Canine leishmaniosis in the Italian northeastern Alps: A survey to assess serological prevalence in dogs and distribution of phlebotomine sand flies in the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, Italy.

The Autonomous Province of Bolzano-South Tyrol (APB), located in the northernmost territory of the Italian eastern Alps, is still considered non-endemic for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) despite clinical cases being observed and a competent Leishmania infantum vector (Phlebotomus perniciosus) having been recorded since 2008. A serological survey of leishmaniosis among a randomly-selected subpopulation of registered owned dogs was carried in 2018, followed by entomological investigations performed in 2019 and driven by canine survey results. A total of 457 resident dogs from all over the APB territory were examined through IFAT for antibodies against L.infantum, of which 63 (13.8%) tested positive. Thirty-five seropositive cases (7.7%) were considered autochthonous to APB, i.e. dogs born and lived in the province, or imported dogs with no travel history in the past 5 years. Most of these animals showed an antibody titre at the threshold level of 1:40, suggesting a low degree of parasite transmission/contacts. In 2 autochthonous cases with moderately high IFAT titre, the infection was confirmed by nested-PCR in peripheral blood. Thirty-one georeferenced sites were monitored for sand flies by means of interception (sticky papers) and attraction (CDC miniature light traps) collection devices. Traps were set during summer approximately on monthly basis, and extended up to October for positive sites. Only 2 sites were found positive for a total of 317 phlebotomine specimens collected by sticky traps, which included a previously known P. perniciosus-endemic site near Bolzano town. Sergentomyia minuta was by far the most prevalent (98.1%) and the only recorded sand fly species in the most northerly Italian site ever investigated (Coldrano municipality in Venosta valley). For the first time, Leishmania serology and n-PCR positive dogs autochthonous to APB were identified, however the spread of sand flies competent for L. infantum transmission could not be demonstrated in several places where endemic seropositive cases were recorded. APB can be considered a territory of low CanL endemicity, however awareness and continuous monitoring are needed to detect changes in the epidemiological status of the zoonosis.

Isolation of Streptococcus agalactiae in a female llama (Lama glama) in South Tyrol (Italy).

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus agalactiae is pathogenic for both animals and humans. In dairy cattle it commonly causes mastitis, with great economic losses, and there is scientific evidence of mastitis, caseous lymphadenitis, contagious skin necrosis and purulent infections associated with S. agalactiae in camels (Camelus dromedarius) as well. In humans, it is a common component of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microflora, but it can also act as a pathogen, especially in elderly people and immunocompromised patients, as well as in pregrant women and newborns. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year old non-pregnant female llama (Lama glama) was conferred to the Institute for Animal Health Control, in Bolzano for necropsy after sudden death. The animal had not shown unusual behaviour and had a low to normal nutritional condition (body condition score 2/5). The breeder had reported a chronic suppurative subcutaneous infection in the intermandibular area, resistant to therapy (therapy unknown). After necropsy, several samples were processed for histological, bacteriological and parasitological examinations. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes, to the best of our knowledge, the first isolation of S. agalactiae in llamas (Lama glama). The animal came from a herd that counts approximately 200 South American camelids (llamas, alpacas) along with several horses, chicken, rabbits, cats and dogs; this farm offers services, such as trekking and pet therapy activities.

Mycobacterium aviumsubsp. paratuberculosis isolated from wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Northern Italy.

Paratuberculosis (or Johne's disease) is an infectious disease which affects mainly ruminants and it is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). During a culling program (years 2011-2015) aimed at controlling the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population in Stelvio National Park (Italian Alps), where paratuberculosis was already described in this species, 382 tissue samples from the Lombardy Region and 102 fecal specimens from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano were analyzed by PCR. Of these, 77 samples (20.16%) from the Lombardy area and 19 specimens (18.63%) from the Bolzano area resulted PCR positive. The cultural test was carried out on PCR positive samples (n = 96), enabling the isolation of 19 MAP field strains which were genotyped using MIRU-VNTR typing and Short Sequence repeats (SSRs). Our results suggest that all isolates share an identical VNTR profile corresponding to the INMV1 genotype. The only variation was on the locus SSR2, but the utility of this last locus has already been questioned because of its instability. Overall, these data suggest a common clonal origin and host adaptation during the diffusion of paratuberculosis in this population. Finally, this profile is the same as that which has already been described in the cattle population in Northern Italy, suggesting a possible inter-species disease transmission pattern from wildlife to domestic ruminants and vice versa.