Hepadnaviruses have been identified in several animal species. The hepadnavirus prototype, human hepatitis B virus (HBV), is a major public health problem associated with chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, a novel hepadnavirus, similar to HBV, was identified in domestic cats. Since several pathogens can be shared between cats and dogs, we hypothesized that dogs could also harbor hepadnaviruses and we tested a collection of canine sera with multiple molecular strategies. Overall, hepadnavirus DNA was identified in 6.3% (40/635) of canine serum samples, although the viral load in positive sera was low (geometric mean of 2.70 × 10²genome copies per mL, range min 1.36 × 10²—max 4.03 × 10⁴genome copies per mL). On genome sequencing, the canine hepadnaviruses revealed high nucleotide identity (about 98%) and similar organization to the domestic cat hepadnavirus. Altered hepatic markers were found in hepadnavirus-positive dogs, although the role of hepadnavirus in canine health remains to be elucidated.

Kobuviruses (KoVs) are a group of small, non-enveloped RNA viruses classified in the genus Kobuvirus within the Picornaviridae family, comprising Aichivirus species A to F. KoVs have been identified in humans and several mammals, including domestic ungulates. This study investigated the presence of KoVs in a collection of bovine stool samples (n = 38) obtained from animals with enteritis or without clinical signs. By RT-PCR screening, KoV RNA was detected in 10/38 animals (26.3%). Six of the ten positive animals had enteric signs. On sequence analysis of the amplicons, eight strains were related to species Aichivirus B, commonly identified in cattle. In contrast, two strains (ITA/2019/572-1 and ITA/2020/bovine/30-2), displayed the highest nt identity (up to 97.1%) to cattle, yak, and goat Aichivirus D strains. On whole genome analysis, strains ITA/2019/572-1 and ITA/2020/30-2 showed 88.9% nt identity to each other and 87.8–90.3% nt to the bovine kobuvirus strain CHN/2021/ON730709 identified in China. Interestingly these three Aichivirus D strains showed a recombinant makeup, clustering with D1 genotype in the capsid region and with D2 genotype in the non-structural genes. These findings suggest that Aichivirus D KoVs are common components of livestock virome. Understanding the genetic diversity of KoVs in animals will be useful to improve the diagnostics and gather epidemiological data.

In recent years, fake scientific news has spread much faster through the Internet and social media within the so-called “infodemic”. African Swine Fever (ASF) is a perfect case study to prove how fake news can undermine the public health response, even in the veterinary field. ASF is a highly contagious infective disease affecting exclusively domestic and wild pigs such as wild boars. ASF can cause social damage and economic losses both directly (due to the high mortality rate) and indirectly (due to international sanctions). Although ASF is not a threat to human health, since 2018 newspapers have often reported false or misleading news, ranging from misinterpreted findings/data to fake or alarmistic news. In some cases, fake news was spread, such as the use of snipers at the border of nations to kill wild boars, or those reports concerning possible risks to human health. In order to provide real and fact-based news on epidemics, some organizations have created easy-to-read infographic and iconographic materials, available on their websites, to help the readers identifying the fake news. Indeed, it is crucial that governments and scientific organizations work against fear and anxiety, using simple and clear communication.