1
|
Guarneri F, Romeo C, Scali F, Zoppi S, Formenti N, Maisano AM, Catania S, Gottschalk M, Alborali GL. Serotype diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae isolated in Italian pig farms from 2015 to 2022. Vet Res 2024; 55:48. [PMID: 38594744 PMCID: PMC11005290 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-024-01305-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is a bacterium frequently associated with porcine pleuropneumonia. The acute form of the disease is highly contagious and often fatal, resulting in significant economic losses for pig farmers. Serotype diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of APP strains circulating in north Italian farms from 2015 to 2022 were evaluated retrospectively to investigate APP epidemiology in the area. A total of 572 strains isolated from outbreaks occurring in 337 different swine farms were analysed. The majority of isolates belonged to serotypes 9/11 (39.2%) and 2 (28.1%) and serotype diversity increased during the study period, up to nine different serotypes isolated in 2022. The most common resistances were against tetracycline (53% of isolates) and ampicillin (33%), followed by enrofloxacin, florfenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (23% each). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was common, with a third of isolates showing resistance to more than three antimicrobial classes. Resistance to the different classes and MDR varied significantly depending on the serotype. In particular, the widespread serotype 9/11 was strongly associated with florfenicol and enrofloxacin resistance and showed the highest proportion of MDR isolates. Serotype 5, although less common, showed instead a concerning proportion of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistance. Our results highlight how the typing of circulating serotypes and the analysis of their antimicrobial susceptibility profile are crucial to effectively manage APP infection and improve antimicrobial stewardship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy.
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Zoppi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle D'Aosta, Turin, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Marco Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Marcelo Gottschalk
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - G Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Santinello M, De Marchi M, Scali F, Lorenzi V, Romeo C, Alborali GL, Fusi F, Penasa M. Effects of vaccination timing and target pathogens on performances and antimicrobial use in long-transported Charolais beef cattle from France to Italy - A retrospective study. Prev Vet Med 2024; 224:106130. [PMID: 38335832 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial use (AMU) in the livestock sector is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance. Italian beef industry strongly relies on the import of young cattle from France, which are commingled in sorting facilities before transportation to Italy. Both commingling and transportation are stressors for animals and lead to higher risk of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), which in turn increases the risk of AMU. This study aimed to investigate how the timing of first BRD vaccination and the different vaccination target pathogens affect AMU and performance of young Charolais beef cattle imported from France to Italy. Information on animal performance, antimicrobial treatments, and vaccinations was available for 60,726 Charolais cattle belonging to 1449 batches in 33 Italian specialised fattening farms between January 2016 and December 2021. Antimicrobial use was estimated using the treatment incidence 100 adapted for Italy (TI100it). A mixed linear model was used to quantify the effects of the vaccination and the time of first administration on slaughter age, carcase weight, and average daily carcase gain. Similarly, a generalised linear mixed model was used to analyse the TI100it. The vaccination programme was usually applied the first day after the animals' arrival to the Italian fattening farms. Most animals were vaccinated with a polyvalent vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine parainfluenza type 3 virus (PI-3), bovine viral diarrhoea virus type 1 and 2 (BVDV), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). The most used class of antimicrobials to treat BRD were the macrolides, followed by aminoglycosides, amphenicols, tetracyclines, aminopenicillins, and fluoroquinolones. Animals that got vaccinated against any of the considered BRD pathogens upon arrival had significantly lower TI100it, greater average daily carcase gain, and reached slaughter age earlier than animals that got vaccinated later. Animals that received the vaccination against BVDV had lower TI100it and greater average daily carcase gain, and animals that received the vaccination against BRSV were younger at slaughter than unvaccinated animals. The vaccination against Mannheimia haemolytica significantly decreased the slaughter age and increased the carcase weight and average daily carcase gain, and the vaccination against PI-3 and Histophilus somni significantly increased the slaughter age. Thus, even if the vaccination programme is essential to tackle BRD, this practice is questionable if applied at arrival to the Italian fattening farms and it is advisable that the vaccination programme is planned before the commingling procedure in France.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Santinello
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| | - Massimo De Marchi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Lorenzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Fusi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Scali F, Ganio S, Roullet C, Ruffier M, Bergagna S, Pagliasso G, Romeo C, Formenti N, Maisano AM, Santucci G, Tonni M, Guadagno F, Mazza F, Guarneri F, Bontempi G, Candela L, Alborali GL. Regional-Scale Analysis of Antimicrobial Usage in Smallholder Cattle Herds (Aosta Valley, Italy): Why Surveillance Matters. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:204. [PMID: 38534639 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Optimising antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock is pivotal to counteract the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. We analysed AMU in more than 1000 cattle herds over 11 years (2008-2018) in the Aosta Valley (Italy), a region where 80% of farms house less than 50 cattle. Dairy cows accounted for over 95% of AMU. AMU was estimated using the defined daily dose animal for Italy (DDDAit) per biomass for the whole herd and a treatment incidence 100 (TI100) for cows. Average annual herd-level AMU was low, with 3.6 DDDAit/biomass (range: 3.2-4.0) and 1.2 TI100 in cows (range: 1.1-1.3). Third and fourth generation cephalosporins, which are critical for human medicine, represented almost 10% of usage, and intramammary antimicrobials accounted for over 60%. We detected significant downward temporal trends in total AMU, as well as a positive relationship with herd size. The magnitude of such effects was small, leaving scant room for further reduction. However, the frequent use of critical antimicrobials and intramammary products should be addressed, following the principles of prudent AMU. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring AMU even in low-production, smallholding contexts where a low usage is expected, to identify any deficiencies and implement interventions for further AMU optimisation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sandra Ganio
- Azienda USL della Valle d'Aosta, SC Igiene Allevamenti, 11100 Aosta, Italy
| | - Claudio Roullet
- Azienda USL della Valle d'Aosta, SC Igiene Allevamenti, 11100 Aosta, Italy
| | - Mauro Ruffier
- Assessorato Sanità, Salute e Politiche Sociali della Valle d'Aosta, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, 11100 Aosta, Italy
| | - Stefania Bergagna
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 25124 Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Pagliasso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, 25124 Turin, Italy
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Ciriè, Chivasso e Ivrea, 10073 Ciriè, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
- Globe Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 København, Denmark
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Marco Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Santucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Guadagno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Mazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bontempi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Loredana Candela
- Ministero della Salute della Repubblica Italiana, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Salogni C, Bertasio C, Accini A, Gibelli LR, Pigoli C, Susini F, Podavini E, Scali F, Varisco G, Alborali GL. The Characterisation of Lactococcus garvieae Isolated in an Outbreak of Septicaemic Disease in Farmed Sea Bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax, Linnaues 1758) in Italy. Pathogens 2024; 13:49. [PMID: 38251356 PMCID: PMC10820654 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In aquaculture, Lactococcus garvieae is a common fish pathogen that can cause significant economic losses in several fresh and saltwater species. Despite the extensive range of hosts, L. garvieae infection in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) has rarely been reported. During the summer of 2023, an outbreak occurred in an inland farm in the Gulf of Follonica (Tuscany, Italy). Fish of various sizes were affected, showing apathy, inappetence, erratic swimming and eye lesions, while the mortality was low (2-3% per month). Anatomopathological examinations suggested a septicaemic infection characterised by melanosis, diffuse redness (skin and fins), paleness (gills and internal organs), haemorrhages and splenomegaly. Seventy swabs from the viscera of 14 subjects were collected and colonies similar to Streptococcus spp. grew from all the samples. Lactococcus garvieae was identified via the biochemical tests, API20STREP, MALDI-TOF, 16S rDNA and whole genome sequencing. Genetical characterisation revealed remarkable differences between this isolate and the strains previously isolated in Italian fish farms. Feed treatments with flumequine and erythromycin were ineffective. Considering the limited effects of antimicrobials, preventive measures, such as vaccination and biosecurity, should be implemented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Salogni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | | | - Lucia Rita Gibelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Claudio Pigoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Francesca Susini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”, 00178 Roma, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Podavini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Giorgio Varisco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (C.S.); (C.B.); (L.R.G.); (C.P.); (E.P.); (G.V.); (G.L.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fabrile MP, Ghidini S, Caligiani A, Scali F, Varrà MO, Lolli V, Alborali GL, Ianieri A, Zanardi E. 1H NMR Metabolomics on Pigs' Liver Exposed to Antibiotics Administration: An Explorative Study. Foods 2023; 12:4259. [PMID: 38231703 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
An untargeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolomics approach was applied as a first attempt to explore the metabolome of pigs treated with antibiotics. The final goal was to investigate the possibility of discriminating between antibiotic-treated (TX group) and untreated pigs (CTRL group), with the further perspective of identifying the authentication tools for antibiotic-free pork supply chains. In particular, 41 samples of pig liver were subjected to a biphasic extraction to recover both the polar and the non-polar metabolites, and the 1H NMR spectroscopy analysis was performed on the two separate extracts. Unsupervised (principal component analysis) and supervised (orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis) multivariate statistical analysis of 1H NMR spectra data in the range 0-9 ppm provided metabolomic fingerprinting useful for the discrimination of pig livers based on the antibiotic treatment to which they were exposed. Moreover, within the signature patterns, significant discriminating metabolites were identified among carbohydrates, choline and derivatives, amino acids and some lipid-class molecules. The encouraging findings of this exploratory study showed the feasibility of the untargeted metabolomic approach as a novel strategy in the authentication framework of pork supply chains and open a new horizon for a more in-depth investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Fabrile
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Sergio Ghidini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Augusta Caligiani
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Olga Varrà
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Veronica Lolli
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via A. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Adriana Ianieri
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Emanuela Zanardi
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio, 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ghidini S, Scali F, Romeo C, Guadagno F, Maisano AM, De Luca S, Varrà MO, Conter M, Ianieri A, Zanardi E, Alborali GL. A Preliminary Study on the Relationship between Gastric Lesions and Anti-Inflammatory Drug Usage in Heavy Pigs. Vet Sci 2023; 10:551. [PMID: 37756075 PMCID: PMC10535441 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10090551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric lesions in pigs cause welfare and economic losses. Their prevalence in heavy pigs reared for premium products (e.g., Parma ham) requires further investigation. Stress, nutrition, and farm management are known risk factors, but the effects of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of gastric lesions in Italian heavy pigs and their possible association with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. A total of 9371 pig stomachs from 76 farms were evaluated. Among these, 20.3% showed no lesions, while 30.7%, 42.1%, and 6.8% were scored 1, 2 and 3, respectively. A tendency for an inverse relationship with farm size emerged. The use of steroids and NSAIDs was estimated by calculating a treatment incidence per 1000 (TI1000) in a subset of 36 farms. At least one prescription for NSAIDs and/or steroids was found in 80.6% of the farms (55.6% used NSAIDs and 63.9% used steroids). Median TI1000 was 0.07 (range: 0-30.1) and 0.18 (range: 0-6.2) for NSAIDs and steroids, respectively. Gastric scores were positively associated with NSAID use, but not with steroid use. Although the role of these drugs in gastric lesions needs to be further clarified, these findings suggest a cautious use of non-selective NSAIDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Ghidini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Federica Guadagno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Antonio Marco Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Silvio De Luca
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Maria Olga Varrà
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Mauro Conter
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Adriana Ianieri
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Emanuela Zanardi
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (S.G.); (S.D.L.); (M.O.V.); (A.I.); (E.Z.)
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.S.); (C.R.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.L.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Romeo C, Parisio G, Scali F, Tonni M, Santucci G, Maisano AM, Barbieri I, Boniotti MB, Stadejek T, Alborali GL. Complex interplay between PRRSV-1 genetic diversity, coinfections and antimicrobial use influences performance parameters in post-weaning pigs. Vet Microbiol 2023; 284:109830. [PMID: 37481996 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the main diseases of pigs, leading to large economic losses in swine production worldwide. PRRSV high mutation rate and low cross-protection between strains make PRRS control challenging. Through a semi-longitudinal approach, we analysed the relationships among performance parameters, PRRSV-1 genetic diversity, coinfections and antimicrobial use (AMU) in pig nurseries. We collected data over the course of five years in five PRRS-positive nurseries belonging to an Italian multisite operation, for a total of 86 batches and over 200,000 weaners involved. The farm experienced a severe PRRS outbreak in the farrowing unit at the onset of the study, but despite adopting vaccination of all sows, batch-level losses in nurseries in the following years remained constantly high (mean±SE: 11.3 ± 0.5 %). Consistently with previous studies, our phylogenetic analysis of ORF 7 sequences highlighted the peculiarity of strains circulating in Italy. Greater genetic distances between the strain circulating in a weaners' batch and strains from the farrowing unit and the previous batch were associated with increased mortality (p < 0.0001). All the respiratory and enteric coinfections contributed to an increase in losses (all p < 0.026), with secondary infections by Streptococcus suis and enteric bacteria also inducing an increase in AMU (both p < 0.041). Our findings highlight that relying solely on sows' vaccination is insufficient to contain PRRS losses, and the implementation of rigorous biosecurity measures is pivotal to limit PRRSV circulation among pig flows and consequently minimise the risk of exposure to genetically diverse strains that would increase production costs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Parisio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Santucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio M Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Barbieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - M Beatrice Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Tomasz Stadejek
- Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159C, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - G Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna - IZSLER, via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tonni M, Romeo C, Formenti N, Boniotti MB, Guarneri F, Colosio L, Andreoni S, Scali F, Alborali GL. PRRS Monitoring by Processing Fluids on Italian Swine Breeding Farms. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1946. [PMID: 37370456 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) control strategy within swine breeding farms is based on herd classification relative to PRRSV infection status. This study aims to assess the efficacy of a monitoring plan based on processing fluids (PFs) by comparing it with the classification of herds based on the analysis of blood serum. Twenty-five breeding herds were enrolled in the study, with at least five consecutive batches sampled from each herd. Each batch was tested for PRRSV by RT-PCR performed on (i) pre-weaning blood serum from 30 piglets and (ii) PFs from all the male piglets in the batch. PRRS categories following the Holtkamp classification were assigned based on the results of each testing protocol. The two protocols assigned the same category to 18 out of 25 herds: while they showed perfect agreement in identifying positive unstable and stable herds, we observed some discrepancy in discriminating between low- and high-prevalence classes within unstable herds. PFs are thus a reliable sample to assign PRRS categories in Italian breeding herds characterized by widespread PRRSV circulation. However, in case of an unstable epidemiological scenario, we recommend the adoption of an integrated monitoring strategy that combines blood sampling with PFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Livio Colosio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Simone Andreoni
- Swine Technical Services, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Italia S.p.A., Via Vezza D'Oglio 3, 20139 Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna-IZSLER, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Guarneri F, Bertasio C, Romeo C, Formenti N, Scali F, Parisio G, Canziani S, Boifava C, Guadagno F, Boniotti MB, Alborali GL. First Detection of mcr-9 in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli of Animal Origin in Italy Is Not Related to Colistin Usage on a Pig Farm. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12040689. [PMID: 37107051 PMCID: PMC10134971 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12040689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of colistin resistance raises growing concerns because of its use as a last-resort antimicrobial for the treatment of severe gram-negative bacterial infections in humans. Plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr) are particularly worrisome due to their high propensity to spread. An mcr-9-positive Escherichia coli was isolated from a piglet in Italy, representing the first isolation of this gene from an E. coli of animal origin in the country. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that mcr-9 was borne by an IncHI2 plasmid carrying several other resistance genes. The strain was indeed phenotypically resistant to six different antimicrobial classes, including 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins. Despite the presence of mcr-9, the isolate was susceptible to colistin, probably because of a genetic background unfavourable to mcr-9 expression. The lack of colistin resistance, coupled with the fact that the farm of origin had not used colistin in years, suggests that mcr-9 in such a multidrug-resistant strain can be maintained thanks to the co-selection of neighbouring resistance genes, following usage of different antimicrobials. Our findings highlight how a comprehensive approach, integrating phenotypical testing, targeted PCR, WGS-based techniques, and information on antimicrobial usage is crucial to shed light on antimicrobial resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Parisio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sabrina Canziani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Boifava
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Guadagno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna—IZSLER, v. Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Babu Rajendran N, Arieti F, Mena-Benítez CA, Galia L, Tebon M, Alvarez J, Gladstone BP, Collineau L, De Angelis G, Duro R, Gaze W, Göpel S, Kanj SS, Käsbohrer A, Limmathurotsakul D, Lopez de Abechuco E, Mazzolini E, Mutters NT, Pezzani MD, Presterl E, Renk H, Rodríguez-Baño J, Săndulescu O, Scali F, Skov R, Velavan TP, Vuong C, Tacconelli E, Avery L, Bonten M, Cassini A, Chauvin C, Compri M, Damborg P, De Greeff S, Del Toro MD, Filter M, Franklin A, Gonzalez-Zorn B, Grave K, Hocquet D, Hoelzle LE, Kalanxhi E, Laxminarayan R, Leibovici L, Malhotra-Kumar S, Mendelson M, Paul M, Muñoz Madero C, Murri R, Piddock LJ, Ruesen C, Sanguinetti M, Schilling T, Schrijver R, Schwaber MJ, Scudeller L, Torumkuney D, Van Boeckel T, Vanderhaeghen W, Voss A, Wozniak T. EPI-Net One Health reporting guideline for antimicrobial consumption and resistance surveillance data: a Delphi approach. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2023; 26:100563. [PMID: 36895445 PMCID: PMC9989632 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Strategic and standardised approaches to analysis and reporting of surveillance data are essential to inform antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mitigation measures, including antibiotic policies. Targeted guidance on linking full-scale AMR and antimicrobial consumption (AMC)/antimicrobial residues (AR) surveillance data from the human, animal, and environmental sectors is currently needed. This paper describes the initiative whereby a multidisciplinary panel of experts (56 from 20 countries-52 high income, 4 upper middle or lower income), representing all three sectors, elaborated proposals for structuring and reporting full-scale AMR and AMC/AR surveillance data across the three sectors. An evidence-supported, modified Delphi approach was adopted to reach consensus among the experts for dissemination frequency, language, and overall structure of reporting; core elements and metrics for AMC/AR data; core elements and metrics for AMR data. The recommendations can support multisectoral national and regional plans on antimicrobials policy to reduce resistance rates applying a One Health approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nithya Babu Rajendran
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Fabiana Arieti
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Liliana Galia
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Maela Tebon
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Julio Alvarez
- VISAVET Health Surveillance Center and Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Beryl Primrose Gladstone
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) Clinical Research Unit for Healthcare Associated and Antibiotic Resistant Bacterial Infections, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lucie Collineau
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Giulia De Angelis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Raquel Duro
- Unit for the Prevention and Control of Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance, Centro Hospitalar do Tâmega e Sousa, Penafiel, Porto, Portugal
| | - William Gaze
- The European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Siri Göpel
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) Clinical Research Unit for Healthcare Associated and Antibiotic Resistant Bacterial Infections, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Souha S Kanj
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control Program, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Annemarie Käsbohrer
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department 4 - Biological Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Direk Limmathurotsakul
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit and Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | - Elena Mazzolini
- Department of Epidemiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Udine-Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Nico T Mutters
- Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany.,European Committee on Infection Control, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Diletta Pezzani
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elisabeth Presterl
- European Committee on Infection Control, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,ESCMID Study Group for Nosocomial Infections, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hanna Renk
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Pulmology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jesús Rodríguez-Baño
- Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Division, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena/Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Seville/Biomedicine Institute of Seville (IBiS)/CSIC, Seville, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Oana Săndulescu
- Department of Infectious Diseases I, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Prof. Dr. Matei Balș", Bucharest, Romania
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Robert Skov
- Epidemiological Infectious Disease Preparedness, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thirumalaisamy P Velavan
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Vietnamese - German Center for Medical Research, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Cuong Vuong
- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures GmbH, Wuppertal, Germany.,Jansen Pharmaceuticals, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Evelina Tacconelli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.,European Committee on Infection Control, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Pirollo T, Perolo A, Mantegari S, Barbieri I, Scali F, Alborali GL, Salogni C. Mortality in farmed European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in Italy due to Streptococcus iniae. Acta Vet Scand 2023; 65:5. [PMID: 36788544 PMCID: PMC9926715 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-023-00669-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcal infections are one of the main causes of fish disease. During the last decade, Streptococcus iniae has become one of the most important aquatic pathogens worldwide, causing high losses in marine and freshwater finfish. Clinical signs in farmed fish include loss of appetite, lethargy and grouping at the bottom of the tank. Gross changes comprise darkening of the skin and haemorrhage at the basis of fins and opercula. To date, S. iniae has been isolated from several wild and farmed fish species but never in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla). In Europe, eel production from aquaculture is around 4500 tonnes and Italy is the third largest producer. This communication represents the first report of an outbreak of S. iniae infection in European eels. CASE PRESENTATION The outbreak occurred at an eel farm in northern Italy between May 2021 and September 2021. The outbreak caused about 2% mortality per month, resulting in the loss of about 10% of the farmed fish. The diseased eels showed apathy, lethargy, inactivity and inappetence. In July 2021, three eels were necropsied. Necropsy revealed skin and branchial hyperaemia, a few skin ulcers, and diffuse peritoneal congestion with a few haemorrhagic-like spot lesions. Swab samples for bacteriology were taken from the kidneys, liver, spleen, and brain. Additionally, four eels were opened and swap samples as above were taken. All the investigated eels were found dead. Bacteriological examination revealed growth of Streptococcus spp. from all samples. Identification of S. iniae was done by biochemical characterization, the API20STREP microsystem, 16S rDNA sequencing, and MALDI-TOF. Antimicrobial therapy (oxytetracycline and erythromycin) was ineffective. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of S. iniae infection in the European eel. Although this may be an isolated outbreak, it is of concern due to the losses associated with this pathogen in fish worldwide and because the European eel is an endangered species. Due to the difficulties of controlling the disease with antimicrobials, it is advisable to plan other effective control measures, such as improving water quality and the environmental conditions, reducing fish density, improving biosecurity, and by using immunostimulants and, when possible, vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Pirollo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Perolo
- A. I. A. - Agricola Italiana Alimentare S.p.A, Via Valpantena 18/G, 37142 Verona, Italy
| | - Simone Mantegari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Barbieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristian Salogni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Antonio Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Formenti N, Guarneri F, Bertasio C, Parisio G, Romeo C, Scali F, Birbes L, Boniotti MB, Diegoli G, Candela L, Romeo GA, Pasquali P, Alborali GL. Wastewater-based surveillance in Italy leading to the first detection of mcr-10-positive Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2022; 11:155. [PMID: 36494741 PMCID: PMC9734789 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-022-01194-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wastewater-based surveillance enabled the first detection of the mobile colistin resistance gene mcr-10 in Italy. This plasmid-borne resistance gene was found in strains of Klebsiella quasipneumoniae isolated from samples of human raw sewage collected over several months. Although the isolates were phenotypically susceptible to colistin, the emergence of mcr-10 is concerning due to the highly variable expression of the gene and the potential for horizontal transfer to other species. In addition, the strains also carried an extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene and were phenotypically resistant to several beta-lactams. This study highlights the value of wastewater-based surveillance as an effective tool to monitor the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in strains circulating in the community and the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Formenti
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristina Bertasio
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Parisio
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Birbes
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Diegoli
- Regione Emilia Romagna - Settore Prevenzione Collettiva e Sanità Pubblica, Bologna, Italy
| | - Loredana Candela
- grid.415788.70000 0004 1756 9674Ministero della Salute - Direzione Generale della Sanità Animale e dei Farmaci Veterinari, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Antonio Romeo
- grid.415788.70000 0004 1756 9674Ministero della Salute - Direzione Generale della Sanità Animale e dei Farmaci Veterinari, Rome, Italy ,grid.419578.60000 0004 1805 1770Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Teramo, Italy
| | - Paolo Pasquali
- grid.416651.10000 0000 9120 6856Istituto Superiore di Sanità - Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lee WL, Armas F, Guarneri F, Gu X, Formenti N, Wu F, Chandra F, Parisio G, Chen H, Xiao A, Romeo C, Scali F, Tonni M, Leifels M, Chua FJD, Kwok GW, Tay JY, Pasquali P, Thompson J, Alborali GL, Alm EJ. Rapid displacement of SARS-CoV-2 variant Delta by Omicron revealed by allele-specific PCR in wastewater. Water Res 2022; 221:118809. [PMID: 35841797 PMCID: PMC9250349 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
On November 26, 2021, the B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant was classified as the Omicron variant of concern (VOC). Reports of higher transmissibility and potential immune evasion triggered flight bans and heightened health control measures across the world to stem its distribution. Wastewater-based surveillance has demonstrated to be a useful complement for clinical community-based tracking of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Using design principles of our previous assays that detect SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha and Delta), we developed an allele-specific RT-qPCR assay which simultaneously targets the stretch of mutations from Q493R to Q498R for quantitative detection of the Omicron variant in wastewater. We report their validation against 10-month longitudinal samples from the influent of a wastewater treatment plant in Italy. SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations and variant frequencies in wastewater determined using these variant assays agree with clinical cases, revealing rapid displacement of the Delta variant by the Omicron variant within three weeks. These variant trends, when mapped against vaccination rates, support clinical studies that found the rapid emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant being associated with an infection advantage over Delta in vaccinated persons. These data reinforce the versatility, utility and accuracy of these open-sourced methods using allele-specific RT-qPCR for tracking the dynamics of variant displacement in communities through wastewater for informed public health responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lin Lee
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Federica Armas
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Xiaoqiong Gu
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Fuqing Wu
- Center for Infectious Disease, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Franciscus Chandra
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Giovanni Parisio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Hongjie Chen
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Amy Xiao
- Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Mats Leifels
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Feng Jun Desmond Chua
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Germaine Wc Kwok
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Joey Yr Tay
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore
| | - Paolo Pasquali
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Italy
| | - Janelle Thompson
- Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore; Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini" (IZSLER), Italy
| | - Eric J Alm
- Antimicrobial Resistance Interdisciplinary Research Group, Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Singapore; Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore; Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Tonni M, Formenti N, Boniotti MB, Guarneri F, Scali F, Romeo C, Pasquali P, Pieters M, Maes D, Alborali GL. The role of co-infections in M. hyopneumoniae outbreaks among heavy fattening pigs: a field study. Vet Res 2022; 53:41. [PMID: 35692039 PMCID: PMC9190078 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01061-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about how co-infections and genotype dynamics affect Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in fattening pigs. This study was aimed at assessing the role of co-infections in M. hyopneumoniae outbreaks, their influence on the presence of M. hyopneumoniae genotypes and their impact on consequent lung lesions. Tracheobronchial swabs (TBS) from 300 finishers were collected from 10 farms at the onset of enzootic pneumonia outbreaks and 1 month later, sampling of 3 groups per farm: Group A showed clinical signs first, Group B was housed near Group A, and Group C was located in a different building. Pigs’ lungs were scored at the slaughterhouse. TBS were tested for the main pathogens involved in respiratory diseases, and samples positive for M. hyopneumoniae were genotyped by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Pigs in Group A showed the highest prevalence and load of M. hyopneumoniae. A positive association was detected between M. hyopneumoniae and Mycoplasma hyorhinis, whereas Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae was more frequent when the M. hyopneumoniae load was higher. Nevertheless, co-infection had no effect on lung lesion scores. The presence of multiple MLVA types (mixed infections) increased in time only in pigs from Group C and was positively associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection. Lung lesions were more severe in pigs with at least one TBS positive for M. hyopneumoniae and in pigs with a history of mixed infections. The central role of M. hyopneumoniae and relevance of mixed infections suggest that increased biosecurity might be beneficial for lung lesion sequelae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - M Beatrice Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Pasquali
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pieters
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1365 Gortner Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Dominiek Maes
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Giovanni L Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi, 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Santinello M, Diana A, De Marchi M, Scali F, Bertocchi L, Lorenzi V, Alborali GL, Penasa M. Promoting Judicious Antimicrobial Use in Beef Production: The Role of Quarantine. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12010116. [PMID: 35011224 PMCID: PMC8749823 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Judicious antimicrobial stewardship in livestock industry is needed to reduce the use of antimicrobials (AMU) and the associated risk of antimicrobial resistance. Biosecurity measures are acknowledged for their role against the spread of diseases and the importance in reducing AMU in different species. However, their effectiveness in beef production has been scarcely considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the quarantine strategy on AMU in beef cattle. A total of 1206 Charolaise animals in five farms were included in the trial. Roughly half of the animals followed the standard procedure of the fattening cycle (no-quarantine; NO-QUA group) and half followed a 30-day period of quarantine (QUA group) since their arrival. Performance and antimicrobial data were recorded and a treatment incidence 100 (TI100it) per animal was calculated. Penicillins was the most used class of antimicrobials. Differences between groups were significant for males only, with NO-QUA group having greater TI100it (3.76 vs. 3.24; p < 0.05) and lower body weight at slaughter (713.4 vs. 723.7 kg; p < 0.05) than QUA group. Results suggest that quarantine strategy can reduce AMU in males without compromising their performance, whereas further investigation is needed for females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Santinello
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, VEN, Italy; (A.D.); (M.D.M.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-34-0112-9081
| | - Alessia Diana
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, VEN, Italy; (A.D.); (M.D.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Massimo De Marchi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, VEN, Italy; (A.D.); (M.D.M.); (M.P.)
| | - Federico Scali
- Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, LOM, Italy; (F.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Luigi Bertocchi
- Italian National Reference Center for Animal Welfare (CReNBA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, LOM, Italy; (L.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Valentina Lorenzi
- Italian National Reference Center for Animal Welfare (CReNBA), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, LOM, Italy; (L.B.); (V.L.)
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, LOM, Italy; (F.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, VEN, Italy; (A.D.); (M.D.M.); (M.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Mazza F, Scali F, Formenti N, Romeo C, Tonni M, Ventura G, Bertocchi L, Lorenzi V, Fusi F, Tolini C, Clemente GF, Guadagno F, Maisano AM, Santucci G, Candela L, Romeo GA, Alborali GL. The Relationship between Animal Welfare and Antimicrobial Use in Italian Dairy Farms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11092575. [PMID: 34573541 PMCID: PMC8471712 DOI: 10.3390/ani11092575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Information regarding the relationship between animal welfare (AW) and antimicrobial use (AMU) in dairy cows is limited. The current study aimed to investigate this relationship on Italian farms and to identify potential targets of AMU reduction. The study was performed at 79 Italian dairy farms housing over 15,000 cows during 2019. AW was scored with an on-farm protocol assessing farm management and staff training, housing systems, and animal-based measures. AMU was estimated using a defined daily dose per kg of animal biomass (DDDAit/biomass) for Italy. The median AW score was 73% (range: 56.6-86.8%). The median AMU was 4.8 DDDAit/biomass (range: 0-11.8). No relationship between the total AMU and AW was found. Management and staff training were positively associated with the use of the European Medicines Agency's category B antimicrobials, which are critical for human medicine, and with intramammary products for dry cow therapy. In those farms, antimicrobial stewardship should aim to reduce the category B antimicrobials and selective dry cow therapy. Our results underline the importance of implementing both an integrated monitoring system (AW, AMU, etc.) and antimicrobial stewardship tailored to the specific needs of each dairy farm.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (CReNBA), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Department of Food and Drug, Parma University, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Giordano Ventura
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Luigi Bertocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (CReNBA), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Valentina Lorenzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (CReNBA), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesca Fusi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (CReNBA), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Clara Tolini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (CReNBA), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Gian Filippo Clemente
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per il Benessere Animale (CReNBA), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Federica Guadagno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Antonio Marco Maisano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Giovanni Santucci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Loredana Candela
- Italian Ministry of Health, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144 Rome, Italy; (L.C.); (G.A.R.)
| | - Gianluca Antonio Romeo
- Italian Ministry of Health, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144 Rome, Italy; (L.C.); (G.A.R.)
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’ (I.Z.S.L.E.R.), Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.M.); (N.F.); (M.T.); (G.V.); (L.B.); (V.L.); (F.F.); (C.T.); (G.F.C.); (F.G.); (A.M.M.); (G.S.); (G.L.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Formenti N, Calò S, Parisio G, Guarneri F, Birbes L, Pitozzi A, Scali F, Tonni M, Guadagno F, Giovannini S, Salogni C, Ianieri A, Bellini S, Pasquali P, Alborali GL. ESBL/AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli in Wild Boar: Epidemiology and Risk Factors. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11071855. [PMID: 34206498 PMCID: PMC8300396 DOI: 10.3390/ani11071855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex health problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) involves many host species, numerous bacteria and several routes of transmission. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase and AmpC (ESBL/AmpC)-producing Escherichia coli are among the most important strains. Moreover, wildlife hosts are of interest as they are likely antibiotics free and are assumed as environmental indicators of AMR contamination. Particularly, wild boar (Sus scrofa) deserves attention because of its increased population densities, with consequent health risks at the wildlife-domestic-human interface, and the limited data available on AMR. Here, 1504 wild boar fecal samples were microbiologically and molecularly analyzed to investigate ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and, through generalized linear models, the effects of host-related factors and of human population density on their spread. A prevalence of 15.96% of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli, supported by blaCTX-M (12.3%), blaTEM (6.98%), blaCMY (0.86%) and blaSHV (0.47%) gene detection, emerged. Young animals were more colonized by ESBL/AmpC strains than older subjects, as observed in domestic animals. Increased human population density leads to increased blaTEM prevalence in wild boar, suggesting that spatial overlap may favor this transmission. Our results show a high level of AMR contamination in the study area that should be further investigated. However, a role of wild boar as a maintenance host of AMR strains emerged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Stefania Calò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Giovanni Parisio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Laura Birbes
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Alessandra Pitozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Federica Guadagno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Stefano Giovannini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Cristian Salogni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Adriana Ianieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze degli Alimenti e del Farmaco, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/A, 43124 Parma, Italy;
| | - Silvia Bellini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| | - Paolo Pasquali
- Dipartimento di Sicurezza Alimentare, Nutrizione e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna “Bruno Ubertini”, Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (S.C.); (G.P.); (F.G.); (L.B.); (A.P.); (F.S.); (M.T.); (F.G.); (S.G.); (C.S.); (S.B.); (G.L.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
D'Incau M, Salogni C, Giovannini S, Ruggeri J, Scali F, Tonni M, Formenti N, Guarneri F, Pasquali P, Alborali GL. Occurrence of Salmonella Typhimurium and its monophasic variant (4, [5],12:i:-) in healthy and clinically ill pigs in northern Italy. Porcine Health Manag 2021; 7:34. [PMID: 33902758 PMCID: PMC8073912 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-021-00214-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The serovar Typhimurium (4, [5],12:i:1,2), is the most frequently isolated serovar in case of salmonellosis in pigs in Europe and its monophasic variant (4, [5],12:i:-) has been increasingly responsible for Salmonella outbreaks in humans. A total of 25,215 samples were collected, during the years 2002–2017, from 1359 pig farms located in Northern Italy. Samples were collected from different material sources including fecal samples, rectal swabs, gut content and different organs. Results Salmonella was isolated in 15.80% of samples and, among the isolates, 733 were typed as Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) or its monophasic variant (MST). Over time, there was an increase of isolation of MST which outnumbered ST. Most of the strains were isolated in animals during the weaning stage and the growing – fattening period whereas the clinical cases were mainly present in young pigs after weaning. Conclusions This study confirms the presence of ST and MST in pig farms although, considering the total of isolated serotypes, with lower percentages than previously reported. In the last few years, ST has increasingly been replaced by MST suggesting that MST has a competitive advantage over ST, probably due to its different antigenicity and pathogenicity which renders the infection stealthier to recognize and control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario D'Incau
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Cristian Salogni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Giovannini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Jessica Ruggeri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Tonni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Formenti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Flavia Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Pasquali
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Roma, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", via Bianchi 9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Diana A, Penasa M, Santinello M, Scali F, Magni E, Alborali GL, Bertocchi L, De Marchi M. Exploring potential risk factors of antimicrobial use in beef cattle. Animal 2020; 15:100091. [PMID: 33454275 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Livestock species are major contributors to the increase of antimicrobial (AM) resistance which is a worldwide concern for both human and animal health. The over-use of AM is widely acknowledged, however, unlike pigs, poultry and dairy cattle, knowledge on potential risk factors affecting AM usage (AMU) in beef industry is limited. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the impact of farm, breed, sex and season of arrival of purchased beef cattle on AMU in Italian beef cattle. Data on 1063 batches were collected from January 2016 to April 2019 from specialised beef fattening farms located in the north of Italy. Information on breed, sex, date of arrival, performance traits and AM agents used on farm was collected, and the treatment incidence 100 (TI100) indexes per batch were calculated using the defined daily dose animal estimated according to Italian summaries of product characteristics. Factors affecting TI100 indexes were investigated using a cross-classified multilevel model. Farms largely differed in terms of AMU. Males had greater AMU than females (P < 0.001), likely due to their higher susceptibility to disease. Statistically significant differences were observed between seasons of arrival with summer and spring having lower TI100 indexes than winter and autumn (P < 0.001). Indeed, winter is commonly linked to an increase in respiratory diseases in beef cattle. Finally, the TI100it indexes tended to be different among breeds with Blonde d'Aquitaine and Limousine having greater AMU compared to the other breeds. Results of this study provided valuable information on potential risk factors of AMU in beef production which may be useful to address its reduction. For instance, the development of tailored management strategies for specific breeds, targeted approaches to improve the health of males as well as greater care towards batches purchased in winter are possible advice to implement on-farm for a more responsible AM stewardship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Diana
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - M Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - M Santinello
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - F Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - E Magni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - G L Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - L Bertocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - M De Marchi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sanders P, Vanderhaeghen W, Fertner M, Fuchs K, Obritzhauser W, Agunos A, Carson C, Borck Høg B, Dalhoff Andersen V, Chauvin C, Hémonic A, Käsbohrer A, Merle R, Alborali GL, Scali F, Stärk KDC, Muentener C, van Geijlswijk I, Broadfoot F, Pokludová L, Firth CL, Carmo LP, Manzanilla EG, Jensen L, Sjölund M, Pinto Ferreira J, Brown S, Heederik D, Dewulf J. Monitoring of Farm-Level Antimicrobial Use to Guide Stewardship: Overview of Existing Systems and Analysis of Key Components and Processes. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:540. [PMID: 33195490 PMCID: PMC7475698 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The acknowledgment of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a major health challenge in humans, animals and plants, has led to increased efforts to reduce antimicrobial use (AMU). To better understand factors influencing AMR and implement and evaluate stewardship measures for reducing AMU, it is important to have sufficiently detailed information on the quantity of AMU, preferably at the level of the user (farmer, veterinarian) and/or prescriber or provider (veterinarian, feed mill). Recently, several countries have established or are developing systems for monitoring AMU in animals. The aim of this publication is to provide an overview of known systems for monitoring AMU at farm-level, with a descriptive analysis of their key components and processes. As of March 2020, 38 active farm-level AMU monitoring systems from 16 countries were identified. These systems differ in many ways, including which data are collected, the type of analyses conducted and their respective output. At the same time, they share key components (data collection, analysis, benchmarking, and reporting), resulting in similar challenges to be faced with similar decisions to be made. Suggestions are provided with respect to the different components and important aspects of various data types and methods are discussed. This overview should provide support for establishing or working with such a system and could lead to a better implementation of stewardship actions and a more uniform communication about and understanding of AMU data at farm-level. Harmonization of methods and processes could lead to an improved comparability of outcomes and less confusion when interpreting results across systems. However, it is important to note that the development of systems also depends on specific local needs, resources and aims.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pim Sanders
- The Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute (SDa), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wannes Vanderhaeghen
- Centre of Expertise on Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance in Animals (AMCRA), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mette Fertner
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Klemens Fuchs
- Department for Data, Statistics and Risk Assessment, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Obritzhauser
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Agnes Agunos
- Public Health Agency of Canada, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Birgitte Borck Høg
- Division for Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Vibe Dalhoff Andersen
- Research Group for Genomic Epidemiology, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Claire Chauvin
- Epidemiology, Health and Welfare Unit, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, Ploufragan, France
| | - Anne Hémonic
- IFIP-Institut du Porc, Domaine de la Motte au Vicomte, Le Rheu, France
| | - Annemarie Käsbohrer
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Unit for Epidemiology, Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Roswitha Merle
- Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Giovanni L Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e Dell'Emilia Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Cedric Muentener
- Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lucie Pokludová
- Institute for State Control of Veterinary Biologicals and Medicines, Brno, Czechia
| | - Clair L Firth
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luís P Carmo
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Veterinary Public Health Institute, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edgar Garcia Manzanilla
- Moorepark Animal and Grassland Research Center, Teagasc, Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Cork, Ireland.,School Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laura Jensen
- Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Marie Sjölund
- Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Stacey Brown
- Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Addlestone, United Kingdom
| | - Dick Heederik
- The Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute (SDa), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Dewulf
- Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Simon AC, Baldo V, Losio N, Filipello V, Colagiorgi A, Scali F, Zanardi E, Ghidini S, Ianieri A, Alborali GL. Molecular characterization of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the pig production chain in Northern Italy. Ital J Food Saf 2020; 9:8412. [PMID: 32913720 PMCID: PMC7459793 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2020.8412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the molecular characteristics of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated in the swine chain in Northern Italy. A sample of 50 fattening units located in Lombardy was selected. Five cutaneous samples at slaughtering and three environmental samples at farm were collected from each unit giving a total of 250 and 150 samples, respectively. A total of 25 MRSA isolates were isolated from 400 samples, in 17 different fattening units. At farm, 12 out of 250 samples were positive for MRSA (4,8 %), and 13 out of 150 samples at slaughter were identified as MRSA (8,7 %), giving an overall incidence among samples of 6,25 % (n = 25). Molecular characterization was carried out using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and spa-typing. Outcomes showed that most of the isolates belonged to ST398, carrying spa-types t899, t011, t18498, t1939, t1200, and t304. Nonetheless, three isolates were identified as ST97 (t1730 and t4795), and one as ST30, showing spa-type t318. Furthermore, a novel ST was identified, namely 5422, showing spa-type t1730. Heterogeneity in genotypes within the same farm was also found in different fattening units, with concern for the possibility of the exchange of genetic determinants among different lineages. Genetic diversity among MRSA isolates in pig fattening units has been observed, highlighting the possibility that some isolates could be able to infect different hosts, including human.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Baldo
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Brescia Section, Italy
| | - Nadia Losio
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Brescia Section, Italy
| | - Virginia Filipello
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Brescia Section, Italy
| | | | - Federico Scali
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Brescia Section, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Lombardy and Emilia Romagna Experimental Zootechnic Institute (IZSLER), Brescia Section, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Diana A, Santinello M, Penasa M, Scali F, Magni E, Alborali GL, Bertocchi L, De Marchi M. Use of antimicrobials in beef cattle: an observational study in the north of Italy. Prev Vet Med 2020; 181:105032. [PMID: 32531531 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide issue whereby a more prudent use of medications is needed, especially for those antimicrobials (AM) classified as 'highest priority critically important antimicrobials' (HPCIAs) which are likely contributors to the development of resistance. So far, data on antimicrobial use (AMU) in EU are mainly reported at sales level while information on real use, mostly in beef production, is poor. The most reliable indicator to measure AMU is the treatment incidence (TI100) calculated by using the Defined Daily Dose Animal (DDDA) as stated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Although Italy ranks second among EU countries with regard to the AM sales in livestock production, data on AMU of the Italian beef production is still lacking, whereby the aim of this study was to provide information on the current scenario of AMU in Italian beef cattle. Data were collected from January 2016 to April 2019 from specialized beef fattening farms located in the north of Italy yielding a final dataset of 1376 batches. Data on performance and AM agents used in the study were collected and TI100 indexes per batch were calculated according to both Italian and EMA's DDDA. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to check for differences between years and seasons. Results showed a significant variation between years and seasons with a reduction of TI100 based on Italian DDDA as time progressed (P < 0.05). However, about 40% of the total amount of treatments administered were HPCIAs with macrolides accounting for the 27.7% of the total amount. The most common reasons of administration of AM were respiratory diseases (68.9%) and lameness (17.6%). Penicillins was the class of AM used on the highest proportion of batches (84.4%) showing that broad-spectrum AM were widely exploited among herds. In summary, despite a general reduction of AMU in beef cattle over time, a great use of HPCIAs was still observed suggesting that AM stewardship for Italian beef production should pay particular emphasis on the reduction of HPCIAs use. This shows how overall knowledge on where efforts need to be optimized is important to develop targeted strategies for a more responsible AM stewardship. Results of the current study may also contribute to define national and EU benchmark criteria for AMU, as a comparison with studies carried out in other countries or on other food-producing sectors is still challenging to achieve.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Diana
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Matteo Santinello
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Mauro Penasa
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Magni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Luigi Bertocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna 'Bruno Ubertini' (IZSLER), Sector Diagnostic and Animal Health, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimo De Marchi
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Borella L, Salogni C, Vitale N, Scali F, Moretti VM, Pasquali P, Alborali GL. Motile aeromonads from farmed and wild freshwater fish in northern Italy: an evaluation of antimicrobial activity and multidrug resistance during 2013 and 2016. Acta Vet Scand 2020; 62:6. [PMID: 31973764 PMCID: PMC6979286 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-020-0504-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial resistant bacteria are emerging biological contaminants of the environment. In aquatic ecosystems, they originate mainly from hospitals, livestock manure and private households sewage water, which could contain antimicrobial agents and resistant microorganisms. Aeromonas spp. occur ubiquitously in aquatic environments and they cause disease in fish. Motile aeromonads are also associated with human gastrointestinal and wound infections and fish can act as a transmission route of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) aeromonads to humans. The environmental ubiquity, the natural susceptibility to antimicrobials and the zoonotic potential of Aeromonas spp. make them optimal candidates for studying the AMR in aquatic ecosystems. Results The AMR patterns of 95 motile aeromonads isolated from freshwater fish during 2013 and 2016 were analyzed. All samples from fish came from farms and natural water bodies located in northern Italy, which is an area characterized by high anthropic impact on the environment. The isolates were biochemically identified as Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria or Aeromonas caviae and AMR was determined by the standard disk diffusion method. All isolates were resistant to cloxacillin, spiramycin and tilmicosin. High AMR frequencies (> 95%) were detected for tylosin, penicillin and sulfadiazine. AMR to danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, flumequine, ceftiofur, aminosidine, colistin, doxycycline, gentamicin, marbocyl and florfenicol was observed at low levels (< 10%). No AMR to cefquinome was found. Logistic regression showed several differences in antimicrobial activity between complexes. According to the source of aeromonads, only few differences in AMR between isolates from farmed and wild fish were observed. Conclusions Our data revealed an increasing trend of AMR to neomycin and apramycin among Aeromonas isolates during the study period, while resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline and thiamphenicol decreased. All isolates were multidrug resistance (MDR), but A. caviae showed the highest number of MDR per isolate. In most isolates, various degrees of MDR were detected to macrolides, quinolones, fluoroquinolones, polymyxins and cephalosporins (third and fourth generations), which are listed, by the World Health Organisation, to be among the highest priority and critically important antimicrobials in human medicine. Our findings underlined that freshwater fish can act as potential source of MDR motile aeromonads. Due to their zoonotic potential, this can pose serious threat to human health.
Collapse
|
24
|
Zecconi A, Scali F, Bonizzi L, Ferrari N, Ferrero F, Grillo G, Lanfranchi P, Mortarino M, Sala V, Taloni D, Frazzi P. Risk prioritization as a tool to Guide Veterinary Public Health activities at the regional level in Italy. Vet Ital 2019; 55:113-121. [PMID: 31274172 DOI: 10.12834/vetit.172.518.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In this study we developed a model for risk prioritisation and characterisation focused on zoonoses and food safety for diseases of interest in veterinary public health at a regional level in Italy. A previous model (Discontools) based on scorecards was used as a basis to develop the new model. A Formalised Consensus Process approach involving academics and veterinary officers was used to develop scorecards and relative form and guidelines. Scorecards include several areas of interest, with different categories and coefficient of importance. The following areas were identified: relevance of the disease, socio-economic impact, impact on public health, impact on trade, impact on animal welfare, control tools. A guide and a form were finalised in order to fill scorecards. Scorecards were filled by consulting available data, literature, and expert opinions. Among bovine diseases, mastitis (Salmonella aureus) showed the highest score; Q fever was the highest among small ruminants; among swine diseases the highest was salmonellosis; while among other animal diseases, toxoplasmosis had the highest score. The approach described in this study is designed to aid professionals in risk prioritisation, decision-making, and to improve disease control systems at a regional level in Italy. It also facilitates risk characterisation in different backgrounds and the identification of data holes in specific areas of interest for the diseases considered. This approach is conceived to aid professionals in risk prioritization, decision-making and to improve disease control systems at a regional level. It also allows to perform risk characterization in different backgrounds and to identify lacks of data in specific areas of interest for the diseases considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Zecconi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Giacomini E, Gasparrini S, Lazzaro M, Scali F, Boniotti MB, Corradi A, Pasquali P, Alborali GL. The role of transportation in the spread of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in fattening farms. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:10. [PMID: 29321027 PMCID: PMC5763801 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-1328-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Direct and indirect contact among animals and holdings are important in the spread of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of slaughterhouse vehicles in spreading B. hyodysenteriae between unconnected farms. Results Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and Multiple Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) were used to characterize B. hyodysenteriae strains isolated from trucks. Before cleaning, 976 batches of finishing pigs transported by 174 trucks from 540 herds were sampled. After cleaning, 763 of the 976 batches were also sampled. Sixty-one of 976 and 4 of 763 environmental swabs collected from trucks before and after cleaning and disinfection operations, respectively, were positive for B. hyodysenteriae. The 65 isolates in this study originated from 48 farms. Trucks were classified into five categories based on the number of visited farms as follows: category 1: 1–5 farms, category 2: 6–10 farms, category 3: 11–15 farms, category 4: 16–20 farms, category 5: >21 farms. Although the largest number of vehicles examined belonged to category 1, the highest percentage of vehicles positive for B. hyodysenteriae was observed in categories 3, 4 and 5. Specifically, 90.9% of trucks belonging to category 5 were positive for B. hyodysenteriae, followed by categories 4 and 3 with 85.7% and 83.3%, respectively. The results of MLST and MLVA suggest that trucks transporting pigs from a high number of farms also play a critical role in spreading different B. hyodysenteriae genetic profiles. STVT 83–3, which seems to be the current dominant type in Italy, was identified in 56.25% of genotyped isolates. The genetic diversity of isolated strains from trucks was high, particularly, in truck categories 3, 4 and 5. This result confirmed that MLST and MLVA can support the study of epidemiological links between different B. hyodysenteriae farm strains. Conclusions This study highlights the potential role of shipments in B. hyodysenteriae spread. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of strict vehicle hygiene practices for biosecurity programmes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Giacomini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna [Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna] "Bruno Ubertini", Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Sara Gasparrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna [Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna] "Bruno Ubertini", Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Lazzaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna [Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna] "Bruno Ubertini", Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna [Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna] "Bruno Ubertini", Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maria Beatrice Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna [Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna] "Bruno Ubertini", Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| | - Attilio Corradi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Paolo Pasquali
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.,FAO Reference Center for Veterinary Public Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Loris Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna [Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna] "Bruno Ubertini", Via Bianchi 7/9, 25124, Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gasparrini S, Alborali GL, Pitozzi A, Guarneri F, Giacomini E, Baldo V, Scali F, Lazzaro M, Boniotti MB. Characterization of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae isolates from Italy by multilocus sequence typing and multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis. J Appl Microbiol 2017; 123:340-351. [PMID: 28510989 DOI: 10.1111/jam.13492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate and compare the capabilities of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and multiple locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) techniques to characterize Brachyspira hyodysenteriae isolates and to investigate the relationship between pleuromutilin resistance and genetic variability. METHODS AND RESULTS MLST genotyping was performed on 180 B. hyodysenteriae isolates, and the results were evaluated considering profiles from 108 other strains previously reported in the database. In total, 37 sequence types were obtained. The MLVA approach completely characterized 172 strains and grouped the isolates into 22 different profiles. The combination of MLST and MLVA showed a slight increase in the discriminatory power, identifying 33 joint profiles. An antibiotic resistance analysis showed a reduction in the susceptibility to pleuromutilins over time, and a weak association between susceptibility to valnemulin and inclusion in clonal complex 4. CONCLUSION MLST and MLVA are reliable methods for characterizing B. hyodysenteriae strains and they have comparable discriminatory power. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The genotyping of B. hyodysenteriae isolates and a database of all the genetic profiles collected during the diagnostic activities could support traditional epidemiological investigations in identifying infection sources and routes of transmission among herds, and in developing more effective control measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Gasparrini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - G L Alborali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - A Pitozzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - F Guarneri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - E Giacomini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - V Baldo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - F Scali
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - M Lazzaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - M B Boniotti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mazzilli M, Piccinini R, Scali F, Zecconi A. Pattern characterization of genes involved in non-specific immune response in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from intramammary infections. Res Vet Sci 2015; 103:54-9. [PMID: 26679796 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mammary gland are characterized by different genetic patterns. Ninety four isolates from 33 dairy herds were analyzed by the means of a microarray to investigate S. aureus virulence patterns and the distribution of genes believed to be involved in immune evasion. None of the 94 isolates considered were MRSA. However, 50% of the isolates belonged to complexes related to MRSA and to human diseases, while only about 25% of them can be considered as exclusively of bovine origin. The distribution of clonal complexes and the different gene patterns observed confirmed the presence of an influence of geographical localization. The assessment of the influence of genes related to immune evasion on quarter milk cell count showed as four of them showed to be significantly associated to an increase quarter milk SCC. These genes could be potential target for developing new vaccines against S. aureus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mazzilli
- Dept. Animal Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Renata Piccinini
- Dept. Animal Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Scali
- Dept. Animal Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Alfonso Zecconi
- Dept. Animal Pathology, Hygiene and Public Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Zecconi A, Scali F. Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors in evasion from innate immune defenses in human and animal diseases. Immunol Lett 2013; 150:12-22. [PMID: 23376548 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2012] [Revised: 12/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades, Staphylococcus aureus acquired a dramatic relevance in human and veterinary medicine for different reasons, one of them represented by the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistant strains. However, antibiotic resistance is not the only weapon in the arsenal of S. aureus. Indeed, these bacteria have plenty of virulence factors, including a vast ability to evade host immune defenses. The innate immune system represents the first line of defense against invading pathogens. This system consists of three major effector mechanisms: antimicrobial peptides and enzymes, the complement system and phagocytes. In this review, we focused on S. aureus virulence factors involved in the immune evasion in the first phases of infection: TLR recognition avoidance, adhesins affecting immune response and resistance to host defenses peptides and polypeptides. Studies of innate immune defenses and their role against S. aureus are important in human and veterinary medicine given the problems related to S. aureus antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, due to the pathogen ability to manipulate the immune response, these data are needed to develop efficacious vaccines or molecules against S. aureus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Zecconi
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Dip. Scienze Veterinarie e Sanità Pubblica, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|