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Bonerba E, Shehu F, Pandiscia A, Lorusso P, Manfredi A, Huter A, Tantillo GM, Panseri S, Nobile M, Terio V. The EU Interreg Project "ADRINET": Assessment of Well-Known and Emerging Pollutants in Seafood and Their Potential Effects for Food Safety. Foods 2024; 13:1235. [PMID: 38672907 PMCID: PMC11048948 DOI: 10.3390/foods13081235] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities lead to the spread of chemicals and biological materials, including plastic waste, toxic metals, and pharmaceuticals, of which the impact on the Mediterranean Sea is of high concern. In this context, the EU Interreg Italy-Albania-Montenegro Project "ADRINET (Adriatic Network for Marine Ecosystem) _244" (2018-2020) arises. It aims to carry out biomonitoring campaigns in the main commercial interest of fish and cephalopod species, such as Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, Sepia spp., and Loligo spp. sampled in three different subregions of the Mediterranean Sea. The presence of the main environmental contaminants, such as cadmium, microplastics, and antibiotics was investigated in these seafood samples. Contamination by cadmium and antibiotics in the seafood investigated in our study was negligible. However, a high value of microplastics was detected in the stomach and gut of Sparus aurata and Dicentrarchus labrax. Overall, even though the presence of microplastics needs to be investigated by further studies, the results confirmed that the environmental conditions of the three bays investigated by the ADRINET project partners (Italy, Albania, Montenegro) are positive and not affected by intensive anthropogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bonerba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Fatmira Shehu
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural University of Tirana, 1025 Tirana, Albania;
| | - Annamaria Pandiscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Patrizio Lorusso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Alessio Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
| | - Aleksandra Huter
- Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro;
| | - Giuseppina M. Tantillo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Place Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Sara Panseri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (S.P.); (M.N.)
| | - Maria Nobile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (S.P.); (M.N.)
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy; (E.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.); (V.T.)
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Castrica M, Andoni E, Intraina I, Curone G, Copelotti E, Massacci FR, Terio V, Colombo S, Balzaretti CM. Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in Different Ready to Eat Foods from Large Retailers and Canteens over a 2-Year Period in Northern Italy. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182010568. [PMID: 34682313 PMCID: PMC8535721 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010568] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to give an overview of the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in 9727 samples (2996 for L. monocytogenes and 6731 for Salmonella spp.) from different categories of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, collected over 2 years from 28 large retailers and 148 canteens in the regions of northern Italy. The RTE samples were classified into two groups according to the preparation methods: (i) multi-ingredient preparations consisting of fully cooked food ready for immediate consumption, or with minimal further handling before consumption (Group A), and (ii) multi-ingredient preparations consisting of cooked and uncooked food, or preparations consisting of only raw ingredients (Group B). L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were investigated in both of these categories. The overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. was 0.13% and 0.07%, respectively. More specifically, L. monocytogenes was found in 0.04% of 2442 analysed RTE food samples belonging to group A and in 0.54% of 554 samples belonging to group B. Furthermore, 0.03% of 5367 RTE food samples from group A and 0.21% of 1364 samples from group B tested positive for Salmonella spp. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study can provide a significant contribution to L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. risk analysis in RTE foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castrica
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety “Carlo Cantoni”, University of Milan, Via dell’ Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.I.); (E.C.); (C.M.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Egon Andoni
- Department of Public Health, Agricultural University of Tirana, Rr “Pajsi Vodica” Koder-Kamez, 1023 Tirana, Albania;
| | - India Intraina
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety “Carlo Cantoni”, University of Milan, Via dell’ Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.I.); (E.C.); (C.M.B.)
| | - Giulio Curone
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Emma Copelotti
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety “Carlo Cantoni”, University of Milan, Via dell’ Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.I.); (E.C.); (C.M.B.)
| | - Francesca Romana Massacci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche “Togo Rosati”, Via Gaetano Salvemini 1, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Italy;
| | - Silvia Colombo
- Chemservice S.r.l.-Lab Analysis Group, Via F. lli Beltrami, 15, Novate Milanese, 20026 Milan, Italy;
| | - Claudia Maria Balzaretti
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety “Carlo Cantoni”, University of Milan, Via dell’ Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.I.); (E.C.); (C.M.B.)
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Castrica M, Balzaretti C, Miraglia D, Lorusso P, Pandiscia A, Tantillo G, Massacci FR, Terio V. Evaluation of the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 (ATCC® VR-1986HK™) on two different food contact materials: flow pack polyethylene and polystyrene food trays. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2021; 146:111606. [PMID: 33967345 PMCID: PMC8095065 DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Even though SARS-CoV-2's primary transmission pathway is person-to-person, the role played by surfaces and food contact materials in carrying viral RNA should be further explored. For this purpose, the study aimed to investigate the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 using the strain ATCC® VR-1986HK™ on flow pack polyethylene (FPP) and polystyrene food trays (PFT). Samples of FPP and PFT were contaminated with heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and were incubated at a temperature of 24 ± 1 °C and at controlled relative humidity (RH 65%). The experimental design included analyses at the time 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and after every 24 h until the viral RNA was no longer detectable. The results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in viral copy numbers on PFT within 3 h (24% reduction) and, at 72 h, the viral RNA had fallen below the limit of detection. Regarding the FPP, it was necessary to wait 24 h for a significant decrease (P = 0.015) in the viral load (14% reduction), while the detection threshold was reached at 96 h. These findings showed that the viral RNA persists longer on flow pack polyethylene samples than on polystyrene food trays, thus highlighting the importance of material characteristics in the persistence of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Castrica
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety "Carlo Cantoni", University of Milan, Via dell' Università 6, 90026, Lodi (Milan), Italy
| | - Claudia Balzaretti
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety "Carlo Cantoni", University of Milan, Via dell' Università 6, 90026, Lodi (Milan), Italy
| | - Dino Miraglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrizio Lorusso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Annamaria Pandiscia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Giuseppina Tantillo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Romana Massacci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Via Gaetano Salvemini 1, 06126, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada provinciale per Casamassima Km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
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Mottola A, Ciccarese G, Sinisi C, Savarino AE, Marchetti P, Terio V, Tantillo G, Barrasso R, Di Pinto A. Occurrence and characterization of Arcobacter spp. from ready-to-eat vegetables produced in Southern Italy. Ital J Food Saf 2021; 10:8585. [PMID: 33907683 PMCID: PMC8056449 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2021.8585] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Given that the number of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat vegetables has been widely documented and considering that data on the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. in such foodstuffs are lacking, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of Arcobacter spp. and the occurrence of virulence factors as well as to genotype Arcobacter spp. in ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetable samples, using cultural and biomolecular assays. Arcobacter spp. was detected in 16/110 (14.5%) samples, with A. butzleri being detected in 15/16 and A. cryaerophilus in 1/16 isolates. PCRs aimed at the nine putative virulence genes demonstrated widespread distribution of such genes among A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. In addition, multilocus sequence type (MLST) analysis revealed a low genetic diversity within the arcobacters isolates. The results underline the need to develop an appropriate surveillance system based on biomolecular characterization for an integrated microbiological risk assessment of ready-toeat vegetables, and consequently of composite foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mottola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | | | - Carla Sinisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Lecce
| | | | | | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | | | - Roberta Barrasso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Angela Di Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
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Mottola A, Marchetti P, Ciccarese G, Terio V, Sinisi C, Di Pinto A. Arcobacter species detection in Italian composite foods. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Bonerba E, Panseri S, Arioli F, Nobile M, Terio V, Di Cesare F, Tantillo G, Maria Chiesa L. Determination of antibiotic residues in honey in relation to different potential sources and relevance for food inspection. Food Chem 2020; 334:127575. [PMID: 32707361 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Honey contaminations could derive from intensive agriculture and industrial activities, but also from beekeeper treatments. In EU no MRLs for antibiotics in honey are set, only a minimum required performance limit for chloramphenicol of 0.3 μg kg-1 is recommended. Screening tests are available, characterised by their rapidity and simple use. Due to their high rate of false positives and the need to meet zero tolerance levels for antibiotics, their presence in samples was investigated using a liquid chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) multiclass antibiotic residue method, comparing the results with those of previous screening tests. The confirmatory method showed good sensitivity: CCα and CCβ ranging from 0.03 to 4.80 ng g-1 and from 0.12 to 5.56 ng g-1, respectively. Ninety-eight honey samples from different geographical areas, analysed by two screening tests, showed a high percentage of false positives. This is fundamental to guarantee honey safety, especially, for organic production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bonerba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Strada P.le per Casamassima Km3, Valenzano 70010, Bari (BA), Italy
| | - Sara Panseri
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan (MI), Italy
| | - Francesco Arioli
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan (MI), Italy
| | - Maria Nobile
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan (MI), Italy.
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Strada P.le per Casamassima Km3, Valenzano 70010, Bari (BA), Italy
| | - Federica Di Cesare
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan (MI), Italy
| | - Giuseppina Tantillo
- Department Interdisciplinary of Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 - 70124, Bari (BA), Italy
| | - Luca Maria Chiesa
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan (MI), Italy
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Savarino AE, Terio V, Barrasso R, Ceci E, Panseri S, Chiesa LM, Bonerba E. Occurrence of antibiotic residues in Apulian honey: potential risk of environmental pollution by antibiotics. Ital J Food Saf 2020; 9:8678. [PMID: 32300572 PMCID: PMC7154605 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2020.8678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of antibiotic residues in honey is widely documented and is attributed almost exclusively to improper beekeeping practices, due to the frequent use of drugs for the treatment of beehive diseases. Therefore, the aim of our research was to evaluate the presence of antibiotics in honeycomb using the Anti-Microbial Array II (AM II) and IV (AM IV) method and to assess the relationship between environmental context and antibiotic residues in honey. The results show the presence of antibiotic residues in 26/50 honey from brood nests samples, confirming the impact of environmental contamination on the health quality of this food product. In addition, subsequent analyses conducted on positive samples reveal the instability over time of antimicrobial molecules in honey. These results highlight the need for further studies in order to understand all likely sources of contamination and to implement a comprehensive safety management plan for honey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Roberta Barrasso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Edmondo Ceci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari
| | - Sara Panseri
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Maria Chiesa
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Giammanco GM, De Grazia S, Bonura F, Cappa V, Muli SL, Pepe A, Medici MC, Tummolo F, Calderaro A, Di Bernardo F, Dones P, Morea A, Loconsole D, Catella C, Terio V, Bànyai K, Chironna M, Martella V. Norovirus GII.17 as Major Epidemic Strain in Italy, Winter 2015-16. Emerg Infect Dis 2018. [PMID: 28628440 PMCID: PMC5512478 DOI: 10.3201/eid2307.161255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In winter 2015–16, norovirus GII.17 Kawasaki 2014 emerged as a cause of sporadic gastroenteritis in children in Italy. Median patient age was higher for those with GII.17 than GII.4 infection (55 vs. 24 months), suggesting limited cross-protection for older children.
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Terio V, Bottaro M, Di Pinto A, Fusco G, Barresi T, Tantillo G, Martella V. Occurrence of Aichi virus in retail shellfish in Italy. Food Microbiol 2018; 74:120-124. [PMID: 29706327 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2018.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AiV-1 is considered an emerging human enteric pathogens and foodborne transmission has been documented as an important source of exposure for humans, chiefly in relation to non-safe, risky food habits. We surveyed the presence of AiV-1 in retail shellfish, including oysters and mussles, identifying the virus in 3/170 (1.8%) of the analysed samples. The AiV-1 positive samples were of different geographic origin. Upon sequence analysis of a portion of the 3CD junction region, two AiV strains identified from harvesting areas in Northern Italy were characterised as genotype B and displayed 99-100% identity at the nucleotide level to other AiV-1 strains detected in sewages in Central Italy in 2012, suggesting that such strains are stably circulating in Italian ecosystems. Interestingly, a strain identified from mussles harvested in Southern Italy could not be characterised firmly, as inferred in the Bayesian analysis and by sequence comparison, indicating that different AiV strains are also circulating in Italy. Viral contamination in retail shellfish challenges the microbiological guidelines for food control and requires the development and optimization of additional diagnostic and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DiMeV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Ba), Italy.
| | - Marilisa Bottaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DiMeV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Ba), Italy
| | - Angela Di Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DiMeV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Ba), Italy
| | - Giovanna Fusco
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Division of Caserta, Via Jervolino n. 19, 81029, Caserta, Italy
| | - Teodosio Barresi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DiMeV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Ba), Italy
| | - Giuseppina Tantillo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DiMeV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Ba), Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DiMeV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano (Ba), Italy
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Di Pinto A, Terio V, Marchetti P, Bottaro M, Mottola A, Bozzo G, Bonerba E, Ceci E, Tantillo G. DNA-based approach for species identification of goat-milk products. Food Chem 2017; 229:93-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.02.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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La Bella G, Martella V, Basanisi MG, Nobili G, Terio V, La Salandra G. Food-Borne Viruses in Shellfish: Investigation on Norovirus and HAV Presence in Apulia (SE Italy). Food Environ Virol 2017; 9:179-186. [PMID: 27943110 PMCID: PMC5429374 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-016-9273-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Shellfish are an important vehicle for transmission of food-borne pathogens including norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV). The risks related with consumption of shellfish are greater if these products are eaten raw or slightly cooked. As molluscs are filter-feeding organisms, they are able to concentrate pathogens dispersed in the water. Data on shellfish viral contamination are therefore useful to obtain a background information on the presence of contamination in the environment, chiefly in shellfish production areas and to generate a picture of the epidemiology of viral pathogens in local populations. From January 2013 to July 2015, 253 samples of bivalve molluscs collected in harvesting areas from a large coastal tract (860 km) of Southern Italy were screened for HAV and NoV of genogroups GI and GII, using real-time reverse transcription qualitative PCR. The RNA of HAV was not detected in any of the analyzed samples. In contrast, the RNA of NoV was identified in 14.2% of the samples with a higher prevalence of NoVs of genogroup GII (12.2%) than genogroup GI (1.6%). Upon sequence analysis of a short diagnostic region located in capsid region, the NoV strains were characterized as GII.2, GII.4 Sydney 2012, GII.6, GII.13, GI.4, and GI.6, all which were circulating in local populations in the same time span. These data confirm that consumption of mussels can expose consumers to relevant risks of infection. Also, matching between the NoV genotypes circulating in local population and detected in molluscs confirms the diffusion in the environment of NoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- G La Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - V Martella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - M G Basanisi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - G Nobili
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy
| | - V Terio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - G La Salandra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Foggia, Italy.
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12
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Terio V, Bottaro M, Pavoni E, Losio MN, Serraino A, Giacometti F, Martella V, Mottola A, Di Pinto A, Tantillo G. Occurrence of hepatitis A and E and norovirus GI and GII in ready-to-eat vegetables in Italy. Int J Food Microbiol 2017; 249:61-65. [PMID: 28319799 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [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: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Fresh vegetables and their ready-to-eat (RTE) salads have become increasingly recognized as potential vehicles for foodborne diseases. The EU Reg. 1441/2007 establishes microbiological criteria for bacterial pathogens for products placed on the market during their shelf-life (i.e. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes) for pre-cut fruits and vegetables (RTE) whilst it does not address the problem of contamination by enteric viruses. In this study we investigated the contamination by hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV) and norovirus (NoV) in 911 ready-to-eat vegetable samples taken from products at retail in Apulia and in Lombardia. The vegetable samples were tested using validated real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) assays, ISO standardized virological methods and ISO culturing methods for bacteriological analysis. The total prevalence of HAV and HEV was 1.9% (18/911) and 0.6% (6/911), respectively. None of the samples analysed in this study was positive for NoV, Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes. The detection of HAV and HEV in RTE salads highlights a risk to consumers and the need to improve production hygiene. Appropriate implementation of hygiene procedures is required at all the steps of the RTE vegetable production chain and this should include monitoring of emerging viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - M Bottaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - E Pavoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Bianchi no. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - M N Losio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), Via Bianchi no. 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - A Serraino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy
| | - F Giacometti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia, BO, Italy
| | - V Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - A Mottola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - A Di Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - G Tantillo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEV), University of Bari, Provincial Road to Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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13
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Mottola A, Bonerba E, Bozzo G, Marchetti P, Celano GV, Colao V, Terio V, Tantillo G, Figueras MJ, Di Pinto A. Occurrence of emerging food-borne pathogenic Arcobacter spp. isolated from pre-cut (ready-to-eat) vegetables. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 236:33-7. [PMID: 27442848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [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: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Given that changes in consumer food behaviours have led to an increase in the demand for pre-cut ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables, and that few data are currently available on the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. in such foods, the aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. that carry virulence-associated genes on pre-cut RTE vegetables, using cultural and molecular methods. Arcobacter was detected using biomolecular identification methods in 44/160 (27.5%) of the samples, of which 40/44 (90.9%) isolates corresponded to A. butzleri and 4/44 (9.1%) to A. cryaerophilus. Studying the incidence of 9 virulence-associated genes revealed the widespread distribution of these genes among the Arcobacter isolates tested. The results obtained in our research provided plenty of information on the health risks associated with the direct consumption of raw vegetables, and highlight the need to implement further studies at each level of the production chain, in order to obtain further information to help protect human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mottola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Bonerba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Bozzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Marchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Gaetano Vitale Celano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Valeriana Colao
- A.B.A.P. (Apulian Society of Biologists), Via Giulio Petroni 15/F, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Tantillo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria José Figueras
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Angela Di Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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14
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Mottola A, Bonerba E, Figueras MJ, Pérez-Cataluña A, Marchetti P, Serraino A, Bozzo G, Terio V, Tantillo G, Di Pinto A. Occurrence of potentially pathogenic arcobacters in shellfish. Food Microbiol 2016; 57:23-7. [PMID: 27052698 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2015.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [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: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Considering that several recent cases of human gastroenteritis have been associated with species from the Arcobacter genus, and that few data are currently available about the occurrence of this genus in Italian shellfish, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of Arcobacter spp. and the presence of virulence-associated genes. The approach consisted of cultural and biomolecular (multiplex-PCR and 16S-RFLP) methods identifying isolates, followed by PCR assays aimed at the cadF, ciaB, cjl349, irgA, hecA putative virulence genes. Arcobacter spp. was detected in 16/70 (22.8%) shellfish samples. Specifically, Arcobacter spp. was highlighted in 10/42 (23.8%) mussel and in 6/28 (21.4%) clam samples. Subsequently, biomolecular assays revealed Arcobacter butzleri in 12/16 (75%) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus 1B in 4/16 (25%) isolates. PCRs aimed at the five putative virulence genes demonstrated widespread distribution of these genes among Arcobacter isolates and some differences from the results published by other authors. Our research provides more information regarding the health risks associated with the consumption of raw bivalve molluscs and underlines the need to implement an adequate control plan by performing intensive and continuous monitoring in order to guarantee human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mottola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Bonerba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria José Figueras
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Alba Pérez-Cataluña
- Unitat de Microbiologia, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Spain
| | - Patrizia Marchetti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Serraino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Giancarlo Bozzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Tantillo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Angela Di Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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15
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Tantillo G, Bottaro M, Di Pinto A, Martella V, Di Pinto P, Terio V. Virus Infections of Honeybees Apis Mellifera. Ital J Food Saf 2015; 4:5364. [PMID: 27800411 PMCID: PMC5076640 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2015.5364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [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: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The health and vigour of honeybee colonies are threatened by numerous parasites (such as Varroa destructor and Nosema spp.) and pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa. Among honeybee pathogens, viruses are one of the major threats to the health and well-being of honeybees and cause serious concern for researchers and beekeepers. To tone down the threats posed by these invasive organisms, a better understanding of bee viral infections will be of crucial importance in developing effective and environmentally benign disease control strategies. Here we summarize recent progress in the understanding of the morphology, genome organization, transmission, epidemiology and pathogenesis of eight honeybee viruses: Deformed wing virus (DWV) and Kakugo virus (KV); Sacbrood virus (SBV); Black Queen cell virus (BQCV); Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV); Kashmir bee virus (KBV); Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV); Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV). The review has been designed to provide researchers in the field with updated information about honeybee viruses and to serve as a starting point for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marilisa Bottaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari , Valenzano, Italy
| | - Angela Di Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari , Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari , Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari , Valenzano, Italy
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16
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Terio V, Bottaro M, Di Pinto A, Catella C, Chironna M, Bozzo G, Kingsley DH, Bonerba E, Morea A, Martella V. Outbreak of Hepatitis A in Italy Associated with Frozen Redcurrants Imported from Poland: A Case Study. Food Environ Virol 2015; 7:305-308. [PMID: 26001535 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-015-9199-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was detected in a batch of imported non-packaged frozen redcurrants purchased in a Bari grocery. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed the HAV strain clustered tightly with the HAV strain from the 2013 Italian epidemic, providing additional evidence that frozen redcurrants were the main vehicle of the HAV outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", S.p. per Casamassima Km 3, Valenzano, 70010, Bari, Italy,
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17
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Tantillo G, Marchetti P, Mottola A, Terio V, Bottaro M, Bonerba E, Bozzo G, Di Pinto A. Occurrence of Mislabelling in Prepared Fishery Products in Southern Italy. Ital J Food Saf 2015; 4:5358. [PMID: 27800410 PMCID: PMC5076639 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2015.5358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Fish authentication is a major concern not only for the prevention of commercial fraud, but also for the assessment of safety risks deriving from the undeclared introduction of potentially dangerous toxic or allergenic substances or environmentally damaging fish where endangered species are involved. Moreover, food authentication might affect the diet of certain groups of consumers, such as followers of religious practices. Considering the authentication of fish products is one of the key issues in food safety, quality and sustainability, the aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of mislabelling in sole (Solea solea), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and hake (Merluccius merluccius) fillets from markets and supermarkets located in Apulia (Southern Italy) using DNA barcoding. The results of the molecular investigations reveal that 42/98 (42.8%) fillet samples were not correctly labelled. In particular, 12/27 (44.4%) fillets of sole (Solea solea) were identified as belonging to Solea senegalensis. In addition, 13/28 (46.4%) plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) samples were identified as Pangasius hypophtalmus. All Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) samples were correctly labelled. Post-sequencing data analysis revealed that 17/30 (56.6%) hake fillets (Merluccius merluccius) were not correctly labelled, of which 8/30 samples identified as Merluccius hubbsi, 5/30 samples as Merluccius products and 4/30 as Merluccius capensis. The study reveals a high occurrence of species mislabelling in the prepared fish fillet products, further evidence of the need for increased traceability and assessment of the authenticity of food products.
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18
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Medici MC, Tummolo F, Grazia SD, Calderaro A, Conto FD, Terio V, Chironna M, Bonura F, Pucci M, Bányai K, Martella V, Giammanco GM. Epidemiological dynamics of norovirus GII.4 variant New Orleans 2009. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:2919-2927. [PMID: 26025873 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Norovirus (NoV) is one of the major causes of diarrhoeal disease with epidemic, outbreak and sporadic patterns in humans of all ages worldwide. NoVs of genotype GII.4 cause nearly 80-90 % of all NoV infections in humans. Periodically, some GII.4 strains become predominant, generating major pandemic variants. Retrospective analysis of the GII.4 NoV strains detected in Italy between 2007 and 2013 indicated that the pandemic variant New Orleans 2009 emerged in Italy in the late 2009, became predominant in 2010-2011 and continued to circulate in a sporadic fashion until April 2013. Upon phylogenetic analysis based on the small diagnostic regions A and C, the late New Orleans 2009 NoVs circulating during 2011-2013 appeared to be genetically different from the early New Orleans 2009 strains that circulated in 2010. For a selection of strains, a 3.2 kb genome portion at the 3' end was sequenced. In the partial ORF1 and in the full-length ORF2 and ORF3, the 2011-2013 New Orleans NoVs comprised at least three distinct genetic subclusters. By comparison with sequences retrieved from the databases, these subclusters were also found to circulate globally, suggesting that the local circulation reflected repeated introductions of different strains, rather than local selection of novel viruses. Phylogenetic subclustering did not correlate with changes in residues located in predicted putative capsid epitopes, although several changes affected the P2 domain in epitopes A, C, D and E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Medici
- Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Tummolo
- Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Simona De Grazia
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile G. D'Alessandro, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Adriana Calderaro
- Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Flora De Conto
- Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Valentina Terio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Maria Chironna
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche ed Oncologia Umana, Sezione di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Policlinico di Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Floriana Bonura
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile G. D'Alessandro, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marzia Pucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile G. D'Alessandro, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kristián Bányai
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungária krt. 21, Budapest, 1143, Hungary
| | - Vito Martella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maurizio Giammanco
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile G. D'Alessandro, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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19
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Bozzo G, Bonerba E, Di Pinto A, Bolzoni G, Ceci E, Mottola A, Tantillo G, Terio V. Occurrence of Prototheca spp. in cow milk samples. New Microbiol 2014; 37:459-464. [PMID: 25387284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Protothecosis is a potential zoonotic disease associated with bovine mastitis which can be transmitted to humans through contaminated milk. Considering the increasing prevalence of bovine mastitis due to Prototheca species, individual cow milk samples were analyzed using microbiological examination and biomolecular assay. Aspects related to health requirements for milk production, clinical and histological bovine mastitis were also described. The results showed 24/257 (9.3%) culture-positive samples and 42/257 (16.3%) PCR-positive samples. Moreover in 5 cows with somatic cell count over 106/mL presented histological features of mastitis. This study reveals that the presence of Prototheca species in dairy herds was related to the hygienic conditions of the milking equipment, showing an emerging public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Bozzo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Aldo Moro, Casamassima, Bari, Italy
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20
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Giammanco GM, De Grazia S, Terio V, Lanave G, Catella C, Bonura F, Saporito L, Medici MC, Tummolo F, Calderaro A, Bányai K, Hansman G, Martella V. Analysis of early strains of the norovirus pandemic variant GII.4 Sydney 2012 identifies mutations in adaptive sites of the capsid protein. Virology 2014; 450-451:355-8. [PMID: 24503099 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2013.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [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: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Global surveillance for norovirus identified in 2012 the emergence of a novel pandemic GII.4 variant, termed Sydney 2012. In Italy, the novel pandemic variant was identified as early as November 2011 but became predominant only in the winter season 2012-2013. Upon sequencing and comparison with strains of global origin, the early Sydney 2012 strains were found to differ from those spreading in 2012-2013 in the capsid (ORF2) putative epitopes B, C and D, segregating into a distinct phylogenetic clade. At least three residues (333, 340 and 393, in epitopes B, C and D, respectively) of the VP1 varied among Sydney 2012 strains of different clades. These findings suggest that the spread of the pandemic variant in Italy during the winter season 2012-2013 was due to the introduction of strains distinct from those circulating at low frequency in the former winter season and that similar strains were also circulating elsewhere worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Giammanco
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", Università di Palermo, Via del vespro 133, Palermo 90127, Italia.
| | - S De Grazia
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", Università di Palermo, Via del vespro 133, Palermo 90127, Italia
| | - V Terio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italia
| | - G Lanave
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italia
| | - C Catella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italia
| | - F Bonura
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", Università di Palermo, Via del vespro 133, Palermo 90127, Italia
| | - L Saporito
- Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute e Materno Infantile "G. D'Alessandro", Università di Palermo, Via del vespro 133, Palermo 90127, Italia
| | - M C Medici
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italia
| | - F Tummolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italia
| | - A Calderaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italia
| | - K Bányai
- Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - G Hansman
- Schaller Research Group at the University of Heidelberg and the DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - V Martella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Unità di Microbiologia e Virologia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italia
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21
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Decaro N, Pinto P, Mari V, Elia G, Larocca V, Camero M, Terio V, Losurdo M, Martella V, Buonavoglia C. Full-genome analysis of a canine pneumovirus causing acute respiratory disease in dogs, Italy. PLoS One 2014; 9:e85220. [PMID: 24400129 PMCID: PMC3882280 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
An outbreak of canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD) associated to canine pneumovirus (CnPnV) infection is reported. The outbreak occurred in a shelter of the Apulia region and involved 37 out of 350 dogs that displayed cough and/or nasal discharge with no evidence of fever. The full-genomic characterisation showed that the causative agent (strain Bari/100-12) was closely related to CnPnVs that have been recently isolated in the USA, as well as to murine pneumovirus, which is responsible for respiratory disease in mice. The present study represents a useful contribution to the knowledge of the pathogenic potential of CnPnV and its association with CIRD in dogs. Further studies will elucidate the pathogenicity and epidemiology of this novel pneumovirus, thus addressing the eventual need for specific vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Decaro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Viviana Mari
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Gabriella Elia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vittorio Larocca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Michele Camero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Valentina Terio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Michele Losurdo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vito Martella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Canio Buonavoglia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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22
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Martella V, Medici MC, Terio V, Catella C, Bozzo G, Tummolo F, Calderaro A, Bonura F, Di Franco M, Bányai K, Giammanco GM, De Grazia S. Lineage diversification and recombination in type-4 human astroviruses. Infect Genet Evol 2013; 20:330-5. [PMID: 24084291 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Revised: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Human astroviruses (HAstVs) are important enteric pathogens and can be classified genetically and antigenically into eight types. During surveillance of HAstVs in Italy, type-4 HAstVs were detected only sporadically and found to cluster into two distinct genetic groups. Upon sequence analysis of the 3' end of the polymerase gene (ORF1b) and of the full-length ORF2, the 2008 type-4 HAstV strains were characterised as a novel ORF2 genetic lineage, designated as 4c. The 2008 type-4 HAstVs also shared the ORF1b gene with similar HAstV-4c strains detected globally, thus displaying a conserved ORF1b/ORF2 asset. By interrogation of the databases, this novel lineage 4c accounted for 60.8% of the type-4 strains identified worldwide and the vast majority of recent type-4 HAstVs. The 2002 type-4 HAstVs displayed a type-4b ORF2, whereas in the ORF1b they resembled type-1 HAstVs. This inconsistency suggests a possible recombinant origin, with the RNA switch taking place upstream the ORF1b/ORF2 junction region. Also, recombination likely played a role in the diversification of the ORF2 of the three type-4 lineages. Multi-target analysis is required for appropriate characterisation and identification of recombinant HAstVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Martella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy
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23
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Di Pinto A, Di Pinto P, Terio V, Bozzo G, Bonerba E, Ceci E, Tantillo G. DNA barcoding for detecting market substitution in salted cod fillets and battered cod chunks. Food Chem 2013; 141:1757-62. [PMID: 23870888 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.05.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 08/20/2012] [Revised: 02/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (MiPAAF) Decree dated 31 January 2008, which reports the Italian name for fish species of commercial interest, establishes that baccalà can be obtained exclusively from G. macrocephalus (Pacific cod) and G. morhua (Atlantic cod). This paper describes the COI-based DNA identification system to verify the substitution or misbranding of gadoid fish species and, consequently, its concordance with the labels on salted cod fillets shown as baccalà and on battered cod chunks labelled as bocconcini di baccalà. The analysis of interpretable sequences revealed that 55/65 dried salted cod fillet samples were detected as belonging to the family Gadidae, while 10/65 samples appeared to belong to the Lotidae family, while among battered cod chunks labelled as bocconcini di baccalà, the post-sequencing data analysis shows that the labels were completely wrong, with 28/40 samples from Pollachius virens and 12/40 samples from Brosme brosme. The substitution rate for products labelled on the market as baccalà in this study raises significant issues relating to food safety and consumer protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Di Pinto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Prov. le per Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Di Pinto A, Terio V, Di Pinto P, Colao V, Tantillo G. Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shellfish using polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lett Appl Microbiol 2012; 54:494-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765x.2012.03231.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Pinto AD, Terio V, Pinto PD, Tantillo G. Detection of potentially pathogenic Aeromonas isolates from ready-to-eat seafood products by PCR analysis. Int J Food Sci Technol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2011.02835.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Di Pinto A, Novello L, Terio V, Tantillo G. ERIC-PCR Genotyping of Paenibacillus larvae in Southern Italian Honey and Brood Combs. Curr Microbiol 2011; 63:416-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-011-9996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 08/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Di Pinto A, Terio V, Novello L, Tantillo G. Comparison between thiosulphate-citrate-bile salt sucrose (TCBS) agar and CHROMagar Vibrio for isolating Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Food Control 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2010.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Terio V, Di Pinto P, Decaro N, Parisi A, Desario C, Martella V, Buonavoglia C, Tantillo MG. Identification of tuna species in commercial cans by minor groove binder probe real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences. Mol Cell Probes 2010; 24:352-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2010.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2010] [Revised: 06/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Terio V, Di Pinto A, Di Pinto P, Martella V, Tantillo G. RNA extraction method for the PCR detection of hepatitis A virus in shellfish. Int J Food Microbiol 2010; 142:198-201. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2010.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 06/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Pinto P, Bozzo G, Novello L, Terio V. DETECTION OF Toxoplasma gondii CYSTS FROM WILD BOAR MUSCLES: DOES IT REPRESENT A RISK FOR READY TO EAT FOOD? Ital J Food Saf 2010. [DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2010.8.31] [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: 11/23/2022] Open
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31
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Bonerba E, Di Pinto A, Novello L, Montemurro F, Terio V, Colao V, Ciccarese G, Tantillo G. Detection of potentially enterotoxigenic food-related Bacillus cereus by PCR analysis. Int J Food Sci Technol 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.2010.02257.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Di Pinto P, Terio V, Martella V, Tantillo G. DISTRIBUTION OF A NEW VARIANT GII.b/HILVERSUM OF NOROVIRUS IN RETAIL MYTILUS GALLOPROVINCIALIS. Ital J Food Saf 2009. [DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2009.5.65] [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: 11/22/2022] Open
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Terio V, Martella V, Moschidou P, Di Pinto P, Tantillo G, Buonavoglia C. Norovirus in retail shellfish. Food Microbiol 2009; 27:29-32. [PMID: 19913688 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2009.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2009] [Revised: 07/08/2009] [Accepted: 07/12/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Norovirus is a common cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with consumption of raw shellfish. The majority of norovirus infections worldwide are due to genogroup II noroviruses. Bivalve molluscs (mussels, clams and oysters) at the end of the commercial chain, the points of purchase, were sampled between 2005 and 2008 in several retail points in Apulia, Italy, and screened by a semi-nested RT-PCR specific for genogroup II noroviruses. Noroviral RNA was detected in 12.1% of the samples, with lower frequency being observed in samples obtained from hypermarkets (8.1%) rather than in samples from open-air markets and fish shops (17.6% and 16.2%, respectively). By sequence analysis, the strains were characterized as norovirus variants GII.4/2004 and GII.b/Hilversum, which were both circulating in Italy in the same time-span.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Terio
- Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Terio V, Martella V, Camero M, Decaro N, Testini G, Bonerba E, Tantillo G, Buonavoglia C. Detection of a honeybee iflavirus with intermediate characteristics between kakugo virus and deformed wing virus. New Microbiol 2008; 31:439-444. [PMID: 19123297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Iflavirus RNA was detected in honeybee colonies displaying unduly aggressive behavior and with no evidence of morphological alterations. Sequence analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) revealed that the iflavirus strain was more similar (> 99% aa) to Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), that has been associated with morphological alterations in bees, rather than to the newly-described Kakugo Virus (KV) (about 95% aa), that has been associated with increased aggressiveness. Therefore, the iflavirus strain detected in the Italian hives genetically resembled DWV but was apparently associated with a KV-like phenotype. RT-PCR detected the iflavirus RNA in the abdomen of the workers, and only in one case was the virus detected in the head. No viral RNA was detected in the drones, a pattern of virus distribution across the honeybee casts that is in apparent conflict with the higher rates of infestation of drones by the mite Varroa distructor. The identification of a virus with apparently intermediate features between DWV and KV open new perspectives on the patho-biological role of iflaviruses in honeybees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Terio
- Department of Animal Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Martella V, Ciarlet M, Lavazza A, Camarda A, Lorusso E, Terio V, Ricci D, Cariola F, Gentile M, Cavalli A, Camero M, Decaro N, Buonavoglia C. Lapine rotaviruses of the genotype P[22] are widespread in Italian rabbitries. Vet Microbiol 2005; 111:117-24. [PMID: 16257498 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2005] [Revised: 09/13/2005] [Accepted: 10/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An epidemiological survey was carried out to investigate the distribution of the VP7 and VP4 specificities of lapine rotaviruses (LRVs) in rabbitries from different geographical regions of Italy. Almost all the strains were characterized as P[22],G3, confirming the presence of the newly-recognized rotavirus P[22] VP4 allele in Italian rabbits. Only one P[14],G3 LRV strain was identified and two samples contained a mixed (P[14] + [22],G3) rotavirus infection. All the LRV strains analyzed exhibited a genogroup I VP6 specificity and a long dsRNA electropherotype. However, one of the P[14],G3 strains possessed a super-short pattern. Altogether, these data highlight the epidemiological relevance of the P[22] LRVs in Italian rabbitries.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Martella
- Department of Animal Health and Well-Being, University of Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Martella V, Ciarlet M, Baselga R, Arista S, Elia G, Lorusso E, Bányai K, Terio V, Madio A, Ruggeri FM, Falcone E, Camero M, Decaro N, Buonavoglia C. Sequence analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes identifies a novel VP7 gene allele of porcine rotaviruses, sharing a common evolutionary origin with human G2 rotaviruses. Virology 2005; 337:111-23. [PMID: 15914225 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2005.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2004] [Revised: 02/01/2005] [Accepted: 03/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
During an epidemiological survey encompassing several porcine herds in Saragoza, Spain, the VP7 and VP4 of a rotavirus-positive sample, 34461-4, could not be predicted by using multiple sets of G- and P-type-specific primers. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene revealed a low amino acid (aa) identity with those of well-established G serotypes, ranging between 58.33% and 88.88%, with the highest identity being to human G2 rotaviruses. Analysis of the VP4 gene revealed a P[23] VP4 specificity, as its VP8* aa sequence was 95.9% identical to that of the P14[23],G5 porcine strain A34, while analysis of the VP6 indicated a genogroup I, that is predictive of subgroup I specificity. Analysis of the 10th and 11th RNA segments revealed close identity to strains of porcine and human origin, respectively. The relatively low overall aa sequence conservation (<89% aa) to G2 human rotaviruses, the lack of N-glycosylation sites that are usually highly conserved in G2 rotaviruses, and the presence of several amino acid substitutions in the major antigenic hypervariable regions hampered an unambiguous classification of the porcine strain 34461-4 as G2 serotype on the basis of sequence analysis alone. The identification of a borderline, G2-like, VP7 gene allele in pigs, while reinforcing the hypotheses of a tight relationship in the evolution of human and animal rotaviruses, provides additional evidence for the wide genetic/antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Martella
- Dipartimento di Sanità e Benessere Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria di Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
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Martella V, Ciarlet M, Pratelli A, Arista S, Terio V, Elia G, Cavalli A, Gentile M, Decaro N, Greco G, Cafiero MA, Tempesta M, Buonavoglia C. Molecular analysis of the VP7, VP4, VP6, NSP4, and NSP5/6 genes of a buffalo rotavirus strain: identification of the rare P[3] rhesus rotavirus-like VP4 gene allele. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 41:5665-75. [PMID: 14662959 PMCID: PMC309001 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.12.5665-5675.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the detection and molecular characterization of a rotavirus strain, 10733, isolated from the feces of a buffalo calf affected with diarrhea in Italy. Strain 10733 was classified as a P[3] rotavirus, as the VP8* trypsin cleavage product of the VP4 protein revealed a high amino acid identity (96.2%) with that of rhesus rotavirus strain RRV (P5B[3]), used as the recipient virus in the human-simian reassortant vaccine. Analysis of the VP7 gene product revealed that strain 10733 possessed G6 serotype specificity, a type common in ruminants, with an amino acid identity to G6 rotavirus strains ranging from 88 to 98%, to Venezuelan bovine strain BRV033, and Hungarian human strain Hun4. Phylogenetic analysis based on the VP7 gene of G6 rotaviruses identified at least four lineages and an apparent linkage between each lineage and the VP4 specificity, suggesting the occurrence of repeated interspecies transmissions and genetic reassortment events between ruminant and human rotaviruses. Moreover, strain 10733 displayed a bovine-like NSP4 and NSP5/6 and a subgroup I VP6 specificity, as well as a long electropherotype pattern. The detection of the rare P[3] genotype in ruminants provides additional evidence for the wide genetic and antigenic diversity of group A rotaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Martella
- Department of Animal Health and Wellbeing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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Martella V, Terio V, Arista S, Elia G, Corrente M, Madio A, Pratelli A, Tempesta M, Cirani A, Buonavoglia C. Nucleotide variation in the VP7 gene affects PCR genotyping of G9 rotaviruses identified in Italy. J Med Virol 2004; 72:143-8. [PMID: 14635023 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A modified (aFT9m) and a degenerate (aFT9d) version of the rotavirus G9-specific primer (aFT9) allowed strains that were previously untypable, because of point mutations accumulating at the primer binding site, to be G typed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The strains were collected during 2001-2002 in Italy in hospitals of the Apulia region, from children affected by severe rotavirus-associated enteritis. Using a wide selection of G9 rotaviruses detected worldwide, sequencing of the G9 untypable strains, sequence comparison, and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Italian strains have strong genetic similarity (< or =99.4%) to G9 rotaviruses identified recently in many parts of the world and different from the old G9 strains identified during the 1980s (less than 90%). Genetic variation of G9 rotaviruses explains the constraints encountered in the typing assays and presumably accounts, together with genetic reassortment events, for the emergence on a global scale of the G9 serotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Martella
- Department of Animal Health and Well-Being, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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Martella V, Ciarlet M, Camarda A, Pratelli A, Tempesta M, Greco G, Cavalli A, Elia G, Decaro N, Terio V, Bozzo G, Camero M, Buonavoglia C. Molecular characterization of the VP4, VP6, VP7, and NSP4 genes of lapine rotaviruses identified in italy: emergence of a novel VP4 genotype. Virology 2003; 314:358-70. [PMID: 14517088 DOI: 10.1016/s0042-6822(03)00418-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The genes encoding the glycoprotein VP7, the VP8* trypsin-cleavage product of the protein VP4, a fragment of the protein VP6 associated with subgroup (SG) specificity, and the enterotoxin NSP4 of rotavirus strains identified in diarrheic fecal samples of rabbits in Italy were sequenced. The Italian lapine rotavirus (LRV) strains possessed a G3 VP7, SG I VP6, and KUN-like NSP4, a gene constellation typical of LRVs. One LRV strain (30/96), isolated in 1996, shared the closest amino acid (aa) identity (87-96%) with the P[14] genotype, composed of human and LRV strains. Conversely, three LRV strains (160/01, 229/01, and 308/01), identified in 2001, were highly identical (90-95%) among each other, but showed low aa identity (34-77%) to the VP8* genotype-specific sequences of representative rotavirus strains of all remaining P genotypes. This report confirms the worldwide genetic constellations of LRVs and identifies a novel VP4 genotype in rabbits, tentatively proposed as genotype P[22].
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Martella
- Department of Animal Health and Well-being, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bari, Italy.
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Abstract
A PCR assay for the detection of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in shellfish is described. The procedure involves the concentration of viral particles with the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG), followed by viral RNA extraction and purification with oligo(dT) cellulose. Reverse transcriptase-PCR detection was accomplished in a single step with the use of primers specific for the VP3-VP1 region of the genome. The procedure detected one 50% tissue culture infective dose (0.6 PFU) per 25 g of shellfish homogenate. Heminested PCR was then carried out to verify the specificity of the PCR products. The method was used to detect HAV in shellfish samples from EU categories B and C and to evaluate the quality of shellfish in routine monitoring for HAV in view of the relevant public health implications of this foodborne disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Di Pinto
- Dipartimento Sanità e Benessere degli Animali, Università degli Studi--Bari, Provinciale per Casamassima, km 3, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
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Martella V, Terio V, Del Gaudio G, Gentile M, Fiorente P, Barbuti S, Buonavoglia C. Detection of the emerging rotavirus G9 serotype at high frequency in Italy. J Clin Microbiol 2003; 41:3960-3. [PMID: 12904429 PMCID: PMC179858 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.41.8.3960-3963.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A human rotavirus strains belonging to the unusual serotype G9 were detected at high frequency in stool specimens from infected children with acute diarrhea in Bari, Italy, during a 15-month survey from March 2001 to June 2002. This may signify a local reemergence of the G9 rotaviruses detected in Italy in the early and mid-1990s or may be related to the global emergence of G9 rotaviruses in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Martella
- Department of Animal Health and Well-Being, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
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