Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Healthy Pet Rabbits.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a ubiquitous microorganism and an opportunistic pathogen responsible for numerous diseases in humans and animals, characterized by different clinical pictures with acute or subacute course. S. aureus, due to its great adaptability and versatility in terms of infections and hosts, can be considered a relevant pathogen because of the harmful effects on animal health and its potential for transmission from animals to humans and vice versa. In recent years, a marked increase in multidrug-resistant S. aureus has been reported, posing a serious threat for disease management, food safety, and animal and human health as they limit available therapeutic options. In light of a growing interest of the scientific community for this micro- organism and considering the limited data availability on the prevalence of this pathogen in pet rabbits, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the presence of S. aureus in pet rabbits. Materials and Methods: From November 2021 to December 2022, nasal swabs were collected from 50 pet rabbits from private households in the Campania Region, southern Italy, and underwent analysis for S. aureus detection. Samples were enriched in broth, then inoculated onto nutrient and selective media, including Blood agar base supplemented with 7% sheep blood and Baird-Parker Agar Base, following standard laboratory protocols. Incubations in aerobic conditions at 37°C were performed for 24/48h for colony identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for all S. aureus isolates was conducted using the disc diffusion method. Results: Our results reported the presence of S. aureus in 16/50 (32%) rabbits examined, showing high levels of phenotypic resistance to different antibiotics, in particular penicillin 10U (81.2%) and erythromycin 15 µg (62.5%). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that pet rabbits represent a significant reservoir of S. aureus and contributes to the knowledge on the phenotypic antimicrobial resistance of these bacteria in rabbits raised in a domestic environment.

Molecular differentiation of Sarcocystis miescheriana and Sarcocystis suihominis using a new multiplex PCR targeting the mtDNA cox1 gene in wild boars in southern Italy.

The increase of wild boar populations density and their meat consumption across Europe could expose humans to a plethora of foodborne diseases as sarcocystosis, caused by the zoonotic protozoan Sarcocystis suihominis. Humans become infected by eating raw or undercooked pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) containing S. suihominis sarcocysts. Despite this, to date very few data are available on the risk of infection by this parasite to wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat consumers. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the occurrence of Sarcocystis spp. in wild boars from southern Italy, applying both histology and a new multiplex PCR assay targeting the cox1 gene. Between 2019 and 2020, 997 muscle tissues (i.e., n = 269 oesophagus, n = 277 diaphragms, n = 298 hearts, n = 153 tongues) from 311 wild boars were collected and screened by a combined histological and molecular approach. Overall, 251 (80.7%) animals tested were positive for Sarcocystis spp., and S. miescheriana whose definitive hosts are canids, was the only molecularly identified species. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of Sarcocystis infection was found according to the wild boar age and muscle tissue. Findings outlined the low zoonotic potential of infection to humans via wild boar meat consumption in Italy and the importance of the application of new molecular methods in distinguishing different Sarcocystis species.

SARS-CoV-2 Affects Both Humans and Animals: What Is the Potential Transmission Risk? A Literature Review.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization Department declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic, as a consequence of its rapid spread on all continents. The COVID-19 pandemic has been not only a health emergency but also a serious general problem as fear of contagion and severe restrictions put economic and social activity on hold in many countries. Considering the close link between human and animal health, COVID-19 might infect wild and companion animals, and spawn dangerous viral mutants that could jump back and pose an ulterior threat to us. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the pandemic, with a particular focus on the clinical manifestations in humans and animals, the different diagnosis methods, the potential transmission risks, and their potential direct impact on the human-animal relationship.

Trichinella britovi in wild boar meat from Italy, 2015-2021: A citizen science approach to surveillance.

As a result of the increase of game meat intended for human consumption through Europe, a plethora of food-borne diseases, including trichinellosis, may occur in consumers, posing a relevant public health threat. Thus, this study aims to a citizen science approach to monitor the occurrence of Trichinella spp. in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, evaluating the risk of infection for consumers. Following the European Regulation 2015/1375 (laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat), from 2015 to 2021, hunters (n = 478) were involved to collect diaphragm pillar samples of wild boars from mainland southern Italy, which were tested for Trichinella spp. L1 larvae via HCl-pepsin digestion and Multiplex PCR. Overall, 139,160 animals were collected (average of 19,880 per year), being 14 (i.e., 0.01%) tested positive to Trichinella britovi by the combined biochemical and molecular approach. An average larval burden of 28.4 L1 per gram of meat was found (minimum 3.2 - maximum 132.6). A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence according to hunting seasons (p < 0.01, with higher values in 2016 and 2021) and regions of the study area (p < 0.01). No statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of T. britovi throughout the study period was found (p = 0.51), except in Apulia region (p < 0.01). These findings revealed a stable prevalence of T. britovi in wild boar meat intended for human consumption, suggesting a risk of infection for consumers, especially hunters and local markets users. Citizen science surveillance models could be promoted to improve trichinellosis control and prevention in a One Health perspective.

Research Note: Cecal microbiota harbored by free-range chickens may influence the reduction of Helicobacter pullorum relative abundance.

Helicobacter pullorum is recognized as an emerging food-borne pathogen that may colonize the intestinal tract and the liver of avian species and humans causing several gastrointestinal and liver diseases. However, not all strains are reported to be capable of causing clinical disease, thus making poultry as reservoir for the zoonotic transmission of the infection through carcass contamination of broilers at slaughter. In poultry, the prevalence of this bacterium could be underestimated and the available data mainly refer to conventional rearing systems, whereas free-range and organic breedings have been poorly investigated. Therefore, this study was aimed to characterize the caecal microbiota community of free-range grown chickens and determine the presence and the relative abundance of H. pullorum by using NGS-based 16S rDNA sequencing. A total of 18 chickens reared for 56 d on a semi-extensive management system were euthanized at two time points: 9 birds at 28 d of age (before have access to outdoor; I = Indoor) and other 9 birds at 56 d of age (before slaughter; O = Outdoor). Cecal contents were collected for microbiota analyses. H. pullorum was detected in the cecum of 16/18 samples and its proportion in indoor was significantly higher than outdoor chickens (2.46 and 0.52%, respectively; P < 0.05), showing 78.8% of decrease with the outdoor access of the chickens. Therefore, it may be assumed that the potential for zoonotic infection is less likely. Moreover, H. pullorum was negatively correlated with 17 bacterial species as significantly more abundant in Outdoor microbial caecal communities. Among these, we highlighted the presence of Mucispirillium schaedleri and Oscillospira, already previously associated with a healthy gut and thus representing promising gut bacterial markers for host health. Our findings suggest that alternative production systems with outdoor access, may play a crucial role in the establishment of a healthy gut microbiota, which in turn might prevent colonization of harmful bacteria such as Helicobacter pullorum.

Prevalence and Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance among ESKAPE Bacteria and Enterobacterales Strains in Wild Birds.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a current public health issue globally. To counter this phenomenon and prioritize AMR in the health sector, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a list of bacterial pathogens against which the development of new antimicrobial agents is urgently needed, designating the ESKAPE pathogens (i.e., Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) with a 'priority status'. Moreover, the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) states that human health is closely linked to animal and environmental health, thus promoting a holistic One Health approach in order to be prepared to address possible emerging health threats from the human-animal-environment interface. Wild birds may host and spread pathogens, integrating the epidemiology of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the role of wild birds as a source of ESKAPE bacteria and other antibiotic-resistant enterobacterales. A total of fifty strains within the ESKAPE group were detected in 40/163 cloacal samples of examined birds (24.5%). Additionally, different strains of enterobacterales were detected in 88/163 cloacal samples (53.9%). Isolated strains exhibited antimicrobial resistance, including towards critically important antibiotics (e.g., third, fourth, fifth generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones) for human medicine. Our results confirm that wild birds are potential reservoirs of several pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and that they could be involved in the dissemination of those bacteria across different environments, with resulting public health concerns.

Retrospective Serosurvey of Three Porcine Coronaviruses among the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) Population in the Campania Region of Italy.

The growing interest in porcine coronaviruses (CoVs) is due to both their negative effect on the swine industry and their propensity to mutate and overcome host barriers. Since information on CoVs in wild boar (Sus scrofa) is limited, especially in Italy, a serosurvey was conducted to assess the epidemiologic situation in the Campania region and to clarify the role of wild boar as reservoirs for enteric (porcine epidemic diarrhea virus [PEDV], transmissible gastroenteritis virus [TGEV]) and respiratory (respiratory coronavirus [PRCV]) swine CoVs. During the 2016-17 hunting season, serum samples were collected from 444 wild boars and tested for antibodies to enteric (PEDV, TGEV) and respiratory (PRCV) porcine CoVs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest seroprevalence in wild boars was for PEDV, with a positivity of 3.83% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.05-5.6), whereas very low seroprevalences were found for TGEV and PRCV (0.67% positivity; 95% CI 0-1.44 in both cases). There was no statistical association between seropositivity to CoVs, sex, and location, whereas the prevalence of seropositive animals was positively correlated with young age (0-12 mo old). Our data confirm the presence of CoVs in wild boars in the Campania region. Our data are in agreement with the results of similar studies from other European countries, which attribute a minor role to wild boar in the transmission of these infections to domestic pigs. Our results suggest that continuous serologic surveys are necessary to monitor wild animals and detect emerging threats to livestock and humans.

An Outdoor Access Period Improves Chicken Cecal Microbiota and Potentially Increases Micronutrient Biosynthesis.

Characterizing the gut microbiota of free-range and alternative poultry production systems provides information, which can be used to improve poultry welfare, performance, and environmental sustainability. Gut microbiota influence not only the health and metabolism of the host but also the presence of zoonotic agents contaminating food of animal origin. In this study, the composition and diversity of the cecal microbiota community of free-range grown chickens were characterized by 16S rDNA high-throughput Illumina sequencing. Significant differences were observed in the composition of chicken cecal microbiota at the time points of 28 days of age (Indoor group) and 56 days of age (Outdoor group), i.e., before and after the outdoor access period of chicken groups. The Outdoor group showed a richer and more complex microbial community, characterized by the onset of new phyla such as Deferribacterota and Synergistota, while the Indoor group showed an increase in Campylobacterota. At the species level, it is noteworthy that the occurrence of Mucispirillum schaedleri in Outdoor group is known to potentially stimulate mucus layer formation in the distal intestinal tract, thus being associated with a healthy gut. We also report a significant decrease in the Outdoor group of Helicobacter pullorum, highlighting that the lower abundance at the age of slaughter reduced the possibility to contaminate chickens' carcasses and, consequently, its zoonotic potential. As revealed by a mutual exclusion study in network analysis, H. pullorum was present only if Bacteroides barnesiae, an uncultured organism of the genus Synergistes, and Bacteroides gallinaceum were absent. Finally, microbiome predictive analysis revealed an increase of vitamins and micronutrient biosyntheses such as queuosine (Q) and its precursor pre Q0, in the Outdoor group, suggesting that the outdoor evolved microbiota of chickens do contribute to the vitamin pool of the gut and the biosynthesis of micronutrients involved in vital cell processes.

First description of Eucoleus garfiai (Gallego and Mas-Coma, 1975) in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Italy.

Eucoleus garfiai (syn. Capillaria garfiai) is a nematode infecting lingual tissue of domestic and wild swine. Prevalence data for this parasite are scant and often related to accidental findings, occurring only in Japan and a few European countries. In this study, an epidemiological survey was performed in order to identify E. garfiai in wild boar from the Campania region, southern Italy. A total of 153 wild boar carcasses were inspected over the course of two hunting seasons (2019-2020). Histological examinations were performed on tongue samples fixed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin. The scraping of dorsal tongue tissue was carried out to collect adult worms for parasitological examination. Out of 153 wild boars, 40 (26.1%, 95% CI: 19.8-33.6%) tested positive for helminths and/or eggs in tongue tissues. Parasites were identified morphologically and identification was confirmed by molecular analysis of the 18S rRNA gene, showing a 99% nucleotide match with E. garfiai sequences available in literature. No statistically significant differences were found according to age, sex nor hunting province. Our findings agree with previous histopathological data confirming the low pathogenic impact of this nematode. The present study represents the first report of E. garfiai in wild boar from Italy.

Detection of Chlamydial DNA from Mediterranean Loggerhead Sea Turtles in Southern Italy.

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that include pathogens of human and veterinary importance. Several reptiles were reported to host chlamydial agents, but pathogenicity in these animals still needs clarification. Given that only one report of chlamydiosis was described in sea turtles, and that chlamydiae might also be detected in hosts without clinical signs, the current study examined asymptomatic Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtles for the presence of chlamydial DNA. Twenty loggerhead sea turtles, rehabilitated at the Marine Turtle Research Centre (Portici, Italy), were examined collecting ocular-conjunctival, oropharyngeal and nasal swabs. Samples were processed through quantitative and conventional PCR analyses to identify Chlamydiales and Chlamydiaceae, with particular attention to C. pecorum, C. pneumoniae, C. psittaci, and C. trachomatis. Although it was not possible to determine the species of chlamydiae involved, the detection of chlamydial DNA from the collected samples suggests that these microorganisms might act as opportunistic pathogens, and underlines the role of sea turtles as potential carriers. This study highlights the presence of chlamydial agents in sea turtles, and encourages further research to fully characterize these microorganisms, in order to improve the management of the health and conservation of these endangered species, and prevent potential zoonotic implications.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Species of Circovirus in a Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) in Southern Italy.

Thanks to recent developments in molecular methods, many new species have been discovered within the genus Circovirus, which comprises viruses of veterinary relevance found in a broad range of hosts. In particular, several circoviruses are known to infect birds, often causing immunosuppression and feathering disorders. Nonetheless, nothing is known about their circulation in birds of prey. In this study, samples from 61 birds of prey representing ten different species, recovered by a wildlife rescue centre in Southern Italy, were taken at necropsy and analysed by PCR with pan-Circovirus primers. Only one sample, collected from a tawny owl (Strix aluco), tested positive. Its genome, sequenced by primer walking, displays the typical features of circoviruses. Based on demarcation criteria, the detected strain qualifies as a novel species, which was named "tawny owl-associated circovirus" (ToCV). Phylogenetically, ToCV clustered with mammalian rather than avian circoviruses, and its closeness to a rodent circovirus suggests that its host may have been a micromammal eaten by the tawny owl. On the other hand, its detection in the spleen fits with the tropism of other avian circoviruses. Little can be therefore said on its biology and pathogenicity, and further efforts are needed to better characterize its epidemiology.

Zoonotic Risk of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Animal-Assisted Interventions: Laboratory Strategies for the Diagnosis of Infections in Humans and Animals.

The involvement of animals for therapeutic purposes has very ancient roots. To date, it is clear that animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), in addition to ensuring the replacement of missing or deficient affects, improves psychophysiological parameters connected to human health. However, AAI could potentially present risks related to the transmission of infectious agents from animals to humans. Among these microorganisms, E. cuniculi is a microspore which induces pathological effects (fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathlessness, respiratory symptoms, and weakness) in both humans and animals. Consequently, an accurate and fast diagnosis of E. cuniculi infection, as well as the identification of new diagnostic approaches, is of fundamental importance. This literature review was carried out to provide an extensive and comprehensive analysis of the most recent diagnostic techniques to prevent and care for E. cuniculi-associated risks in the AAI field.

The Research of Standardized Protocols for Dog Involvement in Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review.

Dogs are considered the most important species involved in animal-assisted therapy (AAT), and the scientific literature focuses on the benefits linked to the involvement of dogs in various therapeutic areas. In this study, we carried out a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, exploring the scientific literature from the last 5 years (2016-2021) on three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) to highlight the characteristics of the dogs involved in AATs. Based on the scientific literature relevant to such dogs, we considered different parameters (i.e., number, age, sex, breed, temperament, methods of choice and training, health status, research goals, and activities with dogs) to include studies in our paper. After screening 4331 papers identified on the searched databases, we selected 38 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of the included articles showed that the characteristics of the dogs were neglected. Our findings indicated a lack of information about the dogs, as well as the absence of standardized and univocal criteria for dog selection, training programs, and health protocols.

Presence of Campylobacterjejuni and C. coli in Dogs under Training for Animal-Assisted Therapies.

This study was conducted to evaluate the presence of Campylobacter (C.) jejuni and C. coli in dogs at five dog training centers in Southern Italy. A total of 550 animals were sampled by collecting rectal swabs. The samples were processed to detect thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. by culture and molecular methods. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 135/550 (24.5-95% confidence interval) dogs. A total of 84 C. jejuni (62.2%) and 51 C. coli (37.8%) isolates were identified using conventional PCR. The dog data (age, sex, breed, and eating habits) were examined by two statistical analyses using the C. jejuni and C. coli status (positive or negative) as dependent variables. Dogs fed home-cooked food showed a higher risk of being positive for C. jejuni than dogs fed dry or canned meat for dogs (50.0%; p < 0.01). Moreover, purebred dogs had a significantly higher risk than crossbred dogs for C. coli positivity (16.4%; p < 0.01). This is the first study on the prevalence of C. jejuni and C. coli in dogs frequenting dog training centers for animal-assisted therapies (AATs). Our findings emphasize the potential zoonotic risk for patients and users involved in AATs settings and highlight the need to carry out ad hoc health checks and to pay attention to the choice of the dog, as well as eating habits, in order to minimize the risk of infection.

Insect Derived Lauric Acid as Promising Alternative Strategy to Antibiotics in the Antimicrobial Resistance Scenario.

Antibiotic misuse is greatly contributing to an increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in humans and animals. Natural and synthetic alternative strategies are being investigated in human and veterinary medicine, but little attention is paid to the antimicrobial effects of edible lipids, such as medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and monoglycerides. Among MCFAs, lauric acid (LA) and its monoglyceride derivative, glycerol monolaurate (GML), exhibit the strongest antimicrobial activity. Coconut and palm kernel oils are considered the main sources of LA. On the other hand, some edible insects (e.g., Hermetia illucens) are gaining interest as novel feed ingredients, due to the high amount of LA they contain as well as their numerous bioactive components, which provide many additional benefits to animal health. Although the beneficial effect of both MCFAs and LA is gradually being recognized, their high content within insects and, consequently, their possible role as antimicrobials, has not been well-reported. This mini review focuses on the anti-infective effects of the insect-derived MCFAs LA and its derivatives. We emphasize the potential of insect lipids, compared to the other vegetable sources, in the current global scenario where a sustainable and circular economy is required. Finally, we critically discuss the use and the benefits of edible insects such as favorable options as feed and food from the perspective of animal and human nutrition.

DNA Methylation Profiles of Tph1A and BDNF in Gut and Brain of L. Rhamnosus-Treated Zebrafish.

The bidirectional microbiota-gut-brain axis has raised increasing interest over the past years in the context of health and disease, but there is a lack of information on molecular mechanisms underlying this connection. We hypothesized that change in microbiota composition may affect brain epigenetics leading to long-lasting effects on specific brain gene regulation. To test this hypothesis, we used Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) as a model system. As previously shown, treatment with high doses of probiotics can modulate behavior in Zebrafish, causing significant changes in the expression of some brain-relevant genes, such as BDNF and Tph1A. Using an ultra-deep targeted analysis, we investigated the methylation state of the BDNF and Tph1A promoter region in the brain and gut of probiotic-treated and untreated Zebrafishes. Thanks to the high resolution power of our analysis, we evaluated cell-to-cell methylation differences. At this resolution level, we found slight DNA methylation changes in probiotic-treated samples, likely related to a subgroup of brain and gut cells, and that specific DNA methylation signatures significantly correlated with specific behavioral scores.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enteropathogenic Bacteria in Yellow-Legged Gulls (Larus michahellis) in Southern Italy.

Wild birds may host and spread pathogens, integrating the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Particularly, Larus spp. have been described as responsible for the spread of many enteric diseases, primarily because of their large populations at landfill sites. The aim of this study was to examine the role of yellow-legged gulls as a source of enteropathogenic bacteria such as Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Yersinia spp., with particular attention to antibiotic-resistant strains. Enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated from 93/225 yellow-legged gulls examined from April to July, during a four-year period (2016-2019). Specifically, Campylobacter spp. was isolated from 60/225 samples (26.7%), and identified as C. coli (36/60) and as C. jejuni (24/60). Salmonella spp. was isolated from 3/225 samples (1.3%), and identified as Salmonella arizonae. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli were isolated from 30/225 samples (13.3%) samples, and serotyped as E. coli O128 (12/30) O26 (9/30), O157 (6/30) and O11 (3/30); Yersinia spp. was never detected. Isolated strains exhibited multidrug resistance, including vitally important antibiotics for human medicine (i.e., fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines). Our study emphasizes the importance of yellow-legged gulls as potential reservoirs of pathogenic and resistant strains and their involvement in the dissemination of these bacteria across different environments, with resulting public health concerns.

Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Companion Birds.

Antimicrobial resistance is a public health concern worldwide and it is largely attributed to the horizontal exchange of transferable genetic elements such as plasmids carrying integrons. Several studies have been conducted on livestock showing a correlation between the systemic use of antibiotics and the onset of resistant bacterial strains. In contrast, although companion birds are historically considered as an important reservoir for human health threats, little information on the antimicrobial resistance in these species is available in the literature. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonasaeruginosa isolated from 755 companion birds. Cloacal samples were processed for E. coli and P. aeruginosa isolation and then all isolates were submitted to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. P. aeruginosa was isolated in 59/755 (7.8%) samples, whereas E. coli was isolated in 231/755 (30.7%) samples. Most strains showed multidrug resistance. This study highlights that companion birds may act as substantial reservoirs carrying antimicrobial resistance genes which could transfer directly or indirectly to humans and animals, and from a One Health perspective this risk should not be underestimated.

Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained for Animal-Assisted Therapy.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a non-pharmacological therapy aimed at people with physical and/or mental disabilities. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out interventions that guarantee its benefits for patients while also avoiding the risk of zoonoses due to contact with the animals or their mucous membranes. The present study aimed to detect the occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in the oral cavity of dogs attending a "dog educational centre" and training for AAT interventions. In addition, some of the potential predictable factors of infection (i.e., age, sex, breed, and living conditions) were analyzed. In total, 25/200 dogs examined (12.5%; 95% confidence interval = 8.4-18.1%) were positive for P. multocida, as confirmed by PCR. Sex, breed, and living conditions were risk factors associated with P. multocida as revealed by the logistic regression analysis. Specifically, cross-bred female dogs living prevalently outdoors were significantly associated with the presence of P. multocida (p < 0.05). This study represents the first epidemiological survey of the prevalence of P. multocida in the oral cavity of dogs involved subsequently in AAT interventions, highlighting the potential risk of P. multocida infection in patients, often belonging to risk categories (e.g., children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals). Therefore, healthcare guidelines could be suggested to integrate the current literature related to the health check of dogs involved in AAT. In this way, it could be ensured that, even with bodily contact during AAT, the risk of pathogen transmission by the co-therapist dog can be avoided.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar (Sus scrofa) in southern Italy: Epidemiological survey and associated risk for consumers.

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan parasite (phylum Apicomplexa), which causes a zoonotic parasitic disease, known as toxoplasmosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence and genotypes of T. gondii in wild boars of southern Italy and thus to assess the risk of infection for consumers. The boars were inspected during the hunting season within the regional project 'Wild Boar Emergency Plan in Campania', and molecular analyses were performed on 338 boars analysing a total number of 884 matrices (263 brains, 310 hearts and 311 masseter muscles). Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 134 out of 338 boars (39.6%). No significant statistical difference between genders was found (χ2  = 0.15 p = .70). The prevalence was 47.1%, 39.3% and 39.2% in piglets, yearlings and adults, respectively (χ2  = 0.41; p = .81). The highest prevalence of T. gondii was found in masseter muscles (74/311, 23.8%), followed by the heart (70/310, 22.6%) and brain (58/263, 22.0%), respectively. Microsatellite (MS) analysis of 11 samples revealed eleven T. gondii genotypes (nine atypical, one belonging to type II one to type III). Most of the genotypes found were thus atypical and may be virulent in humans. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed the presence of three distinct clusters, with the majority of atypical genotypes in the GII-GIII cluster. The high prevalence of infection in masseters highlights the potential risk for public health, considering that this muscle is commonly used to prepare raw meat products ('guanciale' and sausages), which may be a source of T. gondii infection in humans. Wild boars may act as an interface role between wildlife, livestock and humans. Our data highlight the urgent need to minimize the risk of infection for animals and humans by setting up a surveillance programme and preventive strategies in a One Health approach to wildlife species.