Association Between BoLA-DRB3.2 Polymorphism and Bovine Papillomavirus Infection for Bladder Tumor Risk in Podolica Cattle.

Blood samples from 260 unrelated cattle (132 animals affected by papillomavirus-associated bladder tumors and 128 healthy) were genotyped using the classic polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism method to screen MHC class II bovine leukocyte antigen-DRB3. 2 polymorphism. The DRB3*22 allele was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) detected in healthy cattle, thus appearing to have a negative association (protective effect) with virus infection of the urinary bladder known to represent a bladder tumor risk for cattle living free at pasture. Considering the two sequence alleles identified in animals carrying DRB3*22, DRB3*011:01 allele from samples of animals harboring the unexpressed bovine papillomaviruses (BPV)-2 E5 gene was characterized by amino acid residues believed to have a protective effect against BPV infection such as arginine at position 71 (R71) in pocket 4, histidine at position 11 (H11) in pocket 6, and both glutamine at position 9 (Q9) and serine at position 57 (S57) in pocket 9 of the antigen-binding groove. The DRB3*011:02v allele from affected animals was characterized by amino acids believed to be susceptibility residues such as lysine (K71), tyrosine (Y11), glutamic acid (E9), and aspartic acid (D57) in these pockets. These results suggest that animals harboring the DRB3*011:01 allele may have a lower risk of BPV infection and, consequently, a reduced risk of bladder tumors.

Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in hunting dogs infected with Acanthocheilonema reconditum, associated risk factors, and a European overview.

Acanthocheilonema reconditum is a filarial parasite transmitted by arthropods (fleas, lice, and ticks) that infect dogs. There is minimal published data available to date on potential haematological and biochemical changes associated with this parasitic infection. Study aims were (i) provide an overview of A. reconditum in Europe, (ii) define A. reconditum prevalence and risk factors in a specific dog population (hunting) from southern Italy, and (iii) assess the frequency of haemato-biochemical abnormalities associated with infection. Blood samples collected from 3020 dogs were tested by a modified Knott's technique to count and identify microfilariae. Eighty-four dogs were infected by A. reconditum (2.78%; 95% CI 2.19-3.37%). Microfilariae ranged from 1 to 212/ml. Based on clinical examination, all but six dogs with non-specific symptoms were healthy. Haematological abnormalities included leucocytosis (n = 15), with eosinophilia (n = 14) and monocytosis (n = 13). Serum biochemical abnormalities included increased total serum proteins (n = 19), albumins (n = 7), total globulins (n = 14), ALT (n = 1), and ALP (n = 1); one dog was hypoalbuminemic, and BUN was mildly increased in 2 dogs. Risk factors included the province origin (Napoli, OR=5.4, 95%CI: 2.1-14.0; Caserta, OR=5.1, 95%CI: 2.5-10.6), hunting wild mammals (OR=2.8, 95% 95%CI: 1.6-4.8), and ectoparasite infestation (OR=1.9, 95%CI: 1.1-3.1). There was a negative correlation between microfilaraemic load and decreased albumin level (-0.37; p=0.021). Our results showed that A. reconditum circulates within the hunting dog population of southern Italy, with seemingly low pathogenic potential.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours and other primary gastrointestinal neoplasms. A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: In our surgical daily activity, we report the observation of rare tumour as Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST). We report the incidence and behaviour of new cases of GIST operated in our Center during the last decade, from 2008 to 2018 and here we also describe the concomitant observation of a second gastroenteric tumor. METHOD: We have examined all the case files and histological examinations of patients with CD 117-positive GISTs treated in our Institute from 2008 to 2018. We have gathered data regarding clinical symptoms at the time of diagnosis, tumour site, type of surgery performed, tumour size, histopathological data and follow up data. RESULTS: We have analysed 950 cases of patients who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal neoplasia in our department from 2008 to 2018. We have found 12 cases affected by GIST and in 4 cases it was also a second tumour. In two cases GIST were incidentalomas and in the others two patients a second tumour was incidentally observed in primary GIST. CONCLUSION: Patients with GIST run the risk of developing a second neoplasm, nearly twice as high as the general population with a negative impact on survival; also, incidental GIST is often observed requiring a better molecular characterization for the high risk of developing second neoplasms with the aim of achieving an early diagnosis. KEY WORDS: Gist, Second neoplasm, Surgery.

Is it always necessary to perform an axillary lymph node dissection on patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy? Outcomes of a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Some Trials have demonstrated that the rate of false negative results of a sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy is >10%. The aim of this study is to identify the predictive factors of a pathologic complete response in the axilla in order to make a better choice between the performance of an axillary lymphadenectomy or the performance of a sentinel lymph node biopsy. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with positive axillary lymph nodes and achieving a clinical complete response after a neoadjuvant therapy were the object of our study. Radiologic, clinical and histopathological data were collected before and after the neoadjuvant therapy. Data regarding surgery, post-operative period and follow-up were also collected. RESULTS: Clinically negative lymph nodes were reported in 26 patients after they had received a neoadjuvant therapy (59.09%, 26/44). 57.69% of patients, who were clinically cN0 after neoadjuvant therapy, were reported to have a nodal disease on histological examination (pN+). Patients with a pathologic complete response in the axilla are more likely to be Her2-positive (58.33% vs 3.13%, p<0.05) whereas a Luminal B phenotype is more frequently reported in those patients with an incomplete response (62.5% vs 16.67%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The possibility to detect patients with a lower risk of nodal disease before surgery may reduce the rate of false negative results of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients receiving a neoadjuvant therapy. KEY WORDS: Axilla, Breast cancer, Lymphnodes, Lymphonodes sentinel.

Occurrence of HEV-RNA in Italian Regional Pork and Wild Boar Food Products.

Hepatitis E is an emerging threat in industrialized countries. The foodborne transmission linked to consumption of pork and game meat is considered the main source of autochthonous infection. In Europe, small outbreaks have been reported linked to the consumption of pork liver sausages and wild boar meat. Based on previous findings and on increasing evidence of pork and game meat as a vehicle for HEV infections, the present study investigated the occurrence of HEV in 99 pork and 63 wild boar sausages and salami sold in Southern Italy. The HEV genome was detected in four wild boar sausages. Sequencing from 2 wild boar sausages confirmed that the HEV strains detected belonged to HEV-3 genotype, not assigned to any defined subtype. Data obtained confirmed the possible occurrence of HEV in pork products and in game. Although the detection rate is low, these products are frequently consumed raw after curing, whose effect on virus viability is still unknown.

Massive Taenia hydatigena Cysticercosis in a Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from Italy.

PURPOSE: Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis, due to Cysticercus tenuicollis, is a parasitic disease infecting domestic and wild animals worldwide causing economic and productive losses. Nonetheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the wild ungulates in the epidemiology of this disease. In the last years, the increasing population of wild boars in Europe has raised the attention of researchers on their role in the spreading of several infections, including those caused by cestodes. Herein, we report the description of a massive infection due to T. hydatigena cysticercosis in a wild boar from southern Italy. METHODS: An adult female boar was examined during the hunting season 2018 within the regional project "Piano Emergenza Cinghiali in Campania". A complete necropsy was performed on the boar carcass and all viscera were examined to determine number and location of the cysts. Morphological and molecular analyses of the cysts were performed to confirm the C. tenuicollis identity. RESULTS: The boar examined has revealed an impressive massive infection with 265 cysts. Measurements of the large and small larval hooks showed a mean of length as 200.3 µm and 136.8 µm, respectively. Molecular analysis of Cox1 and ND1 mitochondrial genes confirmed the C. tenuicollis identity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that wild boar could be involved in the epidemiology of T. hydatigena, due to the significant amount of boar raw offal available to definitive hosts (i.e., hunting dogs, foxes and wolves), during the hunting seasons.

Preliminary Observations of the Effect of Garlic on Egg Shedding in Horses Naturally Infected by Intestinal Strongyles.

Intestinal strongyles are the most common endoparasites of horses, and anthelmintic treatments are the main strategy to control these nematodes. However, the development of anthelmintic resistance has led to a decreased efficacy of synthetic drugs, and for this reason, there is a growing interest in alternative control strategies as the use of medicinal plants. The aim of the present study was to determine the in vivo efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) in horses naturally infected by intestinal strongyles. The field trial was conducted in a horse trotter farm in Southern Italy. Fifteen mares were selected based on fecal egg count >200 eggs per gram and allocated into three groups of five animals: fresh garlic group (FG group), animals received 40 g of fresh crushed garlic once daily for 15 days; dry garlic group (DG group), animals received 40 g of commercial dry garlic flakes food supplement once daily for 15 days; and control group (C group), not treated. Two weeks after the first administration of garlic, fecal egg count reduction test showed failure of garlic to reduce intestinal strongyles egg shedding (-11.7% and -19.4% for FG and DG groups, respectively). Red blood cell count values were in the normal ranges over the entire period of garlic administration. In our study model, the oral administration of garlic formulations has no effect on reducing the egg shedding of intestinal strongyles, and the garlic supplementation over a short period of time is not responsible for hematological changes in horses.

Distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia spp. infection in hunting dogs from Southern Italy.

Canine babesiosis is caused by haemoprotozoan organisms of the genus Babesia which are transmitted by the bite of a hard tick. The aim of this survey was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia species infections in hunting dogs from Southern Italy. Blood samples were collected from 1311 healthy dogs in the Napoli, Avellino and Salerno provinces of the Campania region of Southern Italy. Serological testing was performed using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), with one designed to detect B. canis and B. vogeli antibodies, and the other designed to detect B. gibsoni antibodies. Blood samples were also tested by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for amplification of B. canis, B. vogeli and B. gibsoni DNA. The overall seroprevalence for B. canis/B. vogeli was 14.0%, compared to 0.2% for B. gibsoni. B. canis and B. vogeli PCR positive rates were 0.15% and 1.1%, respectively. B. gibsoni DNA was not amplified by qPCR. Male gender (OR 1.85), increased age (OR 1.01), long hair coat (OR 1.61) and living in Salerno province (OR 1.71) represented risk factors for B. canis/B. vogeli seroreactivity. Hunting dogs in Southern Italy are often exposed to B. canis/B. vogeli, however Babesia spp. infection was infrequently detected using qPCR. Further studies are needed to determine the extent to which Babesia spp. cause clinical disease in hunting dogs, and to evaluate the potential epidemiological relationships between hunting dogs and wild animal populations sharing the same area.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and D. immitis in hunting dogs from southern Italy.

Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are caused by a range of pathogens transmitted to dogs by arthropods. The present study investigates Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, and Dirofilaria immitis seroprevalences in hunting dogs from southern Italy. Dogs (no. 1335) were tested using a commercial in-clinic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated by logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors. Overall, 138/1335 dogs (10.3%) were seroreactive to at least one CVBD pathogen. E. canis, Anaplasma spp., B. burgdorferi s.l., and D. immitis seroprevalences were 7.6, 4.4, 0.3, and 0.2%, respectively. E. canis and Anaplasma spp. co-exposures were found in 30 dogs (2.2%), compared with Anaplasma spp. and B. burgdorferi s.l. co-exposures in 2 dogs (0.1%). Adult age was a risk factor for E. canis (OR 2.35) seroreactivity whereas hunting fur-bearing animals for E. canis (OR 4.75) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 1.87), respectively. The historical presence of tick infestation was identified as a risk factor for positivity to E. canis (OR 2.08) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 2.15). Finally, larger dog pack size was significantly associated with E. canis (OR 1.85) and Anaplasma spp. (OR 2.42) exposures. The results of the present survey indicated that hunting dog populations are at relative risk of CVBDs in southern Italy. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of hunting dogs in the epidemiology of vector-borne organisms due to sharing common environments with wild, sympatric animal populations.

Epidemiological survey on Leishmania infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and hunting dogs sharing the same rural area in Southern Italy.

Southern Italy, particularly Campania region, is an area where canine leishmaniasis (CanL) and zoonotic human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) are endemic. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) has been hypothesized to play a role in occurrence of CanL in Italy but specific studies are poor. The aim of the present survey was to investigate the prevalence of Leishmania infection in dogs and foxes living in the same rural area (Picentini hills). 123 sera from autochthonous fox-hunting dogs were examined by immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFAT) using a cut-off of 1:160. The seroprevalence of dogs examined was 17.9%. Moreover, 48 foxes were examined after having been shooted by hunters or road accidents. Spleen, liver and lymph node samples were analyzed by specific Leishmania nested PCR (n-PCR). 10 foxes were found infected by L. infantum (20.8%) of which 4 animals in spleen, 2 in lymph nodes and 4 both in spleen and lymph nodes. The overall n-PCR positivity was 17.4% for spleen samples and 13.3% for lymph nodes; all liver samples resulted negative. In positive PCR foxes no signs clearly referable to leishmaniasis were recorded at necropsy. The results confirmed the presence of L. infantum infection in red foxes from Southern Italy, with a moderate level of exposure. Because large proportions of dogs with ascertained progressive leishmaniasis show a prolonged "subpatent condition" during which they are only positive to n-PCR before seroconversion, our results allow to assume that exposure risk in foxes is lower than hunting dogs living in the studied area.

Scarless outpatient ablation of pilonidal sinus: a pilot study of a new minimally invasive treatment.

Pain and secretion of purulent materials are symptoms that are often associated with the pilonidal sinus. Generally, these symptoms are neglected by patients for a long time. Patients seek medical attention too late, fearing a prolonged period of pain and inability after surgery. The optimal therapy for pilonidal sinus should have the following characteristics: high healing rate, low recurrence rate, minimal postoperative pain and low cost. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of a new minimally invasive treatment: the scarless outpatient ablation of pilonidal sinus (SOAP). A total of 31 consecutive patients were enrolled; 27 of 31 patients were declared healed after the surgery (87·09%). After 1 year, only 4 of 27 patients (14·81%) reported symptoms related to recurrence of the disease. The average duration of the operation was 7·47 minutes. Patients reported the disappearance of painful symptoms after approximately 2·62 days and had been away from work for 0·53 days. No complications were recorded during the period of study. The advantages of the procedure examined in this study are its simplicity and rapidity of execution, its outpatient setting, its low cost and lack of complications. In our opinion, a randomised controlled trial should be conducted to validate the results related to this technique.

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Italy.

Angiostrongylus vasorum (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae) infection was detected at post-mortem examination in the pulmonary arteries and hearts of 34/102 (33,3%) of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the Campania Region in southern Italy. Pathological changes consisted of granulomatous interstitial pneumonia caused by larvae and intravascular pulmonary adult nematodes. These changes confirm that angiostrongylosis infection in red foxes has a mainly chronic course, in which the infected host may disperse parasite larvae in the environment over its lifetime. Results suggest that the life cycle of A. vasorum is well established in the red fox in the Campania Region representing a potential infection risk for dogs.

Laparoscopic drainage of a recurrent psoas abscess.

BACKGROUND: Many Authors suggest that psoas abscess should initially undergo an antibiotic therapy, with or without percutaneous drainage. In their opinion, surgical drainage should be done in case of failure or complicated recurrences. Herein we report a laparoscopic drainage of a recurrent and multilocular psoas abscess. METHODS: A 43-year-old woman presented to our department with a 4-week history of fever, anorexia, difficulty in walking, and pain in her right flank, lower back and hip. She had a 20-year history of recurrent lower back pain and fever treated with cyclic antibiotic therapy. Abdominal CT scan showed a complex multilocular right psoas abscess and a 17 mm hypodense area in the sixth liver segment. A drainage of the abscess through a laparoscopic access with intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound of the liver was decided. RESULTS: The patient was discharged on the 3 th postoperative day. Her white blood cell count was normal and she was symptom free. At 1-, 6-, 12- and 24-months-follow-up, neither fever nor lower back pain were reported. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, laparoscopic drainage of iliopsoas abscess is safe and effective. However, further studies comparing laparoscopic drainage with open drainage and percutaneous drainage are required in order to define the specific indications of laparoscopic drainage.

Field efficacy of eprinomectin against the sucking louse Haematopinus asini on naturally infested donkeys.

A trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of eprinomectin (EPR) against the sucking louse Haematopinus asini on naturally infested donkeys. Parasitological investigations were performed on fifteen animals. On day 0, donkeys received EPR pour-on at the manufacturer's recommended cattle dose. Louse counts were performed on days -1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 at seven predilection sites on the skin of each donkey. EPR was completely effective (100%) from day 7, until the end of the study. Clinically no adverse reactions were observed in any of donkeys treated. EPR was considered to be 100% effective against H. asini. This is the first trial to evaluate the efficacy of EPR against a natural louse infestation in donkeys.