Emerging infectious diseases, particularly those of zoonotic origin, often originating from wildlife reservoirs represent a growing threat to global health. Human-driven environmental changes such as habitat fragmentation, climate change, and urban expansion have intensified interactions at the wildlife–domestic animal–human interface, facilitating cross-species viral transmission. Despite their epidemiological importance, systematic virological surveillance of wildlife remains challenging. In this study, we employed shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize the virome of wild animals rescued in the Pisa area and hospitalized at the “Mario Modenato” Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) at the University of Pisa. Fecal samples collected from injured wildlife admitted between September 2020 and September 2021 were analyzed to detect both known and novel viruses. This approach builds upon previous PCR-based investigations of the same biological material, enabling a more comprehensive assessment of viral diversity. We adopted a shotgun approach for analyzing six sample pools—four were positive for at least one viral target—identifying diverse viral families, including Astroviridae, Circoviridae, Picornaviridae, Adenoviridae, and Retroviridae, in asymptomatic wildlife admitted to a veterinary hospital, highlighting their potential role as reservoirs. Our findings provide insights into the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on wildlife virome composition and highlight the value of hospital-based sampling strategies for urban viral surveillance. The results contribute to the development of integrated monitoring and prevention strategies within a One Health framework.

Bacterial contamination of intravenous catheters in hospitalized horses may pose risks for both patient care and public health due to potential antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic transmission. This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the incidence of catheter contamination in equine patients admitted to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2020 and 2021. All horses requiring intravenous catheterization were included, and data were collected on patient signalment, clinical status, duration of catheterization, treatments, and outcomes. Two catheter types were used: 5 cm polytetrafluoroethylene and 11 cm polyurethane, both 14-gauge. Catheters were aseptically removed, and the distal ends were cultured on Blood Agar and Brain Heart Infusion broth. Bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques, and contamination was defined as any detectable bacterial growth. Of the 58 catheters collected from 52 patients, 38 (65.5%) showed bacterial growth, predominantly Staphylococcus spp. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified antibiotic treatment as significantly associated with positive bacteriological culture. These findings indicate a higher contamination rate than previously reported in horses. While colonization may not always result in clinical infection, the observed frequency of contamination underscores the need for careful catheter management and further investigation into its implications for antimicrobial stewardship.

Equine asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation and oxidative imbalance, particularly in its severe form. The aim of this study was to evaluate pro-oxidative substances, oxidative products, and antioxidant defense biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from horses with and without a history of severe equine asthma (SEA). This prospective observational study included 21 leisure horses classified as SEA or non-SEA based on clinical history and BALF cytology. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was analyzed for derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), non-protein-bound iron (NPBI), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) using validated analytical methods. Horses with SEA showed significantly higher NPBI concentrations compared with non-SEA horses, whereas no significant differences were observed for BAP level, AOPP and d-ROMs concentrations between groups. This finding indicates an altered local redox balance in the airways of horses with severe equine asthma, characterized by increased pro-oxidative potential. Overall, the results support the involvement of oxidative mechanisms in the pathophysiology of severe equine asthma and highlight the potential value of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid biomarkers for improving disease characterization.

Smartphone-based electrocardiography (ECG) is increasingly explored as a practical tool for cardiac assessment in veterinary species. The aim of this prospective observational study was to investigate the usability and reliability of a new smartphone-based ECG system (Eko DUO) in healthy foals. A total of 39 foals, aged 1 to 59 days, were enrolled. ECGs were recorded using the smartphone device in all animals, while a subgroup of 10 foals also underwent simultaneous recording with a conventional base-apex ECG (rECG) to enable direct comparison. All tracings were reviewed blindly by a single evaluator to assess interpretability, rhythm, and ECG parameters. Statistical analysis was performed. The smartphone ECG (sECG) provided readable tracings in all foals without requiring clipping or sedation. Sinus rhythm was identified in every subject, and heart rate classification (normal, bradycardia, or tachycardia) showed complete concordance with the rECG, supporting its clinical applicability for rapid cardiac assessment. No significant discrepancies were detected for heart rate, PR interval, or QT interval measurements, although P wave duration was shorter and QRS complex slightly longer in sECG recordings. The polarity of QRS complexes matched across systems, while P wave polarity varied. A moderate agreement concerning ECG quality and artifact was found. The smartphone ECG system showed good performance in field conditions, enabling rapid acquisition of clinically interpretable tracings and accurate heart rate evaluation, though variations in wave morphology should be acknowledged during clinical use.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and its related diseases, Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD), can be found in horses worldwide, with increased prevalences in racehorses and animals subjected to heavy training loads. Clinical signs of the disease are vague and nonspecific, and most horses affected by the disease are asymptomatic. In this retrospective study, our aim was to determine the percentages of pleasure and breeding horses showing signs compatible with gastric ulcers, and to correlate these signs with the presence of ESGD, EGGD, and both diseases at the same time. The effects of signalment and activity on disease development and symptoms were also investigated. In total, 1125 adult horses were enrolled in the study. Within this group, only 12% showed clinical signs related to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT, 6%), performance and behavior (PER, 1%), or weight loss (WL, 5%). ESGD was diagnosed in 63% (grade 2/4 22%, 3/4 11%, and 4/4 30%) of animals, while EGGD was diagnosed in 32%. Warmblood horses and geldings were more likely to show clinical signs compared to the other breeds and sexes. WL was associated with the presence and severity of ESGD and the presence of EGGD; GIT was associated only with the presence and severity of ESGD; and PER was associated with the severity of ESGD and the presence of EGGD. Activity was the main risk factor for the development of all diseases, modulating the effect of signalment. EGGD was the only disease with a limited effect on the manifestation of clinical signs when compared with the effect of signalment only. Despite the relatively high prevalence of the disease in horses considered at low risk, clinical signs were present in only a small percentage of the study group, with their expression possibly related to the presence and severity of gastric ulcers. Although the limited effect of EGGD on the manifestation of clinical signs needs to be confirmed, it highlights the limited knowledge we currently have on the clinical significance of lesions in the glandular mucosa, especially when only hyperemia is present.