Semi-Quantitative Risk Assessment of African Swine Fever Virus Introduction in Outdoor Pig Farms

In a previous study, a semi-quantitative risk assessment was developed to rank pig holdings in terms of likelihood of introducing African swine fever virus (ASFV) by assessing their compliance with biosecurity and exposure to geographical risk factors. The method was initially developed for confined pig holdings, but given that ASF is endemic in wild boar of several countries, we modified the approach to make it suitable for free-range farms as well. In the current study, a total of 41 outdoor pig farms were assessed in an area where exposure to wild boar was generally high (density from 2.3 to 10.3 wild boar per Km²). As expected, non-compliance with biosecurity measures was frequent in outdoor farms, and the frequency of non-compliance indicated that the absence of adequate separation of pigs from the external environment was the major weakness in the farms assessed. In 46.3% of them, there was no fence or, if present, it was not adequate to avoid contact with wild boar. However, the approach adopted proved to be suitable for identifying intervention priorities to mitigate the risk of ASFV spread in free-range pig herds and for identifying the weaknesses of individual farms, as recommended by EFSA in 2021, which suggests implementing tools to improve biosecurity by favoring higher-risk farms.

Estimates of dairy herd health indicators of mastitis, ketosis, inter-calving interval, and fresh cow replacement in the Piedmont region, Italy

Test-day milk analysis has largely been used to study health and performance parameters in dairy cows. In this study, we estimated four health indicators of dairy cows using test-day data. Our purpose was to estimate (1) mastitis incidence rate, prevalence, and the probability of recovery; (2) the incidence proportion of ketosis; (3) the duration of inter-calving interval; and (4) the risk of a fresh cow being replaced, in a large cohort of dairy herds in the Piedmont region (Italy). We retrospectively analysed test day records of 261,121 lactating cows and 1315 herds during five years (2015-2020). Mastitis was defined by somatic cell count and ketosis by fat-to-protein ratio. Calving dates were used to calculate ICI and to estimate the removal of a fresh cow from the herd. Mixed-effect generalized linear models were used to adjust for unmeasured herd-level risk factors. The risk of mastitis increased by 120% with parity (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.20, confidence interval [CI]: 2.17 - 2.23), by 7% by months in milking (OR = 1.07, CI: 1.07 - 1.07), and even more if the cow was already affected during the same lactation (OR = 8.74, CI: 8.67 - 8.82). Lactose concentration on the previous test day was the best positive prognostic factor for mastitis recovery (OR = 1.12, CI: 1.08 - 1.17). Ketosis risk was the highest between 3rd and 4th lactations and itself increased the risk of having ICI longer than 440 days (OR = 1.12, CI: 1.02 - 1.22), and fresh-cow removal (OR = 1.75, CI: 1.58 - 1.93). Also, the removal of fresh cows was more likely when mastitis (OR = 1.31, CI: 1.19 - 1.45) or long ICI (OR = 1.34, CI: 1.22 - 1.48) occurred. For each health indicator, herd-level risk factors had an important role (18-56% of within-herd covariance). Our results indicate that milk analysis could be also useful for predicting mastitis, its cure rate, and ketosis. Cow-level risk factors are not enough to explain the risk of these issues. By studying a large population over a long period, this study provides an updated estimate of dairy cow health indicators in Piedmont (north-western Italy), useful for benchmarking dairy herds.

Staphylococci isolated from cats in Italy with superficial pyoderma and allergic dermatitis: Characterisation of isolates and their resistance to antimicrobials

BACKGROUND

In cats, superficial pyoderma traditionally is considered rare and few reports are available. There is a particular lack of studies concerning Staphylococcus species associated with pyoderma in subjects affected by allergic skin diseases.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

(i) To evaluate the association between Staphylococcus spp. and superficial pyoderma in allergic cats and (ii) to characterise isolated staphylococci and analyse their antimicrobial resistance patterns.

ANIMALS

Forty-one cats with allergic dermatitis and superficial pyoderma in Italy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Skin swabs were cultured for the isolation of Staphylococcus spp. Species identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S-rRNA sequencing. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were further characterised by staphylococcal protein A gene-typing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed by the disk diffusion method.

RESULTS

Staphylococci were isolated from 36/41 cats sampled and 39 different isolates were identified. Uneven distribution of staphylococcal species was observed among different body locations. The 39 isolates were S. aureus (n = 15), S. felis (n = 10), S. pseudintermedius (n = 8) and other staphylococci (n = 6). Eight different S. aureus spa-types associated with human clonal complexes were identified. Antimicrobial resistance was observed to penicillin (56.4%), tetracycline (46.2%), enrofloxacin (33.3%), erythromycin (28.2%), amikacin (25.6%), clindamycin (23.1%), marbofloxacin (15.4%), gentamicin (12.8%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (10.3%), chloramphenicol (7.7%) and cefoxitin/oxacillin (5.1%). Fifteen isolates (38.4%) were multidrug-resistant while meticillin resistance was associated only with S. pseudintermedius.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These results confirm that S. aureus, S. pseudintermedius, and S. felis are frequently associated with superficial pyoderma in allergic cats. Semi-synthetic penicillins remain a suitable first-line treatment in this study, yet the high prevalence of antimicrobial resistant isolates suggests that antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be performed routinely.

Semi-quantitative risk assessment of African swine fever virus introduction in pig farms

A semi-quantitative risk assessment was developed to classify pig farms in terms of the probability of introduction of African swine fever virus (ASFV). Following on-farm data collection via a specific checklist, we applied a modified failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) to calculate the risk priority codes (RPC's), indicating increasing risk levels ranging from 1 to 5. The importance of biosecurity measures was attributed by experts. To consider geographic risk factors, we classified pig farms based on local density of farmed pigs, and on the estimated wild boar population density. The combination of RPC's with geographical risk factors resulted into a final ranking of pig farms in terms of the risk of ASFV introduction. Furthermore, the estimation of frequency and levels of non-compliance with biosecurity measures was used to identify weak points in risk prevention at farm level. The outcome of the risk assessment was affected by choices in assigning non-compliance scores and importance to specific components of biosecurity. The method was applied in 60 commercial farms in major pig production areas in Italy. Furthermore, we applied a reduced version of our checklist in 12 non-commercial/small commercial (≤20 pigs) farms in the northern Apennines. In commercial farms, highest RPC's were obtained for biosecurity measures associated with personnel practices and farm buildings/planimetry. Intervention should be addressed to training of personnel on biosecurity and ASF, to avoid contacts with other pig herds, and to improve practices in the entrance into the farm. Sharing trucks with other farms, and loading/unloading of pigs were other weak points. Fencing was classified as insufficient in 70% of the commercial farms. Among these farms, breeding units were characterised by the lowest risk of ASFV introduction (although differences among median ranks were not statistically significant: P-value = 0.07; Kruskal-Wallis test), and increasing herd size was not significantly correlated with a higher risk (Kendall's τ = -0.13; P-value = 0.14). Density of farmed pig was greatest in the main pig production area in northern Italy. Conversely, exposure to wild boars was greatest for non-commercial/small commercial farms on the Apennines, which were also characterised by non-compliance with critical biosecurity measures.

Resistance to Critical Important Antibacterials in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Strains of Veterinary Origin

Staphylococcal infections represent a challenge in companion animals and hospitalized patients. This study aimed to assess the resistance of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates, against a broad panel of antibacterials, including exclusive to human medicine. A total of 40 S. pseudintermedius were collected from clinical specimens of dogs (n = 31) and cats (n = 5). All strains were tested for 20 antibacterials, namely 14 Critical Important and eight Highly Important Antibacterials (CIA and HIA, respectively), indicative for 18 antimicrobial classes. All strains were susceptible to seven antibiotics (daptomycin, fosfomycin, fusidic acid, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, teicoplanin/vancomycin, tigecycline). The highest resistance was against penicillin (97.5% Confidence Interval [CI]: 83.8-100.0), whereas the lowest against telavancin (2.5%, CI: 0.0-16.2). Resistance versus Highest Priority CIA was observed, namely against macrolides (70.0, CI: 52.1-84.3), quinolones (62.5, CI: 44.5-78.3), 5th generation cephalosporins (7.5, CI: 1.3-21.6), and glycopeptides (2.5%, CI: 0.0-14.2). Among High Priority CIA, strains were resistant only to aminoglycosides (65.0, CI: 47.0-80.4) and ansamycins (12.5, CI: 3.8-28.1). We observed the highest resistance against veterinary medicine antibacterials, but there was also resistance against antibacterials exclusive to human medicine, namely ceftaroline (7.5, CI: 1.0-23.8) and telavancin. S. pseudintermedius zoonotic potential and its rate of acquisition of new resistance should encourage surveillance on a broad spectrum of antibacterials.

Use of Wild Ungulates as Sentinels of TBEV Circulation in a Naïve Area of the Northwestern Alps, Italy

Wild and domestic animals can be usefully employed as sentinels for the surveillance of diseases with an impact on public health. In the case of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the detection of antibodies in animals can be more effective than screening ticks for detecting TBEV foci, due to the patchy distribution of the virus. In the Piedmont region, northwestern Italy, TBEV is considered absent, but an increase in tick densities, of Ixodes ricinus in particular, has been observed, and TBEV is spreading in bordering countries, e.g., Switzerland. Therefore, we collected sera from wild ungulates during the hunting season (October-December) from 2017 to 2019 in the Susa Valley, Italian western Alps, and screened them for TBEV antibodies by a commercial competitive ELISA test. We collected 267 serum samples by endocranial venous sinuses puncture from red deer, roe deer and northern chamois carcasses. The animals were hunted in 13 different municipalities, at altitudes ranging between 750 and 2800 m a.s.l. The serological survey for TBEV yielded negative results. Borderline results for five serum samples were further confirmed as negative for TBEV by a plaque reduction neutralisation test. To date, our results indicate that TBEV is not circulating in western Piedmont. However, monitoring of TBEV should continue since TBEV and its vector are spreading in Europe. The wide-range distribution of wild ungulates and their role as feeding hosts, make them useful indicators of the health threats posed by Ixodid ticks.

Positive Influence of a Probiotic Mixture on the Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota of Farmed Guinea Fowls (Numida meleagris)

To understand the effectiveness of a probiotic mixture on intestinal morphology, mucus layer composition, and cecal microbiota diversity, 40 10-day-old Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) were assigned to two groups: the control group (C), receiving drinking water, and the treated group (P), receiving water plus a commercial multi-strain probiotic (Slab51®, 2 × 10¹¹ CFU/L). Birds were slaughtered after 4 months, and the intestines were collected. Samples from the duodenum, ileum, and cecum were processed for morphological and morphometric studies, and conventional glycohistochemistry. Cecal samples were also used to assess the microbiota by 16S metataxonomic approach. Group P showed significant increase in the villus height (p < 0.001 in the duodenum and p < 0.05 in the ileum and cecum), villus width (p < 0.05 in all investigated tracts), depth of crypts (p < 0.001 in the duodenum and cecum; p < 0.05 in the ileum), and goblet cells per villus (p < 0.001 in all investigated tracts) compared with group C. Cecal microbiota of the birds varied considerably and comparing the relative abundance of the main observational taxonomic units (OTUs), a positive enrichment of several beneficial taxa, such as Oscillospira, Eubacterium, Prevotella, and members of the Ruminococcaceae, was observed. The enrichment of those taxa can improve microbiota stability and resilience facing environmental stresses, enhancing its resistance against invading pathogens. Ruminococcaceae, which represent the most important taxon in both groups, and Prevotella have a key role in the gut physiology due to the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are a vital energy source for enterocytes, improve glucose metabolism, and exert an overall anti-inflammatory effect. Probiotic administration enriches the presence of Coprococcus, Oscillospira, and Eubacterium taxa that produce butyrate, which exerts a beneficial effect on growth performance, structure of villi, and pathogen control and has anti-inflammatory properties too. This study indicates that Slab51® supplementation positively affects the morphology and microbiota diversity of the guinea fowl intestine.

A Survey on One Health Perception and Experiences in Europe and Neighboring Areas

A questionnaire survey was promoted under the COST Actions “Network for Evaluation of One Health-NEOH” and “European Network for Neglected Vectors and Vector-Borne Infections-EURNEGVEC”, from June 2016 to April 2017, to collect information on the existence of One Health (OH) collaboration and implementation of OH initiatives in 37 EU COST Countries. The questionnaire was to be answered by key respondents representing the three major OH components: (i). Animal Health; (ii). Human Health/Public Health; (iii). Environmental Health. A target respondent rate of nine respondents/country was aimed for, representing the following categories: (i). ministries; (ii). academia-research; (iii). private sector and NGOs, associations and scientific societies. The questionnaire, composed of 27 questions organized in six sections, was circulated to target respondents by Committee Members of the two COST actions. A total of 171 respondents from 34 countries completed the questionnaire, mainly belonging to academic and research institutions (55.5%), and to Animal Health/Animal Science fields (53.8%). Although the majority (57.9%) declared they had heard about OH, few respondents (10.7%) provided a complete definition. The “human” and “animal” elements prevailed over other key elements of OH definition (ecosystem, intersectoral, transdisciplinary, holistic, collaboration). Overall, 62.6% respondents declared to take part in OH initiatives. Antimicrobial resistance, avian influenza and environmental pollution were cited as the top three OH issues over the past 5 years. Limitations and gaps in intersectoral collaboration included communication and organizational problems resulting in poor networking, differing priorities and a lack of understanding between sectors. Regarding control and monitoring of zoonotic diseases, respondents from different sectors preferentially selected their own directorates/ministries while actually in most countries both Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture are engaged. According to respondents, the level of awareness of OH amongst the general public is limited. Similarly, a dearth of opportunities of collaborations at different institutional and/or professional levels was described. Our survey provided an overview of how respondents in COST countries perceived and experienced OH and current limits to OH implementation. Identifying how initiatives are currently working and knowing the promoting and hindering factors allowed suggesting strategies to promote efficiency and effectiveness of OH implementation in the future.