Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and wolves (Canis lupus italicus) from Abruzzo region, Italy.

In Europe wildlife animals such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) are considered the main reservoir for Angiostrongylus vasorum as well as a potential threat for domestic dog infection. Though this parasite is endemic in fox populations, data on A. vasorum infection in wolves (Canis lupus italicus) are still scant, having only recently been described in Northwestern Spain, in Italy, in Croatia and in Slovakia. Based on the rising number of cases of canine lungworm infection in Central Italy (Abruzzo region), the aim of the present study was to investigate the infection by A. vasorum in fox and wolf populations sharing the same geographical area of dogs. From October 2008 to November 2019, A. vasorum specimens were collected, through routine post-mortem examination, from 56 carcasses (44 foxes and 12 wolves). Adult parasites were searched for in the right side of the heart and in pulmonary artery of all carcasses. First stage of larvae (L1) was searched in faeces using the Baermann technique and in lungs by tissue impressions. Overall, 230 adult specimens were collected and identified on a morphological basis. To confirm the morphological identification, 4 adult specimens (n = 3 from fox, n = 1 from wolf) were molecularly identified as A. vasorum by amplification of partial fragment of nuclear 18S rRNA (~1700 bp) genes. The anatomo-pathological and parasitological examinations indicated the presence of A. vasorum in 33 foxes (75%) and in 8 wolves (66.7%). The level of prevalence of infested wolves was higher than the previous one reported in other European countries. Interestingly, the prevalence of infection in foxes herein recorded was higher than that described in dogs (8.9%) living in the same geographical area. This result may confirm the hypothesis that the spread of canine angiostrongylosis is linked to fox populations infection.

Canine Leishmaniasis: Serological Results in Private and Kennel Dogs Tested over a Six-Year Period (2009-2014) in Abruzzo and Molise Regions, Italy.

This paper reports the results of serological tests for the detection of antibodies against Leishmania spp. in Abruzzo and Molise regions from 2009 to 2014, with the aim of evaluating the presence and distribution of canine leishmaniasis. Data were extracted from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Abruzzo and Molise, and then the dog identification numbers were matched with those stored in the Canine Registries of the two regions to get information about the age of dogs at time of testing. Dogs were considered positive when having an IFAT (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test) titer ≥1:80. In total, 41,631 dogs were tested, 85.3% from Abruzzo and 14.7% from Molise. At the provincial level, the percentage of positive dogs ranged from 5.2% (L'Aquila, Abruzzo region) to 21.8% (Campobasso, Molise region). Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in the coastal areas, the relationships between the host, the vector, and the agent are more favorable for the spreading of CanL, and it seems that densely populated urban internal areas have less favorable conditions. Being a dog hosted in a kennel seems not to be a factor increasing the probability that dogs show positivity, even in long-term sheltering conditions.

Distribution of Brucella field strains isolated from livestock, wildlife populations, and humans in Italy from 2007 to 2015.

Brucellosis is a major public health problem still prevalent as a neglected endemic zoonosis requiring proactive attention in many communities worldwide. The present study involved analysis of Brucella field strains submitted for typing to the Italian National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis from 2007 to 2015. Strains were identified at the species and biovar levels by classic and molecular techniques according to the World Organisation for Animal Health Manual. In total, 5,784 strains were typed: 3,089 Brucella abortus (53.4%), 2,497 B. melitensis (43.2%), 10 B. ovis (0.2%), 181 B. suis (3.1%), and 7 B. ceti (0.1%). The 2,981 strains from cattle were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3, and 6 (90.1%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (9.9%). The 318 strains from water buffalo were typed as B. abortus biovars 1, 3 (95.9%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (4.1%). The 2,279 strains from sheep and goats were typed as B. abortus biovars 1 and 3 (4.3%); B. melitensis biovars 1, 3, (95.3%); and B. ovis (0.4%). The 173 strains from wild boar were typed as B. suis biovar 2 (98.3%) and B. melitensis biovar 3 (1.7%). The 11 strains from pigs were typed as B. suis biovar 2. The 13 strains from humans were typed as B. melitensis biovar 3. The two strains from horses were typed as B. abortus biovar 1, while the seven strains from dolphins were typed as B. ceti. This additional knowledge on the epidemiology of brucellosis in Italy may be useful to formulate policies and strategies for the control and eradication of the disease in animal populations. The animal species affected, biovars typed, geographical origins, and spatial distributions of isolates are herein analyzed and discussed.

SeaGIS Abruzzo: A publicly available atlas of marine uses and natural resources in the Adriatic Sea Region.

In the Adriatic Sea, the European Union supported a cross-border cooperation research program, during which digital spatial data on shellfish production and relaying areas, regulated conditions on fishing activities, protected areas and restocking structures, administrative boundaries and sea bottom characteristics, were collated from digital repositories in various institutions and paper documents. A web-based geographical information system was developed to share data of the sea facing the Abruzzi region and to explore the spatial distribution of marine resources and maritime activities, thus focussing and facilitating fisheries management and providing a potential support to the regional planning of resource exploitation.

Eco-climatic indicators for three Culicoides species of the Obsoletus complex in Italy.

Bluetongue, Schmallenberg and African horse sickness viruses are transmitted by vectors belonging to the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Among this genus, species of the Obsoletus complex play a crucial role in Europe. In Italy the complex includes three species: Culicoides obsoletus sensu strictu, Culicoides scoticus and Culicoides montanus. These three sibling species were identified in 80 collection sites across Italy through a multiplex PCR test. Sixty­four sites were classified with a predominant species through a Bayesian approach. Environmental, topographic and climatic factors together with landscape metrics were investigated in each species group using the non­parametric Mann­Whitney test. Culicoides obsoletus s.s. resulted the most widely distributed species across the peninsula (51 sites). This species was collected in many eco­climatic conditions, at a wide range of temperature and altitudes, mainly in anthropogenic landscape. Conversely C. scoticus collection sites were dominated by natural vegetated areas or forest, at medium higher altitudes, preferably in a wilder and more pristine environment (predominant species in 8 sites). Culicoides montanus was a rarer species, statistically predominant in only 3 sites located in Southern Italy, characterized by temperatures higher than the other species. These results, together with other on­going researches on the vector competence of the species belonging to the Obsoletus complex, and with investigation of larval and breeding habitats, could greatly improve epidemiological knowledge of possible spreading Culicoides­borne viruses.

Bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 4 in Sardinia during autumn 2012: new incursions or re-infection with old strains?

Since 2000 several bluetongue virus (BTV) incursions have occurred in Sardinia (Italy) involving serotypes 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16. In October 2012, new BT outbreaks caused by BTV-1 and BTV-4 were reported. Nearly 500 flocks were infected and 9238 sheep died because of the infection. When sequenced, Seg-10 of both strains shared 99% similarity at nucleotide level with BTV strains that have circulated in the Mediterranean basin in the last few years. Similarly, Seg-5 sequences of BTV-1 and BTV-4 newly isolated Sardinian strains are identical and cluster together with recent BTV-1 circulating in the Mediterranean Basin and the BTV-4 strains isolated in Tunisia in 2007 and 2009. These BTV-4 strains differ from the ones that circulated in Europe from 2003 to 2005 and appear to be reassortant strains.

Quality of surface fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to be support fish life: 12 years of monitoring pursuant to European Union Directive 78/659/EEC.

To implement European Union Directive 78/659/EEC concerning the quality of fresh waters that require protection or improvement in order to support fish life, the Abruzzo Regional Council commissioned the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' (by Regional Law No. 50 of 10 August 1994, to conduct a census of the surface freshwaters in the region, and to classify them. The authors describe the freshwater classifications obtained through monitoring campaigns conducted over a period of twelve years (1996 to 2008). The results indicate slight improvements in the quality of the water over time in terms of contamination by chemicals for which they were monitored; however, 14 stretches do not comply with the requirements of the European Union Directive.

The use of geographic information systems in sea and freshwater ecosystems.

In the Abruzzo region of Italy, the fishing and sale of the bivalve molluscs are a considerable economic resource requiring over 100 boats. Local production is increased also by farmed mussels. Freshwater fishing is practised extensively in Abruzzo rivers, frequently affected by the presence of dams, and great quantities of fish are periodically reintroduced. It is therefore necessary to monitor activities to determine the quality of Abruzzo freshwater. The Abruzzo region has assigned the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale' (IZS A&M) the task of monitoring, classifying quality of freshwater and sea water within its territory and controlling bivalve molluscs, in accordance with Italian law. Since 1996, the IZS A&M has conducted the several programmes to monitor programmes, define mollusc quality and to classify the quality water in accordance with European and national law. A geographic information system has been developed to provide decision-making support for the improvement of the quality of human welfare and the environment.