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Salvaggio A, Giunta RP, Percipalle M, Scalzo F, Marino AMF. Infection Due to Actinobacillus lignieresii in Cattle with Brain and Ocular Involvement: Histological and Microbiological Features. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10050311. [PMID: 37235394 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10050311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The actinobacillosis is rare and to date the biological profile of the agent is not yet fully understood. The knowledge about the possible hosts of the pathogen is incomplete and is generally only associated with granulomatous lesions in cattle and sheep. The primary organs involved are the mouth, tongue and pharynx. Human infection is extremely rare. Actinobacillus lignieresii is the causative agent of a rare bovine granulomatous disease known as "wooden tongue". In this research, we describe a case of cerebral and ocular metastatic diffusion of granuloma due to infection with Actinobacillus lignieresii in cattle, probably resulting from primary oral localization. Diagnosis was made using histopathological assay which made it possible to highlight the typical lesion of actinobacillosis, and bacteriological assay that allowed to isolate the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Salvaggio
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabrizio Scalzo
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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Castello A, Fazio E, Alfonzetti T, Giunta RP, Salvaggio A, Ferlazzo AM, Cravana C, Bruschetta G, Medica P, Marino AMF. Assessment of selected molecular factors and 17-β estradiol dosage in response to Toxoplasma gondii infection in swine. Vet World 2022; 15:1641-1649. [PMID: 36185508 PMCID: PMC9394144 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1641-1649] [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: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is a global zoonotic parasite infecting virtually all warm-blooded species, although a species-specific variability is evident referring to symptoms frame. Both the success of T. gondii and the outcome of infection depend on a delicate balance between host cellular pathways and the evasion or modulation strategies elicited by the parasite. The hormonal and molecular mechanisms involved in this delicate host-parasite balance are still unclear, especially when considering intermediate host species other than mouse. This study aimed to assess any correlation between T. gondii infection and selected molecular and hormonal factors involved in responses to infection in susceptible species such as swine. Moreover, blood counts and hematochemical assays (glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides dosage) were performed to evaluate the overall health condition of animals. Materials and Methods: Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies determination and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for T. gondii DNA detection. Target genes coding for key factors of cell responses to T. gondii infection were selected, and their transcription was assessed in various tissues by quantitative RT-PCR. 17-β estradiol concentrations were assessed by fluorimetric enzyme-linked immunoassay and the AIA-360 automated immunoassay analyzer. Blood count and hematochemical analyses were performed by a blood cell counter and a spectrophotometer, respectively. Results: The present research highlighted significant differences among infected and uninfected swine (control group) for both transcription profiles of some of the molecular factors considered and 17-β estradiol concentrations. Referring to the assessed hematological and biochemical parameters, no statistically significant differences were observed in infected swine compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our results contribute to the enrichment of data available about the subject and could be useful for a deeper knowledge of the interaction between this parasite and its hosts. However, more aspects are still unclear, such as the effective response of downstream molecules from the same pathways to the variation of factors observed in this study either assessing how the same factors respond to Toxoplasma gondii infection in other host speciesand further analyses should be performed on other host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Castello
- Department of Catania, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Esterina Fazio
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Tiziana Alfonzetti
- Department of Catania, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- Department of Catania, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Salvaggio
- Department of Catania, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Alida Maria Ferlazzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Cravana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bruschetta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Medica
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
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Gazzonis AL, Marino AMF, Garippa G, Rossi L, Mignone W, Dini V, Giunta RP, Luini M, Villa L, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in beef cattle raised in Italy: a multicenter study. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3893-3898. [PMID: 32920650 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06878-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis represents an important public health issue, with the consumption of raw or undercooked meat being a major way of human infection. The role of beef in the transmission of the parasite to humans is questioned due to lower quantity of tissue cysts compared with other meat-producing species. However, the habit of consuming raw beef is regionally diffused, and the risk posed by Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle should not be overlooked. Therefore, to update information on T. gondii in cattle reared in Italy, a multicentric seroepidemiological survey was designed and implemented in four Northern regions (Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Trentino Alto Adige) and Sardinia. Overall, a convenience sampling was performed, collecting 1444 serum samples from 57 beef cattle herds. Thirteen beef breeds were sampled, besides cross-breed; bovines age varied from 3 months to over 12 years. Sera were tested with a commercial ELISA for the detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies. Individual and herd data were analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. A T. gondii seroprevalence of 10.2% was recorded, with differences among regions and values ranging from 5.3% in Liguria to 18.6% in the Piedmont region (p value = 0.0001). Both young and adult animals and males and females tested positive, without any significant difference (age and gender: p value > 0.05). Lower seroprevalence values were recorded in cattle born in Italy (8.7%) if compared with animals imported from abroad (13.4%) (p value = 0.046). The spread of T. gondii in beef cattle destined to Italian consumers is confirmed, suggesting the need of continuous monitoring of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Maria Fausta Marino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Toxoplasmosi (Ce.Tox.), Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Garippa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Luca Rossi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Walter Mignone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Imperia Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Imperia, Italy
| | - Valter Dini
- Health Veterinary Service, A.S.L. Savonese 2, Savona, Italy
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Centro di Referenza Nazionale per la Toxoplasmosi (Ce.Tox.), Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Luini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna, Lodi, Italy
| | - Luca Villa
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Medica P, Giunta RP, Bruschetta G, Ferlazzo AM. The Influence of Training and Simulated Race on Horse Plasma Serotonin Levels. J Equine Vet Sci 2019; 84:102818. [PMID: 31864456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.102818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Exercise represents a physical stress that challenges homeostasis affecting central and peripheral serotoninergic systems. The influence of the exercise on circulating serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) levels depends on training state as well as the exercise protocol. The purpose of the present research was to determine changes of plasma 5-HT in sport horses in response to training (T) and simulated race (SR) and in addition to assess the possible presence of significant differences on circulating 5-HT between two different sessions of exercise. In particular, the research was carried out on 18 trained horses performing daily training and race activity. Plasma 5-HT levels were analyzed in platelet poor plasma fraction by ELISA assay at T0 (before exercise), T1 (30 minutes after exercise) and T2 (2 hours after exercise). The hypothesis was that both exercise sessions could affect plasma 5-HT levels. Results showed a significant increase of plasma 5-HT levels at T1, compared with T0, both after simulated race and training activity. These effects are probably related to an increased 5-HT release from platelets and/or an increased peripheral 5-HT synthesis induced from exercise. At T2, plasma 5-HT concentrations showed a significant decrease to physiological levels in both sessions. Moreover, plasma 5-HT levels at T1 (SR) were significantly higher than those at T1 (T). Targeting peripheral 5-HT could be useful to assess the physiological adaptability of horses to the exercise, together with other selection techniques of sport horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Medica
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Physiology Unit, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute (IZS), Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bruschetta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy
| | - Alida Maria Ferlazzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry Unit, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, Messina, Italy.
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Marino AMF, Giunta RP, Salvaggio A, Castello A, Alfonzetti T, Barbagallo A, Aparo A, Scalzo F, Reale S, Buffolano W, Percipalle M. Toxoplasma gondii in edible fishes captured in the Mediterranean basin. Zoonoses Public Health 2019; 66:826-834. [PMID: 31278858 PMCID: PMC6852154 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The issue of whether market fish can be involved in the transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in the marine environment is highly debated since toxoplasmosis has been diagnosed frequently in cetaceans stranded along the Mediterranean coastlines in recent times. To support the hypothesis that fishes can harbour and effectively transmit the parasite to top-of-the-food-chain marine organisms and to human consumers of fishery products, a total of 1,293 fishes from 17 species obtained from wholesale and local fish markets were examined for T. gondii DNA. Real-time PCR was performed in samples obtained by separately pooling intestines, gills and skin/muscles collected from each fish species. Thirty-two out of 147 pooled samples from 12 different fish species were found contaminated with T. gondii DNA that was detected in 16 samples of skin/muscle and in 11 samples of both intestine and gills. Quantitative analysis of amplified DNA performed by both real-time PCR and digital PCR (dPCR) confirmed that positive fish samples were contaminated with Toxoplasma genomic DNA to an extent of 6.10 × 10-2 to 2.77 × 104 copies/ml (quantitative PCR) and of 1 to 5.7 × 104 copies/ml (dPCR). Fishes are not considered competent biological hosts for T. gondii; nonetheless, they can be contaminated with T. gondii oocysts flowing via freshwater run-offs (untreated sewage discharges, soil flooding) into the marine environment, thus acting as mechanical carriers. Although the detection of viable and infective T. gondii oocysts was not the objective of this investigation, the results here reported suggest that fish species sold for human consumption can be accidentally involved in the transmission route of the parasite in the marine environment and that the risk of foodborne transmission of toxoplasmosis to fish consumers should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Fausta Marino
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Salvaggio
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Castello
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Tiziana Alfonzetti
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Barbagallo
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandra Aparo
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Scalzo
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | - Stefano Reale
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Percipalle
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy
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Castello A, Bruschetta G, Giunta RP, Marino AMF, Ferlazzo AM. The effect of Toxoplasma gondii on plasma serotonin concentration in sheep. Vet World 2018; 11:1500-1505. [PMID: 30532508 PMCID: PMC6247880 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2018.1500-1505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that commonly infects warm-blooded animals, including humans. Virtually all species can be infected, but a species-specific variability is evident, in terms of both type and severity of the symptoms encountered. As serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) plays an important regulatory role in both physiological and immune responses, the aim of this research was to assess whether toxoplasmosis disease could affect plasma 5-HT concentration and/or hematochemical parameters in a particularly susceptible species to infection as sheep. Materials and Methods 5-HT plasma levels were analyzed in platelet-poor plasma fraction by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood count and hematochemical parameters were evaluated. Total proteins (TPs), glucose (Glu), and lactate dehydrogenase were determined by a spectrophotometer. Results Results showed significantly higher levels in plasma 5-HT, monocytes, and TP and significantly lower levels of Glu, in infected sheep compared to the control group. Conclusion Results could support the hypothesis of an effect of toxoplasmosis infection on plasma 5-HT concentrations in sheep. More research is needed to assess the function of 5-HT in the regulation of infected sheep's immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Castello
- Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS), Via Passo Gravina 195, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bruschetta
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS), Via Passo Gravina 195, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fausta Marino
- Italian National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis (Ce.Tox) - Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS), Via Passo Gravina 195, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Alida Maria Ferlazzo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
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Marino AMF, Percipalle M, Giunta RP, Salvaggio A, Caracappa G, Alfonzetti T, Aparo A, Reale S. Development and validation of a real-time PCR assay for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in animal and meat samples. J Vet Diagn Invest 2017; 29:203-207. [PMID: 28176611 DOI: 10.1177/1040638716682808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We report a rapid and reliable method for the detection of Toxoplasma gondii in meat and animal tissues based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Samples were collected from cattle, small ruminants, horses, and pigs raised or imported into Sicily, Italy. All DNA preparations were assayed by real-time PCR tests targeted to a 98-bp long fragment in the AF 529-bp repeat element and to the B1 gene using specific primers. Diagnostic sensitivity (100%), diagnostic specificity (100%), limit of detection (0.01 pg), efficiency (92-109%), and precision (mean coefficient of variation = 0.60%), repeatability (100%), reproducibility (100%), and robustness were evaluated using 240 DNA extracted samples (120 positives and 120 negative as per the OIE nested PCR method) from different matrices. Positive results were confirmed by the repetition of both real-time and nested PCR assays. Our study demonstrates the viability of a reliable, rapid, and specific real-time PCR on a large scale to monitor contamination with Toxoplasma cysts in meat and animal specimens. This validated method can be used for postmortem detection in domestic and wild animals and for food safety purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Fausta Marino
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Maurizio Percipalle
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Renato Paolo Giunta
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Antonio Salvaggio
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Giulia Caracappa
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Tiziana Alfonzetti
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Alessandra Aparo
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
| | - Stefano Reale
- National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Catania, Italy (Marino, Giunta, Salvaggio, Percipalle, Caracappa, Alfonzetti, Aparo).,Molecular Biology Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Palermo, Italy (Reale)
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Giammanco GM, Pignato S, Marino AM, Giunta RP, Faro G, Caracappa S, Giammanco G. [The risk of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Sicily, through imported bovines for slaughter]. Ann Ig 2001; 13:87-92. [PMID: 11414107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G M Giammanco
- Dip. di Igiene e Microbiologia G. D'Alessandro, Università degli Studi di Palermo
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