Nocardia crassostreae is a novel pathogen responsible for infections in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). N. crassostreae is also responsible for nocardiosis both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. We investigated N. crassostreae DNA in mussels grown in marine sites of the Mediterranean Sea in the Campania Region. We examined 185 mussel pooled samples by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), each pool composed of 10 mussels and 149 individual mussels. ddPCR detected N. crassostreae DNA in 48 mussel pooled samples and in 23 individual mussel samples. qPCR detected N. crassostreae DNA in six pooled samples and six individual mussel samples. The two molecular assays for the detection of N. crassostreae DNA showed significant differences both in the pooled and in individual samples. Our study demonstrated that ddPCR outperformed real-time qPCR for N. crassostreae DNA detection, thus confirming that ddPCR technology can identify the pathogens in many infectious diseases with high sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, in individual mussels showing histological lesions due to N. crassostreae, the lowest copy number/microliter detected by ddPCR of this pathogen was 0.3, which suggests that this dose could be enough to cause infections of N. crassostreae in mussels.

This study investigated the presence of δ bovine papillomaviruses (BPV-1, BPV-2, BPV-13, BPV-14) in equine skin lesions from Southern Italy, focusing on equine sarcoids and their histopathological correlations. 63 equine skin samples were analysed using PCR and sequencing for BPV detection, and their histopathological features were assessed. BPV DNA was detected in 69.84% of the samples, with BPV-1 and BPV-2 being the most prevalent genotype, followed by BPV-13, while BPV-14 was not detected. BPV DNA was also found in non-sarcoid tumours and non-neoplastic conditions. Histopathological analysis revealed in 41 samples typical sarcoid features: fibroblastic atypia and extracellular matrix deposition. Despite no statistical correlation was found between BPV genotypes and histopathological features, BPV-1 infection was associated with more severe fibroblastic atypia and abundant extracellular matrix. This study provides insights into the prevalence and potential pathogenic roles of different BPV genotypes in equine sarcoids and other skin lesions, underscoring the critical need for further research to develop targeted therapies.

The equine sarcoid is the most common skin neoplasia of fibroblastic origin in horses, characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix produced by sarcoid fibroblasts under hypoxic condition. Neoplastic cells can adapt to hypoxia by using alternative energy sources, particularly those that arise from fatty acid oxidation (FAO). The Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase 1A (CPT1A) belongs to Carnitine System (CS) and promotes the entrance of fatty acids into the mitochondria for β-oxidation. In this study, CPT1A expression was comparatively addressed in 25 equine sarcoids and 5 normal skin samples using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Specificity of CPT1A antibody was validated by Western Blotting (WB). In normal skin samples IHC staining was weak and mainly confined to basal epidermis and few dermal fibroblasts. Sarcoid fibroblast exhibited a strong cytoplasmic and nuclear signal in 60% of the tumor samples. Cytoplasmic CPT1A expression in sarcoid fibroblasts indicates that the protein is actively involved in metabolic reprogramming processes. Nuclear CPT1A expression suggests that the protein may also be involved in the regulation of neoplastic proliferation.

The aim of this study was to characterize exon 1 of the mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene in Comisana sheep and to evaluate its association with susceptibility to mastitis and udder-health–related traits. A total of 152 lactating Comisana ewes were analysed. MBL2 exon 1 was sequenced to identify genetic variants. Associations between MBL2 genotypes or alleles and somatic cell count (SCC), differential somatic cell count (DSCC), and mastitis occurrence were assessed. Additional analyses compared carrier versus non-carrier groups, and multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for age. Sequencing revealed three alleles (A1, C, and D), including a newly identified A1 variant that alters the encoded protein and was the most frequent allele in the population. No significant associations were observed between full MBL2 genotypes and SCC, DSCC, or mastitis. However, allele-based analyses showed that ewes carrying the A1 allele had a lower prevalence of mastitis compared with non-carriers. This association remained significant after adjustment for age in multivariable logistic regression models. These results provide new insights into MBL2 genetic variability in sheep and suggest that the A1 allele may contribute to increased resilience to mastitis. Further studies in larger and genetically diverse populations are warranted to confirm the role of MBL2 in udder health.