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Oliviero M, Iaccarino D, Esposito E, Paduano G, D'Alessio N, Sgroi G, Lucibelli MG, Auriemma C, Uberti BD, D'Amore M, Dimatteo M, Fusco G, De Carlo E, Di Nocera F. Glugea plecoglossi (Strickland, 1911) infection in wild Sardinella aurita (Valenciennes, 1847) along the Campania coasts, in southern Italy. J Fish Dis 2024:e13956. [PMID: 38648249 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Oliviero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Doriana Iaccarino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Emanuele Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio-Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Marianna D'Amore
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Dimatteo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Fabio Di Nocera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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2
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Falleti J, Orabona P, Municinò M, Castellaro G, Fusco G, Mansueto G. An Update on Myocarditis in Forensic Pathology. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:760. [PMID: 38611673 PMCID: PMC11011922 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070760] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In forensic medicine, myocarditis is a complicated topic in the context of sudden death and medical malpractice. A good knowledge of the etiopathology, histopathology, and available literature are both indispensable and essential for the correct management and evaluation of the causal link. Some agents, which are rarely lethal for humans, are not necessarily related to death from myocarditis, even if an infection in other organs such as the gastrointestinal tract is documented. The diagnosis of the causes of death is often difficult and confusing. In some cases, the hypothetical diagnosis of myocarditis as the cause of death is formulated by deduction, causing error and misleading the correct temporal evaluation of pathological events. We reviewed the literature realizing that histomorphological data are scarce and often poorly documented. Only after COVID-19 have the histomorphological aspects of myocarditis been better documented. This is due to poor autopsy practice and poor accuracy in identifying the specific histotype of myocarditis with identification of the responsible agent. We believe that four points are essential for a better understanding and complete diagnosis of the disease: (1) clinical classification of myocarditis; (2) etiological classification of myocarditis; (3) pathophysiology of viral and bacterial infections with host response; and (4) histopathological diagnosis with precise identification of the histotype and pathogen. In the review we provide histological images from authoritative scientific references with the aim of providing useful information and food for thought to readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Falleti
- Patology Section, Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano Hospital, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (J.F.); (P.O.)
| | - Pasquale Orabona
- Patology Section, Sant’Anna e San Sebastiano Hospital, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (J.F.); (P.O.)
| | - Maurizio Municinò
- Forensic and Legal Medicine Center, San Giuliano Hospital, 80014 Naples, Italy;
| | - Gianluca Castellaro
- University Department of Experimental Medicine—Forensic and Legal Medicine Unit, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Gelsomina Mansueto
- University Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Healthcare and Public Services—Forensic and Legal Medicine Unit, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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3
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Oliviero M, Iaccarino D, Esposito E, Paduano G, Di Nocera F, Borriello G, Paradiso R, Degli Uberti B, Dimatteo M, Amoroso MG, Lucifora G, Fusco G, De Carlo E. First description of Rhodococcus equi infection in common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10352-w. [PMID: 38509425 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10352-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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Rhodococcus equi is a terrestrial bacterium and a common pathogen in foals (Equus caballus), in which causes pneumonia. This report describes for the first time the infection caused by R. equi in a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Calabrian coast, Italy. The post mortem examination of the animal revealed lesions in lung and colon. The animal was also positive to dolphin morbillivirus. The histological study showed lesions attributable to R. equi infection, such as pyogranulomatous bacterial pneumonia and chronic granulomatous colitis. Whole genome sequencing of the isolated strain confirmed its identification as R. equi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Oliviero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy.
| | - Doriana Iaccarino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Emanuele Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Di Nocera
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Rubina Paradiso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | | | - Maria Dimatteo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055, Italy
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4
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Sgroi G, D'Alessio N, Varcasia A, Degli Uberti B, Fani C, Trotta M, Fusco G, Doi K, Veneziano V. Morphometric, histopathological and molecular findings of Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus infection in wild boar (Sus scrofa) from continental Italy. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 104:102110. [PMID: 38070400 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102110] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Although Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus is a neglected acanthocephalan of suids occasionally responsible for severe infections in humans, the spread of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe could promote the circulation. Herein, we report the first morphometric, histological and molecular characterization of a severe M. hirudinaceus infection in a boar from continental Italy. The boar's intestine displayed granulomatous enteritis due to 24 helminths (14 females, 10 males), identified as adults of M. hirudinaceus by a combined morphometric/molecular approach. The phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 gene revealed a close relationship of the M. hirudinaceus sequence type found herein with those from Hungary and insular Italy. The high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity of M. hirudinaceus specimens would suggest its rapid demographic expansion in the Mediterranean basin. More research is needed to assess the presence of M. hirudinaceus in susceptible beetle species and the role of boars in the epidemiology of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici 80055, Italy.
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici 80055, Italy; Wildlife Observatory of the Campania region, Naples 80133, Italy
| | - Antonio Varcasia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Barbara Degli Uberti
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici 80055, Italy
| | | | | | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Kandai Doi
- Department of Wildlife Biology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Tsukuba 305-8687, Japan
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Wildlife Observatory of the Campania region, Naples 80133, Italy; Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80137, Italy
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5
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Zhou L, Vestri A, Marchesano V, Rippa M, Sagnelli D, Picazio G, Fusco G, Han J, Zhou J, Petti L. The Label-Free Detection and Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis. Biosensors (Basel) 2023; 13:1014. [PMID: 38131774 PMCID: PMC10741931 DOI: 10.3390/bios13121014] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared in a May 2023 announcement that the COVID-19 illness is no longer categorized as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); nevertheless, it is still considered an actual threat to world health, social welfare and economic stability. Consequently, the development of a convenient, reliable and affordable approach for detecting and identifying SARS-CoV-2 and its emerging new variants is crucial. The fingerprint and signal amplification characteristics of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) could serve as an assay scheme for SARS-CoV-2. Here, we report a machine learning-based label-free SERS technique for the rapid and accurate detection and identification of SARS-CoV-2. The SERS spectra collected from samples of four types of coronaviruses on gold nanoparticles film, fabricated using a Langmuir-Blodgett self-assembly, can provide more spectroscopic signatures of the viruses and exhibit low limits of detection (<100 TCID50/mL or even <10 TCID50/mL). Furthermore, the key Raman bands of the SERS spectra were systematically captured by principal component analysis (PCA), which effectively distinguished SARS-CoV-2 and its variant from other coronaviruses. These results demonstrate that the combined use of SERS technology and PCA analysis has great potential for the rapid analysis and discrimination of multiple viruses and even newly emerging viruses without the need for a virus-specific probe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhou
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, 80072 Pozzuoli, Italy; (L.Z.); (A.V.); (V.M.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
- Center for Terahertz Waves and College of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Ambra Vestri
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, 80072 Pozzuoli, Italy; (L.Z.); (A.V.); (V.M.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Valentina Marchesano
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, 80072 Pozzuoli, Italy; (L.Z.); (A.V.); (V.M.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Massimo Rippa
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, 80072 Pozzuoli, Italy; (L.Z.); (A.V.); (V.M.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Domenico Sagnelli
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, 80072 Pozzuoli, Italy; (L.Z.); (A.V.); (V.M.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
| | - Gerardo Picazio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.P.); (G.F.)
| | - Jiaguang Han
- Center for Terahertz Waves and College of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Microelectronic Science and Engineering, School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China
| | - Lucia Petti
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of CNR, 80072 Pozzuoli, Italy; (L.Z.); (A.V.); (V.M.); (M.R.); (D.S.)
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de Martinis C, Cardillo L, Pesce F, Viscardi M, Cozzolino L, Paradiso R, Cavallo S, De Ascentis M, Goffredo M, Monaco F, Savini G, D’Orilia F, Pinto R, Fusco G. Reoccurrence of West Nile virus lineage 1 after 2-year decline: first equine outbreak in Campania region. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1314738. [PMID: 38098986 PMCID: PMC10720362 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1314738] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widespread arbovirus worldwide, responsible for severe neurological symptoms in humans as well as in horses and birds. The main reservoir and amplifier of the virus are birds, and migratory birds seem to have a key role in the introduction and spread of WNV during their migratory routes. WNV lineage 1 (L1) has been missing in Italy for almost 10 years, only to reappear in 2020 in two dead raptor birds in southern Italy. The present study reports the first equine outbreak in the Campania region. A 7-year-old horse died because of worsening neurological signs and underwent necropsy and biomolecular analyses. WNV-L1 was detected by real-time RT-PCR in the heart, brain, gut, liver, and spleen. Next Generation Sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strain responsible for the outbreak showed a nucleotide identity of over 98% with the strain found in Accipiter gentilis 2 years earlier in the same area, belonging to the WNV-L1 Western-Mediterranean sub-cluster. These results underline that WNV-L1, after reintroduction in 2020, has probably silently circulated during a 2-year eclipse, with no positive sample revealed by both serological and biomolecular examinations in horses, birds, and mosquitoes. The climate changes that have occurred in the last decades are evolving the epidemiology of WNV, with introductions or re-introductions of the virus in areas that were previously considered low risk. Thereby, the virus may easily amplify and establish itself to reappear with sporadic evident cases in susceptible hosts after several months or even years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio de Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Federica Pesce
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Loredana Cozzolino
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Rubina Paradiso
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Stefania Cavallo
- Department of Epidemiologic and Biostatistics Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Matteo De Ascentis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Maria Goffredo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Monaco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Renato Pinto
- U.O.D. Prevenzione e sanità pubblica veterinaria, Regione Campania, Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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Fusco G, Marati L, Pugliese A, Levante M, Ferrara G, de Carlo E, Amoroso MG, Montagnaro S. Prevalence of feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus in cats from southern Italy: a 10-year cross-sectional study. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1260081. [PMID: 38026675 PMCID: PMC10657833 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1260081] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are well-known retroviruses causing important infections in domestic cats worldwide. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of FeLV and FIV infections in cat living indoor and outdoor in southern Italy. Methods The survey was conducted on 1322 stray and owned cats from the regions of Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria. It was carried out over a 10-year period to obtain a more realistic picture of the prevalence of these retroviral diseases in the country. FIV and FeLV status was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit (SNAP Combo Plus FeLV/FIV, IDEXX). Risk factors were analysed by logistic regression. Results and Discussion The results showed that 101/1322 (7.64%) cats were positive for FeLV antigen and 110/1322 (8.32%) cats were positive for FIV antibody. Twenty-six of the 1322 cats (1.97%) were positive for both FIV and FeLV infection. Our results are similar to those published in recent studies in Europe. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between year, province, region, lifestyle and risk of FeLV infection. FIV positivity was instead statistically associated only with year and lifestyle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Luisa Marati
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Annamaria Pugliese
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Martina Levante
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Esterina de Carlo
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Amoroso
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Serena Montagnaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Monnolo A, Clausi MT, Del Piano F, Santoro M, Fiorentino ML, Barca L, Fusco G, Degli Uberti B, Ferrante L, Mercogliano R, Ferrante MC. Do Organochlorine Contaminants Modulate the Parasitic Infection Degree in Mediterranean Trout ( Salmo trutta)? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2961. [PMID: 37760361 PMCID: PMC10526105 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182961] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the occurrence of organochlorine pollutants (OCs) in the muscle of brown trout and evaluated their potential modulation of parasite infection. The toxicological risk for consumer health was assessed, too. Trout were collected from the Sila National Park (Calabria region, South of Italy). The highest concentrations emerged for the sum of the 6 non-dioxin-like (ndl) indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (Σ6ndl-PCBs), followed by the 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)-ethane (DDT), dioxin-like PCBs, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dieldrin. Measured on lipid weight (LW), the mean value of Σ6ndl-PCBs amounted to 201.9 ng g-1, that of ΣDDTs (the sum of DDT-related compounds) to 100.2 ng g-1, with the major contribution of the DDT-metabolite p,p'-DDE which was detected in all sample units (97.6 ng g-1 on average). Among dioxin-like congeners, PCB 118 showed the highest mean concentration (21.96 ng g-1 LW) and was detected in all sample units. Regression analysis of intestinal parasites on OC concentration was performed, controlling for two potential confounding factors, namely sex and sexual stage. The results evidenced the existence of interactions between the dual stressors in the host-parasite system in the wild. A negative and statistically significant correlation was estimated, suggesting that OCs may decrease parasite infection degree. Regarding the toxicological risk evaluation, OC concentrations were consistently below the current European Maximum Residue Limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Monnolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Maria Teresa Clausi
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Calabria Section, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Filomena Del Piano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Maria Lorena Fiorentino
- Environmental Research Center, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Lorella Barca
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Calabria Section, 87100 Cosenza, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (B.D.U.)
| | - Barbara Degli Uberti
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (B.D.U.)
| | - Luigia Ferrante
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, 20072 Milan, Italy;
| | - Raffaelina Mercogliano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.M.)
| | - Maria Carmela Ferrante
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy; (A.M.); (F.D.P.); (R.M.)
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9
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Fusco G, Cardillo L, Levante M, Brandi S, Picazio G, Napoletano M, Martucciello A, Fiorito F, De Carlo E, de Martinis C. First serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in small ruminants : Brief report. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:1741-1748. [PMID: 36624357 PMCID: PMC9829525 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-022-10044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in late December 2019 and spread worldwide, quickly becoming a pandemic. This zoonotic coronavirus shows a broad host range, including wildlife and domestic animals. Small ruminants are shown to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 but, to date, no natural infection has been reported. Herein, we performed a survey for SARS-CoV-2 among sheep and goats in the Campania region of Italy using an indirect multispecies ELISA. Next, positive sera were submitted to virus serum neutralization for the quantification of specific neutralizing antibodies. Out of 612 sheep and goats, 23 were found ELISA positive (3.75%) and 1 of them showed 1:20 neutralizing antibodies titer. No significant difference was found between the two species, as well as between male and female, geographical location and age. Our findings demonstrate that natural infection can occur in flocks in a field situation. Moreover, low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 is reported for sheep and goats, nevertheless, the continuous mutations of this virus open new scenarios on viral host range and tropism, highlighting the importance of investigating animal species that could represent ongoing or future possible hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Unit of Virology, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Unit of Virology, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Martina Levante
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Unit of Virology, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Unit of Virology, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardo Picazio
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, Via G. Salvatore, 486, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Michele Napoletano
- Caserta Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Alessandra Martucciello
- Salerno Section, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131, Fuorni, Salerno, Italy
| | - Filomena Fiorito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Scientific Direction, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Unit of Virology, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
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Lombardi A, Voli A, Mancusi A, Girardi S, Proroga YTR, Pierri B, Olivares R, Cossentino L, Suffredini E, La Rosa G, Fusco G, Pizzolante A, Porta A, Campiglia P, Torre I, Pennino F, Tosco A. SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Bivalve Mollusk Samples of Campania, Southern Italy. Viruses 2023; 15:1777. [PMID: 37632119 PMCID: PMC10459311 DOI: 10.3390/v15081777] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in the feces of infected people, consequently in wastewater, and in bivalve mollusks, that are able to accumulate viruses due to their ability to filter large amounts of water. This study aimed to monitor SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence in 168 raw wastewater samples collected from six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and 57 mollusk samples obtained from eight harvesting sites in Campania, Italy. The monitoring period spanned from October 2021 to April 2022, and the results were compared and correlated with the epidemiological situation. In sewage, the ORF1b region of SARS-CoV-2 was detected using RT-qPCR, while in mollusks, three targets-RdRp, ORF1b, and E-were identified via RT-dPCR. Results showed a 92.3% rate of positive wastewater samples with increased genomic copies (g.c.)/(day*inhabitant) in December-January and March-April 2022. In the entire observation period, 54.4% of mollusks tested positive for at least one SARS-CoV-2 target, and the rate of positive samples showed a trend similar to that of the wastewater samples. The lower SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate in bivalve mollusks compared to sewages is a direct consequence of the seawater dilution effect. Our data confirm that both sample types can be used as sentinels to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the environment and suggest their potential use in obtaining complementary information on SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Lombardi
- Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.L.)
| | - Antonia Voli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.V.); (A.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Andrea Mancusi
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (S.G.); (Y.T.R.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Santa Girardi
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (S.G.); (Y.T.R.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (S.G.); (Y.T.R.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Biancamaria Pierri
- Department of Food Security Coordination, Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (A.M.); (S.G.); (Y.T.R.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Renato Olivares
- Campania Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPAC), Via Vicinale Santa Maria del Pianto, 80143 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cossentino
- Campania Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPAC), Via Vicinale Santa Maria del Pianto, 80143 Naples, Italy; (R.O.); (L.C.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonio Pizzolante
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Amalia Porta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.V.); (A.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.V.); (A.P.); (P.C.)
| | - Ida Torre
- Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.L.)
| | - Francesca Pennino
- Department of Public Health, University “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.L.)
| | - Alessandra Tosco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (A.V.); (A.P.); (P.C.)
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11
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Sgroi G, D’Alessio N, Auriemma C, Salant H, Gallo A, Riccardi MG, Alfano F, Rea S, Scarcelli S, Ottaviano M, De Martinis C, Fusco G, Lucibelli MG, Veneziano V. First molecular detection of Babesia vulpes and Babesia capreoli in wild boars from southern Italy. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1201476. [PMID: 37609054 PMCID: PMC10442169 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1201476] [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: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Following the increase of wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Europe, a potential risk of emerging infections by vector-borne pathogens may occur. Despite this, the circulation of piroplasmid species in these ungulates is still a neglected topic, particularly in the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia/Theileria spp. in wild boars from southern Italy to assess the epidemiological role of these ungulates in the circulation of piroplasmids. Methods By using a citizen science approach among hunters and veterinarians, wild boar spleen samples were collected in the Campania region (southern Italy) between 2016 and 2022. A combined semi-nested PCR/sequencing analysis targeting the V4 hyper-variable region of 18S rRNA was run to detect Babesia/Theileria spp. DNA. Results Out of 243 boars, 15 (i.e., 6.2, 95% CI: 3.4-9.9) tested positive to Babesia/Theileria spp., Babesia vulpes (n = 13, 5.3, 95% CI: 3.1-8.9) the most prevalent, followed by Babesia capreoli (n = 2, 0.8, 95% CI: 0.2-2.9). Three different B. vulpes sequence types were identified (i.e., ST1, ST2, ST3), with the most representative as ST1 (60%), and a single B. capreoli sequence type. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) were found between the presence of the pathogens and boar age, sex, province and sample collection year. Discussion Data demonstrate for the first time the occurrence of B. vulpes and B. capreoli in wild boars, which may play a role in the biological cycle of piroplasmids. We emphasize the importance of monitoring these ungulates to prevent potential foci of infection. The engagement of hunters in epidemiological scientifically based surveys can constitute a technically sound control strategy of piroplasmids in a One Health perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Nicola D’Alessio
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio—Campania Region, Naples, Italy
| | - Clementina Auriemma
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Amalia Gallo
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Marita Georgia Riccardi
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Flora Alfano
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Simona Rea
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Stefano Scarcelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Ottaviano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio De Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Lucibelli
- Department of Animal Health, Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Osservatorio Faunistico Venatorio—Campania Region, Naples, Italy
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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12
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Fusco G, Picazio G, Cardillo L, Pucciarelli A, Marati L, Maggio FD, Nunziato M, Brandi S, Carlo ED, Martinis CD, Salvatore F. A comparative study on persistence and viability of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and omicron variant on artificially contaminated surfaces: the role of fomites. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023:2239941. [PMID: 37483123 PMCID: PMC10399477 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2239941] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Indirect transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been investigated but it is still not completely understood. The present study aimed to compare the persistence and viability of the lineage B.1 and omicron BA.1 subvariant in five daily use materials to evaluate the role of fomites as possible source of infection. Artificial contamination in a first set of experimental assay on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), cardboard, polystyrene, aluminium and plastic were carried out. Further experiments using omicron variant on five different surfaces (glass, plexiglass, cotton, polyester and tetrapak) were also conducted. The persistence, viability on Vero E6 cell cultures and the residual infectivity of the two lineages were evaluated over 5 days post contamination (p.c.). Results showed different stability between the tested matrices. Except for cotton and polyester, where the RNA was not detectable in 24 and 48h p.c., respectively, and the virus was not viable as soon as 30 min, in the other tested surfaces both lineages RNA was detectable until 120h p.c. A rapid decay of the viral load was revealed on cardboard, more evidently for the omicron variant. Furthermore, longer stability of BA.1 was demonstrated, but showing a less severe subtotal CPE on cell monolayers than the wild-type on all the tested materials. EVA was the material that better sustained virus stability, as the virus was able to develope CPE on the cells up to 72h p.c. In conclusion, it is conceivable to speculate about the potential spread of SARS-CoV-2, albeit it is difficult to establish the real capacity to infect people through indirect contact but such these information are of fundamental importance to help to adopt the appropriate measures to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerardo Picazio
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Pucciarelli
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Luisa Marati
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Di Maggio
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Marcella Nunziato
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Salvatore
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate Franco Salvatore, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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13
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de Martinis C, Pucciarelli A, Ottaiano M, Pellicanò R, Baldi L, Veneziano V, Sgroi G, Boccia F, Carbone C, Cardillo L, Fusco G. Toxoplasma gondii Investigation of Home-Reared Pigs through Real-Time PCR and Digital Droplet PCR: A Very Low Prevalence. Pathogens 2023; 12:882. [PMID: 37513729 PMCID: PMC10384325 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070882] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoon that can infect both animals and humans. The main route of human infection is the consumption of the raw or undercooked meat of several animal species, including pigs. Although T. gondii represents a public health concern, control during slaughter is not mandatory, leading to a lack of information on the impact on human contagion as well as poor data availability in domestic animals intended for human consumption. We studied the presence of T. gondii in home-reared pigs, an unconventional type of farming subjected to stringent breeding conditions dictated by Italian regulation. Thus, the diaphragms, livers and masseter muscles from 480 pigs in Napoli Province (Italy) were analyzed using real-time PCR and digital droplet PCR. The results showed four matrices that tested positive for T. gondii with very low protozoan loads (0.62%), belonging to three different animals. The low density of the animals (the maximum was four animals per farm) and the biosafety farming features decisively contributed to the bioexclusion of this pathogen. Comparing these results to intensive and extensive farm data, lower exposure to the parasite was revealed, suggesting that this farming method might mitigate the risk of human exposure through meat consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio de Martinis
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Pucciarelli
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Ottaiano
- Regional Observatory of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pellicanò
- Regional Observatory of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Baldi
- Regional Observatory of Epidemiology and Biostatistic, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, 80137 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Unit of Wildlife, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Boccia
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Napoli 3 Sud, Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, 80059 Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Napoli 3 Sud, Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, 80059 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Naples, Italy
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Del Piano F, Lama A, Piccolo G, Addeo NF, Iaccarino D, Fusco G, Riccio L, De Biase D, Mattace Raso G, Meli R, Ferrante MC. Impact of polystyrene microplastic exposure on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758): Differential inflammatory and immune response between anterior and posterior intestine. Sci Total Environ 2023; 879:163201. [PMID: 37011684 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163201] [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: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are the most widely discharged waste into the aquatic ecosystems, where they break down into microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs). MPs are ingested by several marine organisms, including benthic and pelagic fish species, contributing to organ damage and bioaccumulation. This study aimed to assess the effects of MPs ingestion on gut innate immunity and barrier integrity in gilthead seabreams (Sparus aurataLinnaeus, 1758) fed for 21 days with a diet enriched with polystyrene (PS-MPs; 1-20 μm; 0, 25 or 250 mg /kg b.w./die). Physiological fish growth and health status were not impacted by PS-MPs treatments at the end of experimental period. Inflammation and immune alterations were revealed by molecular analyses in both anterior (AI) and posterior intestine (PI) and were confirmed by histological evaluation. PS-MPs triggered TLR-Myd88 signaling pathway with following impairment of cytokines release. Specifically, PS-MPs increased pro-inflammatory cytokines gene expression (i.e., IL-1β, IL-6 and COX-2) and decreased anti-inflammatory ones (i.e., IL-10). Moreover, PS-MPs also induced an increase in other immune-associated genes, such as Lys, CSF1R and ALP. TLR-Myd88 signaling pathway may also lead to the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway activation. Here, MAPK (i.e., p38 and ERK) were activated by PS-MPs in PI, following the disruption of intestinal epithelial integrity, as evidenced by reduced gene expression of tight junctions (i.e. ZO-1, Cldn15, Occludin, and Tricellulin), integrins (i.e., Itgb6) and mucins (i.e., Muc2-like and Muc13-like). Thus, all the obtained results suggest that the subchronic oral exposure to PS-MPs induces inflammatory and immune alterations as well as an impact on intestinal functional integrity in gilthead seabream, with a more evident effect in PI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Del Piano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Lama
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Piccolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Francesco Addeo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Doriana Iaccarino
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Riccio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Mattace Raso
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Ferrante
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, University of Naples Federico II, via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy.
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15
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Cotoia A, Paradiso R, Ferrara G, Borriello G, Santoro F, Spina I, Mirabella L, Mariano K, Fusco G, Cinnella G, Singer P. Modifications of lung microbiota structure in traumatic brain injury ventilated patients according to time and enteral feeding formulas: a prospective randomized study. Crit Care 2023; 27:244. [PMID: 37344845 PMCID: PMC10283314 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-023-04531-5] [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: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specialized diets enriched with immune nutrients could be an important supplement in patients (pts) with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Omega-3 and arginine may interact with immune response and microbiota. No data are available about the role of the specialized diets in modulating the lung microbiota, and little is known about the influence of lung microbiota structure in development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in TBI pts. The aims of this study are to evaluate the impact of specific nutrients on the lung microbiota and the variation of lung microbiota in TBI pts developing VAP. METHODS A cohort of 31 TBI pts requiring mechanical ventilation in ICU was randomized for treatment with specialized (16pts) or standard nutrition (15pts). Alpha and beta diversity of lung microbiota were analyzed from bronco Alveolar Lavage (BAL) samples collected at admission and 7 days post-ICU admission in both groups. A further analysis was carried out on the same samples retrospectively grouped in VAP or no VAP pts. RESULTS None developed VAP in the first week. Thereafter, ten out of thirty-one pts developed VAP. The BAL microbiota on VAP group showed significant differences in beta diversity and Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter Genera were high. The specialized nutrition had influence on beta diversity that reached statistical significance only in Bray-Curtis distance. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that TBI patients who developed VAP during ICU stay have different structures of BAL microbiota either at admission and at 7 days post-ICU admission, while no correlation has been observed between different enteral formulas and microbiota composition in terms of richness and evenness. These findings suggest that targeting the lung microbiota may be a promising approach for preventing infections in critically ill patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Cotoia
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - R. Paradiso
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - G. Ferrara
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - G. Borriello
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - F. Santoro
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - I. Spina
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - L. Mirabella
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - K. Mariano
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - G. Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - G. Cinnella
- Department of Intensive Care, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - P. Singer
- Intensive Care Unit Herzlia Médical Center, Herzliya, Israel
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Martucciello A, Balestrieri A, Righi C, Cappelli G, Scoccia E, Grassi C, Brandi S, Rossi E, Galiero G, Gioia D, Fusco G, Feliziani F, De Carlo E, Petrini S. Evaluation of an Immunization Protocol Using Bovine Alphaherpesvirus 1 gE-Deleted Marker Vaccines against Bubaline Alphaherpesvirus 1 in Water Buffaloes. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11050891. [PMID: 37242994 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11050891] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
European regulations on the control of infectious diseases provide measures to control Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) infection in both cattle and buffalo. Owing to the reported serological cross-reactivity between BoHV-1 and Bubaline alphaherpesvirus 1 (BuHV-1), we hypothesized a new immunization protocol using BoHV-1 gE-deleted marker vaccines could protect water buffalo against BuHV-1. Five water buffaloes devoid of BoHV-1/BuHV-1-neutralizing antibodies were immunized with two commercial BoHV-1 gE-deleted marker vaccines at 0, 30, 210, and 240 post-vaccination days (PVDs). Five additional water buffaloes were used as controls. At 270 PVD (0 post-challenge days (PCDs), all animals were challenged intranasally with wild-type (wt) BuHV-1. The vaccinated animals produced humoral immunity (HI) as early as PVD 30 whereas, in control animals, antibodies were detected on PCD 10. After challenge infection, HI significantly increased in vaccinated animals compared to that in controls. Real-time PCR for gB revealed viral shedding in vaccinated animals from PCDs 2 to 10. In contrast, positive results were observed from PCDs 2 to 15 in the unvaccinated control group. Although the findings indicated the possible protection capabilities of the tested protocol, these findings did not support its protective roles in water buffaloes against wt-BuHV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Martucciello
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Anna Balestrieri
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Cecilia Righi
- National Reference Centre for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche "Togo Rosati", 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cappelli
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Eleonora Scoccia
- National Reference Centre for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche "Togo Rosati", 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Carlo Grassi
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Sergio Brandi
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Rossi
- National Reference Centre for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche "Togo Rosati", 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Damiano Gioia
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, 84014 Nocera Inferiore, SA, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Francesco Feliziani
- National Reference Centre for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche "Togo Rosati", 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- National Reference Centre for Hygiene and Technology of Breeding and Buffalo Production, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 84131 Salerno, SA, Italy
| | - Stefano Petrini
- National Reference Centre for Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria-Marche "Togo Rosati", 06126 Perugia, PG, Italy
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Del Piano F, Lama A, Monnolo A, Pirozzi C, Piccolo G, Vozzo S, De Biase D, Riccio L, Fusco G, Mercogliano R, Meli R, Ferrante MC. Subchronic Exposure to Polystyrene Microplastic Differently Affects Redox Balance in the Anterior and Posterior Intestine of Sparus aurata. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040606. [PMID: 36830393 PMCID: PMC9951662 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040606] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems. MPs are introduced mainly by ingestion acting locally or in organs far from the gastroenteric tract. MPs-induced health consequences for fish species still need to be fully understood. We aimed to investigate the effects of the subchronic oral exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) (1-20 μm) in the gilthead seabreams (Sparus aurata) used as the experimental model. We studied the detrimental impact of PS-MPs (25 and 250 mg/kg b.w./day) on the redox balance and antioxidant status in the intestine using histological analysis and molecular techniques. The research goal was to examine the anterior (AI) and posterior intestine (PI) tracts, characterized by morphological and functional differences. PS-MPs caused an increase of reactive oxygen species and nitrosylated proteins in both tracts, as well as augmented malondialdehyde production in the PI. PS-MPs also differently affected gene expression of antioxidant enzymes (i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase). Moreover, an increased up-regulation of protective heat shock proteins (HSPs) (i.e., hsp70 and hsp90) was observed in PI. Our findings demonstrate that PS-MPs are responsible for oxidative/nitrosative stress and alterations of detoxifying defense system responses with differences in AI and PI of gilthead seabreams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Del Piano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Lama
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Monnolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Pirozzi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Piccolo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Simone Vozzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide De Biase
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Riccio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Raffaelina Mercogliano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Meli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Ferrante
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Via Delpino 1, 80137 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
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18
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Cicchitto G, Cardillo L, Sequino D, Sabatini P, Adamo L, Marchitiello R, Viscardi M, Cozzolino L, Cavallera A, Bocchino M, Sanduzzi Zamparelli A, Ferrigno F, de Carlo E, de Martinis C, Fusco G. Effectiveness of Sotrovimab in the Omicron Storm Time: A Case Series. Viruses 2022; 15:102. [PMID: 36680143 PMCID: PMC9864548 DOI: 10.3390/v15010102] [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: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are largely used to prevent the progression of the disease by blocking viral attachment, host cell entry, and infectivity. Sotrovimab, like other available mAbs, has been developed against the receptor binding Domain of the Spike (S) glycoprotein of the virus. Nevertheless, the latest Omicron variant has shown marked mutations within the S gene, thus opening the question of the efficacy of these neutralizing molecules towards this novel variant. In the present observational study, we describe the effects of Sotrovimab in the treatment of 15 fully vaccinated patients, infected by SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-variants, who were selected on the basis of factors widely considered to affect a worse prognosis: immune suppression (n = 12) and/or chronic kidney disease (n = 5) with evidence of interstitial pneumonia in nine patients. The effectiveness of Sotrovimab in the treatment of severe cases of COVID-19 was demonstrated by the regression of symptoms (mean 5.7 days), no need of hospitalisation, improvement of general health conditions and viral clearance within 30 days in all patients. In conclusion, although loss or reduction of mAbs neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant have been described, Sotrovimab has clinically proven to be a safe and useful treatment for patients with high risk of progression to severe COVID-19 infected by Omicron sub-variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Cicchitto
- COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, Department of Pneumology, 84018 Salerno, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Sequino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Respiratory Disease Federico II University Hospital, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Sabatini
- Umberto I” Hospital, Unit of Virology and Microbiology, Nocera Inferiore, 84018 Salerno, Italy
| | - Luisa Adamo
- Umberto I” Hospital, Unit of Virology and Microbiology, Nocera Inferiore, 84018 Salerno, Italy
| | - Rosita Marchitiello
- COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, Unit of Clinical Pathology Laboratory, 84018 Salerno, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Cozzolino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Marialuisa Bocchino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Respiratory Disease Federico II University Hospital, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sanduzzi Zamparelli
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Section of Respiratory Disease Federico II University Hospital, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Ferrigno
- COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, Department of Pneumology, 84018 Salerno, Italy
| | - Esterina de Carlo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Naples, Italy
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Alfano F, Lanave G, Lucibelli MG, Miletti G, D’Alessio N, Gallo A, Auriemma C, Amoroso MG, Lucente MS, De Carlo E, Martella V, Decaro N, Fusco G. Canine Distemper Virus in Autochtonous and Imported Dogs, Southern Italy (2014–2021). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202852. [PMID: 36290237 PMCID: PMC9597831 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202852] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In the period 2014–2021, the circulation of CDV in dogs of Southern Italy was investigated. In this time span a reduction in the circulation of CDV was observed, with a higher frequency of detection of the pathogen in imported dogs (18.4%) compared to stray (7.4%) and household (3.9%) animals. These results underline the effectiveness of the prophylaxis strategy on autochthonous dogs as well as the importance of continuous surveillance of CDV, especially in imported dogs. Abstract This study aims to investigate the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) infection in 949 autochthonous or illegally imported dogs from Southern Italy, over a period of eight years (2014–2021). CDV RNA was detected in 6.8% (65/949) of the animals tested, with no detection of CDV in dogs sampled in 2020–2021. The frequency of CDV detection was higher in imported dogs (19/103, 18.3%) with respect to stray (27/365, 7.4%) and household dogs (19/481, 3.9%). On sequence and phylogenetic analyses of selected strains, the analyzed viruses belonged to the Arctic clade, which has already been reported in Italy and in Europe. The results of our study may suggest a reduction of CDV circulation in Southern Italy, while at the same time highlighting the need for strict controls on dog importation, in order to prevent the introduction of viruses from endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Alfano
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0817865441
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70121 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Lucibelli
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Gianluca Miletti
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Nicola D’Alessio
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Amalia Gallo
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Clementina Auriemma
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Amoroso
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Maria Stella Lucente
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70121 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70121 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70121 Valenzano, BA, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Dipartimento Coordinamento di Sanità Animale, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy
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20
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Grimaldi A, Panariello F, Annunziata P, Giuliano T, Daniele M, Pierri B, Colantuono C, Salvi M, Bouché V, Manfredi A, Cuomo MC, Di Concilio D, Tiberio C, Fiorenza M, Portella G, Cimmino I, Sorrentino A, Fusco G, Granata MR, Cerino P, Limone A, Atripaldi L, Ballabio A, Cacchiarelli D. Improved SARS-CoV-2 sequencing surveillance allows the identification of new variants and signatures in infected patients. Genome Med 2022; 14:90. [PMID: 35962405 PMCID: PMC9372932 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01098-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genomic surveillance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the only approach to rapidly monitor and tackle emerging variants of concern (VOC) of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such scrutiny is crucial to limit the spread of VOC that might escape the immune protection conferred by vaccination strategies or previous virus exposure. It is also becoming clear now that efficient genomic surveillance would require monitoring of the host gene expression to identify prognostic biomarkers of treatment efficacy and disease progression. Here we propose an integrative workflow to both generate thousands of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences per week and analyze host gene expression upon infection. Methods In this study we applied an integrated workflow for RNA extracted from nasal swabs to obtain in parallel the full genome of SARS-CoV-2 and transcriptome of host respiratory epithelium. The RNA extracted from each sample was reverse transcribed and the viral genome was specifically enriched through an amplicon-based approach. The very same RNA was then used for patient transcriptome analysis. Samples were collected in the Campania region, Italy, for viral genome sequencing. Patient transcriptome analysis was performed on about 700 samples divided into two cohorts of patients, depending on the viral variant detected (B.1 or delta). Results We sequenced over 20,000 viral genomes since the beginning of the pandemic, producing the highest number of sequences in Italy. We thus reconstructed the pandemic dynamics in the regional territory from March 2020 to December 2021. In addition, we have matured and applied novel proof-of-principle approaches to prioritize possible gain-of-function mutations by leveraging patients’ metadata and isolated patient-specific signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This allowed us to (i) identify three new viral variants that specifically originated in the Campania region, (ii) map SARS-CoV-2 intrahost variability during long-term infections and in one case identify an increase in the number of mutations in the viral genome, and (iii) identify host gene expression signatures correlated with viral load in upper respiratory ways. Conclusion In conclusion, we have successfully generated an optimized and cost-effective strategy to monitor SARS-CoV-2 genetic variability, without the need of automation. Thus, our approach is suitable for any lab with a benchtop sequencer and a limited budget, allowing an integrated genomic surveillance on premises. Finally, we have also identified a gene expression signature defining SARS-CoV-2 infection in real-world patients’ upper respiratory ways. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13073-022-01098-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Grimaldi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Panariello
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Patrizia Annunziata
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Giuliano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Michela Daniele
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Biancamaria Pierri
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Chiara Colantuono
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Marcello Salvi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Valentina Bouché
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Anna Manfredi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Next Generation Diagnostic srl, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Cuomo
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Denise Di Concilio
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Claudia Tiberio
- UOC Microbiologia e Virologia, P.O. Cotugno A.O. dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mariano Fiorenza
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Portella
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cimmino
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,UOC Epidemiologia e Prevenzione, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Dipartimento di Prevenzione, Casavatore, Italy
| | - Antonio Sorrentino
- UOC Epidemiologia e Prevenzione, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Dipartimento di Prevenzione, Casavatore, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Granata
- UOC Epidemiologia e Prevenzione, ASL Napoli 2 Nord, Dipartimento di Prevenzione, Casavatore, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonio Limone
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'analisi e studio di correlazione tra ambiente, animale e uomo. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Luigi Atripaldi
- UOC Microbiologia e Virologia, P.O. Cotugno A.O. dei Colli, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,SSM School for Advanced Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Davide Cacchiarelli
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Armenise/Harvard Laboratory of Integrative Genomics, Pozzuoli, Italy. .,Department of Translational Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. .,SSM School for Advanced Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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21
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Carannante N, Tiberio C, Bellopede R, Liguori M, Di Martino F, Maturo N, Di Sarno R, Scarica S, Fusco G, Cardillo L, de Martinis C, Atripaldi L, Perrella A. Monkeypox Clinical Features and Differential Diagnosis: First Case in Campania Region. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080869. [PMID: 36014990 PMCID: PMC9414193 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As of 15 June, there have been, globally, a total of 2103 laboratory-confirmed cases and one probable case of Monkeypox, including one death. We report two cases of vesicular infectious diseases, one of those is the first case of Monkeypox in the Campania Region. The report, therefore, highlights a recrudescent infection disease that could represent a challenge in differential diagnosis with other vesicular infectious diseases such as Varicella Zoster Virus, during a pandemic season that does not seem to end. Indeed, varicella should be carefullu considered in differential diagnosis according to its vesicular or pustular rash to have a prompt diagnosis and public health response in case of monkeypox infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Novella Carannante
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Claudia Tiberio
- Virology Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Bellopede
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Michela Liguori
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Filomena Di Martino
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Nicola Maturo
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Raffaele Di Sarno
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sabrina Scarica
- Emergency Room Infection Disease Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (N.C.); (R.B.); (M.L.); (F.D.M.); (N.M.); (R.D.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno via Salute, 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (L.C.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno via Salute, 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (L.C.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno via Salute, 2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (G.F.); (L.C.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Luigi Atripaldi
- Pathology Central Laboratory Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naple, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Perrella
- First Division Emergency Infectious Disease and High Contagiousness Cotugno Hospital AORN dei Colli, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence:
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22
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de Martinis C, Cardillo L, Esposito C, Viscardi M, Barca L, Cavallo S, D'Alessio N, Martella V, Fusco G. First identification of bovine hepacivirus in wild boars. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11678. [PMID: 35804025 PMCID: PMC9270363 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15928-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in humans. Humans were long considered the only hosts of Hepacivirus. Recently HCV-like sequences have been found in several animal species. Hepaciviruses are considered species-specific but a wider host range and a zoonotic role has been hypothesized. We report the first detection of bovine hepacivirus (BovHepV) sequences in wild boars. A total of 310 wild boars hunted in Campania region were investigated with a pan-hepacivirus nested-PCR protocol for the NS3 gene. Hepacivirus RNA was detected in 5.8% of the animals. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed high homology with BovHepV subtype F, with nucleotide identity of 99%. The positive wild boars were georeferenced, revealing high density of livestock farms, with no clear distinction between animal husbandry and hunting areas. These findings might suggest the ability of BovHepV to cross the host-species barrier and infect wild boars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio de Martinis
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Claudia Esposito
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorella Barca
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Calabria Section, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Stefania Cavallo
- Department of Epidemiologic and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Aldo Moro" University, Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 80055, Portici, Naples, Italy
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23
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Dakroub H, Russo D, Cistrone L, Serra F, Fusco G, De Carlo E, Amoroso MG. A First Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Bats of Central-Southern Italy. Pathogens 2022; 11:742. [PMID: 35889988 PMCID: PMC9319265 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11070742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
One serious concern associated with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is that the virus might spill back from humans to wildlife, which would render some animal species reservoirs of the human virus. We assessed the potential circulation of SARS-CoV-2 caused by reverse infection from humans to bats, by performing bat surveillance from different sites in Central-Southern Italy. We restricted our survey to sampling techniques that are minimally invasive and can therefore be broadly applied by non-medical operators such as bat workers. We collected 240 droppings or saliva from 129 bats and tested them using specific and general primers for SARS-CoV-2 and coronaviruses, respectively. All samples (127 nasal swabs and 113 faecal droppings) were negative for SARS-CoV-2, and these results were confirmed by testing the samples with the Droplet Digital PCR. Additionally, pancoronavirus end-point RT-PCR was performed, and no sample showed specific bands. This outcome is a first step towards a better understanding of the reverse transmission of this virus to bats. Although the occurrence of a reverse zoonotic pattern can only be fully established by serological testing, the latter might represent an in-depth follow-up to a broad-scale preliminary assessment performed with our approach. We encourage the systematic surveillance of bats to help prevent reverse zoonotic episodes that would jeopardize human health, as well as biodiversity conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiba Dakroub
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; (H.D.); (D.R.)
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute,2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (F.S.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Danilo Russo
- Wildlife Research Unit, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; (H.D.); (D.R.)
| | - Luca Cistrone
- Forestry and Conservation, Via Botticelli, 14, 03043 Cassino, Italy;
| | - Francesco Serra
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute,2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (F.S.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute,2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (F.S.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute,2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (F.S.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Maria Grazia Amoroso
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute,2, 80055 Portici, Italy; (F.S.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
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24
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Fiorito F, Iovane V, Pagnini U, Cerracchio C, Brandi S, Levante M, Marati L, Ferrara G, Tammaro V, De Carlo E, Iovane G, Fusco G. First Description of Serological Evidence for SARS-CoV-2 in Lactating Cows. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12111459. [PMID: 35681922 PMCID: PMC9179237 DOI: 10.3390/ani12111459] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the agent of the disease that has caused a global pandemic, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Coronaviruses (CoVs) may emerge from wildlife hosts and infect humans and animals. Up to now, natural infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in several animals, but it has not been found in farm animals, such as buffaloes, goats, sheep, horses, rabbits, hens, pigs, or cows, despite contact with their SARS-CoV-2-positive human breeders. Furthermore, a low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in experimentally infected cattle with SARS-CoV-2. The unknown zoonotic potential of this virus is a cause of concern for pet owners and farmers. The limited data on cattle suggest that cattle show low susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and probably do not function as reservoirs. However, in areas with large cattle populations and a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans, close contact between livestock and farmworkers may cause reverse zoonotic infections in cattle, as has already been described for highly sensitive animal species, such as minks, cats, and dogs. Thus, studying the zoonotic characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 could help in the development of a strategy for virus detection and the control of viral dissemination. Abstract Following the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak in Ariano Irpino, Campania region (Italy), we tested lactating cows for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on a cattle farm at which, prior to the investigation, 13 of the 20 farmworkers showed COVID-19-like symptoms, and one of them died. Twenty-four lactating cows were sampled to detect SARS-CoV-2. All nasal and rectal swabs and milk samples were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Of the 24 collected serum samples, 11 showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, 14 showed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and 13 developed neutralising antibodies for SARS-COV-2; all samples were negative for Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV), another betacoronavirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural serological evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in lactating cows. We hypothesise that this may be a case of reverse zoonosis. However, the role of cattle in SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission seems to be negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Fiorito
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Valentina Iovane
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy;
| | - Ugo Pagnini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Claudia Cerracchio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Martina Levante
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Luisa Marati
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianmarco Ferrara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
| | - Virginio Tammaro
- Azienda Sanitaria Locale Avellino (Ariano Irpino), 83031 Avellino, Italy;
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (E.D.C.); (G.I.); Tel.: +39-0812536178 (E.D.C. & G.I.)
| | - Giuseppe Iovane
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy; (F.F.); (U.P.); (C.C.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (E.D.C.); (G.I.); Tel.: +39-0812536178 (E.D.C. & G.I.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy; (S.B.); (M.L.); (L.M.); (G.F.)
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Passariello M, Ferrucci V, Sasso E, Manna L, Lembo RR, Pascarella S, Fusco G, Zambrano N, Zollo M, De Lorenzo C. A Novel Human Neutralizing mAb Recognizes Delta, Gamma and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2 and Can Be Used in Combination with Sotrovimab. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5556. [PMID: 35628365 PMCID: PMC9146290 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The dramatic experience with SARS-CoV-2 has alerted the scientific community to be ready to face new epidemics/pandemics caused by new variants. Among the therapies against the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus, monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) targeting the Spike glycoprotein have represented good drugs to interfere in the Spike/ Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) interaction, preventing virus cell entry and subsequent infection, especially in patients with a defective immune system. We obtained, by an innovative phage display selection strategy, specific binders recognizing different epitopes of Spike. The novel human antibodies specifically bind to Spike-Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) in a nanomolar range and interfere in the interaction of Spike with the ACE-2 receptor. We report here that one of these mAbs, named D3, shows neutralizing activity for virus infection in cell cultures by different SARS-CoV-2 variants and retains the ability to recognize the Omicron-derived recombinant RBD differently from the antibodies Casirivimab or Imdevimab. Since anti-Spike mAbs, used individually, might be unable to block the virus cell entry especially in the case of resistant variants, we investigated the possibility to combine D3 with the antibody in clinical use Sotrovimab, and we found that they recognize distinct epitopes and show additive inhibitory effects on the interaction of Omicron-RBD with ACE-2 receptor. Thus, we propose to exploit these mAbs in combinatorial treatments to enhance their potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the current and future pandemic waves of coronavirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Passariello
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Sasso
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Manna
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Rapuano Lembo
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- European School of Molecular Medicine, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Department of Biochemical Sciences “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 332, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055 Portici Naples, Italy;
| | - Nicola Zambrano
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia De Lorenzo
- Ceinge—Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy; (M.P.); (V.F.); (E.S.); (L.M.); (R.R.L.); (N.Z.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Ricciardi S, Guarino AM, Giaquinto L, Polishchuk EV, Santoro M, Di Tullio G, Wilson C, Panariello F, Soares VC, Dias SSG, Santos JC, Souza TML, Fusco G, Viscardi M, Brandi S, Bozza PT, Polishchuk RS, Venditti R, De Matteis MA. The role of NSP6 in the biogenesis of the SARS-CoV-2 replication organelle. Nature 2022; 606:761-768. [PMID: 35551511 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04835-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, like other coronaviruses, builds a membrane-bound replication organelle (RO) to enable RNA replication1. The SARS-CoV-2 RO is composed of double membrane vesicles (DMVs) tethered to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by thin membrane connectors2, but the viral proteins and the host factors involved are currently unknown. Here we identify the viral non-structural proteins (NSPs) that generate the SARS-CoV-2 RO. NSP3 and NSP4 generate the DMVs while NSP6, through oligomerization and an amphipathic helix, zippers ER membranes and establishes the connectors. The NSP6ΔSGF mutant, which arose independently in the α, β, γ, η, ι, and λ variants of SARS-CoV-2, behaves as a gain-of-function mutant with a higher ER-zippering activity. We identified three main roles for NSP6: to act as a filter in RO-ER communication allowing lipid flow but restricting access of ER luminal proteins to the DMVs, to position and organize DMV clusters, and to mediate contact with lipid droplets (LDs) via the LD-tethering complex DFCP1-Rab18. NSP6 thus acts as an organizer of DMV clusters and can provide a selective track to refurbish them with LD-derived lipids. Importantly, both properly formed NSP6 connectors and LDs are required for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Our findings, uncovering the biological activity of NSP6 of SARS-CoV-2 and of other coronaviruses, have the potential to fuel the search for broad antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Ricciardi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy.,Dept. Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Laura Giaquinto
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy
| | - Elena V Polishchuk
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy
| | - Michele Santoro
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Tullio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy
| | - Cathal Wilson
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy
| | | | - Vinicius C Soares
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Programa de Imunologia e Inflamação, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Suelen S G Dias
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Julia C Santos
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Thiago M L Souza
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.,Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico em Saúde (CDTS) and National Institute for Science and Technology on Innovation on Diseases of Neglected Populations (INCT/IDNP), FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, (Naples), Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, (Naples), Italy
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, (Naples), Italy
| | - Patrícia T Bozza
- Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Roman S Polishchuk
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy.
| | - Rossella Venditti
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy. .,Dept. Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Antonietta De Matteis
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, TIGEM, Pozzuoli, (Naples), Italy. .,Dept. Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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27
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Fanelli A, Pellegrini F, Camero M, Catella C, Buonavoglia D, Fusco G, Martella V, Lanave G. Genetic Diversity of Porcine Circovirus Types 2 and 3 in Wild Boar in Italy. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12080953. [PMID: 35454199 PMCID: PMC9031215 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Porcine circoviruses (PCVs) are major viral agents of farmed swine, causing relevant economic impact due to direct losses and control measures expenses. Wild boar may serve as a PCVs reservoir for the domestic pigs, thus threatening for production efficiency in pig farms. PCV infection in both domestic pigs and wild boar has been chiefly studied in Northern Italy, a densely populated area with a highly developed pork industry. However, data on circulation of PCV are scarce in other Italian areas. For the above reasons, along with the increasing sanitary relevance of wildlife as host of many livestock diseases, we carried out an epidemiological study to assess the prevalence and genetic characteristics of the PCVs circulating in wild boar in Basilicata region (Southern Italy), characterized by large forested areas with limited anthropic presence. A high prevalence was detected, suggesting that PCVs infection is endemic in the study population. These findings are of particular interest as the pig production system of the study area involves local breeds raised outdoor for the production of high-quality cured meat, thus having a high risk of being in contact with infected wild boar. Abstract Porcine circovirus (PCV) infection is associated with relevant economic impact to the pig industry. To date, four species of PCV (PCV1 to 4) have been identified but only PCV2 has been associated firmly with disease in pigs. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of PCV2 and PCV3 in the wild boar population in Basilicata region, Southern Italy, since this region is characterized by large forested and rural areas and the anthropic pressure is lower than in other Italian regions. Liver samples from 82 hunted wild boar were collected in 2021 from 3 different hunting districts. Sixty (73%, 95%CI: 63–82) samples tested positive for PCVs by quantitative PCR. In detail, 22 (27%, 95%CI: 18–37) were positive for PCV2, 58 (71%, 95%CI: 60–79) for PCV3, and 20 (24.4%, 95%CI 16–35) for both PCV2 and PCV3. On genome sequencing, different types and sub-types of PCV2 and PCV3 were identified, remarking a genetic diversity and hinting to a global circulation for the identified PCV strains. Overall, the high prevalence suggests that PCV2 and PCV3 infections are endemic in the wild boar population, posing risks for semi-intensive and free-range pig farming, typical of this region, due to contact with PCV-infected wild boar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (G.L.)
| | - Francesco Pellegrini
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Domenico Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, NA, Italy;
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, BA, Italy; (F.P.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.F.); (G.L.)
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28
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Cicchitto G, Cardillo L, de Martinis C, Sabatini P, Marchitiello R, Abate G, Rovetti A, Cavallera A, Apuzzo C, Ferrigno F, Fusco G. Effects of Casirivimab/Imdevimab Monoclonal Antibody Treatment among Vaccinated Patients Infected by SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030650. [PMID: 35337057 PMCID: PMC8950724 DOI: 10.3390/v14030650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) in the early stages of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to prevent disease progression. Little is known about the efficacy of mAbs against the delta variant of concern and its clinical presentations. We evaluated the effect of casirivimab/imdevimab treatment among five delta vaccine breakthrough patients. Symptomatic non-hospitalized vaccinated patients were submitted to nasopharyngeal swabs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). Blood analysis and chest Computed Tomography were also performed. A cocktail of casirivimab/imdevimab was administrated, and patients were monitored weekly. Clinical evolution was evaluated by the regression of the symptoms, negative results by real-time RT-PCR, and by the need of hospitalization: these aspects were considered as significant outcomes. In four cases, symptom reversion and viral load reduction were observed within 2 days and 7 days after mAbs treatment, respectively. Only one case, suffering from thymoma, was hospitalized 2 days later because of respiratory failure, which reverted within 18 days. mAbs treatment seems to be safe and effective against the delta variant and its clinical manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Cicchitto
- Department of Pneumology, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy; (C.d.M.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0817865509
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy; (C.d.M.); (G.F.)
| | - Paola Sabatini
- Unit of Virology and Microbiology, “Umberto I” Hospital, 84014 Nocera Inferiore, Salerno, Italy;
| | - Rosita Marchitiello
- Unit of Clinical Pathology Laboratory, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (R.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Giovanna Abate
- Unit of Clinical Pathology Laboratory, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (R.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Adele Rovetti
- Unit of Clinical Pathology Laboratory, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (R.M.); (G.A.); (A.R.)
| | - Antonietta Cavallera
- Department of Radiology, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (A.C.); (C.A.)
| | - Camillo Apuzzo
- Department of Radiology, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (A.C.); (C.A.)
| | - Francesco Ferrigno
- Department of Pneumology, COVID-19 Hospital “M. Scarlato”, 84018 Scafati, Salerno, Italy; (G.C.); (F.F.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy; (C.d.M.); (G.F.)
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Altomare D, Fusco G, Bertolino E, Ranieri R, Sconza C, Lipina M, Kon E, Marcacci M, Bianchini L, Di Matteo B. Evidence-based treatment choices for acute lateral ankle sprain: a comprehensive systematic review. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2022; 26:1876-1884. [PMID: 35363336 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lateral ankle sprains are very common injuries that can be treated with different strategies. The aim of the present systematic review was to provide a comprehensive analysis on the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains to clarify the possible differences in outcome between surgical and conservative management, different external supports, and different rehabilitation protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search on three different topics was carried out on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases on June 25th, 2021. The main objective of the literature search was to identify the randomized trials comparing: (1) surgery to conservative management, (2) different external supports, and (3) different rehabilitation protocols for the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains. Two investigators extracted independently relevant data from each paper and assessed the quality of the trials using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment. RESULTS A total of 12 studies for the first topic, 8 for the second one and 4 for the last one were included in this review. 8 out of 12 RCTs demonstrated a superior outcome and better socio-economic impact of conservative treatment compared to surgical management. In the other two comparisons, due to the wide variety of braces used and the different rehabilitation protocols, inconclusive results were obtained. CONCLUSIONS Conservative treatment should be the first choice for severe acute lateral ankle sprains, as it provides satisfactory functional outcomes without the risks and costs of surgery. It was not possible to identify the best external support, but a preference toward flexible braces emerged since they allow an earlier return to daily activities. The paucity of studies comparing different rehabilitation protocols precluded the possibility of defining the ideal one.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Altomare
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy.
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Prisco F, De Biase D, Baldassarre V, Piegari G, Monné Rodríguez J, Cardillo L, Fusco G, Santoro P, Kipar A, Paciello O. Inflammatory Myopathy and Myocarditis Associated with Natural Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-Infection in Cats. J Comp Pathol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Cardillo L, de Martinis C, Brandi S, Levante M, Cozzolino L, Spadari L, Boccia F, Carbone C, Pompameo M, Fusco G. SARS-CoV-2 Serological and Biomolecular Analyses among Companion Animals in Campania Region (2020–2021). Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020263. [PMID: 35208718 PMCID: PMC8879797 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The first reports of SARS-CoV-2 among domestic and wild animals, together with the rapid emergence of new variants, have created serious concerns regarding a possible spillback from animal hosts, which could accelerate the evolution of new viral strains. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both owned and stray pets. A total of 182 dogs and 313 cats were tested for SARS-CoV-2. Specimens collected among owned and stray pets were subjected to RT-PCR and serological examinations. No viral RNA was detected, while anti-N antibodies were observed in six animals (1.3%), one dog (0.8%) and five cats (1.7%). Animals’ background revealed that owned cats, living with owners with COVID-19, showed significantly different prevalence compared to stray ones (p = 0.0067), while no difference was found among dogs. Among the seropositive pets, three owned cats also showed moderate neutralizing antibody titers. Pets and other species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection because of the spike affinity towards their ACE2 cellular receptor. Nevertheless, the risk of retransmission remains unclear since pet-to-human transmission has never been described. Due to the virus’ high mutation rate, new reservoirs cannot be excluded; thus, it is reasonable to test pets, mostly if living in households affected by COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (L.C.); (M.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (L.C.); (M.L.); (L.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0817865509
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (S.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Martina Levante
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (L.C.); (M.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Loredana Cozzolino
- Unit of Exotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (L.C.); (M.L.); (L.C.)
| | - Luisa Spadari
- Unit of Serology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Federica Boccia
- Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), Napoli 3 Sud, 80100 Naples, Italy; (F.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Carmine Carbone
- Unit of Animal Health, Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), Napoli 3 Sud, 80100 Naples, Italy; (F.B.); (C.C.)
| | - Marina Pompameo
- Unit of Animal Health “Presidio Ospedaliero Veterinario”, Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), Napoli 1 Centro, 80100 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (S.B.); (G.F.)
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Mencattelli G, Iapaolo F, Monaco F, Fusco G, de Martinis C, Portanti O, Di Gennaro A, Curini V, Polci A, Berjaoui S, Di Felice E, Rosà R, Rizzoli A, Savini G. West Nile Virus Lineage 1 in Italy: Newly Introduced or a Re-Occurrence of a Previously Circulating Strain? Viruses 2021; 14:v14010064. [PMID: 35062268 PMCID: PMC8780300 DOI: 10.3390/v14010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Italy, West Nile virus (WNV) appeared for the first time in the Tuscany region in 1998. After 10 years of absence, it re-appeared in the areas surrounding the Po River delta, affecting eight provinces in three regions. Thereafter, WNV epidemics caused by genetically divergent isolates have been documented every year in the country. Since 2018, only WNV Lineage 2 has been reported in the Italian territory. In October 2020, WNV Lineage 1 (WNV-L1) re-emerged in Italy, in the Campania region. This is the first occurrence of WNV-L1 detection in the Italian territory since 2017. WNV was detected in the internal organs of a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) and a kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). The RNA extracted in the goshawk tissue samples was sequenced, and a Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was performed by a maximum-likelihood tree. Genome analysis, conducted on the goshawk WNV complete genome sequence, indicates that the strain belongs to the WNV-L1 Western-Mediterranean (WMed) cluster. Moreover, a close phylogenetic similarity is observed between the goshawk strain, the 2008-2011 group of Italian sequences, and European strains belonging to the Wmed cluster. Our results evidence the possibility of both a new re-introduction or unnoticed silent circulation in Italy, and the strong importance of keeping the WNV surveillance system in the Italian territory active.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Mencattelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
- Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38098 Trento, Italy;
- Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all’Adige, 38098 Trento, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Federica Iapaolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Federica Monaco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Napoli, Italy; (G.F.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Napoli, Italy; (G.F.); (C.d.M.)
| | - Ottavio Portanti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Annapia Di Gennaro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Valentina Curini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Andrea Polci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Elisabetta Di Felice
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
| | - Roberto Rosà
- Center Agriculture Food Environment, University of Trento, 38098 Trento, Italy;
| | | | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (F.I.); (F.M.); (O.P.); (A.D.G.); (V.C.); (A.P.); (S.B.); (E.D.F.); (G.S.)
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Capozza P, Martella V, Lanave G, Catella C, Diakoudi G, Beikpour F, Camero M, Di Martino B, Fusco G, Balestrieri A, Campanile G, Banyai K, Buonavoglia C. An outbreak of neonatal enteritis in buffalo calves associated with astrovirus. J Vet Sci 2021; 22:e84. [PMID: 34854267 PMCID: PMC8636656 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2021.22.e84] [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: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Enteritis of an infectious origin is a major cause of productivity and economic losses to cattle producers worldwide. Several pathogens are believed to cause or contribute to the development of calf diarrhea. Astroviruses (AstVs) are neglected enteric pathogens in ruminants, but they have recently gained attention because of their possible association with encephalitis in humans and various animal species, including cattle. Objectives This paper describes a large outbreak of neonatal diarrhea in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis), characterized by high mortality, which was associated with an AstV infection. Methods Following an enteritis outbreak characterized by high morbidity (100%) and mortality (46.2%) in a herd of Mediterranean buffaloes (B. bubalis) in Italy, 16 samples from buffalo calves were tested with the molecular tools for common and uncommon enteric pathogens, including AstV, kobuvirus, and torovirus. Results The samples tested negative for common enteric viral agents, including Rotavirus A, coronavirus, calicivirus, pestivirus, kobuvirus, and torovirus, while they tested positive for AstV. Overall, 62.5% (10/16) of the samples were positive in a single round reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for AstV, and 100% (16/16) were positive when nested PCR was performed. The strains identified in the outbreak showed a clonal origin and shared the closest genetic relationship with bovine AstVs (up to 85% amino acid identity in the capsid). Conclusions This report indicates that AstVs should be included in a differential diagnosis of infectious diarrhea in buffalo calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Capozza
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy.
| | - Cristiana Catella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - Georgia Diakoudi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - Farzad Beikpour
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - Barbara Di Martino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo 64100, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Anna Balestrieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici 80055, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples, Naples 80137, Italy
| | - Krisztian Banyai
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest 1143, Hungary
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano 70010, Italy
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Fiorito F, Di Concilio D, Lambiase S, Amoroso MG, Langellotti AL, Martello A, Esposito M, Galiero G, Fusco G. Oyster Crassostrea gigas, a good model for correlating viral and chemical contamination in the marine environment. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 172:112825. [PMID: 34388447 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To establish a relationship between viruses and chemicals, they were analysed in oyster Crassostrea gigas from an Italian experimental station. The chemicals concentrations were: Σ6 NDL-PCBs 0.82-7.12 ng g-1; BaP LOQ (<0.2 μg kg-1) to 1.2 μg kg-1; PAH4 LOQ (<0.2 μg kg-1) to 9.8 μg kg-1; Cd 0.073-0.365 mg kg-1; Pb 0.010-0.487 mg kg-1; and Hg < LOQ (0.089 mg kg-1). The viruses identified included: noroviruses (NoVGI/GII), astrovirus (AsV), rotavirus (RV), adenovirus (AdV), and sapovirus (SaV), while hepatitis A, hepatitis E, and Aichi viruses were not detected. Significant correlations were observed for NDL-PCBs with NoVGI, NoVGII, and AdV; BaP and PAH4 with NoVGI and AsV; Cd with RV; Pb with NoVGI and AsV; PAHs with Pb; AsV with NoVGI; and AdV with NoVGII. The study indicated as C. gigas is a model for correlating pollutants and foodborne viruses, whose co-presence may represent an additional food safety risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Fiorito
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Denise Di Concilio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Lambiase
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Antonio L Langellotti
- Centro di Ateneo per l'Innovazione e lo Sviluppo dell'Industria Alimentare (CAISIAL), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Martello
- Centro di Ateneo per l'Innovazione e lo Sviluppo dell'Industria Alimentare (CAISIAL), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Mauro Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy; Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l'Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
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Paparo L, Bruno C, Ferrucci V, Punto E, Viscardi M, Fusco G, Cerino P, Romano A, Zollo M, Berni Canani R. Protective effects elicited by cow milk fermented with L. Paracasei CBAL74 against SARS-CoV-2 infection in human enterocytes. J Funct Foods 2021; 87:104787. [PMID: 34630633 PMCID: PMC8491972 DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fermented foods have been proposed in limiting SARS-CoV-2 infection. Emerging evidence suggest the efficacy of cow's milk fermented with the probiotic L. paracasei CBAL74 (FM-CBAL74) in preventing infectious diseases. We evaluated the protective action of FM-CBAL74 against SARS-CoV-2 infection in human enterocytes. Relevant aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection were assessed: infectivity, host functional receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression (IL-6, IL-15, IL-1β, VEGFβ, TNF-α, MCP-1, CXCL1). Pre-incubation with FM-CBA L74 reduced the number of infected cells. The expression of ACE2 and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, VEGFβ, IL-15, IL-1β was downregulated by the pre-treatment with this fermented food. No effect on TMPRSS2, MCP-1, TNF-α and CXCL1 expression was observed. Modulating the crucial aspects of the infection, the fermented food FM-CBAL74 exerts a preventive action against SARS-CoV-2. These evidence could pave the way to innovative nutritional strategy to mitigate the COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Paparo
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Bruno
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Punto
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, AOU Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, AOU Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, AOU Azienda Ospedaliera, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Romano
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Zollo
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Berni Canani
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- CEINGE - Advanced Biotechnologies Research Center s.c.ar.l., University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- European Laboratory for the Investigation of Food-Induced Diseases, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- Task Force for Microbiome Studies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- Task Force for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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Santoro M, Viscardi M, Sgroi G, DʼAlessio N, Veneziano V, Pellicano R, Brunetti R, Fusco G. Correction to: Real-time PCR detection of Toxoplasma gondii in tissue samples of wild boars (Sus scrofa) from southern Italy reveals high prevalence and parasite load. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:526. [PMID: 34635166 PMCID: PMC8507209 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05004-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Santoro
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola DʼAlessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II", 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pellicano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Roberta Brunetti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055, Portici, Italy
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Palermo G, Rippa M, Conti Y, Vestri A, Castagna R, Fusco G, Suffredini E, Zhou J, Zyss J, De Luca A, Petti L. Plasmonic Metasurfaces Based on Pyramidal Nanoholes for High-Efficiency SERS Biosensing. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2021; 13:43715-43725. [PMID: 34469103 PMCID: PMC8447193 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
An inverted pyramidal metasurface was designed, fabricated, and studied at the nanoscale level for the development of a label-free pathogen detection on a chip platform that merges nanotechnology and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Based on the integration and synergy of these ingredients, a virus immunoassay was proposed as a relevant proof of concept for very sensitive detection of hepatitis A virus, for the first time to our best knowledge, in a very small volume (2 μL), without complex signal amplification, allowing to detect a minimal virus concentration of 13 pg/mL. The proposed work aims to develop a high-flux and high-accuracy surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) nanobiosensor for the detection of pathogens to provide an effective method for early and easy water monitoring, which can be fast and convenient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Palermo
- Department
of Physics, University of Calabria, Via
P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
- CNR
NANOTEC—Istituto di Nanotecnologia, UOS Cosenza, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Massimo Rippa
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems ”E. Caianiello”
CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Ylli Conti
- Department
of Physics, University of Calabria, Via
P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Ambra Vestri
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems ”E. Caianiello”
CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castagna
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems ”E. Caianiello”
CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department
of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary
Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department
of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary
Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanitá, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Jun Zhou
- Institute
of Photonics, Faculty of Science, Ningbo University, 315211 Ningbo, People’s Republic of China
| | - Joseph Zyss
- LUMIN Laboratory
(CNRS), Institut d’Alembert, Universitè Paris Saclay, 91190 Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Antonio De Luca
- Department
of Physics, University of Calabria, Via
P. Bucci, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
- CNR
NANOTEC—Istituto di Nanotecnologia, UOS Cosenza, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Lucia Petti
- Institute
of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems ”E. Caianiello”
CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
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38
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Cioffi B, Ianiro G, Iaccarino D, D'Apice F, Ferraro A, Race M, Spasiano D, Esposito E, Monini M, Serra F, Cozza D, Di Nocera F, De Maio L, Amoroso MG, De Carlo E, Fusco G. A potential risk assessment tool to monitor pathogens circulation in coastal waters. Environ Res 2021; 200:111748. [PMID: 34303676 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The present study reports data on a 20 months campaign monitoring enteric viruses (hepatitis A, norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, sapovirus, and aichivirus) and bacteria (Salmonella spp.) in seawater. The aim of this work was to assess the potential correlation among the presence of viruses/bacteria and different environmental factors like seasonality, water discharge sources (treated and untreated wastewater, mixed waters and raw water) as well as influence of the Italian lockdown measure against COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed different prevalence of the investigated viruses with values equal to 16 % for norovirus GI, 15.1 % for norovirus GII, followed by 13.8 % for astrovirus, and 13.3 % for sapovirus. Rotavirus was detected in the 8.4 % of samples and aichivirus was detected with the lowest prevalence of 3.5 %. Hepatitis A virus was never identified in the monitoring campaign. Salmonella spp. was detected with a prevalence of 36.6 %. Statistical analysis displayed a high correlation for the two noroviruses simultaneous detection (NGI and NGII) while a lower correlation was found for co-presence of noroviruses with astrovirus, sapovirus or Salmonella spp. A significant decrease of enteric pathogens in seawater was observed during the restrictions period. Results on seasonality highlighted a higher viral prevalence correlated to the wet season for all the pathogens but rotavirus and aichivirus, which instead showed an opposite trend and a higher incidence in the dry season. With respect to discharge typology, some viruses displayed a higher prevalence in treated waters (astrovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus and aichivirus) while the other investigated pathogens (noroviruses and Salmonella spp.) showed a higher prevalence in mixed waters. The main observations of this work were used to define a potential monitoring strategy that could be useful for sanitary Authorities to implement surveillance plans aimed at preventing possible sanitary outbreaks and/or environmental quality deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Cioffi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - G Ianiro
- Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - D Iaccarino
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - F D'Apice
- Sea Unit, ARPA Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - A Ferraro
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy.
| | - M Race
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via di Biasio 43, Cassino, 03043, Italy
| | - D Spasiano
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona 4, Bari, 70125, Italy
| | - E Esposito
- Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production Department, Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - M Monini
- Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - F Serra
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - D Cozza
- Department of Food Microbiology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - F Di Nocera
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - L De Maio
- Sea Unit, ARPA Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - M G Amoroso
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy.
| | - E De Carlo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
| | - G Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, NA, Italy
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39
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Amoroso MG, Di Concilio D, Langellotti AL, Martello A, Cioffi B, Suffredini E, Cozzi L, Russo V, Mauriello G, Di Pasquale S, Galiero G, Fusco G. Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Digital PCR to Evaluate Residual Quantity of HAV in Experimentally Depurated Mussels. Food Environ Virol 2021; 13:329-336. [PMID: 33730340 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-021-09470-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Kinetics of hepatitis A virus (HAV) accumulation and depuration from mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was studied in an experimental depuration system. Different parameters likely to influence the rate of virus accumulation and elimination were evaluated. Analyses were carried out by both real-time RT-qPCR and digital PCR. Results demonstrated that the animals start to concentrate the virus already after one hour and reach the maximum level of contamination in 6 h of experiment. With respect to depuration, HAV showed a rapid reduction of the concentration (89%) during the first 24-48 h of experiment and a very slow virus decrement in the following days with a 1% residual RNA at the ninth day of depuration. When process parameters likely to increase the depuration rate (presence of ozone, microalgal feeding, presence of lactic bacteria, pre-treatment with digestive enzymes) were tested, no significant differences in the kinetics were observed. Only treatment with pancreatin seemed to positively affect depuration in the first two days of the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Amoroso
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic and Experimental Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute n. 2, Portici (Naples), Italy.
| | - Denise Di Concilio
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic and Experimental Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute n. 2, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Antonio Luca Langellotti
- CAISIAL-Aquaculture division, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università n.133, Portici (Naples), Italy.
| | - Anna Martello
- CAISIAL-Aquaculture division, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università n.133, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Barbara Cioffi
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic and Experimental Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute n. 2, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Dipartimento Di Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Nutrizione E Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rep. Sicurezza Alimentare E Malattie Trasmesse Dagli Alimenti, Viale Regina Elena n. 299, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cozzi
- Dipartimento Di Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Nutrizione E Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rep. Sicurezza Alimentare E Malattie Trasmesse Dagli Alimenti, Viale Regina Elena n. 299, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Russo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Delpino n. 2, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Mauriello
- Department of Agriculture, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università n.133, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Di Pasquale
- Dipartimento Di Sicurezza Alimentare, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Nutrizione E Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Rep. Sicurezza Alimentare E Malattie Trasmesse Dagli Alimenti, Viale Regina Elena n. 299, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic and Experimental Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute n. 2, Portici (Naples), Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Zooprofilactic and Experimental Institute of Southern Italy, Via Salute n. 2, Portici (Naples), Italy
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40
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Ferrucci V, Kong DY, Asadzadeh F, Marrone L, Boccia A, Siciliano R, Criscuolo G, Anastasio C, Quarantelli F, Comegna M, Pisano I, Passariello M, Iacobucci I, Monica RD, Izzo B, Cerino P, Fusco G, Viscardi M, Brandi S, Pierri BM, Borriello G, Tiberio C, Atripaldi L, Bianchi M, Paolella G, Capoluongo E, Castaldo G, Chiariotti L, Monti M, De Lorenzo C, Yun KS, Pascarella S, Cheong JH, Kim HY, Zollo M. Long-chain polyphosphates impair SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/690/eabe5040. [PMID: 34230209 PMCID: PMC8432949 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abe5040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Long-chain, inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs), which are found in many cells in the blood, have cytoprotective and antiviral activities, particularly against HIV-1 infection. Ferrucci et al. tested the effects of polyPs of various lengths on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in vitro. Molecular docking and binding analyses showed that polyPs bound to the host receptor ACE2, which facilitates viral entry, and a viral RNA polymerase required for replication. Both proteins underwent proteasomal degradation in cells incubated with polyP120, the optimal species tested, resulting in inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and a reduced inflammatory response. Given that polyPs have low toxicity, these results suggest that their potential therapeutic use should be further explored. Inorganic polyphosphates (polyPs) are linear polymers composed of repeated phosphate (PO43−) units linked together by multiple high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds. In addition to being a source of energy, polyPs have cytoprotective and antiviral activities. Here, we investigated the antiviral activities of long-chain polyPs against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In molecular docking analyses, polyPs interacted with several conserved amino acid residues in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the host receptor that facilitates virus entry, and in viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). ELISA and limited proteolysis assays using nano– LC-MS/MS mapped polyP120 binding to ACE2, and site-directed mutagenesis confirmed interactions between ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and identified the specific amino acid residues involved. PolyP120 enhanced the proteasomal degradation of both ACE2 and RdRp, thus impairing replication of the British B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant. We thus tested polyPs for functional interactions with the virus in SARS-CoV-2–infected Vero E6 and Caco2 cells and in primary human nasal epithelial cells. Delivery of a nebulized form of polyP120 reduced the amounts of viral positive-sense genomic and subgenomic RNAs, of RNA transcripts encoding proinflammatory cytokines, and of viral structural proteins, thereby presenting SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Ferrucci
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Dae-Young Kong
- Ginxen Co., Ltd., 2F, Daewoong Building, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Laura Marrone
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Angelo Boccia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Criscuolo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | | | | | - Marika Comegna
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ida Pisano
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy
| | - Margherita Passariello
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ilaria Iacobucci
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Department of Chemical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via Cinthia 4, Naples 80125, Italy
| | | | - Barbara Izzo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples 80055, Italy
| | | | - Giorgia Borriello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples 80055, Italy
| | - Claudia Tiberio
- U.O.C. di Patologia Clinica Ospedale D. Cotugno, Azienda Sanitaria Ospedali dei Colli, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Luigi Atripaldi
- U.O.C. di Patologia Clinica Ospedale D. Cotugno, Azienda Sanitaria Ospedali dei Colli, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Martina Bianchi
- Sapienza Università di Roma, Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Giovanni Paolella
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ettore Capoluongo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, AOU Azienda Ospedaliera "Federico II", Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Chiariotti
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Maria Monti
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Department of Chemical Sciences, University "Federico II", Via Cinthia 4, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Claudia De Lorenzo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy.,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Kyong-Seop Yun
- HaimBio Co. Ltd, Industrial Park, Korea University, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Stefano Pascarella
- Sapienza Università di Roma, Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Jae-Ho Cheong
- Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Hong-Yeoul Kim
- Ginxen Co., Ltd., 2F, Daewoong Building, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea. .,HaimBio Co. Ltd, Industrial Park, Korea University, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Massimo Zollo
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate, Naples 80145, Italy. .,Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche (DMMBM), "Federico II" University of Naples, Naples 80131, Italy.,DAI Medicina di Laboratorio e Trasfusionale, AOU Azienda Ospedaliera "Federico II", Naples 80131, Italy
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41
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Cardillo L, de Martinis C, Viscardi M, Esposito C, Sannino E, Lucibelli G, Limone A, Pellino S, Anastasio R, Pellicanò R, Baldi L, Galiero G, Fusco G. SARS-CoV-2 quantitative real time PCR and viral loads analysis among asymptomatic and symptomatic patients: an observational study on an outbreak in two nursing facilities in Campania Region (Southern Italy). Infect Agent Cancer 2021. [PMID: 34158108 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-139370/v1] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In December 2019 an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 was first observed in Wuhan, China. The virus has spread rapidly throughout the world creating a pandemic scenario. Several risk factors have been identified, such as age, sex, concomitant diseases as well as viral load. A key point is the role of asymptomatic people in spreading SARS-CoV-2. An observational study in Southern Italy was conducted in order to elucidate the possible role of asymptomatic individuals related to their viral loads in the transmission of the virus within two nursing facilities. METHODS Oro-nasopharyngeal swabs from 179 nursing health care workers and patients were collected. SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR was performed and viral loads were calculated by using standard curve. A statistical correlation between viral loads, the presence/absence of symptoms, age and sex variables was investigated. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in the 50.8 % (n = 91) of the cases. Median age of positive individuals resulted higher than negative ones. Over 65 year as well as female individuals showed higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, OR = 3.93 and 2.86, respectively. Among 91 tested positive, the 70.3 % was symptomatic while the 29.7 % was asymptomatic. Median viral loads of asymptomatic individuals were found statistically significant higher than symptomatic ones (p = 0.001), while no influence was observed in age and sex variables. The presence of comorbidities was 8.9 folds higher in patients who showed and developed symptoms compared to non-symptomatic ones. Moreover, higher viral loads were found in patients who remained asymptomatic than pre-symptomatic (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS A range from 9.2 to 69 % of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases remains asymptomatic, moreover, sporadic transmissions from asymptomatic people are reported, that makes their involvement an important issue to take into account in the spreading control of the virus. An asymptomatic clinical course was observed in the 29.7 % of positive individuals, moreover, median viral loads resulted to be statistically significant when compared to symptomatic ones. Surely, such a relevant frequency should not be ignored in relation to the spread of the disease in an environment which has not only important intrinsic (age, sex, concomitant diseases) but also extrinsic factors such as high population density and close contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Cardillo
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Esposito
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Sannino
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Applied Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lucibelli
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Biomolecular Diagnostics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Limone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Pellino
- Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Benevento, Benevento, Italy
| | - Rosa Anastasio
- Residential and Nursing Home Madonna dell'Arco, Sant'Anastasia, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pellicanò
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Baldi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
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42
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Cardillo L, de Martinis C, Viscardi M, Esposito C, Sannino E, Lucibelli G, Limone A, Pellino S, Anastasio R, Pellicanò R, Baldi L, Galiero G, Fusco G. SARS-CoV-2 quantitative real time PCR and viral loads analysis among asymptomatic and symptomatic patients: an observational study on an outbreak in two nursing facilities in Campania Region (Southern Italy). Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:45. [PMID: 34158108 PMCID: PMC8218569 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00388-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In December 2019 an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 was first observed in Wuhan, China. The virus has spread rapidly throughout the world creating a pandemic scenario. Several risk factors have been identified, such as age, sex, concomitant diseases as well as viral load. A key point is the role of asymptomatic people in spreading SARS-CoV-2. An observational study in Southern Italy was conducted in order to elucidate the possible role of asymptomatic individuals related to their viral loads in the transmission of the virus within two nursing facilities. METHODS Oro-nasopharyngeal swabs from 179 nursing health care workers and patients were collected. SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR was performed and viral loads were calculated by using standard curve. A statistical correlation between viral loads, the presence/absence of symptoms, age and sex variables was investigated. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed in the 50.8 % (n = 91) of the cases. Median age of positive individuals resulted higher than negative ones. Over 65 year as well as female individuals showed higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, OR = 3.93 and 2.86, respectively. Among 91 tested positive, the 70.3 % was symptomatic while the 29.7 % was asymptomatic. Median viral loads of asymptomatic individuals were found statistically significant higher than symptomatic ones (p = 0.001), while no influence was observed in age and sex variables. The presence of comorbidities was 8.9 folds higher in patients who showed and developed symptoms compared to non-symptomatic ones. Moreover, higher viral loads were found in patients who remained asymptomatic than pre-symptomatic (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS A range from 9.2 to 69 % of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases remains asymptomatic, moreover, sporadic transmissions from asymptomatic people are reported, that makes their involvement an important issue to take into account in the spreading control of the virus. An asymptomatic clinical course was observed in the 29.7 % of positive individuals, moreover, median viral loads resulted to be statistically significant when compared to symptomatic ones. Surely, such a relevant frequency should not be ignored in relation to the spread of the disease in an environment which has not only important intrinsic (age, sex, concomitant diseases) but also extrinsic factors such as high population density and close contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Cardillo
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio de Martinis
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Esposito
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Sannino
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Applied Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Lucibelli
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Biomolecular Diagnostics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Limone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Pellino
- Department of Prevention, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) Benevento, Benevento, Italy
| | - Rosa Anastasio
- Residential and Nursing Home Madonna dell'Arco, Sant'Anastasia, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Pellicanò
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Baldi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistic Regional Observatory (OREB), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, 8055, Portici, Naples, Italy
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Vangone L, Cardillo L, Riccardi MG, Borriello G, Cerrone A, Coppa P, Scialla R, Sannino E, Miletti G, Galiero G, Fusco G. Mycobacterium tuberculosis SIT42 Infection in an Abused Dog in Southern Italy. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:653360. [PMID: 34239909 PMCID: PMC8258403 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.653360] [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: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
A case of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is described in a dead adult male dog in Southern Italy. The carcass was found by the Health Authority in a gypsy encampment. It was admitted to our forensic veterinary medicine unit, with a suspicion of cruelty to the animal. Necropsy showed beating and traumatism signs, and mistreating was confirmed. Gross lesions included multiple nodular hepatic lesions, hemorrhagic enteritis with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, body cavity effusions, and an adrenal neoplasm. Bacteriological and molecular analyses were carried out on the liver lesions that enabled to identify M. tuberculosis SIT42 (LAM9). Drug-resistance patterns were evaluated by screening mutations on the rpoB and katG genes that showed susceptibility to both rifampin and isoniazid, respectively. Very few studies report canine tuberculosis, and little is known about the disease in Italy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of Mycobacterium tuberculosis SIT42 infection in a dog in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Vangone
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Anatomopathology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Marita Georgia Riccardi
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Applied Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Applied Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Cerrone
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Special Diagnostics and Fish Pathology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Coppa
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Special Diagnostics and Fish Pathology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Scialla
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Special Diagnostics and Fish Pathology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuela Sannino
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Applied Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Gianluca Miletti
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Anatomopathology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Unit of Virology, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
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Paradiso R, Borriello G, Bolletti Censi S, Salzano A, Cimmino R, Galiero G, Fusco G, De Carlo E, Campanile G. Different Non-Structural Carbohydrates/Crude Proteins (NCS/CP) Ratios in Diet Shape the Gastrointestinal Microbiota of Water Buffalo. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8060096. [PMID: 34073108 PMCID: PMC8229247 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8060096] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are crucial for host health and production efficiency in ruminants. Its microbial composition can be influenced by several endogenous and exogenous factors. In the beef and dairy industry, the possibility to manipulate gut microbiota by diet and management can have important health and economic implications. The aims of this study were to characterize the different GIT site microbiota in water buffalo and evaluate the influence of diet on GIT microbiota in this animal species. We characterized and compared the microbiota of the rumen, large intestine and feces of water buffaloes fed two different diets with different non-structural carbohydrates/crude proteins (NSC/CP) ratios. Our results indicated that Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla in all the GIT sites, with significant differences in microbiota composition between body sites both within and between groups. This result was particularly evident in the large intestine, where beta diversity analysis displayed clear clustering of samples depending on the diet. Moreover, we found a difference in diet digestibility linked to microbiota modification at the GIT level conditioned by NSC/CP levels. Diet strongly influences GIT microbiota and can therefore modulate specific GIT microorganisms able to affect the health status and performance efficiency of adult animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubina Paradiso
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (R.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (R.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | | | - Angela Salzano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0812536215
| | | | - Giorgio Galiero
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (R.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (R.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Esterina De Carlo
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, 80055 Portici, Italy; (R.P.); (G.B.); (G.G.); (G.F.); (E.D.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80137 Naples, Italy;
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45
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Passariello M, Gentile C, Ferrucci V, Sasso E, Vetrei C, Fusco G, Viscardi M, Brandi S, Cerino P, Zambrano N, Zollo M, De Lorenzo C. Novel human neutralizing mAbs specific for Spike-RBD of SARS-CoV-2. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11046. [PMID: 34040046 PMCID: PMC8155001 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90348-7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the therapies against the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus, monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) targeting the Spike glycoprotein represent good candidates to interfere in the Spike/ACE2 interaction, preventing virus cell entry. Since anti-spike mAbs, used individually, might be unable to block the virus entry in the case of resistant mutations, we designed an innovative strategy for the isolation of multiple novel human scFvs specific for the binding domain (RBD) of Spike. By panning a large phage display antibody library on immobilized RBD, we obtained specific binders by eluting with ACE2 in order to identify those scFvs recognizing the epitope of Spike interacting with its receptor. We converted the novel scFvs into full size IgG4, differently from the previously isolated IgG1 mAbs, to avoid unwanted potential side effects of IgG1 potent effector functions on immune system. The novel antibodies specifically bind to RBD in a nanomolar range and interfere in the interaction of Spike with ACE2 receptor, either used as purified protein or when expressed on cells in its native conformation. Furthermore, some of them have neutralizing activity for virus infection in cell cultures by using two different SARS-CoV-2 isolates including the highly contagious VOC 202012/01 variant and could become useful therapeutic tools to fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/genetics
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/metabolism
- Antibodies, Viral/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/metabolism
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/therapy
- Cells, Cultured
- Epitopes
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/metabolism
- Immunotherapy/methods
- Pandemics
- Protein Binding
- Protein Domains/genetics
- SARS-CoV-2/physiology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Passariello
- Ceinge - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Chiara Gentile
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Veronica Ferrucci
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Emanuele Sasso
- Ceinge - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Vetrei
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Viscardi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Brandi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici Naples, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Cerino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute 2, 80055, Portici Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Zambrano
- Ceinge - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Ceinge - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
| | - Claudia De Lorenzo
- Ceinge - Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c. a.r.l., Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131, Napoli, NA, Italy.
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46
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Hsu R, Brunet L, Fusco J, Beyer A, Prajapati G, Wyatt C, Wohlfeiler M, Fusco G. Risk of chronic kidney disease in people living with HIV by tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use and baseline D:A:D chronic kidney disease risk score. HIV Med 2021; 22:325-333. [PMID: 33247876 PMCID: PMC8246783 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use by baseline D:A:D CKD risk score. METHODS Adult antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve people living with HIV (PLWH) initiating treatment, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , were identified in the OPERA cohort. CKD was defined as two or more consecutive eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 , > 90 days apart. Associations between TDF use, baseline D:A:D CKD risk and incident CKD were assessed with incidence rates (IRs; Poisson regression) and adjusted pooled logistic regression. The impact of pharmacoenhancers on the observed association between TDF and CKD was also evaluated. RESULTS Of 9802 PLWH included, 6222 initiated TDF and 3580 did not (76% and 79% low D:A:D CKD risk, respectively). Overall, 125 CKD events occurred over 24 382 person-years of follow-up. Within strata of D:A:D CKD risk score, IRs were similar across TDF exposure, with high baseline CKD risk associated with highest incidence. Compared with the low-risk group without TDF, there was no statistical difference in odds of incident CKD in the low-risk group with TDF (adjusted odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.19-1.54). Odds of incident CKD did not differ statistically significantly by pharmacoenhancer exposure, with or without TDF. CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort of ART-naïve PLWH, incident CKD following ART initiation was infrequent and strongly associated with baseline CKD risk. TDF-containing regimens did not increase the odds of CKD in those with a low baseline D:A:D CKD risk, the largest group of ART-naïve PLWH, and may remain a viable treatment option in appropriate settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Hsu
- NYU Langone Health CenterNew YorkNYUSA
- AIDS Healthcare FoundationNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | | | - A Beyer
- Merck & Co., Inc.KenilworthNJUSA
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47
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Rippa M, Castagna R, Sagnelli D, Vestri A, Borriello G, Fusco G, Zhou J, Petti L. SERS Biosensor Based on Engineered 2D-Aperiodic Nanostructure for In-Situ Detection of Viable Brucella Bacterium in Complex Matrix. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:nano11040886. [PMID: 33807185 PMCID: PMC8067257 DOI: 10.3390/nano11040886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Brucella is a foodborne pathogen globally affecting both the economy and healthcare. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) nano-biosensing can be a promising strategy for its detection. We combined high-performance quasi-crystal patterned nanocavities for Raman enhancement with the use of covalently immobilized Tbilisi bacteriophages as high-performing bio-receptors. We coupled our efficient SERS nano-biosensor to a Raman system to develop an on-field phage-based bio-sensing platform capable of monitoring the target bacteria. The developed biosensor allowed us to identify Brucella abortus in milk by our portable SERS device. Upon bacterial capture from samples (104 cells), a signal related to the pathogen recognition was observed, proving the concrete applicability of our system for on-site and in-food detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Rippa
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello” of CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (R.C.); (D.S.); (G.F.)
| | - Riccardo Castagna
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello” of CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (R.C.); (D.S.); (G.F.)
| | - Domenico Sagnelli
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello” of CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (R.C.); (D.S.); (G.F.)
| | - Ambra Vestri
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello” of CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (R.C.); (D.S.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (L.P.)
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM), 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello” of CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (R.C.); (D.S.); (G.F.)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM), 80055 Portici, Italy;
| | - Jun Zhou
- Institute of Photonics, Faculty of Science, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China;
| | - Lucia Petti
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems “E. Caianiello” of CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy; (M.R.); (R.C.); (D.S.); (G.F.)
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (L.P.)
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48
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Esposito C, Cardillo L, Borriello G, Ascione G, Valvini O, Galiero G, Fusco G. First Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a Buffalo Aborted Foetus in Campania Region (Southern Italy). Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:571654. [PMID: 33644140 PMCID: PMC7902923 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.571654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is the causative agent of listeriosis in both animals and humans, representing one of the most severe food-borne diseases in humans. Out of 13 serotypes, only three (i.e., 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b) are responsible for 95% of human outbreaks of listeriosis. Ruminants have been hypothesised to represent the main natural reservoir for this pathogen and to be involved in the transmission of Listeria to humans. During pregnancy, listeriosis in ruminants cause various reproductive disorders as well as abortion. However, little is known about abortion due to LM in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). In this study, we report for the first time the detection of LM in a water buffalo foetus in the region of Campania, Italy. Complete necropsy was performed, and samples and swabs from the abomasum, kidneys, liver, lungs, and spleen were collected. Microbiological and molecular analyses were carried out to detect bacterial, viral, and protozoarian abortive pathogens. The results revealed the presence of LM in the liver, lungs, and abomasum, and no other agent was detected. Isolation was confirmed by biochemical and molecular tests. Molecular serotype characterisation was performed, and serogroup IVb was identified. In conclusion, because of the zoonotic implications of our findings, this report highlights the importance of including LM in the diagnostic panel in cases of bubaline abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Esposito
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorena Cardillo
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Unit of Applied Biotechnologies and Bioinformatics, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Grazia Ascione
- Unit of Special Diagnostics and Fish Pathology, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Ornella Valvini
- Unit of Special Diagnostics and Fish Pathology, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Scientific Director, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Unit of Virology, Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Naples, Italy
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49
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Viscardi M, Santoro M, Cozzolino L, Borriello G, Fusco G. A type II variant of Toxoplasma gondii infects the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in southern Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:874-880. [PMID: 33527733 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14012] [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: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is a widespread zoonosis capable to affect a wide range of warm-blooded vertebrates. In the past two decades, T. gondii emerged as a significant aquatic pathogen with some pathogenic atypical genotypes isolated and characterized from stranded marine mammals. In contrast, no information is available for mammals in freshwater environment. Although otters are considered highly susceptible to T. gondii infection, to date molecular evidence of T. gondii in Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) does not exist. We report the first molecular evidence of T. gondii in a free-ranging Eurasian otter from southern Italy and characterized the present strain as a genotype type II variant, with all loci type II except PK1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II variant B), B1 (locus sequence corresponding to type II/X A) and C29-2 (locus with SNPs). Our results indicate circulation of a type II variant in freshwater environment which suggests potential risk of transmission to animals and humans. The finding of a potential pathogenic strain is of great concern for future conservation programmes of the critically endangered Eurasian otter in southern Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Viscardi
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Loredana Cozzolino
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giorgia Borriello
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Department of Animal Health, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
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50
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Ndiana LA, Lanave G, Desario C, Berjaoui S, Alfano F, Puglia I, Fusco G, Colaianni ML, Vincifori G, Camarda A, Parisi A, Sgroi G, Elia G, Veneziano V, Buonavoglia C, Decaro N. Circulation of diverse protoparvoviruses in wild carnivores, Italy. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 68:2489-2502. [PMID: 33176056 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Protoparvovirus is a monophyletic viral genus that includes the species Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 infecting domestic and wild carnivores. In this paper, the results of an epidemiological survey for Carnivore protoparvovirus-1 in wild carnivores in Italy are reported. Overall, 34 (11.4%) out of 297 tested animals were positive for Carnivore protoparvovirus-1, but the frequency of detection was much higher in intestine (54%) than in spleen samples (2.8%), thus suggesting that the intestine is the best sample to collect from wild animals for parvovirus detection. Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) was detected in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (2.8%, 7/252) and Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) (10%, 1/10), whilst canine parvovirus (CPV) was found in wolves (54.3%, 19/35), Eurasian badgers (60%, 6/10) and one beech marten (Martes foina) (100%, 1/1), with more than one parvovirus type detected in some animals. Protoparvoviral DNA sequences from this study were found to be related to CPV/FPV strains detected in Asia and Europe, displaying some amino acid changes in the main capsid protein VP2 in comparison with other parvovirus strains from wildlife. In particular, the two most common mutations were Ile418Thr and Ala371Gly, which were observed in 6/12 (50%) and 5/12 (41.7%) of the CPV sequences from this study. Continuous surveillance for parvoviruses in wild carnivores and genetic analysis of the detected strains may help obtain new insight into the role of these animals in the evolution and epidemiology of carnivore parvoviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda A Ndiana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianvito Lanave
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Costantina Desario
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Shadia Berjaoui
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Flora Alfano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Ilaria Puglia
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Giacomo Vincifori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 'G. Caporale', Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonio Camarda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Parisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Puglia e Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sgroi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Elia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Veneziano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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