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Dr. Stefania Leopardi
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy

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Perspective
Published: 13 July 2021 in Viruses
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Many of the world’s most pressing issues, such as the emergence of zoonotic diseases, can only be addressed through interdisciplinary research. However, the findings of interdisciplinary research are susceptible to miscommunication among both professional and non-professional audiences due to differences in training, language, experience, and understanding. Such miscommunication contributes to the misunderstanding of key concepts or processes and hinders the development of effective research agendas and public policy. These misunderstandings can also provoke unnecessary fear in the public and have devastating effects for wildlife conservation. For example, inaccurate communication and subsequent misunderstanding of the potential associations between certain bats and zoonoses has led to persecution of diverse bats worldwide and even government calls to cull them. Here, we identify four types of miscommunication driven by the use of terminology regarding bats and the emergence of zoonotic diseases that we have categorized based on their root causes: (1) incorrect or overly broad use of terms; (2) terms that have unstable usage within a discipline, or different usages among disciplines; (3) terms that are used correctly but spark incorrect inferences about biological processes or significance in the audience; (4) incorrect inference drawn from the evidence presented. We illustrate each type of miscommunication with commonly misused or misinterpreted terms, providing a definition, caveats and common misconceptions, and suggest alternatives as appropriate. While we focus on terms specific to bats and disease ecology, we present a more general framework for addressing miscommunication that can be applied to other topics and disciplines to facilitate more effective research, problem-solving, and public policy.

ACS Style

Julie Shapiro; Luis Víquez-R; Stefania Leopardi; Amanda Vicente-Santos; Ian Mendenhall; Winifred Frick; Rebekah Kading; Rodrigo Medellín; Paul Racey; Tigga Kingston. Setting the Terms for Zoonotic Diseases: Effective Communication for Research, Conservation, and Public Policy. Viruses 2021, 13, 1356 .

AMA Style

Julie Shapiro, Luis Víquez-R, Stefania Leopardi, Amanda Vicente-Santos, Ian Mendenhall, Winifred Frick, Rebekah Kading, Rodrigo Medellín, Paul Racey, Tigga Kingston. Setting the Terms for Zoonotic Diseases: Effective Communication for Research, Conservation, and Public Policy. Viruses. 2021; 13 (7):1356.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Julie Shapiro; Luis Víquez-R; Stefania Leopardi; Amanda Vicente-Santos; Ian Mendenhall; Winifred Frick; Rebekah Kading; Rodrigo Medellín; Paul Racey; Tigga Kingston. 2021. "Setting the Terms for Zoonotic Diseases: Effective Communication for Research, Conservation, and Public Policy." Viruses 13, no. 7: 1356.

Journal article
Published: 29 December 2020 in Acta Tropica
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Despite declaration as a national priority disease, dog rabies remains endemic in Liberia, with surveillance systems and disease control activities still developing. The objective of these initial efforts was to establish animal rabies diagnostics, foster collaboration between all rabies control stakeholders, and develop a short-term action plan with estimated costs for rabies control and elimination in Liberia. Four rabies diagnostic tests, the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test, the direct immunohistochemical test (dRIT), the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and the rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test (RIDT), were implemented at the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Monrovia between July 2017 and February 2018. Seven samples (n=7) out of eight suspected animals were confirmed positive for rabies lyssavirus, and molecular analyses revealed that all isolates belonged to the Africa 2 lineage, subgroup H. During a comprehensive in-country One Health rabies stakeholder meeting in 2018, a practical workplan, a short-term action plan and an accurately costed mass dog vaccination strategy were developed. Liberia is currently at stage 1.5/5 of the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE) tool, which corresponds with countries that are scaling up local-level interventions (e.g. dog vaccination campaigns) to the national level. Overall an estimated 5.3 – 8 million USD invested over 13 years is needed to eliminate rabies in Liberia by 2030. Liberia still has a long road to become free from dog-rabies. However, the dialogue between all relevant stakeholders took place, and disease surveillance considerably improved through implementing rabies diagnosis at the CVL. The joint efforts of diverse national and international stakeholders laid important foundations to achieve the goal of zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

ACS Style

Garmie Voupawoe; Roland Varkpeh; Varney Kamara; Sonpon Sieh; Abdallah Traoré; Cristian De Battisti; Angélique Angot; Luis Filipe L de J Loureiro; Baba Soumaré; Gwenaëlle Dauphin; Wolde Abebe; André Coetzer; Terence Scott; Louis Nel; Jesse Blanton; Laurent Dacheux; Simon Bonas; Hervé Bourhy; Morgane Gourlaouen; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Monique Léchenne; Jakob Zinsstag; Stephanie Mauti. Rabies control in Liberia: Joint efforts towards zero by 30. Acta Tropica 2020, 216, 105787 .

AMA Style

Garmie Voupawoe, Roland Varkpeh, Varney Kamara, Sonpon Sieh, Abdallah Traoré, Cristian De Battisti, Angélique Angot, Luis Filipe L de J Loureiro, Baba Soumaré, Gwenaëlle Dauphin, Wolde Abebe, André Coetzer, Terence Scott, Louis Nel, Jesse Blanton, Laurent Dacheux, Simon Bonas, Hervé Bourhy, Morgane Gourlaouen, Stefania Leopardi, Paola De Benedictis, Monique Léchenne, Jakob Zinsstag, Stephanie Mauti. Rabies control in Liberia: Joint efforts towards zero by 30. Acta Tropica. 2020; 216 ():105787.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Garmie Voupawoe; Roland Varkpeh; Varney Kamara; Sonpon Sieh; Abdallah Traoré; Cristian De Battisti; Angélique Angot; Luis Filipe L de J Loureiro; Baba Soumaré; Gwenaëlle Dauphin; Wolde Abebe; André Coetzer; Terence Scott; Louis Nel; Jesse Blanton; Laurent Dacheux; Simon Bonas; Hervé Bourhy; Morgane Gourlaouen; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Monique Léchenne; Jakob Zinsstag; Stephanie Mauti. 2020. "Rabies control in Liberia: Joint efforts towards zero by 30." Acta Tropica 216, no. : 105787.

Journal article
Published: 22 December 2020 in Viruses
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Bats are often claimed to be a major source for future viral epidemics, as they are associated with several viruses with zoonotic potential. Here we describe the presence and biodiversity of bats associated with intensive pig farms devoted to the production of heavy pigs in northern Italy. Since chiropters or signs of their presence were not found within animal shelters in our study area, we suggest that fecal viruses with high environmental resistance have the highest likelihood for spillover through indirect transmission. In turn, we investigated the circulation of mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs), coronaviruses (CoVs) and astroviruses (AstVs) in pigs and bats sharing the same environment. Results of our preliminary study did not show any bat virus in pigs suggesting that spillover from these animals is rare. However, several AstVs, CoVs and MRVs circulated undetected in pigs. Among those, one MRV was a reassortant strain carrying viral genes likely acquired from bats. On the other hand, we found a swine AstV and a MRV strain carrying swine genes in bat guano, indicating that viral exchange at the bat–pig interface might occur more frequently from pigs to bats rather than the other way around. Considering the indoor farming system as the most common system in the European Union (EU), preventive measures should focus on biosecurity rather than displacement of bats, which are protected throughout the EU and provide critical ecosystem services for rural settings.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Pamela Priori; Barbara Zecchin; Gianpiero Zamperin; Adelaide Milani; Francesco Tonon; Mirco Giorgiutti; Maria Serena Beato; Paola De Benedictis. Interface between Bats and Pigs in Heavy Pig Production. Viruses 2020, 13, 4 .

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Pamela Priori, Barbara Zecchin, Gianpiero Zamperin, Adelaide Milani, Francesco Tonon, Mirco Giorgiutti, Maria Serena Beato, Paola De Benedictis. Interface between Bats and Pigs in Heavy Pig Production. Viruses. 2020; 13 (1):4.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Pamela Priori; Barbara Zecchin; Gianpiero Zamperin; Adelaide Milani; Francesco Tonon; Mirco Giorgiutti; Maria Serena Beato; Paola De Benedictis. 2020. "Interface between Bats and Pigs in Heavy Pig Production." Viruses 13, no. 1: 4.

Journal article
Published: 22 May 2020 in Viruses
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Mammalian Orthoreoviruses (MRV) are segmented dsRNA viruses in the family Reoviridae. MRVs infect mammals and cause asymptomatic respiratory, gastro-enteric and, rarely, encephalic infections. MRVs are divided into at least three serotypes: MRV1, MRV2 and MRV3. In Europe, swine MRV (swMRV) was first isolated in Austria in 1998 and subsequently reported more than fifteen years later in Italy. In the present study, we characterized two novel reassortant swMRVs identified in one same Italian farm over two years. The two viruses shared the same genetic backbone but showed evidence of reassortment in the S1, S4, M2 segments and were therefore classified into two serotypes: MRV3 in 2016 and MRV2 in 2018. A genetic relation to pig, bat and human MRVs and other unknown sources was identified. A considerable genetic diversity was observed in the Italian MRV3 and MRV2 compared to other available swMRVs. The S1 protein presented unique amino acid signatures in both swMRVs, with unexpected frequencies for MRV2. The remaining genes formed distinct and novel genetic groups that revealed a geographically related evolution of swMRVs in Italy. This is the first report of the complete molecular characterization of novel reassortant swMRVs in Italy and Europe, which suggests a greater genetic diversity of swMRVs never identified before.

ACS Style

Lara Cavicchio; Luca Tassoni; Gianpiero Zamperin; Mery Campalto; Marilena Carrino; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Maria Serena Beato. Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy. Viruses 2020, 12, 574 .

AMA Style

Lara Cavicchio, Luca Tassoni, Gianpiero Zamperin, Mery Campalto, Marilena Carrino, Stefania Leopardi, Paola De Benedictis, Maria Serena Beato. Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy. Viruses. 2020; 12 (5):574.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lara Cavicchio; Luca Tassoni; Gianpiero Zamperin; Mery Campalto; Marilena Carrino; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Maria Serena Beato. 2020. "Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy." Viruses 12, no. 5: 574.

Journal article
Published: 04 December 2018 in Epidemiology and Infection
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The wide geographical distribution and genetic diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses (LYSVs) across Europe suggest that similar viruses may also be harboured in Italian insectivorous bats. Indeed, bats were first included within the passive national surveillance programme for rabies in wildlife in the 1980s, while active surveillance has been performed since 2008. The active surveillance strategies implemented allowed us to detect neutralizing antibodies directed towards European bat 1 lyssavirus in six out of the nine maternity colonies object of the study across the whole country. Seropositive bats were Myotis myotis, M. blythii and Tadarida teniotis. On the contrary, the virus was neither detected through passive nor active surveillance, suggesting that fatal neurological infection is rare also in seropositive colonies. Although the number of tested samples has steadily increased in recent years, submission turned out to be rather sporadic and did not include carcasses from bat species that account for the majority of LYSVs cases in Europe, such as Eptesicus serotinus, M. daubentonii, M. dasycneme and M. nattereri. A closer collaboration with bat handlers is therefore mandatory to improve passive surveillance and decrypt the significance of serological data obtained up to now.

ACS Style

S. Leopardi; P. Priori; B. Zecchin; G. Poglayen; K. Trevisiol; Davide Lelli; S. Zoppi; M. T. Scicluna; N. D'Avino; E. Schiavon; H. Bourhy; J. Serra-Cobo; F. Mutinelli; D. Scaravelli; P. De Benedictis. Active and passive surveillance for bat lyssaviruses in Italy revealed serological evidence for their circulation in three bat species. Epidemiology and Infection 2018, 147, 1 -6.

AMA Style

S. Leopardi, P. Priori, B. Zecchin, G. Poglayen, K. Trevisiol, Davide Lelli, S. Zoppi, M. T. Scicluna, N. D'Avino, E. Schiavon, H. Bourhy, J. Serra-Cobo, F. Mutinelli, D. Scaravelli, P. De Benedictis. Active and passive surveillance for bat lyssaviruses in Italy revealed serological evidence for their circulation in three bat species. Epidemiology and Infection. 2018; 147 ():1-6.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Leopardi; P. Priori; B. Zecchin; G. Poglayen; K. Trevisiol; Davide Lelli; S. Zoppi; M. T. Scicluna; N. D'Avino; E. Schiavon; H. Bourhy; J. Serra-Cobo; F. Mutinelli; D. Scaravelli; P. De Benedictis. 2018. "Active and passive surveillance for bat lyssaviruses in Italy revealed serological evidence for their circulation in three bat species." Epidemiology and Infection 147, no. : 1-6.

Journal article
Published: 17 February 2018 in Virology Journal
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Rhabdoviridae is one of the most ecologically diverse families of RNA viruses which can infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. Bats, among mammals, are pointed to harbor a significantly higher proportion of unknown or emerging viruses with zoonotic potential. Herein, we report the isolation of a novel rhabdovirus, detected in the framework of a virological survey on bats implemented in North Italy. Virus isolation and identification were performed on samples of 635 bats by using cell cultures, negative staining electron microscopy and PCRs for different viruses. NGS was commonly performed on cell culture supernatants showing cytopathic effect or in case of samples resulted positive by at least one of the PCRs included in the diagnostic protocol. A rhabdovirus was isolated from different organs of a Pipistrellus kuhlii. Virus identification was obtained by electron microscopy and NGS sequencing. The complete genome size was 11,774 nt comprised 5 genes, encoding the canonical rhabdovirus structural proteins, and an additional transcriptional unit (U1) encoding a hypothetical small protein (157aa) (3'-N-P-M-G-U1-L-5'). The genome organization and phylogenetic analysis suggest that the new virus, named Vaprio virus (VAPV), belongs to the recently established genus Ledantevirus (subgroup B) and it is highly divergent to its closest known relative, Le Dantec virus (LDV) (human, 1965 Senegal). A specific RT-PCR amplifying a 350 bp fragment of the ORF 6 gene, encoding for L protein, was developed and used to test retrospectively a subset of 76 bats coming from the same area and period, revealing two more VAPV positive bats. VAPV is a novel isolate of chiropteran rhabdovirus. Genome organization and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that VAPV should be considered a novel species within the genus Ledantevirus for which viral ecology and disease associations should be investigated.

ACS Style

Davide Lelli; Alice Prosperi; Ana Moreno; Chiara Chiapponi; Anna Maria Gibellini; Paola De Benedictis; Stefania Leopardi; Enrica Sozzi; Antonio Lavazza. Isolation of a novel Rhabdovirus from an insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Italy. Virology Journal 2018, 15, 37 .

AMA Style

Davide Lelli, Alice Prosperi, Ana Moreno, Chiara Chiapponi, Anna Maria Gibellini, Paola De Benedictis, Stefania Leopardi, Enrica Sozzi, Antonio Lavazza. Isolation of a novel Rhabdovirus from an insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Italy. Virology Journal. 2018; 15 (1):37.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davide Lelli; Alice Prosperi; Ana Moreno; Chiara Chiapponi; Anna Maria Gibellini; Paola De Benedictis; Stefania Leopardi; Enrica Sozzi; Antonio Lavazza. 2018. "Isolation of a novel Rhabdovirus from an insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Italy." Virology Journal 15, no. 1: 37.

Journal article
Published: 30 January 2018 in Infection, Genetics and Evolution
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Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been documented in almost every species of bat sampled. Bat CoVs exhibit both extensive genetic diversity and a broad geographic range, indicative of a long-standing host association. Despite this, the respective roles of long-term virus-host co-divergence and cross-species transmission (host-jumping) in the evolution of bat coronaviruses are unclear. Using a phylogenetic approach we provide evidence that CoV diversity in bats is shaped by both species richness and their geographical distribution, and that CoVs exhibit clustering at the level of bat genera, with these genus-specific clusters largely associated with distinct CoV species. Co-phylogenetic analyses revealed that cross-species transmission has been more common than co-divergence across coronavirus evolution as a whole, and that cross-species transmission events were more likely between sympatric bat hosts. Notably, however, an analysis of the CoV RNA polymerase phylogeny suggested that many such host-jumps likely resulted in short-term spill-over infections, with little evidence for sustained onward transmission in new co-roosting host species.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Edward C. Holmes; Michele Gastaldelli; Luca Tassoni; Pamela Priori; Dino Scaravelli; Gianpiero Zamperin; Paola De Benedictis. Interplay between co-divergence and cross-species transmission in the evolutionary history of bat coronaviruses. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 2018, 58, 279 -289.

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Edward C. Holmes, Michele Gastaldelli, Luca Tassoni, Pamela Priori, Dino Scaravelli, Gianpiero Zamperin, Paola De Benedictis. Interplay between co-divergence and cross-species transmission in the evolutionary history of bat coronaviruses. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2018; 58 ():279-289.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Edward C. Holmes; Michele Gastaldelli; Luca Tassoni; Pamela Priori; Dino Scaravelli; Gianpiero Zamperin; Paola De Benedictis. 2018. "Interplay between co-divergence and cross-species transmission in the evolutionary history of bat coronaviruses." Infection, Genetics and Evolution 58, no. : 279-289.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2016 in International Journal of Infectious Diseases
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ACS Style

S. Leopardi; L. Tassoni; P. Priori; M. Gastaldelli; D. Scaravelli; P. De Benedictis. Host-symbionts interactions between bats and coronaviruses. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2016, 53, 20 .

AMA Style

S. Leopardi, L. Tassoni, P. Priori, M. Gastaldelli, D. Scaravelli, P. De Benedictis. Host-symbionts interactions between bats and coronaviruses. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2016; 53 ():20.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Leopardi; L. Tassoni; P. Priori; M. Gastaldelli; D. Scaravelli; P. De Benedictis. 2016. "Host-symbionts interactions between bats and coronaviruses." International Journal of Infectious Diseases 53, no. : 20.

Short report
Published: 12 August 2016 in Virology Journal
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Mammalian Orthoreoviruses 3 (MRV3) have been described in diarrheic pigs from USA and Asia. We firstly detected MRV3 in Europe (Italy) in piglets showing severe diarrhea associated with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. The virus was phylogenetically related to European reoviruses of human and bat origin and to US and Chinese pig MRV3.

ACS Style

Davide Lelli; Maria Serena Beato; Lara Cavicchio; Antonio Lavazza; Chiara Chiapponi; Stefania Leopardi; Laura Baioni; Paola De Benedictis; Ana Moreno. First identification of mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 in diarrheic pigs in Europe. Virology Journal 2016, 13, 139 .

AMA Style

Davide Lelli, Maria Serena Beato, Lara Cavicchio, Antonio Lavazza, Chiara Chiapponi, Stefania Leopardi, Laura Baioni, Paola De Benedictis, Ana Moreno. First identification of mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 in diarrheic pigs in Europe. Virology Journal. 2016; 13 (1):139.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davide Lelli; Maria Serena Beato; Lara Cavicchio; Antonio Lavazza; Chiara Chiapponi; Stefania Leopardi; Laura Baioni; Paola De Benedictis; Ana Moreno. 2016. "First identification of mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 in diarrheic pigs in Europe." Virology Journal 13, no. 1: 139.

Article
Published: 08 April 2016 in Virus Genes
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Straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), which have been identified as natural hosts for several zoonotic pathogens, such as lyssaviruses, henipaviruses, and ebolavirus, are associated with human settlements in Nigeria where they are commonly consumed as a delicacy. However, information on the viruses harbored by these bats is scarce. In this study, coronavirus sequences were detected using a nested RT-PCR targeting 440 bp of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in six of 79 fecal samples collected from an urban colony of E. helvum in Ibadan, Nigeria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all six sequences were monophyletic and clustered in lineage D of Betacoronavirus. The extension of two fragments allowed us to classify our sequences within the RdRp Group Unit defined for Kenyan Betacoronavirus from the same host species. These findings are consistent with the previous suggestion on the existence of a single epidemiological unit of E. helvum across sub-Saharan Africa. This theory, which is supported by the genetic structure of continental E. helvum, could facilitate viral mixing between different colonies across the continent.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Daniel Oluwayelu; Clement Meseko; Sabrina Marciano; Luca Tassoni; Solomon Bakarey; Isabella Monne; Giovanni Cattoli; Paola De Benedictis. The close genetic relationship of lineage D Betacoronavirus from Nigerian and Kenyan straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) is consistent with the existence of a single epidemiological unit across sub-Saharan Africa. Virus Genes 2016, 52, 573 -577.

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Daniel Oluwayelu, Clement Meseko, Sabrina Marciano, Luca Tassoni, Solomon Bakarey, Isabella Monne, Giovanni Cattoli, Paola De Benedictis. The close genetic relationship of lineage D Betacoronavirus from Nigerian and Kenyan straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) is consistent with the existence of a single epidemiological unit across sub-Saharan Africa. Virus Genes. 2016; 52 (4):573-577.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Daniel Oluwayelu; Clement Meseko; Sabrina Marciano; Luca Tassoni; Solomon Bakarey; Isabella Monne; Giovanni Cattoli; Paola De Benedictis. 2016. "The close genetic relationship of lineage D Betacoronavirus from Nigerian and Kenyan straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) is consistent with the existence of a single epidemiological unit across sub-Saharan Africa." Virus Genes 52, no. 4: 573-577.

Case reports
Published: 01 September 2015 in Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
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The masked palm civet (Paguma larvata) is a small Asian mammal (order Carnivora, family Viverridae) uncommon in Italy. Limited information is available about management and sanitary maintenance in captivity. A 4-mo-old masked palm civet presented with pruritus, itch, scratching, and disorexia. On physical examination, alopecia and crusts were detected on the ventral and lateral trunk, tail, legs, and lips. Skin scrapings and cytology revealed Notoedres spp. and bacterial infection. On histopathology, parasitic dermatitis was observed with the presence of a Sarcoptidae mite and Demodex spp. Selamectin spot-on (15 mg/kg every 2 wk, three applications) and marbofloxacin per os (2.5 mg/kg once daily for 2 wk) were administered, and the animal recovered in 1 mo. With the good response to this therapy, a notoedric mange was thought to be the main problem. This is the first report about the use of selamectin to treat a mite infection in masked palm civet.

ACS Style

Lara Olivieri; Giordano Nardini; Stefania Leopardi; Francesca Abramo. MITE INFECTION IN A MASKED PALM CIVET (PAGUMA LARVATA) TREATED BY SELAMECTIN (STRONGHOLD®, PFIZER LTD.). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 2015, 46, 592 -595.

AMA Style

Lara Olivieri, Giordano Nardini, Stefania Leopardi, Francesca Abramo. MITE INFECTION IN A MASKED PALM CIVET (PAGUMA LARVATA) TREATED BY SELAMECTIN (STRONGHOLD®, PFIZER LTD.). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2015; 46 (3):592-595.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lara Olivieri; Giordano Nardini; Stefania Leopardi; Francesca Abramo. 2015. "MITE INFECTION IN A MASKED PALM CIVET (PAGUMA LARVATA) TREATED BY SELAMECTIN (STRONGHOLD®, PFIZER LTD.)." Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 46, no. 3: 592-595.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2015 in Current Biology
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The investigation of factors underlying the emergence of fungal diseases in wildlife has gained significance as a consequence of drastic declines in amphibians, where the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has caused the greatest disease-driven loss of biodiversity ever documented [1]. Identification of the causative agent and its origin (native versus introduced) is a crucial step in understanding and controlling a disease [2]. Whereas genetic studies on the origin of B. dendrobatidis have illuminated the mechanisms behind the global emergence of amphibian chytridiomycosis [3], the origin of another recently-emerged fungal disease, White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) and its causative agent, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, remains unresolved [2,4]. WNS is decimating multiple North American bat species with an estimated death toll reaching 5-6 million. Here, we present the first informative molecular comparison between isolates from North America and Europe and provide strong evidence for the long-term presence of the fungus in Europe and a recent introduction into North America. Our results further demonstrate great genetic similarity between the North American and some European fungal populations, indicating the likely source population for this introduction from Europe.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Damer Blake; Sébastien J. Puechmaille. White-Nose Syndrome fungus introduced from Europe to North America. Current Biology 2015, 25, R217 -R219.

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Damer Blake, Sébastien J. Puechmaille. White-Nose Syndrome fungus introduced from Europe to North America. Current Biology. 2015; 25 (6):R217-R219.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Damer Blake; Sébastien J. Puechmaille. 2015. "White-Nose Syndrome fungus introduced from Europe to North America." Current Biology 25, no. 6: R217-R219.

Case reports
Published: 01 June 2014 in Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
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A loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was found stranded alive along the Adriatic coast close to Ancona, Italy, displaying obtundation, tachypnea, and increased respiratory effort. It died a few hours after admission, and a postmortem examination was immediately performed. Miliary yellowish nodules were evident in the liver, and a lower number in the heart, stomach, and gut wall. Hundreds of whitish nodules were scattered in the lungs, with the majority of the pulmonary parenchyma being replaced by the lesions. Histologically, all nodular lesions consisted of a small central area of necrosis with acid-fast bacilli surrounded by epithelioid cells, macrophages, and lymphocytes. Giant cells were found in the spleen and the liver. Kidneys, lungs, liver, spleen, brain, and skin lesions were inoculated aseptically onto general isolation media and selective isolation media for mycobacteria. The isolate showed a restriction pattern identical to Mycobacterium chelonae by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of a disseminated infection caused by a potentially pathogenic mycobacteria in a stranded, free-ranging loggerhead sea turtle. Veterinary staff and biologists who handle sea turtles with suspected mycobacterial disease should protect themselves appropriately.

ACS Style

Giordano Nardini; Daniela Florio; Nicola Di Girolamo; Andrea Gustinelli; Francesco Quaglio; Laura Fiorentini; Stefania Leopardi; Maria Letizia Fioravanti. DISSEMINATED MYCOBACTERIOSIS IN A STRANDED LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 2014, 45, 357 -360.

AMA Style

Giordano Nardini, Daniela Florio, Nicola Di Girolamo, Andrea Gustinelli, Francesco Quaglio, Laura Fiorentini, Stefania Leopardi, Maria Letizia Fioravanti. DISSEMINATED MYCOBACTERIOSIS IN A STRANDED LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. 2014; 45 (2):357-360.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giordano Nardini; Daniela Florio; Nicola Di Girolamo; Andrea Gustinelli; Francesco Quaglio; Laura Fiorentini; Stefania Leopardi; Maria Letizia Fioravanti. 2014. "DISSEMINATED MYCOBACTERIOSIS IN A STRANDED LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA)." Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 45, no. 2: 357-360.

Clinical trial
Published: 01 January 2014 in BMC Veterinary Research
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Contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging techniques are considered useful in veterinary and human medicine to evaluate liver perfusion and focal hepatic lesions. Although hepatic diseases are a common occurrence in reptile medicine, there is no reference to the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) to evaluate the liver in lizards. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of change in echogenicity and attenuation of the liver in green iguanas (Iguana iguana) after administration of specific contrast media.

ACS Style

Giordano Nardini; Nicola Di Girolamo; Stefania Leopardi; Irene Paganelli; Anna Zaghini; Francesco C Origgi; Massimo Vignoli. Evaluation of liver parenchyma and perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) under general anesthesia. BMC Veterinary Research 2014, 10, 112 -112.

AMA Style

Giordano Nardini, Nicola Di Girolamo, Stefania Leopardi, Irene Paganelli, Anna Zaghini, Francesco C Origgi, Massimo Vignoli. Evaluation of liver parenchyma and perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) under general anesthesia. BMC Veterinary Research. 2014; 10 (1):112-112.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giordano Nardini; Nicola Di Girolamo; Stefania Leopardi; Irene Paganelli; Anna Zaghini; Francesco C Origgi; Massimo Vignoli. 2014. "Evaluation of liver parenchyma and perfusion using dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in captive green iguanas (Iguana iguana) under general anesthesia." BMC Veterinary Research 10, no. 1: 112-112.

Review article
Published: 31 January 2013 in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice
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The presence of nucleated erythrocytes and thrombocytes in reptile blood limits the use of electronic cell-counting devices for leukocytes so that manual counting techniques and evaluation of blood smears are necessary, resulting in time-consuming procedures requiring good training and experience. The evaluation of most hematologic values is complicated by the many physiologic adaptations occurring in reptiles, making references values very difficult to interpret. This article brings together most of the bibliography about hemochrome evaluation in reptiles, with schematic instruction about sample collection, handling, and evaluation. Information about evaluation of both qualitative and quantitative aspects of reptile hematology are also given.

ACS Style

Giordano Nardini; Stefania Leopardi; Mattia Bielli. Clinical Hematology in Reptilian Species. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 2013, 16, 1 -30.

AMA Style

Giordano Nardini, Stefania Leopardi, Mattia Bielli. Clinical Hematology in Reptilian Species. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice. 2013; 16 (1):1-30.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Giordano Nardini; Stefania Leopardi; Mattia Bielli. 2013. "Clinical Hematology in Reptilian Species." Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice 16, no. 1: 1-30.