Microbiological survey of sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) kept as pets in Italy.

The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small, arboreal, nocturnal, gliding mammalian possum belonging to the marsupial infraclass. Exotic marsupials, including sugar gliders, are becoming popular companion pets and, consequently, the risk of potential infections that can be transmitted to humans should be investigated. Data on the role of the sugar glider as a possible carrier of pathogenic and zoonotic bacteria are scarce and fragmentary. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of potentially zoonotic bacteria (Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Campylobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica) in 64 sugar gliders kept as pets in Italy. The highest prevalence of infection pertained to members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, in particular Citrobacter spp. (50%), Enterobacter spp. (28·1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (15·6%); Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 10 out of 64 samples (15·6%). All strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited some level of resistance to multiple antimicrobials (ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and doxycycline). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results of this study show that sugar gliders may act as carriers of potentially pathogenic agents for humans and other animal species, therefore caution should be exercised in the handling and contact with these animals.

Occurrence of enteropathogenic bacteria in birds of prey in Italy.

The importance of wild birds as potential vectors of disease has received recent renewed empirical interest, especially regarding human health although information regarding the enteropathogenic bacteria in birds of prey continue to be scant. This study was performed with the aim to evaluate the occurrence of enteropathogenic bacteria (i.e. Campylobacter spp. Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp.) in birds of prey carcasses in Southern Italy. The results of the present study showed a prevalence of 33·1% (49/148) for Campylobacter spp. where all positive isolates (49/49) were identified as Campylobacter jejuni, and among these positive 12/49 were also identified as Campylobacter coli. Thus, 12/49 birds of prey showed mixed infections for both Campylobacter species. Differences in Campylobacter spp. prevalence between diurnal and nocturnal birds were statistically significant (P = 0·016). Escherichia coli showed a prevalence of 6·8% (10/148) and were serogrouped as O26 (n = 3), O55 (n = 2), O145 (n = 5). Salmonella spp. showed a prevalence of 6·8% (10/148) and were serotyped as S. Napoli (n = 4), Salmonella salamae (n = 3) and S. Typhimurium (n = 3). Although wildlife disease outbreaks have often been underreported in the broader context of global epidemiology, results of the present study suggest that birds of prey may serve as a reservoir of pathogens for livestock and human health, acting at the animal-human-ecosystem interface. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study confirms the role of birds of prey as a reservoir of enteropathogenic bacteria (i.e. Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp.). Wild birds can contaminate environment with their faeces and play a crucial role in the transmission of pathogens to poultry and livestock farms and aquifers supplying water to humans. Furthermore, wild birds could disseminate pathogens within rescue and rehabilitation centres where they are admitted.

Oral flora of Python regius kept as pets.

UNLABELLED: This study was aimed at evaluating the oral bacterial flora of 60 Python regius kept as pets by culture and biochemical methods. All isolates were also submitted to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disc diffusion method. The oral cavity of snakes sampled harboured a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria mainly constituted by Pseudomonas spp., Morganella morganii, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Aeromonas hydrophila, but also by Salmonella spp. Staphylococcus spp. was the commonest Gram-positive isolates, and various anaerobic Clostridium species were also found. The most effective antimicrobial agents were enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, followed by doxycycline and gentamicin. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The oral cavity of snakes sampled harboured a wide range of bacteria. Our results suggest that people who come in contact with snakes could be at risk of infection and should follow proper hygiene practices when handling these reptiles.

Prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter in partridges (Perdix perdix).

AIM: To estimate the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in commercially reared partridges (Perdix perdix) in southern Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cloacal swabs of partridges (n = 240), equally distributed between male and female birds, from a game bird farm located in the Southern Italy were examined for the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. The samples were processed in order to detect thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. by culture methods. The positive samples were then confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 118 (49.2%) of the 240 cloacal swabs examined. As proved by PCR, 100% of the strains were identified as Campylobacter coli (118/118), and 15 (12.7%) out of the 118 positive samples were also positive for Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast, Campylobacter lari was not identified. Adult partridges showed a significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.05) than younger ones. CONCLUSION: These results reinforce the assumption that game birds may be considered as potential carriers of Campylobacter spp. for human being and other animal species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Although an earlier 1986 publication described the prevalence of Campylobacter coli in commercially reared partridges, this is the first report to confirm the species of Campylobacter using a PCR test.

Survey of Campylobacter jejuni in stray cats in southern Italy.

AIM: To evaluate the presence of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. in stray cats in southern Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen animals were trapped in two different environments (urban area, harbour area) of the city of Naples. From each cat, rectal swabs were collected. The samples were processed in order to detect thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. by culture methods. The positive samples were then confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Campylobacter jejuni was isolated from 19/113 (16.8%) stray cats, whereas Campylobacter coli was not isolated. The cat data (age, environment and sex) were analysed by two statistical analyses using the C. jejuni status (positive/negative) as a dependent variable. As regards statistical regression model results, age and environment were risk factors for C. jejuni positivity. In particular, cats older than 1 year had a significantly higher risk of being positive for C. jejuni than cats aged up to 1 year (OR = 10.440; P = 0.000). Moreover, cats living in the harbour area had a significantly higher risk to be a carrier of C. jejuni than cats living in urban area (OR = 17.911; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present survey confirm stray cats as potential carriers of C. jejuni. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study on the prevalence of C. jejuni in stray cats in Europe.

Salmonella serotypes isolated in geckos kept in seven collections in southern Italy.

OBJECTIVES: Reptiles are considered an important reservoir of Salmonella species. This study evaluated the prevalence of Salmonella species in different species of gecko kept as pets in Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Faecal swab samples were collected from 70 clinically healthy geckos and examined for Salmonella species by culture that were then serotyped. RESULTS: Salmonella species were isolated from 24 of 70 (34·3%) samples. Eighteen isolates expressed resistance to ceftazidime and four isolates to ampicillin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Salmonella spp. can be isolated from apparently healthy captive gecko which should be considered as a potential source of infection for humans and other companion animals.

Co-infection by Escherichia coli O157 and gastrointestinal strongyles in sheep.

This research investigated the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) strongyles and Escherichia coli O157 in naturally infected sheep, as well as the possible correlation between the pathogens examined. A total of 314 sheep, randomly selected from 21 farms located in southern Italy, were examined. GI strongyles and E. coli O157 were detected by using the FLOTAC double technique and culture media, respectively. GI strongyles were detected on 19/21 farms (90.5%) and E. coli O157 on 12/21 (57.4%). At the animal level, GI strongyles were detected from 193/314 (61.5%) sheep analysed, whereas E. coli O157 was isolated from 20/314 (6.4%) sheep. Statistical analysis performed at animal-level showed a negative correlation between E. coli O157 and GI strongyle EPGs (Spearman's ρ=-0.128; P=0.03). Caution should be exercised in interpreting the research findings because a number of different confounding factors possibly influenced the trend of negative correlation between the two pathogenic agents investigated. Further studies, including molecular diagnostics, production data and multivariable analytical approaches, are needed to assess the actual impact of multiple pathogen infections in grazing sheep and other livestock species.

Role of connexin-43 hemichannels in the pathogenesis of Yersinia enterocolitica.

Connexin (Cx) channels are sites of cytoplasmic communication between contacting cells. Evidence indicates that the opening of hemichannels occurs under both physiological and pathological conditions. In this paper, the involvement of Cx-43 hemichannels is demonstrated in the pathogenesis of Yersinia. Parental HeLa cells and transfected HeLa cells stably expressing Cx-43 (HCx43) were infected with Yersiniaenterocolitica, and bacterial uptake was measured by the colony-forming unit method. Bacterial uptake was higher in HCx43 cells than in parental cells and was inhibited by the Cx channel blocker, 18-alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (AGA). The inhibitory effect of AGA was more pronounced on the Y. enterocolitica uptake by HCx43 cells than by parental cells. The ability of HCx43 cells to incorporate the permeable fluorescent tracer Lucifer Yellow (LY) was assessed. Dye incorporation was inhibited by AGA, whereas Y. enterocolitica infection of HCx43 cells increased LY incorporation. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that Y. enterocolitica infection of HCx43 cells induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Cx-43, thus supporting a critical role for Cx-43 in the strategies exploited by bacterial pathogens to invade non-phagocytic cells.

Serological survey for antibodies to Encephalitozoon cuniculi in pet rabbits in Italy.

Pet rabbits (n = 125) from Southern Italy were submitted to a serological screening for Encephalitozoon cuniculi, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a carbon immunoassay (CIA). Seventy-eight examined rabbits showed clinical signs suggestive of encephalitozoonosis (head tilt, ataxia, paralysis, cataracts, uveitis, polyuria and polydipsia), whereas 47 were healthy rabbits. Antibodies anti-E. cuniculi were found in 84/125 (67.2%) sera analysed. The results of the chi-squared test showed that sex and health status had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on E. cuniculi seropositivity; however, rabbits older than 4 months had a seropositivity for E. cuniculi significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of rabbits aged up to 4 months. The results of the present survey reinforce the assumption that rabbit may be indicated as the main reservoir of E. cuniculi; therefore, routine screening examinations in pet rabbits are strongly advised considering the zoonotic potential of this parasite.

Presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in living layer hens.

AIMS: To evaluate the presence of Shiga toxin-producing strains of Escherichia coli (STEC) of the O157:H7 serotype in living layer hens so as to analyse the role of this avian species as potential reservoir. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cloacal swabs were collected between November 2004 and November 2005 from four intensive management layer hen farms and analysed for STEC O157:H7 by immunomagnetic separation methods and multiplex polymerase chain reaction for stx1 and/or stx2, the E. coli attaching and effacing (eae) and hly genes. STEC was detected in 26 of the 720 samples. CONCLUSIONS: The layer hens analysed were shown to carry STEC O157:H7. The presence of this bacterium in living layer hen farms investigated did not result in any detectable increase in gastrointestinal disease in this species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Living layer hens are a novel potential reservoir of E. coli O157:H7.