Gastrointestinal ultrasonographic findings in cats with Feline panleukopenia: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is very resistant and highly contagious and infects domestic cats and other felids. FPV is particularly widespread among sheltered cats, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, causing severe gastroenteritis characterized by anorexia, lethargy, fever, dehydration, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and vomiting. There is currently no data on the ultrasonographic features of cats affected with FPV. This case series describes abdominal ultrasonographic findings in shelter cats with naturally-occurring FPV, and assesses whether are associated with clinical and laboratory findings. Cats affected by FPV were enrolled in the study if an abdominal ultrasound was performed within 12 hours of diagnosis. Clinical, laboratory and survival data were collected from medical records. Ultrasonographic examinations were reviewed for gastrointestinal abnormalities and their associations with the above data were explored. RESULTS: Twenty-one cats were included. Nine cats (42.9%) died and 12 (57.1%) recovered. Based on ultrasonography, the duodenum and jejunum showed thinning of the mucosal layer in 70.6% and 66.6% of cats, thickening of the muscular layer in 52.9% and 57.1% of cats, and hyperechogenicity of the mucosa in 41.2% and 33.3%. Jejunal hyperechoic mucosal band paralleling the submucosa and irregular luminal surface were both observed in 33.3% of the cats. Survival was positively associated with increased jejunal mucosal echogenicity (P = 0.003) and hyperechoic mucosal band (P = 0.003). Peritoneal free fluid was positively associated with vomiting (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides ultrasonographic features of naturally-occurring FPV in cats, which, as expected, are compatible with gastroenteropathy. The most frequent findings were diffuse small intestine mucosal layer thinning, muscular layer thickening and mucosal hyperechogenicity, jejunal hyperechoic mucosal band and irregular luminal surface. Ultrasonographic features may be useful to complete the clinical picture and assess the severity of the gastroenteropathy in FPV cats. Prospective studies are needed to confirm ultrasonographic prognostic factors.

Dirofilarioses in two cats in southern Italy.

Two cats infected by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, respectively, were taken to two different private practitioners for a clinical examination. The analyses conducted on the first cat revealed a microfilaraemia due to D. repens of 66 mfs/mL by a modified Knott's test. No clinical signs of D. repens infection were observed in the cat. The animal was euthanised because of a lymphoma condition, and two adult females of D. repens were found in the subcutaneous tissue of the lumbar and left scapular regions at the post-mortem examination. The second cat showed severe abnormalities in the white blood cells, including eosinophil count. Microfilariae of D. immitis were detected in the blood smear, with an average length (n = 2) of 296.2 µm. These clinical cases represent the first reports of feline dirofilarioses in southern Italy and are indicative of a common occurrence of dirofilarial infection in the local canine population.

Treatment of rectovaginal endometriosis with the etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the etonogestrel (ENG)-releasing implant in treating patients with rectovaginal endometriosis. The study was based on the retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database, including symptomatic women who had ultrasonographic diagnosis of rectovaginal endometriosis. Patients were follow-up at 6, 12 and 24 months from the insertion of the ENG-releasing implant. The intensity of pain symptoms was evaluated using a visual analog scale. The volume of the nodules was estimated by virtual organ computer-aided analysis. The Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP-30) was used to evaluate quality of life. Overall, 43 women were included in the study. The 2-year continuation rate for the ENG-releasing implant was 93.0%. The treatment quickly improved the intensity of non-menstrual pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, and dyschezia. At 6-month follow-up, there were improvements in all domains of the EHP-30 compared with baseline. Further improvements in the EHP-30 results were observed only in pain sub score at 12-month follow-up and in emotional well-being sub score at 24-month follow-up. At 6-month follow-up the volume of the rectovaginal nodules was significantly lower compared with baseline; a further decrease was observed at 12- and 24-month follow-up. The treatment was well tolerated.

Correction to: A formulation of neem and hypericum oily extract for the treatment of the wound myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica in domestic animals.

The given names and family names of the authors of the originally published version of this article was inadvertently interchanged. Correct presentation of the author names are presented here.

A formulation of neem and hypericum oily extract for the treatment of the wound myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica in domestic animals.

Untreated, traumatic, or wound myiases can cause severe consequences to animal health and welfare as well as economic losses to livestock productions. For healing myiasis-caused wounds, disinfectant such as creolin is wrongly but currently used in association with insecticides. Though effective, creolin is highly toxic to the patients, is inadequate with respect to the repellent effect, and may delay the healing of treated wounds. In this uncontrolled study, the efficacy of the patented plant-derived formulation 1 Primary Wound Dressing© (1-PWD), composed of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and the oily extract of Hypericum perforatum (L.) flowers, has been investigated. Forty-four domestic animals of different species suffering from wound myiasis lasting for up to 25 days, at different parts of the body, were enrolled in the study. No systemic or local antibiotic or disinfectants' treatment was administered. Larvae recovered on open wounds and adults reared from mature larvae were identified as Wohlfahrtia magnifica. All the treated wounds healed in a range of 10 to 32 days without further infestation. None of the recruited animals presented bacterial complications. Data herein presented indicate that the tested natural plant-derived formulation is able to manage the infestation caused by W. magnifica larvae and the healing process of traumatic infested wounds in several domestic animal species, without any side effect on the living tissue and without the need to use local or systemic chemical or other products.

Unilateral renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis in a mixed-breed dog carrying a FLCN gene mutation.

BACKGROUND: Renal cystadenocarcinoma and nodular dermatofibrosis (RCND) is a rare inherited cancer syndrome observed predominantly in the German shepherd dog breed, known to be associated with dominant autosomal transmission of mutation H255R of the encoding folliculin gene (FLCN). The syndrome usually features bilateral, multifocal kidney tumours and skin nodules, consisting of dense collagen fibres, with previous reports showing a poor prognosis. Although historically nodular dermatofibrosis (ND) has been considered a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with renal cystadenocarcinoma; this hypothesis has been questioned. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of unilateral renal adenocarcinoma in a dog with RCND syndrome, with 40-month follow-up. ANIMAL: A neutered 5-year-old female, mixed-breed dog. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Nodular dermatofibrosis was confirmed with histopathological evaluation. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) supported a presumptive diagnosis of unilateral renal neoplasia and the kidney was removed. RESULTS: Nodular dermatofibrosis with unilateral RC was confirmed by histopathological evaluation and DNA sequencing; this was positive for the heterozygous form for the H255R mutation in the FLCN gene. Follow-up at 40 months after nephrectomy showed progressive increase in the size and number of nodular lesions. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This case supports the hypothesis that nodular dermatofibrosis is not a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with cystadenocarcinoma. It may be instead an independent dermatological feature of the same genetic disease, linked to the mutation of FLCN given that the cutaneous nodules in this dog increased in size and number after removal of the adenocarcinoma.

The CT dorsolateral subluxation index is a feasible method for quantifying laxity in the feline hip joint.

The dorsolateral subluxation index of the femoral head is a good proxy of hip dysplasia in dogs. An exploratory, prospective, descriptive study was carried out in order to assess whether the dorsolateral subluxation index may also be useful to improve diagnosis of hip dysplasia in cats. The dorsolateral subluxation index was determined by CT scans simulating the loading position, and compared with measurements of the Norberg-Olsson angle. A total of 82 cats were subjected to radiographic examination of the pelvis, in the standard ventro-dorsal projection, and to CT scans of the pelvis and hips. The Norberg-Olsson angle of each hip was calculated radiographically, while the dorsolateral subluxation index of the femur was calculated on CT images according to a technique recently developed for evaluation of hip dysplasia in dogs. Using the Norberg-Olsson angle a total of 52 hips (31,7%) were diagnosed as dysplastic, 74 (45,1%) as non-dysplastic, and 38 (23,1%) as borderline. Using the dorsolateral subluxation index, values ranged from a minimum of 34.6% to a maximum of 66.6% and four distribution classes were proposed. Findings indicated that the dorsolateral subluxation index previously described as method for quantifying hip dysplasia in dogs is also a feasible method for quantifying hip dysplasia in cats. Future studies are needed to more definitively determine the diagnostic sensitivity of this method.

Clinical outcomes and toxicity after exclusive versus postoperative radiotherapy in supraglottic cancer: new solutions for old problems? The case of stage III and IV disease.

PURPOSE: To compare toxicity, survival and laryngeal preservation rate after radiotherapy alone (RR), radiotherapy after supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy (SHLR) and radiotherapy after total laryngectomy (TLR) for advanced supraglottic laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 2012, 532 patients (pts) were treated in our Department: 273 were potentially fit for conservative surgery (Group I) and 259 were not amenable to partial surgery (Group II). RESULTS: A younger age (p = 0.005), a better performance status (p < 0.001), the absence of comorbidities (p < 0.001) and the absence of nodal involvement (p = 0.006) favorably impacted on overall survival. More high-grade mucositis (p = 0.009), mild dysphagia (p < 0.001) and mild xerostomia (p < 0.001) were found in RR group; surgical patients had more edema of neck (p = 0.009) and skin toxicity (p = 0.008). Group I No differences in local, nodal and distant recurrences and in number of rescue laryngectomies were observed. The disease characteristics (T, N and stage) but not the treatment modality impacted on disease-free survival (DFS). Group II There was an higher number of local (p = 0.013) and nodal (p = 0.022) recurrences after RR. DFS (p = 0.01) was longer after TLR. No differences in DFS between TLR patients and RR patients who underwent radio-chemotherapy were found. CONCLUSION: In Group I, RR results in a local-regional control and organ preservation comparable to surgical treatments, with only slight increase of late mild xerostomia and dysphagia. In Group II RR was less effective than TLR, with a significantly worse DFS. The use of concurrent radical radio-chemotherapy seems to provide comparable loco-regional control to TLR.

Resected pN1 non-small cell lung cancer: recurrence patterns and nodal risk factors may suggest selection criteria for post-operative radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To describe the pattern of recurrence in resected pN1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to identify factors predicting an increased risk of locoregional recurrence (LR) or distant metastasis (DM) to define a selected population who may benefit from postoperative radiotherapy (PORT). METHODS: 285 patients with resected pN1 NSCLC were identified. Patients with positive surgical margins, undergoing neoadjuvant treatment or PORT, were excluded. LR was defined as first event of recurrence at the surgical bed, ipsilateral hilum or mediastinum, and other sites were considered as DM. Kaplan-Meier actuarial estimates of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), freedom from LR (FFLR) and freedom from DM (FFDM) in different subgroups were compared with the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was calculated. RESULTS: 202 patients met the inclusion criteria, 24 % received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 39 months. The total number of recurrences was 118 (64.4 %): 44 (24 %) and 74 (40.4 %) for LR and DM, respectively. Five-year OS and PFS rates were 39.2 and 33.3 %, respectively. Extra capsular extension (ECE) (RR 2.10, p = 0.01) and lymph nodal ratio (LNR) >0:15 (RR 1.68, p = 0.015) were associated with a worse PFS. ECE and LNR >0.15 were significantly related to a worst FFLR (RR 3.04 and 4.42, respectively), and adenocarcinoma to an unfavorable FFDM (RR 1.97, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Nodal factors as high LNR and ECE can predict an increased risk of worse FFLR and PFS. Prospective data on selected patients, treated with modern radiotherapy techniques, need to be collected to re-evaluate the role of radiotherapy.

Clinical outcomes and toxicity after exclusive versus postoperative radiotherapy in supraglottic cancer: new solutions for old problems? The case of stage I and II disease.

PURPOSE: To compare acute and late toxicities, survival, and laryngeal preservation after radiotherapy alone (RR) or radiotherapy after partial laryngectomy (PLR) in early supraglottic laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1984 to 2012, 172 patients were treated in our department. We analyzed and compared toxicities (CTCAE v 4.0), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free survival (DFS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS), nodal relapse-free survival (NRFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and the number of salvage total laryngectomies. RESULTS: Patients in the RR group were older (p = 0.05) and had more often comorbidities (p = 0.025); those in the PLR group had mostly T2 disease (p = 0.014). No difference in number of local, nodal, and distant recurrences was found. A higher incidence of late mild dry mouth in patients treated with RR (38 vs. 4 %, p = 0.000) was reported. At univariate analysis, only a younger age, a better performance status, and the absence of comorbidities favorably impacted on OS and DSS. No differences were found in DFS, LRFS, NRFS, MFS, and the number of rescue laryngectomies between the two groups. Younger age and a good performance status persisted as a predictive factor of better survival (OS and DSS) at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Radical radiotherapy appears to be a viable alternative to conservative surgery, even in elderly patients with poor performance status and comorbidities. Salvage laryngectomy in the RR group was compared favorably with those reported in other conservative surgery series and in the group treated postoperatively of our series.

Esophago-Gastric Tube (EG Tube) in Debilitated Sea Turtle Rehabilitation: Insight in 195 Loggerheads Caretta caretta, Southern Italy.

Efficient nutritional support plays a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of sea turtles, ensuring a positive, swift, and successful recovery from clinical conditions for their reintroduction into the wild. For sea turtles in severely emaciated and underweight condition, the primary objective is to facilitate weight gain in terms of both muscle mass and fat reserves. Traditionally, many sea turtle rehabilitators have employed the practice of force-feeding, which also involves the daily insertion of an orogastric tube from the mouth to the stomach. However, this technique may be highly stressful for the animals, carrying the risks of regurgitation and potential harm, requiring the removal of the animal from the water, and subjecting it to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous handling. The procedure may also involve risks for operators. In this study, we explore the utilization of a permanent esophago-gastric tube (EG tube) in sea turtles as an alternative to force-feeding, providing a respectful and appropriate approach to meeting the nutritional needs of patients. The administration of food, essential medications, and fluids is performed directly with the turtle in its tank, minimizing the stress associated with handling, while ensuring the safety of operators. The study involves 195 marine turtles that underwent surgery for the placement of a permanent EG tube between 2008 and 2022. Of these, 116 animals were treated at the Sea Turtle Clinic of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Bari, South Adriatic Sea, Puglia (IT), and 79 patients were admitted to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center of Lampedusa, Central Mediterranean Sea, Sicily (IT). The loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) required EG tube placement due to their poor condition related to various diseases, which were systematically categorized. The duration of EG tube placement was analyzed regarding the specific condition of the animals and the nature of their injuries, considering any complications or differences between the two facilities. The results of the study will provide valuable information for the ongoing care and treatment of marine turtles in rehabilitation facilities.

CD99 Expression and Prognostic Impact in Glioblastoma: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

Glioblastoma is the most frequent and aggressive brain tumor in adults. This study aims to evaluate the expression and prognostic impact of CD99, a membrane glycoprotein involved in cellular migration and invasion. In a cohort of patients with glioblastoma treated with surgery, radiotherapy and temozolomide, we retrospectively analyzed tumor expression of CD99 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for both the wild type (CD99wt) and the truncated (CD99sh) isoforms. The impact on overall survival (OS) was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test and by multivariable Cox regression. Forty-six patients with glioblastoma entered this study. Immunohistochemical expression of CD99 was present in 83%. Only the CD99wt isoform was detected by qRT-PCR and was significantly correlated with CD99 expression evaluated by IHC (rho = 0.309, p = 0.037). CD99 expression was not associated with OS, regardless of the assessment methodology used (p = 0.61 for qRT-PCR and p = 0.73 for IHC). In an exploratory analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas, casuistry of glioblastomas CD99 expression was not associated with OS nor with progression-free survival. This study confirms a high expression of CD99 in glioblastoma but does not show any significant impact on survival. Further preclinical studies are needed to define its role as a therapeutic target in glioblastoma.

Bone Healing Process of a Multiple Humeral Fracture in a Caretta caretta: Clinical, Surgical, Radiographic and Histomorphometric Assessments.

This study describes the surgical treatment of multiple humeral fractures in a Caretta caretta sea turtle referred by the 'Centro Faunistico del Parco Regionale Bosco e Paludi di Rauccio', in the area surrounding the city of Lecce, in southern Italy. Radiographs showed an evident detachment of the distal humeral epiphysis, compatible with a type II Salter-Harris fracture, as well as a transverse fracture of the diaphysis. After the surgical fracture reduction, radiographic follow-up was performed at 2, 4, 12, 16, and 24 months, showing a progressive healing and the formation of poorly mineralized callus tissue. Unfortunately, three months after his release at sea, the turtle was caught dead at a depth of 40 m. Histological and histomorphometric examinations of the surgically treated humerus were carried out on the corpse to collect further information about the bone tissue repair mechanisms in these animals.

Appetite Stimulant and Anti-Emetic Effect of Mirtazapine Transdermal Ointment in Cats Affected by Lymphoma Following Chemotherapy Administration: A Multi-Centre Retrospective Study.

In humans, mirtazapine can prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and improve cancer patients' quality of life (QoL). This drug is being increasingly used as an appetite stimulant in cats. The hypothesis of this retrospective study was that mirtazapine could reduce the incidence of CINV and weight loss in feline patients affected by lymphoma. The objectives were to report the use of mirtazapine transdermal ointment and assess the incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity and weight loss in cats diagnosed with lymphoma and receiving chemotherapy. Transdermal mirtazapine was topically administered to the inner surface of the pinna (2 mg/cat/daily) for 14 days following chemotherapy administration. Data recorded from 20 patients were collected. Different grades of GI toxicity were shown in 8/20 (40%) patients. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and muscle condition score (MCS) improved in 12/20 (60%), 6/20 (30%), and 2/20 (10%) cats, respectively. Mirtazapine-induced adverse events (AEs) occurred in 4/20 (20%) cats and did not require mirtazapine discontinuation. Substantial weight loss was not encountered, suggesting that patients had an adequate food intake after chemotherapy administration. Transdermal mirtazapine ointment was considered safe and well tolerated.

Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma Associated with Previous Chronic Osteomyelitis Caused by Serratia liquefaciens in a German Shepherd Dog.

Development of bone tumors as a result of chronic osteomyelitis represents a relatively rare and late complication in humans and animals. We described a malignant transformation (chondroblastic osteosarcoma) in a 7-year-old German shepherd with a history of polyostotic osteomyelitis caused by Serratia liquefaciens when the dog was 15 months old. The tumor developed in the right humeral diaphysis, one of the sites of polyostotic osteomyelitis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of polyostotic osteomyelitis caused by Serratia liquefaciens in dogs.

Clinical Findings, Management, Imaging, and Outcomes in Sea Turtles with Traumatic Head Injuries: A Retrospective Study of 29 Caretta caretta.

Sea turtles are considered endangered species, largely due to anthropogenic activities. Much of the trauma in these species involves the carapace and skull, resulting in several degrees of damage to the pulmonary and nervous systems. Among traumatic injuries, those involving the skull can be complicated by brain exposure, and turtles with severe skull injuries that have nervous system impairment, emaciation, and dehydration can often die. Between July 2014 and February 2022, a total of 1877 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were referred for clinical evaluation at the Sea Turtle Clinic (STC) of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Bari. A retrospective study of 29 consecutive cases of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) with skull lesions of different degrees of severity is reported. On admission, physical and neurological evaluations were performed to assess and grade the lesions and neurological deficits. In 20 of the 29 sea turtles with more serious head trauma, computed tomography (CT) findings in combination with physical and neurological assessment enabled the evaluation of the potential correlation between deficits and the extent of head injuries. All sea turtles underwent curettage of the skull wounds, and the treatment protocol included the use of the plant-derived dressing 1 Primary Wound Dressing® (Phytoceutical AG, Endospin Italia) applied on the wound surface as a primary dressing. Out of 29 sea turtles, 21 were released after a time ranging from a few days to 8 months. To the best of our knowledge, the literature lacks specific data on the incidence, correlations with neurological deficits, complications, and survival rate of loggerhead sea turtles with traumatic head injuries.

Canine Parainfluenza Virus Infection in a Dog with Acute Respiratory Disease.

The canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) is an endemic respiratory syndrome caused by different bacterial and viral pathogens. This report describes a case of canine parainfluenza virus infection in a vaccinated household dog with an acute respiratory symptom (dry cough), who underwent clinical and endoscopic investigations for a suspected foreign body. Cytological investigations carried out on the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) tested negative for the presence of inflammatory or infectious processes and could have been misleading the clinicians. By the molecular analyses (PCR) carried out on the BALF, canine parainfluenza virus was exclusively detected without the simultaneous presence of other respiratory pathogens associated to CIRDC. This case report emphasizes the role of molecular diagnostics in the differential diagnosis of respiratory diseases, in order to avoid underestimating the circulation of the parainfluenza virus in the canine population.

Stereotactic prostate radiotherapy with or without androgen deprivation therapy, study protocol for a phase III, multi-institutional randomized-controlled trial.

Objective: The therapeutic landscape for localized prostate cancer (PC) is evolving. Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) has been reported to be at least not inferior to standard radiotherapy, but the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in this setting is still unknown and its use is left to clinical judgment. There is therefore the need to clarify the role of ADT in association with SRT, which is the aim of the present study. Methods: We present a study protocol for a randomized, multi-institutional, Phase III clinical trial, designed to study SRT in unfavorable intermediate and a subclass of high-risk localized PC. Patients (pts) will be randomized 1:1 to SRT + ADT or SRT alone. SRT will consists in 36.25 Gy in 5 fractions, ADT will be a single administration of Triptorelin 22.5 mg concurrent to SRT. Primary end point will be biochemical disease-free survival. Secondary end points will be disease-free survival, freedom from local recurrence, freedom from regional recurrence, freedom from distant metastasis and overall survival (OS); quality of life QoL and patient reported outcomes will be an exploratory end point and will be scored with EPIC-26, EORTC PR 25, IPSS, IIEF questionnaires in SRT + ADT and SRT alone arms. Moreover, clinician reported acute and late toxicity, assessed with CTCAE v. 5.0 scales will be safety end points. Results: Sample size is estimated of 310 pts. For acute toxicity and quality of life results are awaited after 6 months since last patient in, whereas, for efficacy end points and late toxicity mature results will be available 3-5 years after last patient in. Conclusion: Evidence is insufficient to guide decision making concerning ADT administration in the new scenario of prostate ultra-hypofractionation. Hence, the need to investigate the ADT role in SRT specific setting. Advances in knowledge: The stereotactic prostate radiotherapy with or without ADT trial (SPA Trial) has been designed to establish a new standard of care for SRT in localized unfavorable intermediate and a subclass of localized high risk PC.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta): A Comparison between Clinical and Commensal Bacterial Isolates.

Gram negative organisms are frequently isolated from Caretta caretta turtles, which can act as reservoir species for resistant microorganisms in the aquatic environment. C. caretta, which have no history of treatment with antimicrobials, are useful sentinel species for resistant microbes. In this culture-based study, commensal bacteria isolated from oral and cloacal samples of 98 healthy C. caretta were compared to clinical isolates from the wounds of 102 injured animals, in order to investigate the presence of AMR bacteria in free-living loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea. A total of 410 isolates were cultured. Escherichia coli and genera such as Serratia, Moraxella, Kluyvera, Salmonella were isolated only in healthy animals, while Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Morganella were isolated only from the wounds of the injured animals. When tested for susceptibility to ampicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, cefuroxime, gentamicin, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin, the clinical isolates showed highly significant differences in AMR rates vs. commensal isolates for all the drugs tested, except for doxycycline. The detection of high AMR rates in loggerheads is of clinical and microbiological significance since it impacts both the choice of a proper antibiotic therapy and the implementation of conservation programs.