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In humans, hepatitis E virus (HEV) is responsible for an acute enterically transmitted hepatitis, which can become chronic in immune‐compromised patients. Genotypes 3 and 4 (HEV‐3 and HEV‐4) are zoonotic, and domestic pigs and wild boar are the main reservoirs. The occurrence of autochthonous cases in Europe, which have been increasing over the last 10 years, has been associated with food‐borne zoonotic transmission of HEV‐3, mainly linked to consumption of undercooked or raw pork products (sausages containing liver) and wild boar meat. Zoonotic HEV‐3 strains are widespread on pig farms, but little information is available on the dynamic of HEV‐3 infection within farms, among pigs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of the infection among pigs of different ages along the production chain by the zoonotic HEVs, and to evaluate how long the virus may persist in the farm environment. The presence of HEV‐RNA was investigated by real‐time reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR) in 281 test faecal pools over 19 months (2017–2019) on a two‐site farrow‐to‐finish farm (about 1,000 sows), in Northern Italy. A total of 67/281 test faecal pools (23.8%) resulted positive for the presence of HEV‐RNA (site 1: 59/221, 26.7%; site 2: 8/60, 13.3%). Nucleotide sequencing revealed a unique HEV‐3 viral variant circulating during 19 months of surveillance. The same HEV‐3 strain was detected in the same farm on 2012, indicating the persistence of the same virus over 7 years, and highlighting the role of the environment as a continuous source of infection on pig farms. The results confirmed the circulation of the zoonotic genotype HEV‐3 in pigs before slaughtering.
Giovanni Ianiro; Eleonora Chelli; Luca De Sabato; Marina Monini; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Long‐term surveillance for hepatitis E virus in an Italian two‐site farrow‐to‐finish swine farm. Zoonoses and Public Health 2021, 68, 474 -482.
AMA StyleGiovanni Ianiro, Eleonora Chelli, Luca De Sabato, Marina Monini, Fabio Ostanello, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Long‐term surveillance for hepatitis E virus in an Italian two‐site farrow‐to‐finish swine farm. Zoonoses and Public Health. 2021; 68 (5):474-482.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanni Ianiro; Eleonora Chelli; Luca De Sabato; Marina Monini; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2021. "Long‐term surveillance for hepatitis E virus in an Italian two‐site farrow‐to‐finish swine farm." Zoonoses and Public Health 68, no. 5: 474-482.
In Europe, foodborne transmission has been clearly associated to sporadic cases and small clusters of hepatitis E in humans linked to the consumption of contaminated pig liver sausages, raw venison, or undercooked wild boar meat. In Europe, zoonotic HEV-genotype 3 strains are widespread in pig farms but little information is available on the prevalence of HEV positive pigs at slaughterhouse. In the present study, the prevalence of HEV-RNA positive pigs was assessed on 585 animals from 4 abattoirs located across Italy. Twenty-one pigs (3.6%) tested positive for HEV in either feces or liver by real-time RT-PCR. In these 21 pigs, eight diaphragm muscles resulted positive for HEV-RNA. Among animals collected in one abattoir, 4 out of 91 plasma tested positive for HEV-RNA. ELISA tests for the detection of total antibodies against HEV showed a high seroprevalence (76.8%), confirming the frequent exposure of pigs to the virus. The phylogenetic analyses conducted on sequences of both ORF1 and ORF2 fragments, shows the circulation of HEV-3c and of a novel unclassified subtype. This study provides information on HEV occurrence in pigs at the slaughterhouse, confirming that muscles are rarely contaminated by HEV-RNA compared to liver, which is the most frequently positive for HEV.
Eleonora Chelli; Elisabetta Suffredini; Paola De Santis; Dario De Medici; Santina Di Bella; Stefania D’Amato; Francesca Gucciardi; Annalisa Guercio; Fabio Ostanello; Vitantonio Perrone; Giuseppa Purpari; Gaia Scavia; Pietro Schembri; Bianca Varcasia; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Hepatitis E Virus Occurrence in Pigs Slaughtered in Italy. Animals 2021, 11, 277 .
AMA StyleEleonora Chelli, Elisabetta Suffredini, Paola De Santis, Dario De Medici, Santina Di Bella, Stefania D’Amato, Francesca Gucciardi, Annalisa Guercio, Fabio Ostanello, Vitantonio Perrone, Giuseppa Purpari, Gaia Scavia, Pietro Schembri, Bianca Varcasia, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Hepatitis E Virus Occurrence in Pigs Slaughtered in Italy. Animals. 2021; 11 (2):277.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEleonora Chelli; Elisabetta Suffredini; Paola De Santis; Dario De Medici; Santina Di Bella; Stefania D’Amato; Francesca Gucciardi; Annalisa Guercio; Fabio Ostanello; Vitantonio Perrone; Giuseppa Purpari; Gaia Scavia; Pietro Schembri; Bianca Varcasia; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2021. "Hepatitis E Virus Occurrence in Pigs Slaughtered in Italy." Animals 11, no. 2: 277.
Due to their need for living cells, viruses have developed adaptive evolutionary strategies to survive and perpetuate in reservoir hosts that play a crucial role in the ecology of emerging pathogens. Pathogenic and potentially pandemic betacoronaviruses arose in humans in 2002 (SARS-CoV, disappeared in July 2003), 2012 (MERS-CoV, still circulating in Middle East areas), and 2019 (SARS-CoV-2, causing the current global pandemic). As universally recognized, bats host ancestors of the above-mentioned zoonotic viruses. However, hedgehogs have been recently identified in Europe and Asia as possible reservoirs of MERS-CoV-like strains classified as Erinaceus coronavirus (EriCoV). To elucidate the evolution and genetics of EriCoVs, NGS (next generation sequencing) and Sanger sequencing were used to examine fecal samples collected in Northern Italy in 2018/2019 from 12 hedgehogs previously found EriCoV-positive by RT-PCR. By sequence analysis, eight complete EriCoV genomes, obtained by NGS, showed a high phylogenetic correlation with EriCoV strains previously reported in Eurasia. Interestingly, eight viral strains presented an additional ORF encoding for the CD200 ortholog located between the genes encoding for the Spike and the ORF3a proteins. The CD200 ortholog sequences were closely similar to the host CD200 protein but varying among EriCoVs. The result, confirmed by Sanger sequencing, demonstrates for the first time that CoVs can acquire host genes potentially involved in the immune-modulatory cascade and possibly enabling the virus to escape the host defence.
Luca De Sabato; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Maria Alessandra De Marco; Ana Moreno; Davide Lelli; Claudia Cotti; Mauro Delogu; Gabriele Vaccari. Can Coronaviruses Steal Genes from the Host as Evidenced in Western European Hedgehogs by EriCoV Genetic Characterization? Viruses 2020, 12, 1471 .
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Ilaria Di Bartolo, Maria Alessandra De Marco, Ana Moreno, Davide Lelli, Claudia Cotti, Mauro Delogu, Gabriele Vaccari. Can Coronaviruses Steal Genes from the Host as Evidenced in Western European Hedgehogs by EriCoV Genetic Characterization? Viruses. 2020; 12 (12):1471.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Maria Alessandra De Marco; Ana Moreno; Davide Lelli; Claudia Cotti; Mauro Delogu; Gabriele Vaccari. 2020. "Can Coronaviruses Steal Genes from the Host as Evidenced in Western European Hedgehogs by EriCoV Genetic Characterization?" Viruses 12, no. 12: 1471.
In the last decade in Europe, the number of autochthonous cases of hepatitis E has significantly increased. Most of the cases arise from foodborne infections caused by the zoonotic hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes HEV-3 and HEV-4. Several human cases have been linked to consumption of raw or undercooked animal products of both pork (liver sausages) and wild boar meat. In this study, the occurrence of HEV infection was investigated in 611 livers and 88 paired lungs from wild boars collected during the hunting seasons of 2016-2020 in the Umbria-Marche Apennines (Central Italy). Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, 15 liver samples (2.45%) and one lung sample were found to be positive for HEV RNA. The phylogenetic tree built on the partial ORF2 gene revealed that the detected HEV strains belonged to HEV-3f (n = 5), HEV-3e (n = 1) and HEV-3c (n = 1) subtypes. Interestingly, 8 strains were genetically placed in a different cluster, further away from all other subtypes. To corroborate this finding, four complete genomes were obtained by next generation sequencing. The full genome of the HEV strains clustered together with another wild boar strain previously detected in Southern Italy in 2015 but the strains were divergent from all the HEV-3 strains classified in any subtype defined so far. Thus, these strains represent a novel subtype that might have originated in Italy, which we have tentatively named HEV-3n.
Ilaria Pierini; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Elisabetta Manuali; Silvia Pirani; Moira Bazzucchi; Livia Moscati; Gian Mario De Mia; Monica Giammarioli. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 diversity: Identification of a novel HEV subtype in wild boar in Central Italy. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleIlaria Pierini, Ilaria Di Bartolo, Elisabetta Manuali, Silvia Pirani, Moira Bazzucchi, Livia Moscati, Gian Mario De Mia, Monica Giammarioli. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 diversity: Identification of a novel HEV subtype in wild boar in Central Italy. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Pierini; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Elisabetta Manuali; Silvia Pirani; Moira Bazzucchi; Livia Moscati; Gian Mario De Mia; Monica Giammarioli. 2020. "Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 diversity: Identification of a novel HEV subtype in wild boar in Central Italy." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases , no. : 1.
People with some occupational or recreational activities, such as hunters and veterinarians, may have increased risk to be infected by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). The aim of the present study was to establish whether forestry workers could be considered at a higher risk of HEV infection than a control group. One hundred and fifty sera from forestry workers and a control group of 85 sera were analysed by anti-HEV IgG antibodies detection using a commercial ELISA kit. The anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence was 14% for forestry workers and 9.4% for the control group. Comparing the risk of HEV infection in the two groups, there was no difference in the odds ratio. However, the seroprevalence in older subjects was higher in the forestry workers than in the control group. Two sera from forestry workers were also positive for anti-HEV IgM, and, in one of them, HEV-RNA was detected. Our findings showed an increase of seroprevalence with age, which is likely to reflect cumulative exposure to HEV over time. The occupation of forestry workers did not seem to be associated with a higher risk of HEV infection. The study provided new insights into the risk of acquiring HEV in occupational exposure workers with open-air activities.
Marina Monini; Fabio Ostanello; Alessandra Dominicis; Valentina Tagliapietra; Gabriele Vaccari; Annapaola Rizzoli; Claudia M. Trombetta; Emanuele Montomoli; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Forestry Workers from Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Northern Italy). Pathogens 2020, 9, 568 .
AMA StyleMarina Monini, Fabio Ostanello, Alessandra Dominicis, Valentina Tagliapietra, Gabriele Vaccari, Annapaola Rizzoli, Claudia M. Trombetta, Emanuele Montomoli, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Forestry Workers from Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Northern Italy). Pathogens. 2020; 9 (7):568.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarina Monini; Fabio Ostanello; Alessandra Dominicis; Valentina Tagliapietra; Gabriele Vaccari; Annapaola Rizzoli; Claudia M. Trombetta; Emanuele Montomoli; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2020. "Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Forestry Workers from Trentino-Alto Adige Region (Northern Italy)." Pathogens 9, no. 7: 568.
Identifying Hepatitis E virus (HEV)-positive pig farms is important to implement surveillance programs for this emerging zoonotic agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of serosanguineous fluids obtained as part of castration practice (processing fluids (PFs)) to detect anti-HEV antibodies in newborn piglets. Ninety-five paired serum and PF samples were collected from piglets of 29 different litters and tested with a commercial ELISA kit. A significant positive correlation (Spearman’s rho: 0.600; p < 0.01) was found between anti-HEV antibodies in serum and PF samples. In 26 out of 29 litters (89.7%), there was at least one positive piglet in the serum. Sixteen litters out of 29 (55.2%) were also positive in PFs. To simulate the use of PF as pooled samples, the limit of detection of the ELISA was assessed mixing the PF sample with strong, medium, medium-weak and weak ELISA titres with 3, 4, 5 and 6 negative PF samples. Our results suggest that it is still possible to identify a positive PF pool when at least one individual PF sample with medium or strong antibody levels is mixed with 5 or 6 individual negative PF samples. The detection of anti-HEV maternal-derived antibodies in PF confirms a past exposure of sows to the virus. PF may represent a rapid, noninvasive and economical tool to identify HEV-positive farms.
Ilaria Di Bartolo; Luca De Sabato; Eleonora Chelli; Giovanni Loris Alborali; Matteo Tonni; Marina Monini; Alessia De Lucia; Fabio Ostanello. Pilot Investigation on the Presence of Anti-Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Antibodies in Piglet Processing Fluids. Animals 2020, 10, 1168 .
AMA StyleIlaria Di Bartolo, Luca De Sabato, Eleonora Chelli, Giovanni Loris Alborali, Matteo Tonni, Marina Monini, Alessia De Lucia, Fabio Ostanello. Pilot Investigation on the Presence of Anti-Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Antibodies in Piglet Processing Fluids. Animals. 2020; 10 (7):1168.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIlaria Di Bartolo; Luca De Sabato; Eleonora Chelli; Giovanni Loris Alborali; Matteo Tonni; Marina Monini; Alessia De Lucia; Fabio Ostanello. 2020. "Pilot Investigation on the Presence of Anti-Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) Antibodies in Piglet Processing Fluids." Animals 10, no. 7: 1168.
Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) belongs to the genus Sapelovirus of the family Picornaviridae. PSV infects pigs asymptomatically, but it can also cause severe neurologic, enteric, and respiratory symptoms or reproductive failure. Sapelovirus infections have been reported worldwide in pigs. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence and the prevalence of PSV in Italian swine farms in animals of different ages to clarify the occurrence of the infection and the genetic characteristics of circulating strains. In the present study, 92 pools of fecal samples, collected from pigs across three farms, were analyzed by Reverse Transcriptase-polymerase Chain Reaction-PCR (RT-PCR). Fecal pools from young growers (63/64) were found positive for Sapelovirus in all farms while detection in sows (4/28) was observed in only one farm. Phylogenetic analyses of the 19 partial capsid protein nucleotide sequences (VP1) (6–7 each farm) enable the classification of the virus sequences into three distinct clades and highlighted the high heterogeneity within one farm. The whole genome sequence obtained from one strain showed the highest correlation with the Italian strain detected in 2015. The study adds novel information about the circulation and heterogeneity of PSV strains in Italy and considering the movement of pigs across Europe would also be informative for other countries.
Eleonora Chelli; Luca De Sabato; Gabriele Vaccari; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Detection and Characterization of Porcine Sapelovirus in Italian Pig Farms. Animals 2020, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleEleonora Chelli, Luca De Sabato, Gabriele Vaccari, Fabio Ostanello, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Detection and Characterization of Porcine Sapelovirus in Italian Pig Farms. Animals. 2020; 10 (6):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEleonora Chelli; Luca De Sabato; Gabriele Vaccari; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2020. "Detection and Characterization of Porcine Sapelovirus in Italian Pig Farms." Animals 10, no. 6: 1.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains belonging to the Orthohepevirus genus are divided into four species (A-D). HEV strains included in the Orthohepevirus A species infect humans and several other mammals. Among them, the HEV-3 and HEV-4 genotypes are zoonotic and infect both humans and animals, of which, pigs and wild boar are the main reservoirs. Viruses belonging to the Orthohepevirus C species (HEV-C) have been considered to infect rats of different species and carnivores. Recently, two studies reported the detection of HEV-C1 (rat HEV) RNA in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients, suggesting a possible transmission of rat HEV to humans. The role of rats and mice as reservoir of HEV and the potential zoonotic transmission is still poorly known and deserves further investigation. To this purpose, in this study, the presence of HEV RNA was investigated in the intestinal contents and liver samples from 47 Black rats (Rattus rattus) and 21 House mice (Mus musculus) captured in four pig farms in Northern Italy. The presence of both Orthohepevirus A and C was investigated by the real-rime RT-PCR specific for HEV-1 to HEV-4 genotypes of Orthohepevirus A species and by a broad spectrum hemi-nested RT-PCR capable of detecting different HEV species including rat HEV. The intestinal content from two Black rats resulted positive for HEV-C1 RNA and for HEV-3 RNA, respectively. None of the House mice was HEV RNA positive. Sequence analyses confirmed the detection of HEV-C1, genotype G1 and HEV-3 subtype e. The viral strain HEV-3e detected in the rat was identical to swine HEV strains detected in the same farm. Liver samples were negative for the detection of either rat HEV or HEV-3.
Luca De Sabato; Giovanni Ianiro; Marina Monini; Alessia De Lucia; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in rats caught in pig farms from Northern Italy. Zoonoses and Public Health 2019, 67, 62 -69.
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Giovanni Ianiro, Marina Monini, Alessia De Lucia, Fabio Ostanello, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in rats caught in pig farms from Northern Italy. Zoonoses and Public Health. 2019; 67 (1):62-69.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Giovanni Ianiro; Marina Monini; Alessia De Lucia; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2019. "Detection of hepatitis E virus RNA in rats caught in pig farms from Northern Italy." Zoonoses and Public Health 67, no. 1: 62-69.
Hepatitis E is an emerging threat in industrialized countries. The foodborne transmission linked to consumption of pork and game meat is considered the main source of autochthonous infection. In Europe, small outbreaks have been reported linked to the consumption of pork liver sausages and wild boar meat. Based on previous findings and on increasing evidence of pork and game meat as a vehicle for HEV infections, the present study investigated the occurrence of HEV in 99 pork and 63 wild boar sausages and salami sold in Southern Italy. The HEV genome was detected in four wild boar sausages. Sequencing from 2 wild boar sausages confirmed that the HEV strains detected belonged to HEV-3 genotype, not assigned to any defined subtype. Data obtained confirmed the possible occurrence of HEV in pork products and in game. Although the detection rate is low, these products are frequently consumed raw after curing, whose effect on virus viability is still unknown.
Angela Michela Immacolata Montone; Luca De Sabato; Elisabetta Suffredini; Mose’ Alise; Alessandra Zaccherini; Palmiero Volzone; Orlandina Di Maro; Benedetto Neola; Federico Capuano; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Occurrence of HEV-RNA in Italian Regional Pork and Wild Boar Food Products. Food and Environmental Virology 2019, 11, 420 -426.
AMA StyleAngela Michela Immacolata Montone, Luca De Sabato, Elisabetta Suffredini, Mose’ Alise, Alessandra Zaccherini, Palmiero Volzone, Orlandina Di Maro, Benedetto Neola, Federico Capuano, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Occurrence of HEV-RNA in Italian Regional Pork and Wild Boar Food Products. Food and Environmental Virology. 2019; 11 (4):420-426.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela Michela Immacolata Montone; Luca De Sabato; Elisabetta Suffredini; Mose’ Alise; Alessandra Zaccherini; Palmiero Volzone; Orlandina Di Maro; Benedetto Neola; Federico Capuano; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2019. "Occurrence of HEV-RNA in Italian Regional Pork and Wild Boar Food Products." Food and Environmental Virology 11, no. 4: 420-426.
In industrialized countries, hepatitis E is now recognized as an emerging zoonosis. Autochthonous cases have been increased over recent years in Europe and are mainly associated with HEV-3 infections. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs of the zoonotic HEV-3 and HEV-4 genotypes. Over the past decade, the number of wild boars has drastically increased in Europe. Due to habitats closer to humans and domestic animals, the role of wild boar as a reservoir of the zoonotic HEV is considered to be an emerging issue. In this study, we investigated the presence of HEV RNA by a real-time RT-PCR assay in paired liver and muscle samples collected from 196 wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in the two areas of Central and Southern Italy. Twenty animals (10.2%) were HEV RNA positive in livers, 11 of which were also positive in muscles. The ORF2 and ORF1 partial viral sequences were obtained for nine paired livers and muscles, and when aligned were identical to each other. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed detection of different HEV-3 subtypes: 3c, 3f, 3i and some that were not assigned to any subtypes that have so far been identified. Results need further investigation because they are based on analyses of sequences of short genome regions. Nevertheless, we observed that the same strains were circulating in the wild boar populations from the two investigated areas, confirming persistence of the same HEV strains in the wild boar population over time.
Luca De Sabato; Maria Grazia Amoroso; Giovanni Ianiro; Claudia Esposito; Luigi De Grossi; Giovanna Fusco; Antonino Barone; Enrica Martini; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Livers and Muscle Tissues of Wild Boars in Italy. Food and Environmental Virology 2019, 12, 1 -8.
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Maria Grazia Amoroso, Giovanni Ianiro, Claudia Esposito, Luigi De Grossi, Giovanna Fusco, Antonino Barone, Enrica Martini, Fabio Ostanello, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Livers and Muscle Tissues of Wild Boars in Italy. Food and Environmental Virology. 2019; 12 (1):1-8.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Maria Grazia Amoroso; Giovanni Ianiro; Claudia Esposito; Luigi De Grossi; Giovanna Fusco; Antonino Barone; Enrica Martini; Fabio Ostanello; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2019. "Detection of Hepatitis E Virus in Livers and Muscle Tissues of Wild Boars in Italy." Food and Environmental Virology 12, no. 1: 1-8.
Marina Monini; Fabio Ostanello; Edoardo Vignolo; Elisabetta Pagani; Sabine Gamper; Silvia Spertini; Elisa Masi; Michela Rabini; Alberta Stenico; Elisa Poznanski; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Occurrence of two Norovirus outbreaks in the same cafeteria in one week. 2019, 42, 156 -160.
AMA StyleMarina Monini, Fabio Ostanello, Edoardo Vignolo, Elisabetta Pagani, Sabine Gamper, Silvia Spertini, Elisa Masi, Michela Rabini, Alberta Stenico, Elisa Poznanski, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Occurrence of two Norovirus outbreaks in the same cafeteria in one week. . 2019; 42 (3):156-160.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarina Monini; Fabio Ostanello; Edoardo Vignolo; Elisabetta Pagani; Sabine Gamper; Silvia Spertini; Elisa Masi; Michela Rabini; Alberta Stenico; Elisa Poznanski; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2019. "Occurrence of two Norovirus outbreaks in the same cafeteria in one week." 42, no. 3: 156-160.
Introduction Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children, causing ca 250,000 deaths worldwide, mainly in low-income countries. Two proteins, VP7 (glycoprotein, G genotype) and VP4 (protease-sensitive protein, P genotype), are the basis for the binary RVA nomenclature. Although 36 G types and 51 P types are presently known, most RVA infections in humans worldwide are related to five G/P combinations: G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], G9P[8]. Aim This study aimed to characterise the RVA strains circulating in Italy in the pre-vaccination era, to define the trends of circulation of genotypes in the Italian paediatric population. Methods Between September 2014 and August 2017, after routine screening in hospital by commercial antigen detection kit, 2,202 rotavirus-positive samples were collected in Italy from children hospitalised with AGE; the viruses were genotyped following standard European protocols. Results This 3-year study revealed an overall predominance of the G12P[8] genotype (544 of 2,202 cases; 24.70%), followed by G9P[8] (535/2,202; 24.30%), G1P[8] (459/2,202; 20.84%) and G4P[8] (371/2,202; 16.85%). G2P[4] and G3P[8] genotypes were detected at low rates (3.32% and 3.09%, respectively). Mixed infections accounted for 6.49% of cases (143/2,202), uncommon RVA strains for 0.41% of cases (9/2,202). Conclusions The emergence of G12P[8] rotavirus in Italy, as in other countries, marks this genotype as the sixth most common human genotype. Continuous surveillance of RVA strains and monitoring of circulating genotypes are important for a better understanding of rotavirus evolution and genotype distribution, particularly regarding strains that may emerge from reassortment events.
Giovanni Ianiro; Roberto Micolano; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Gaia Scavia; Marina Monini; RotaNet-Italy Study Group. Group A rotavirus surveillance before vaccine introduction in Italy, September 2014 to August 2017. Eurosurveillance 2019, 24, 1800418 .
AMA StyleGiovanni Ianiro, Roberto Micolano, Ilaria Di Bartolo, Gaia Scavia, Marina Monini, RotaNet-Italy Study Group. Group A rotavirus surveillance before vaccine introduction in Italy, September 2014 to August 2017. Eurosurveillance. 2019; 24 (15):1800418.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGiovanni Ianiro; Roberto Micolano; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Gaia Scavia; Marina Monini; RotaNet-Italy Study Group. 2019. "Group A rotavirus surveillance before vaccine introduction in Italy, September 2014 to August 2017." Eurosurveillance 24, no. 15: 1800418.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging zoonosis caused by a positive RNA single stranded virus of the Hepeviridae family. In developed countries, pigs and wild boars are the main reservoir for zoonotic genotypes 3 and 4. In spring 2017, for the first time HEV was detected in wild boars captured in the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills, in north-eastern Italy. Phylogenetic analysis of two complete viral genomes and seven partial ORF1 and ORF2 sequences of HEV viruses, selected from twelve positive animals, showed that the viruses grouped together within genotype 3 but clustered separately from previously identified subtypes, thus suggesting the identification of a novel genotype 3 subtype. The phylogenetic analysis of nine partial ORF2 sequences showed the closest similarity with wild boar/human viruses identified in central-northern Italy in 2012. The circulation of HEVs in this area, characterized by a vast man-made environment, an overpopulation of wild boars and >150 swine farms, should be considered in a public health perspective. Further investigations at the wild/domestic species and human interface are therefore necessary to gain a deeper understanding of HEV dynamics.
B. Zecchin; A. Schivo; A. Milani; A. Fusaro; G. Zamperin; L. Bellinati; L. Ceglie; A. Natale; L. Bonfanti; G. Cunial; Federica Obber; I. Di Bartolo; C. Citterio; I. Monne. Identification of a zoonotic genotype 3 hepatitis E subtype in wildlife in north-eastern Italy. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 2019, 71, 16 -20.
AMA StyleB. Zecchin, A. Schivo, A. Milani, A. Fusaro, G. Zamperin, L. Bellinati, L. Ceglie, A. Natale, L. Bonfanti, G. Cunial, Federica Obber, I. Di Bartolo, C. Citterio, I. Monne. Identification of a zoonotic genotype 3 hepatitis E subtype in wildlife in north-eastern Italy. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2019; 71 ():16-20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleB. Zecchin; A. Schivo; A. Milani; A. Fusaro; G. Zamperin; L. Bellinati; L. Ceglie; A. Natale; L. Bonfanti; G. Cunial; Federica Obber; I. Di Bartolo; C. Citterio; I. Monne. 2019. "Identification of a zoonotic genotype 3 hepatitis E subtype in wildlife in north-eastern Italy." Infection, Genetics and Evolution 71, no. : 16-20.
Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been detected worldwide in several bat species, which are considered the main reservoir. The attention to the high diversity of CoVs hosted by bats has increased during the last decade due to the high number of human infections caused by two zoonotic Beta-CoVs, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, that cause several respiratory diseases. Among coronaviruses, two Alpha-CoV strains (HuCoV-229E and HuCoV-NL63) cause mild respiratory disease that can change to severe disease in children, elderly and individuals affected by illnesses. Phylogenetic analysis conducted on bat Alpha-CoV strains revealed their evolutive correlation to human strains, suggesting their origin in bats. The genome of CoVs is characterized by a high frequency of mutations and recombination events, increasing their ability to switch hosts and their zoonotic potential. In this study, three strains of Alpha-CoV genera detected in Italian bats (Pipistrellus kuhlii) were fully sequenced by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and characterized. The complete genome analysis showed the correlation of the Italians strains with a Chinese strain detected in 2013 and, based on CoV molecular species demarcation, two new Alpha-CoV species were established. The analysis of a fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) showed the correlation of the Italian strains with CoVs that was only detected in the bat Pipistrellus genera (Pipistrellus kuhlii and Pipistrellus Pipistrellus) in European countries.
Luca De Sabato; Davide Lelli; Francesca Faccin; Sabrina Canziani; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Gabriele Vaccari; Ana Moreno. Full genome characterization of two novel Alpha-coronavirus species from Italian bats. Virus Research 2018, 260, 60 -66.
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Davide Lelli, Francesca Faccin, Sabrina Canziani, Ilaria Di Bartolo, Gabriele Vaccari, Ana Moreno. Full genome characterization of two novel Alpha-coronavirus species from Italian bats. Virus Research. 2018; 260 ():60-66.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Davide Lelli; Francesca Faccin; Sabrina Canziani; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Gabriele Vaccari; Ana Moreno. 2018. "Full genome characterization of two novel Alpha-coronavirus species from Italian bats." Virus Research 260, no. : 60-66.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an RNA virus causing an acute generally self‐limited disease in humans. An increasing number of autochthonous cases linked to zoonotic transmission of HEV genotype 3 have been reported over the last 10 years in Europe. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs. The principal route of transmission in Europe is food‐borne, linked by direct or indirect evidence to the consumption of raw or undercooked pork products and wild boar meat. In this study, we sampled 92 wild boar (Sus scrofa) livers during active surveillance in five municipalities in Central Italy throughout the hunting season 2016–2017. HEV RNA was detected in 52.2% of liver sampled with prevalence ranging from 0.0% to 65.7%. HEV‐positive wild boars were detected in all but one area of hunting. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strains clustered within the two subtypes HEV‐3c and HEV‐3f and displayed a wide range of phylogenetic diversity. Several strains were circulating in the areas investigated; animals possibly belonging to the same family group hunted by the same team were infected with a unique strain (100% nucleotide identity). As wild animals are a proven source of HEV transmission to humans and pigs, the high prevalence observed (mean 52.2%) poses a question on the risk of consuming raw or undercooked wild boar meat, and thus, this subject deserves further investigations.
Luca De Sabato; Fabio Ostanello; Luigi De Grossi; Anita Marcario; Barbara Franzetti; Marina Monini; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Molecular survey of HEV infection in wild boar population in Italy. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2018, 65, 1749 -1756.
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Fabio Ostanello, Luigi De Grossi, Anita Marcario, Barbara Franzetti, Marina Monini, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Molecular survey of HEV infection in wild boar population in Italy. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2018; 65 (6):1749-1756.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Fabio Ostanello; Luigi De Grossi; Anita Marcario; Barbara Franzetti; Marina Monini; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2018. "Molecular survey of HEV infection in wild boar population in Italy." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 65, no. 6: 1749-1756.
The complete and near-complete genome sequences (7206 nt and 7229 nt) of two wild boar HEV strains detected in Southern Italy were obtained by the next generation sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis and p distance comparisons of one of the strains with HEV-3 reference subtype strains confirmed the detection of a subtype 3i (p distance = 0.110) strain in wild boar, never detected in Italy either in wild boar or pigs. The sequence of the second strain was not classifiable in any of the subtypes defined to date, showing a p distance > 0.138 and a low nucleotide identity with all HEV reference strains. The virus may represent a novel subtype, with a low relationship to other strains of genotype 3 detected in wild boar, pigs, or humans in Europe. This result suggests the circulation in Italy of an emerging or uncommon HEV strain. Sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses of the complete HEV coding regions are important tools for understanding the evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics underlying the wide genetic diversity of HEV strains.
Luca De Sabato; Gabriele Vaccari; Philippe Lemey; Maria Grazia Amoroso; Giovanna Fusco; Giovanni Ianiro; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Phylogenetic analysis of two genotype 3 Hepatitis E viruses from wild boar, Italy. Virus Genes 2018, 54, 812 -817.
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Gabriele Vaccari, Philippe Lemey, Maria Grazia Amoroso, Giovanna Fusco, Giovanni Ianiro, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Phylogenetic analysis of two genotype 3 Hepatitis E viruses from wild boar, Italy. Virus Genes. 2018; 54 (6):812-817.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Gabriele Vaccari; Philippe Lemey; Maria Grazia Amoroso; Giovanna Fusco; Giovanni Ianiro; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2018. "Phylogenetic analysis of two genotype 3 Hepatitis E viruses from wild boar, Italy." Virus Genes 54, no. 6: 812-817.
In May 2016 a Norovirus (NoV) gastroenteritis outbreak involved a high school class visiting a seaside resort near Taormina (Mascali, Sicily). Twenty-four students and a teacher were affected and 17 of them showed symptoms on the second day of the journey, while the others got ill within the following 2 days. Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, and 12 students required hospitalisation. Stool samples tested positive for NoV genome by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction assay in all 25 symptomatic subjects. The GII.P2/GII.2 NoV genotype was linked to the outbreak by ORF1/ORF2 sequence analysis. The epidemiological features of the outbreak were consistent with food/waterborne followed by person-to-person and/or vomit transmission. Food consumed at a shared lunch on the first day of the trip was associated to illness and drinking un-bottled tap water was also considered as a risk factor. The analysis of water samples revealed the presence of bacterial indicators of faecal contamination in the water used in the resort as well as in other areas of the municipal water network, linking the NoV gastroenteritis outbreak to tap water pollution from sewage leakage. From a single water sample, an amplicon whose sequence corresponded to the capsid genotype recovered from patients could be obtained.
G. M. Giammanco; F. Bonura; N. Urone; G. Purpari; M. Cuccia; A. Pepe; S. Li Muli; V. Cappa; C. Saglimbene; G. Mandolfo; A. Marino; A. Guercio; I. Di Bartolo; S. De Grazia. Waterborne Norovirus outbreak at a seaside resort likely originating from municipal water distribution system failure. Epidemiology and Infection 2018, 146, 879 -887.
AMA StyleG. M. Giammanco, F. Bonura, N. Urone, G. Purpari, M. Cuccia, A. Pepe, S. Li Muli, V. Cappa, C. Saglimbene, G. Mandolfo, A. Marino, A. Guercio, I. Di Bartolo, S. De Grazia. Waterborne Norovirus outbreak at a seaside resort likely originating from municipal water distribution system failure. Epidemiology and Infection. 2018; 146 (7):879-887.
Chicago/Turabian StyleG. M. Giammanco; F. Bonura; N. Urone; G. Purpari; M. Cuccia; A. Pepe; S. Li Muli; V. Cappa; C. Saglimbene; G. Mandolfo; A. Marino; A. Guercio; I. Di Bartolo; S. De Grazia. 2018. "Waterborne Norovirus outbreak at a seaside resort likely originating from municipal water distribution system failure." Epidemiology and Infection 146, no. 7: 879-887.
The near-complete genomic sequences of two hepatitis E virus (HEV) strains, detected from feces of infected pigs, were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis and p-distance comparisons of the complete coding regions showed a close relationship to the French swine strain FR-SHEV3c-like detected in 2006 (p-distance value 0.101), belonging to HEV-3 but not assigned to any known subtype. The three HEV sequences showed, relatively high nucleotide distances (p-distance >0.129) compared to the other defined HEV subtype references and unclassified strains. The HEV classification criteria and the high sequence similarity suggest that these strains can be assigned to a putative novel subtype of genotype 3, HEV-3l.
Luca De Sabato; Philippe Lemey; Bram Vrancken; Lebana Bonfanti; Letizia Ceglie; Gabriele Vaccari; Ilaria Di Bartolo. Proposal for a new subtype of the zoonotic genotype 3 Hepatitis E virus: HEV-3l. Virus Research 2018, 248, 1 -4.
AMA StyleLuca De Sabato, Philippe Lemey, Bram Vrancken, Lebana Bonfanti, Letizia Ceglie, Gabriele Vaccari, Ilaria Di Bartolo. Proposal for a new subtype of the zoonotic genotype 3 Hepatitis E virus: HEV-3l. Virus Research. 2018; 248 ():1-4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuca De Sabato; Philippe Lemey; Bram Vrancken; Lebana Bonfanti; Letizia Ceglie; Gabriele Vaccari; Ilaria Di Bartolo. 2018. "Proposal for a new subtype of the zoonotic genotype 3 Hepatitis E virus: HEV-3l." Virus Research 248, no. : 1-4.
The development of a vaccine for norovirus requires a detailed understanding of global genetic diversity of noroviruses. We analysed their epidemiology and diversity using surveillance data from the NoroNet network. We included genetic sequences of norovirus specimens obtained from outbreak investigations and sporadic gastroenteritis cases between 2005 and 2016 in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. We genotyped norovirus sequences and analysed sequences that overlapped at open reading frame (ORF) 1 and ORF2. Additionally, we assessed the sampling date and country of origin of the first reported sequence to assess when and where novel drift variants originated. We analysed 16 635 norovirus sequences submitted between Jan 1, 2005, to Nov 17, 2016, of which 1372 (8·2%) sequences belonged to genotype GI, 15 256 (91·7%) to GII, and seven (<0·1%) to GIV.1. During this period, 26 different norovirus capsid genotypes circulated and 22 different recombinant genomes were found. GII.4 drift variants emerged with 2–3-year periodicity up to 2012, but not afterwards. Instead, the GII.4 Sydney capsid seems to persist through recombination, with a novel recombinant of GII.P16–GII.4 Sydney 2012 variant detected in 2014 in Germany (n=1) and the Netherlands (n=1), and again in 2016 in Japan (n=2), China (n=8), and the Netherlands (n=3). The novel GII.P17–GII.17, first reported in Asia in 2014, has circulated widely in Europe in 2015–16 (GII.P17 made up a highly variable proportion of all sequences in each country [median 11·3%, range 4·2–53·9], as did GII.17 [median 6·3%, range 0–44·5]). GII.4 viruses were more common in outbreaks in health-care settings (2239 [37·2%] of 6022 entries) compared with other genotypes (101 [12·5%] of 809 entries for GI and 263 [13·5%] of 1941 entries for GII non-GII.Pe–GII.4 or GII.P4–GII.4). Continuous changes in the global norovirus genetic diversity highlight the need for sustained global norovirus surveillance, including assessment of possible immune escape and evolution by recombination, to provide a full overview of norovirus epidemiology for future vaccine policy decisions. European Union's Horizon 2020 grant COMPARE, ZonMw TOP grant, the Virgo Consortium funded by the Dutch Government, and the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund.
Janko van Beek; Miranda de Graaf; Haider Al-Hello; David J Allen; Katia Ambert-Balay; Nadine Botteldoorn; Mia Brytting; Javier Buesa; Maria Cabrerizo; Martin Chi-Wai Chan; Fiona Cloak; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Susana Guix; Joanne Hewitt; Nobuhiro Iritani; Miao Jin; Reimar Johne; Ingeborg Lederer; Janet Mans; Vito Martella; Leena Maunula; Georgina McAllister; Sandra Niendorf; Hubert G Niesters; Alexandr Podkolzin; Mateja Poljsak-Prijatelj; Lasse Dam Rasmussen; Gábor Reuter; Gráinne Tuite; Annelies Kroneman; Harry Vennema; Marion P G Koopmans. Molecular surveillance of norovirus, 2005–16: an epidemiological analysis of data collected from the NoroNet network. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2018, 18, 545 -553.
AMA StyleJanko van Beek, Miranda de Graaf, Haider Al-Hello, David J Allen, Katia Ambert-Balay, Nadine Botteldoorn, Mia Brytting, Javier Buesa, Maria Cabrerizo, Martin Chi-Wai Chan, Fiona Cloak, Ilaria Di Bartolo, Susana Guix, Joanne Hewitt, Nobuhiro Iritani, Miao Jin, Reimar Johne, Ingeborg Lederer, Janet Mans, Vito Martella, Leena Maunula, Georgina McAllister, Sandra Niendorf, Hubert G Niesters, Alexandr Podkolzin, Mateja Poljsak-Prijatelj, Lasse Dam Rasmussen, Gábor Reuter, Gráinne Tuite, Annelies Kroneman, Harry Vennema, Marion P G Koopmans. Molecular surveillance of norovirus, 2005–16: an epidemiological analysis of data collected from the NoroNet network. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2018; 18 (5):545-553.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJanko van Beek; Miranda de Graaf; Haider Al-Hello; David J Allen; Katia Ambert-Balay; Nadine Botteldoorn; Mia Brytting; Javier Buesa; Maria Cabrerizo; Martin Chi-Wai Chan; Fiona Cloak; Ilaria Di Bartolo; Susana Guix; Joanne Hewitt; Nobuhiro Iritani; Miao Jin; Reimar Johne; Ingeborg Lederer; Janet Mans; Vito Martella; Leena Maunula; Georgina McAllister; Sandra Niendorf; Hubert G Niesters; Alexandr Podkolzin; Mateja Poljsak-Prijatelj; Lasse Dam Rasmussen; Gábor Reuter; Gráinne Tuite; Annelies Kroneman; Harry Vennema; Marion P G Koopmans. 2018. "Molecular surveillance of norovirus, 2005–16: an epidemiological analysis of data collected from the NoroNet network." The Lancet Infectious Diseases 18, no. 5: 545-553.
In this study, we describe the results of virological investigations carried out on cases of gastroenteritis reported in different communities within a 2-year pilot surveillance programme (January 2012 to December 2013) in the autonomous province of Bolzano (Northern Italy). Among the 162 norovirus (NoV)-positive cases out of 702 cases investigated, 76 were grouped in nine suspected outbreaks, 37 were hospital-acquired and 49 were community-acquired sporadic cases. NoV infections were found in all age groups in outbreak and community-acquired cases, while the highest peak of hospital-acquired infections occurred in the elderly. Sequence analyses helped to identify suspected outbreaks both in the community and in hospital wards. Although GII.4 is the predominant genotype, sequence data confirmed that at least seven genotypes circulate causing sporadic cases. Findings in this study confirmed the relevance of NoV infections as a cause of outbreaks, and impact of NoV infections in community-acquired sporadic cases in adults that are rarely described because of a lack of reporting.
E. Pagani; F. Folli; S. Tofani; F. M. Ruggeri; F. Ostanello; I. Di Bartolo. Pilot survey of norovirus in Northern Italy: an example of surveillance of norovirus gastroenteritis. Epidemiology and Infection 2018, 146, 291 -296.
AMA StyleE. Pagani, F. Folli, S. Tofani, F. M. Ruggeri, F. Ostanello, I. Di Bartolo. Pilot survey of norovirus in Northern Italy: an example of surveillance of norovirus gastroenteritis. Epidemiology and Infection. 2018; 146 (3):291-296.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Pagani; F. Folli; S. Tofani; F. M. Ruggeri; F. Ostanello; I. Di Bartolo. 2018. "Pilot survey of norovirus in Northern Italy: an example of surveillance of norovirus gastroenteritis." Epidemiology and Infection 146, no. 3: 291-296.