Small ruminant lentivirus infections in goats affect both production and animal welfare. This represents a threat to the qualitative and quantitative growth of goat farming, recently observed in mountainous regions such as the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol (Italy). To monitor and eradicate the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in this goat population, a compulsory eradication campaign was launched, based on a strict census of small ruminants and yearly serological testing of all animals, followed by the consequent culling of seropositive individuals. The campaign succeeded in completely eliminating cases of clinical disease in goats, while drastically reducing the seroprevalence at the herd as well as individual animal level. The serological outcome of the introduced control measures was determined using commercially available ELISA kits, demonstrating their suitability for use in this type of campaign, aimed at reducing seroprevalence as well as clinical manifestations of these infections. However, this clear success is diminished by the failure to achieve a complete eradication of these viruses. The reasons leading to the observed tailing phenomenon and the occurrence of new infections in already sanitised flocks are discussed and implementation of further measures are proposed.

Streptococcus agalactiae is pathogenic for both animals and humans. In dairy cattle it commonly causes mastitis, with great economic losses, and there is scientific evidence of mastitis, caseous lymphadenitis, contagious skin necrosis and purulent infections associated with S. agalactiae in camels (Camelus dromedarius) as well. In humans, it is a common component of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microflora, but it can also act as a pathogen, especially in elderly people and immunocompromised patients, as well as in pregrant women and newborns. A 10-year old non-pregnant female llama (Lama glama) was conferred to the Institute for Animal Health Control, in Bolzano for necropsy after sudden death. The animal had not shown unusual behaviour and had a low to normal nutritional condition (body condition score 2/5). The breeder had reported a chronic suppurative subcutaneous infection in the intermandibular area, resistant to therapy (therapy unknown). After necropsy, several samples were processed for histological, bacteriological and parasitological examinations. This report describes, to the best of our knowledge, the first isolation of S. agalactiae in llamas (Lama glama). The animal came from a herd that counts approximately 200 South American camelids (llamas, alpacas) along with several horses, chicken, rabbits, cats and dogs; this farm offers services, such as trekking and pet therapy activities.

Bovine alphaherpesviruses, BoAHV, can cause respiratory, genital and neurological disorders. In particular, bovine alphaherpesvirus type 1 (BoAHV1) is one of the most significant ruminant pathogens worldwide and it can heavily damage the livestock industry. BoAHV1 can cause infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) along with fertility disorders. Bovine alphaherpesvirus type 2 (BoAHV2) can cause two different conditions as well: pseudo-lumpy skin disease (PSLD) and bovine herpetic mammillitis (BHM). The autonomous province of Bolzano (Italy) has adopted several strategies to control and eradicate IBR, and it was declared in 2000 to be IBR-free by the European Commission. Since 2001, a post-eradication monitoring program has overseen the serological analysis of bulk milk and, in the presence of a positive result, a follow-up examination is performed on the individual blood serum of all bovines older than 24 months that belong to bulk milk-positive herds. Despite the detection of positives in both bulk milk and serum samples, South Tyrol has been declared IBR-free, as these positives have never been confirmed through seroneutralization. Between 2014 and 2022, approximately 41,000 bulk milk (averaging 4300 samples/year) and 3229 serum samples were tested for BoAHV1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the post-eradication program for IBR with a particular focus on the potential cross-reactivity with BoAHV2; for this reason, serum samples were also tested for BoAHV2 antibodies. This study could be of great importance for those countries that submit herds to an IBR monitoring and eradication program; performing further analyses to confirm and explain false positive outcomes would increase the reliability of the obtained results.

South Tyrol has implemented, in 2007, a mandatory eradication program against Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV), a virus known to cause economic losses related to decreases in milk production and milk quality in goats, along with poor animal welfare and premature death. After a great initial decrease in the seroprevalence, the program has reached a tailing phase with scattered positivities. Potential risk factors associated with the multispecies farming system, a traditional approach in South Tyrol, are evaluated in this study, in order to better understand some of the potential causes leading to the tailing phenomenon. A statistically significant number of farms was selected for the present study, based on the risk factors evaluated. Even though there is no statistically significant association between the practices evaluated and the incidence of infection, the authors believe that it is important to highlight potential risks that may threaten the outcome of this eradication program.

A severe episode of high and abnormal mortality was observed in the population of Cyprinus carpio of Lake Caldaro (South Tyrol, Italy) in summer 2016. The diagnostic investigation carried out led to the identification of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) as the etiologic agent. Following this disease outbreak and its socio-economic consequences, the local authorities, in agreement with the local Fishing Association, decided to implement a surveillance program for the achievement of KHV-free health status (Category I) in the Province, in accordance to the Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/1554. The selected area was a defined geographical compartment (the Monticolo lakes compartment, South Tyrol, Italy), which is located near Lake Caldaro, where the Koi Herpesvirus disease (KHVD) outbreak had occurred. This area is of particular interest because it supplies other water bodies with juvenile C. carpio individuals; with the achievement of a KHV-free health status, South Tyrol could possibly become independent in the breeding of this fish species. Suitable samples were collected and processed during a two-year period in order to detect the presence/absence of KHV. The same samples were tested for other viruses that can affect carp, namely spring viraemia of carp (SVCV) and carp edema virus (CEV). According to the results, the authors conclude that the Monticolo lakes area should be classified as KHV-free, as no sample has tested positively for the presence of this specific virus (KHV).

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis, a bacterial infection that can affect livestock. This infection can cause low growth rates and milk yields and reproductive failure, along with the infection of humans, especially those in close contact with the animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local CLA prevalence, highlighting the parameters for the potential predisposition to infection in goats, and to implement a monitoring program based on the newly acquired scientific evidence. Of a total of 2365 goat farms in South Tyrol, 384 farms were selected for the present study. A statistically significant number of animals were subjected to serologic analysis for the detection of C. pseutotubercolosis antibodies. A total of 2948 goats belonging to the selected farms were tested for CLA, 713 of which showed a positive result. The data analysis led to an estimated CLA seroprevalence of 21.85%. The results achieved can enable the evaluation and possible implementation of a voluntary program that permits us to test a larger number of animals using serological techniques. This program would be of great importance, especially for those farms dedicated to the production of milk and dairy products, as some manufacturing practices may increase the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens such as C. pseudotuberculosis to humans.