the recurrence of the disease in herds of cattle, due to the lack of an active surveillance plan and to a major consideration of MCF between differential diagnosis.

Cases of intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy/hyperplasia in pigeon and chickens.

Intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia has been described in human and several mammal species. In birds, only one case of intestinal smooth muscle hyperplasia has been reported. This paper describes the anatomopathological and histological findings of three cases of intestinal smooth muscle hypertrophy/hyperplasia in two different avian species belonging to the family Gallinidae and Columbidae. Grossly, it involved all tracts of the small intestine. Histologically, hyperplasia involved the mucosal villi, muscularis mucosa and inner and outer layers of the tunica muscularis. Hypertrophy was apparently detected only in the inner circular muscle layer. Lack of submucosal plexuses was also observed in all three animals. The results confirm the remarkable histological difference between mammals and avian species and show as these pathological changes can occur in different species of birds.