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Maedi-visna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), referred to as small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), belong to the genus Lentivirus of the Retroviridae family. SRLVs infect both sheep and goats, causing significant economic losses and animal welfare damage. Recent findings suggest an association between serological status and allelic variants of different genes such as TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of specific polymorphisms of these genes in SRLVs infection in some sheep flocks in Italy. In addition to those already known, novel variants in the TMEM154 (P7H, I74V, I105V) gene were detected in this study. The risk of infection was determined finding an association between the serological status and polymorphisms P7H, E35K, N70I, I74V, I105V of TMEM154, R447Q, A462S and G520R in TLR9 gene, H176H* and K190K* in MYD88 genes, while no statistical association was observed for the 4-bp deletion of the CCR5 gene. Since no vaccines or treatments have been developed, a genetically based approach could be an innovative strategy to prevent and to control SRLVs infection. Our findings are an important starting point in order to define the genetic resistance profile towards SRLVs infection.
Chiara Arcangeli; Daniele Lucarelli; Martina Torricelli; Carla Sebastiani; Marcella Ciullo; Claudia Pellegrini; Andrea Felici; Silva Costarelli; Monica Giammarioli; Francesco Feliziani; Fabrizio Passamonti; Massimo Biagetti. First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection. Viruses 2021, 13, 1290 .
AMA StyleChiara Arcangeli, Daniele Lucarelli, Martina Torricelli, Carla Sebastiani, Marcella Ciullo, Claudia Pellegrini, Andrea Felici, Silva Costarelli, Monica Giammarioli, Francesco Feliziani, Fabrizio Passamonti, Massimo Biagetti. First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection. Viruses. 2021; 13 (7):1290.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChiara Arcangeli; Daniele Lucarelli; Martina Torricelli; Carla Sebastiani; Marcella Ciullo; Claudia Pellegrini; Andrea Felici; Silva Costarelli; Monica Giammarioli; Francesco Feliziani; Fabrizio Passamonti; Massimo Biagetti. 2021. "First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection." Viruses 13, no. 7: 1290.
African swine fever (ASF) remains the most serious pig infectious disease, and its persistence in domestic pigs and wild boar (WB) is a threat for the global industry. The surveillance of WB plays a central role in controlling the disease and rapidly detecting new cases. As we are close to eradicating ASF, the need to find any possible pockets of infection is even more important. In this context, passive surveillance is the method of choice for effective surveillance in WB. Considering the time and economic resources related to passive surveillance, to prioritize these activities, we developed a standardized methodology able to identify areas where WB surveillance should be focused on. Using GIS-technology, we divided a specific Sardinian infected area into 1 km2 grids (a total of 3953 grids). Variables related to WB density, ASF cases during the last three years, sex and age of animals, and the type of land were associated with each grid. Epidemiological models were used to identify the areas with both a lack of information and an high risk of hidden ASFV persistence. The results led to the creation of a graphic tool providing specific indications about areas where surveillance should be a priority.
Stefano Cappai; Sandro Rolesu; Francesco Feliziani; Pietro Desini; Vittorio Guberti; Federica Loi. Standardized Methodology for Target Surveillance against African Swine Fever. Vaccines 2020, 8, 723 .
AMA StyleStefano Cappai, Sandro Rolesu, Francesco Feliziani, Pietro Desini, Vittorio Guberti, Federica Loi. Standardized Methodology for Target Surveillance against African Swine Fever. Vaccines. 2020; 8 (4):723.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Cappai; Sandro Rolesu; Francesco Feliziani; Pietro Desini; Vittorio Guberti; Federica Loi. 2020. "Standardized Methodology for Target Surveillance against African Swine Fever." Vaccines 8, no. 4: 723.
African swine fever (ASF) severely threatens the swine industry worldwide, given its spread and the absence of an available licensed vaccine, and has caused severe economic losses. Its persistence in wild boar (WB), longer than in domestic pig farms, and the knowledge gaps in ASF epidemiology hinder ASF virus (ASFV) eradication. Even in areas where disease is effectively controlled and ASFV is no longer detected, declaring eradication is difficult as seropositive WBs may still be detected. The aim of this work was to estimate the main ASF epidemiological parameters specific for the north of Sardinia, Italy. The estimated basic (R0) and effective (Re) reproduction numbers demonstrate that the ASF epidemic is declining and under control with an R0 of 1.139 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.123–1.153) and Re of 0.802 (95% CI = 0.612–0.992). In the last phases of an epidemic, these estimates are crucial tools for identifying the intensity of interventions required to definitively eradicate the disease. This approach is useful to understand if and when the detection of residual seropositive WB is no longer associated with any further ASFV circulation.
Federica Loi; Stefano Cappai; Alberto Laddomada; Francesco Feliziani; Annalisa Oggiano; Giulia Franzoni; Sandro Rolesu; Vittorio Guberti. Mathematical Approach to Estimating the Main Epidemiological Parameters of African Swine Fever in Wild Boar. Vaccines 2020, 8, 521 .
AMA StyleFederica Loi, Stefano Cappai, Alberto Laddomada, Francesco Feliziani, Annalisa Oggiano, Giulia Franzoni, Sandro Rolesu, Vittorio Guberti. Mathematical Approach to Estimating the Main Epidemiological Parameters of African Swine Fever in Wild Boar. Vaccines. 2020; 8 (3):521.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederica Loi; Stefano Cappai; Alberto Laddomada; Francesco Feliziani; Annalisa Oggiano; Giulia Franzoni; Sandro Rolesu; Vittorio Guberti. 2020. "Mathematical Approach to Estimating the Main Epidemiological Parameters of African Swine Fever in Wild Boar." Vaccines 8, no. 3: 521.
Francesco Feliziani; Alessandra Martucciello; Carmen Iscaro; Domenico Vecchio; Stefano Petrini; Carlo Grassi; Moira Bazzucchi; Esterina De Carlo. Bovine leukemia virus: Experimental infection in buffaloes and evaluation of diagnostic test reliability. Research in Veterinary Science 2017, 114, 450 -454.
AMA StyleFrancesco Feliziani, Alessandra Martucciello, Carmen Iscaro, Domenico Vecchio, Stefano Petrini, Carlo Grassi, Moira Bazzucchi, Esterina De Carlo. Bovine leukemia virus: Experimental infection in buffaloes and evaluation of diagnostic test reliability. Research in Veterinary Science. 2017; 114 ():450-454.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Feliziani; Alessandra Martucciello; Carmen Iscaro; Domenico Vecchio; Stefano Petrini; Carlo Grassi; Moira Bazzucchi; Esterina De Carlo. 2017. "Bovine leukemia virus: Experimental infection in buffaloes and evaluation of diagnostic test reliability." Research in Veterinary Science 114, no. : 450-454.
We evaluated the use of oral fluid as an alternative to serum samples for Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) detection. Individual oral fluid and serum samples were collected at different times post-infection from pigs that were experimentally inoculated with CSFV Alfort 187 strain. We found no evidence of CSFV neutralizing antibodies in swine oral fluid samples under our experimental conditions. In contrast, real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction could detect CSFV nucleic acid from the oral fluid as early as 8 d postinfection, which also coincided with the time of initial detection in blood samples. The probability of CSFV detection in oral fluid was identical or even higher than in the corresponding blood sample. Our results support the feasibility of using this sampling method for CSFV genome detection, which may represent an additional cost-effective tool for CSF control.
Stefano Petrini; Ilaria Pierini; Monica Giammarioli; Francesco Feliziani; Gian Mario De Mia. Detection of Classical swine fever virus infection by individual oral fluid of pigs following experimental inoculation. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 2017, 29, 254 -257.
AMA StyleStefano Petrini, Ilaria Pierini, Monica Giammarioli, Francesco Feliziani, Gian Mario De Mia. Detection of Classical swine fever virus infection by individual oral fluid of pigs following experimental inoculation. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 2017; 29 (2):254-257.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStefano Petrini; Ilaria Pierini; Monica Giammarioli; Francesco Feliziani; Gian Mario De Mia. 2017. "Detection of Classical swine fever virus infection by individual oral fluid of pigs following experimental inoculation." Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 29, no. 2: 254-257.
Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) is associated with enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL). BLV causes malignant lymphoma and lymphosarcoma; however, most BLV infections remain clinically silent in an aleukaemic state. EBL is a notifiable disease, and official control measures include screening or monitoring, precautions at borders, control of movement inside the country, and stamping out. The objective of this study was to evaluate EBL eradication and surveillance measures in Italy from 2005 to 2012. One-hundred twenty-three outbreaks were recorded (1 January 2006 to 31 December 2012) in the National Veterinary Information System (SIMAN) on 7 November 2013. Of these, 101 had occurred in southern Italy. An outbreak usually lasted for a few days, but sometimes lasted for weeks. Some areas were subjected to normal eradication measures, whereas others were subjected to additional eradication measures as a consequence of persisting EBL outbreaks. During the study period, we noted an overall annual decrease from 0.21% in 2005 to 0.08% in 2012 in the herd prevalence rate, from 0.06% in 2005 to 0.04% in 2012 in the herd incidence rate, and from 0.027% in 2005 to 0.015% in 2012 in the animal prevalence rate. Regions officially recognised as EBL-free areas were found to have their own surveillance plans. Differences in their surveillance plans include the type of sample (serum, milk, or both), age at which the animals must be tested (12 or 24 months), and test frequency of herds (annually or every 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 years). The eradication programme for EBL is difficult to implement in some Italian areas because of several factors such as incomplete herd registry, geographical location and socio-economic conditions of the region.
C. Maresca; S. Costarelli; A. Dettori; A. Felici; C. Iscaro; F. Feliziani. Enzootic bovine leukosis: Report of eradication and surveillance measures in Italy over an 8-year period (2005–2012). Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2015, 119, 222 -226.
AMA StyleC. Maresca, S. Costarelli, A. Dettori, A. Felici, C. Iscaro, F. Feliziani. Enzootic bovine leukosis: Report of eradication and surveillance measures in Italy over an 8-year period (2005–2012). Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2015; 119 (3-4):222-226.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Maresca; S. Costarelli; A. Dettori; A. Felici; C. Iscaro; F. Feliziani. 2015. "Enzootic bovine leukosis: Report of eradication and surveillance measures in Italy over an 8-year period (2005–2012)." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 119, no. 3-4: 222-226.
Oral vaccination against classical swine fever (CSF) is a potent tool to control disease outbreaks in wild boar. So far, vaccination campaigns have been carried out using live attenuated vaccines that do not allow serological differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA). Although this drawback is acceptable for wild boar, the use of marker vaccines would facilitate studies on disease and vaccination dynamics. Recently, the CSF marker vaccine candidate CP7_E2alf was assessed for oral immunization under laboratory conditions. Promising results prompted efforts to study the vaccine candidate under field conditions and in bait formulation. In this context, two oral vaccination campaigns were carried out with CP7_E2alf bait vaccines in two areas called ‘faunistic-hunting farms’ in the region of Umbria, Italy. One campaign was conducted using single vaccination, the second with the routinely employed double vaccination strategy. Both campaigns were carried out before concerted hunting actions were performed. Bait uptake, vaccine virus detection and antibody responses were assessed along with inspections upon gutting. As a comparator, seven wild boar were hand-fed with baits under laboratory conditions. In the field, bait uptake ranged from 63.7% to 98.7%, whereas antibody prevalence reached only 33.3–35.1%. The marker serology showed a strong influence of sample quality on the test outcome with a total of 85% of samples being classified correctly. Vaccine virus was not detectable. Under hand feeding conditions, six out of seven wild boar took up at least one bait, and five of them showed detectable antibody levels seven weeks after vaccination. These results were supplemented by stability tests. Appropriate stability of vaccine virus was shown both under field and laboratory conditions. In total, most results were in line with our expectations. However, optimization of the DIVA assay has to be attempted in the future.
Francesco Feliziani; Sandra Blome; Stefano Petrini; Monica Giammarioli; Carmen Iscaro; Giulio Severi; Luca Convito; Jana Pietschmann; Martin Beer; Gian Mario De Mia. First assessment of classical swine fever marker vaccine candidate CP7_E2alf for oral immunization of wild boar under field conditions. Vaccine 2014, 32, 2050 -2055.
AMA StyleFrancesco Feliziani, Sandra Blome, Stefano Petrini, Monica Giammarioli, Carmen Iscaro, Giulio Severi, Luca Convito, Jana Pietschmann, Martin Beer, Gian Mario De Mia. First assessment of classical swine fever marker vaccine candidate CP7_E2alf for oral immunization of wild boar under field conditions. Vaccine. 2014; 32 (18):2050-2055.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Feliziani; Sandra Blome; Stefano Petrini; Monica Giammarioli; Carmen Iscaro; Giulio Severi; Luca Convito; Jana Pietschmann; Martin Beer; Gian Mario De Mia. 2014. "First assessment of classical swine fever marker vaccine candidate CP7_E2alf for oral immunization of wild boar under field conditions." Vaccine 32, no. 18: 2050-2055.
Mammary tumours are the most common malignancy diagnosed in female dogs and a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in this species. Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 15–3 is a mucinous glycoprotein aberrantly over-expressed in human mammary neoplasms and one of the most widely used serum tumour markers in women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the antigenic analogies of human and canine CA 15–3 and to assess its expression in canine mammary cancer tissues and cell lines. Immunohistochemical expression of CA 15–3 was evaluated in 7 canine mammary cancer cell lines and 50 malignant mammary tumours. As a positive control, the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF7 and tissue were used. To assess CA 15–3 staining, a semi-quantitative method was applied. To confirm the specificity and cross-reactivity of an anti-human CA 15–3 antibody to canine tissues, an immunoblot analysis was performed. We also investigated serum CA 15–3 activity to establish whether its expression could be assigned to several tumour characteristics to evaluate its potential use as a serum tumour marker in the canine mammary oncology field.
Elisabetta Manuali; Antonio De Giuseppe; Francesco Feliziani; Katia Forti; Cristina Casciari; Maria Chiara Marchesi; Eugenio Pacifico; Karol M Pawłowski; Kinga Majchrzak; Magdalena Król. CA 15–3 cell lines and tissue expression in canine mammary cancer and the correlation between serum levels and tumour histological grade. BMC Veterinary Research 2012, 8, 86 -86.
AMA StyleElisabetta Manuali, Antonio De Giuseppe, Francesco Feliziani, Katia Forti, Cristina Casciari, Maria Chiara Marchesi, Eugenio Pacifico, Karol M Pawłowski, Kinga Majchrzak, Magdalena Król. CA 15–3 cell lines and tissue expression in canine mammary cancer and the correlation between serum levels and tumour histological grade. BMC Veterinary Research. 2012; 8 (1):86-86.
Chicago/Turabian StyleElisabetta Manuali; Antonio De Giuseppe; Francesco Feliziani; Katia Forti; Cristina Casciari; Maria Chiara Marchesi; Eugenio Pacifico; Karol M Pawłowski; Kinga Majchrzak; Magdalena Król. 2012. "CA 15–3 cell lines and tissue expression in canine mammary cancer and the correlation between serum levels and tumour histological grade." BMC Veterinary Research 8, no. 1: 86-86.
The aim of this study was to compare the tissue distribution and pathogenicity of three virulence variants of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and to investigate the applicability of various conventional diagnostic procedures.
Katinka Belák; Frank Koenen; Hans Vanderhallen; Christian Mittelholzer; Francesco Feliziani; Gian Mario De Mia; Sándor Belák. Comparative studies on the pathogenicity and tissue distribution of three virulence variants of classical swine fever virus, two field isolates and one vaccine strain, with special regard to immunohistochemical investigations. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2008, 50, 34 -34.
AMA StyleKatinka Belák, Frank Koenen, Hans Vanderhallen, Christian Mittelholzer, Francesco Feliziani, Gian Mario De Mia, Sándor Belák. Comparative studies on the pathogenicity and tissue distribution of three virulence variants of classical swine fever virus, two field isolates and one vaccine strain, with special regard to immunohistochemical investigations. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 2008; 50 (1):34-34.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKatinka Belák; Frank Koenen; Hans Vanderhallen; Christian Mittelholzer; Francesco Feliziani; Gian Mario De Mia; Sándor Belák. 2008. "Comparative studies on the pathogenicity and tissue distribution of three virulence variants of classical swine fever virus, two field isolates and one vaccine strain, with special regard to immunohistochemical investigations." Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 50, no. 1: 34-34.