Evidence of Circulation and Phylogenetic Analysis of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) in Wild Boar in South-East Italy.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in humans worldwide. The food-borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe through the consumption of pork and wild boar meat. HEV epidemiology in wild boars has been investigated mainly in Northern and Central Italian regions, whilst information from Southern Italy is limited. We investigated the occurrence of HEV in wild boar in the Apulia and Basilicata regions (Southern Italy). Thirteen (10.4%) out of one hundred and twenty-five wild boar samples tested positive for HEV using a quantitative reverse transcription PCR. HEV prevalence was 12% in Apulia and 9.3% in Basilicata. Seven samples were genotyped, and different subtypes (c, f, m) of genotype 3 were identified. The complete genome of a 3m strain was determined, and the virus showed the highest nucleotide identity to a human HEV strain identified in France in 2017. These findings demonstrate the substantial circulation of HEV in the wild boar population in Italian Southern regions. Gathering information on the HEV strains circulating in different geographical areas is useful for tracking the origin of HEV outbreaks and assessing the epidemiological role of wild boar as a potential virus reservoir for domestic pigs.

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.

Detection of Toxocara cati Larvae in a Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) and in a Red Kite (Milvus milvus) in Basilicata Region, Italy.

Toxocara cati is a common parasite of wild and domestic felines, and presents a cosmopolitan distribution. Adult parasites localize in the gut of the definitive host giving rise to the infection, which usually runs asymptomatic. These worms produce eggs that are excreted with feces into the environment, where they become a source of infection for paratenic hosts, such as mammals, birds, and invertebrates. In this brief communication, we report the detection of T. cati larvae in a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and a red kite (Milvus milvus), in the Basilicata Region of Italy. This result may be important to define new pathways of spread and survival of T. cati in the wild.

Trichinella pseudospiralis in a red kite (Milvus milvus) from Italy.

Trichinella pseudospiralis is a non-encapsulated species infecting both mammals and birds. In Italy, this species has been reported so far only in central regions (two nocturnal birds of prey, one red fox, and one wild boar) and in northeast regions (four wild boars). In November 2020, Trichinella sp. larvae were isolated by enzymatic digestion from muscle tissues of a red kite (Milvus milvus) specimen belonging to a population residing in the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). The parasite was identified as T. pseudospiralis by multiplex PCR, and the sequencing of the expansion segment V (ESV) region of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal DNA showed, in the microsatellite region, the polymorphism characteristic of the Palearctic population. This represents the first record of T. pseudospiralis in a red kite and the first report of this parasite in Southern Italy. The isolation of the parasite in a resident bird confirms that T. pseudospiralis is present, even if at low prevalence, in the Italian avifauna.

Farnesoid X receptor activation improves erectile function in animal models of metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is critically involved in the regulation of the hepato-biliary system. Recent data suggest a role for FXR in modulating other metabolic pathways and vascular function. AIM: To investigate whether long-term administration of the selective FXR agonist INT-747 ameliorates erectile function, we tested it in two animal models of metabolic derangements: a rabbit model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) and a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes. METHODS: HFD rabbit or STZ rats with or without chronic INT-747 dosing (10 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks). INT-747 addition to rabbit penile smooth muscle cells (rpSMCs). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Effects of INT-747 on metabolic features and erectile function in animal models and clarification of mechanism of action in isolated cells. RESULTS: INT-747 dosing normalized visceral adiposity and glucose intolerance in HFD rabbits. INT-747 increased penile FXR expression and partially restored endothelial nitric oxide synthase and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 expression as well as impaired nitric oxide (NO)-dependent relaxation (improved responsiveness to acetylcholine and electrical field stimulation). INT-747 was also effective in regulating NO downstream events, as shown by increased sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation. Because phosphodiesterase type 5 and protein kinase G (PKG) were unaltered by INT-747, we analyzed the calcium-sensitizing RhoA/ROCK pathway. HFD increased, and INT-747 normalized, RhoA membrane translocation/activation. RhoA/ROCK signaling inhibition by INT-747 was confirmed in rpSMCs by confocal microscopy, MYPT1-phosphorylation, cytoskeleton remodeling, cell migration, and smooth muscle-related genes expression. In STZ rats, FXR penile expression was not altered but was significantly upregulated by INT-747 dosing. In this model, INT-747 improved penile erection induced by electrical stimulation of cavernous nerve and hypersensitivity to intracavernous injection of a ROCK-inhibitor, Y-27632, without improving hyperglycemia. CONCLUSION: In HFD rabbits, INT-747 dosing improved glucose sensitivity and MetS-associated erectile dysfunction, via upregulation of NO transmission and inhibition of RhoA/ROCK pathway. In STZ rats, INT-747 restored in vivo penile erection and sensitivity to ROCK inhibition, independently of effects on glycemia.