This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Dr. Gian Mario Cosseddu
Diagnosis and Surveillance of Viral Diseases Unit of the Italian National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (CESME). IZS Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale, Teramo, Italy

Basic Info


Research Keywords & Expertise

0 diagnosis
0 Vector borne diseases
0 Animal health
0 Surveillance of infectious diseases
0 veterinary microbiology

Fingerprints

Animal health
diagnosis

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

The user biography is not available.
Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Regular articles
Published: 05 March 2021 in Tropical Animal Health and Production
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This study reports the monitoring of several emerging viral pathogens in Mauritania, which was carried out by the analysis of bovine and camel samples taken at the slaughterhouse of Nouakchott. Blood and serum were collected by random sampling from 159 camels and 118 cattle in March 2013 at the large animals abattoir in Nouakchott. Serological tests for Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), West Nile disease (WND), epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) and African horse sickness (AHS) were carried out using commercial ELISA kits. The samples, which resulted positives for PPR, WND and AHS, were tested with the confirmatory virus neutralization test (VNT). According to ELISA results, serological prevalence of RVF was 45% (95% CI 52.3–37.7) in camels and 16% (95% CI 22.6–9.4) in cattle. The difference between the observed prevalences in camels and in cattle was significant (p value ≤ 0.01). PPR was absent in camels and had 12% prevalence (95% CI, 17.86–6.14) in cattle. Furthermore, camels showed 92% (95% CI, 96.1–87.9) prevalence of WNV, 73% (95% CI, 82.3–63.64) of EHD and 3% (95% CI, 5.6–0.4) of AHS. This data are of relevance since provided useful feedbacks on the circulation of the pathogens in field. Moreover, this survey provided new information on the susceptibility of camels to several emerging pathogens and on the possible use of this species as sentinel animal.

ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; B. Doumbia; M. Scacchia; C. Pinoni; A. Di Provvido; A. Polci; K. Isselmou; A. Di Gennaro; M. Spedicato; I. Carmine; G. Savini; A. Capobianco Dondona; F. Iapaolo; F. Valleriani; Ahmed Bezeid El Mamy; Yaya Barry; F. Monaco. Sero-surveillance of emerging viral diseases in camels and cattle in Nouakchott, Mauritania: an abattoir study. Tropical Animal Health and Production 2021, 53, 1 -6.

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, B. Doumbia, M. Scacchia, C. Pinoni, A. Di Provvido, A. Polci, K. Isselmou, A. Di Gennaro, M. Spedicato, I. Carmine, G. Savini, A. Capobianco Dondona, F. Iapaolo, F. Valleriani, Ahmed Bezeid El Mamy, Yaya Barry, F. Monaco. Sero-surveillance of emerging viral diseases in camels and cattle in Nouakchott, Mauritania: an abattoir study. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2021; 53 (2):1-6.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; B. Doumbia; M. Scacchia; C. Pinoni; A. Di Provvido; A. Polci; K. Isselmou; A. Di Gennaro; M. Spedicato; I. Carmine; G. Savini; A. Capobianco Dondona; F. Iapaolo; F. Valleriani; Ahmed Bezeid El Mamy; Yaya Barry; F. Monaco. 2021. "Sero-surveillance of emerging viral diseases in camels and cattle in Nouakchott, Mauritania: an abattoir study." Tropical Animal Health and Production 53, no. 2: 1-6.

Brief report
Published: 16 December 2020 in Viruses
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever (RVF) occurred in Namibia in 2010 and 2011. Complete genome characterization was obtained from virus isolates collected during disease outbreaks in southern Namibia in 2010 and from wildlife in Etosha National Park in 2011, close to the area where RVF outbreaks occurred in domestic livestock. The virus strains were sequenced using Sanger sequencing (Namibia_2010) or next generation sequencing (Namibia_2011). A sequence-independent, single-primer amplification (SISPA) protocol was used in combination with the Illumina Next 500 sequencer. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the small (S), medium (M), and large (L) genome segments of RVF virus (RVFV) provided evidence that two distinct RVFV strains circulated in the country. The strain collected in Namibia in 2010 is genetically similar to RVFV strains circulating in South Africa in 2009 and 2010, confirming that the outbreaks reported in the southern part of Namibia in 2010 were caused by possible dissemination of the infection from South Africa. Isolates collected in 2011 were close to RVFV isolates from 2010 collected in humans in Sudan and which belong to the large lineage containing RVFV strains that caused an outbreak in 2006–2008 in eastern Africa. This investigation showed that the RVFV strains circulating in Namibia in 2010 and 2011 were from two different introductions and that RVFV has the ability to move across regions. This supports the need for risk-based surveillance and monitoring.

ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Kudakwashe Magwedere; Umberto Molini; Chiara Pinoni; Sigfried Khaiseb; Massimo Scacchia; Maurilia Marcacci; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Fabrizia Valleriani; Andrea Polci; Federica Monaco. Genetic Diversity of Rift Valley Fever Strains Circulating in Namibia in 2010 and 2011. Viruses 2020, 12, 1453 .

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, Kudakwashe Magwedere, Umberto Molini, Chiara Pinoni, Sigfried Khaiseb, Massimo Scacchia, Maurilia Marcacci, Andrea Capobianco Dondona, Fabrizia Valleriani, Andrea Polci, Federica Monaco. Genetic Diversity of Rift Valley Fever Strains Circulating in Namibia in 2010 and 2011. Viruses. 2020; 12 (12):1453.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Kudakwashe Magwedere; Umberto Molini; Chiara Pinoni; Sigfried Khaiseb; Massimo Scacchia; Maurilia Marcacci; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Fabrizia Valleriani; Andrea Polci; Federica Monaco. 2020. "Genetic Diversity of Rift Valley Fever Strains Circulating in Namibia in 2010 and 2011." Viruses 12, no. 12: 1453.

Rapid communication
Published: 30 July 2018 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In Tunisia, eighty‐six outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) were reported in ovine and caprine herds in 2016. Molecular characterization of PPRV strains was carried out by partial sequencing of nucleoprotein (Np) gene from diagnostic specimens. The results showed that disease outbreaks were caused by virus strains closely related to PPRV strains collected in Egypt in 2014 and 2015. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

ACS Style

Sonia Ben Hassen; Federica Monaco; Soufien Sghaier; Massimiliano Orsini; Fabrizia Valleriani; Heni Haj Ammar; Antonio Petrini; Salah Hammami; Gian Mario Cosseddu. Peste des Petits Ruminants outbreaks in Tunisia in 2016. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2018, 65, 1416 -1420.

AMA Style

Sonia Ben Hassen, Federica Monaco, Soufien Sghaier, Massimiliano Orsini, Fabrizia Valleriani, Heni Haj Ammar, Antonio Petrini, Salah Hammami, Gian Mario Cosseddu. Peste des Petits Ruminants outbreaks in Tunisia in 2016. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2018; 65 (6):1416-1420.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sonia Ben Hassen; Federica Monaco; Soufien Sghaier; Massimiliano Orsini; Fabrizia Valleriani; Heni Haj Ammar; Antonio Petrini; Salah Hammami; Gian Mario Cosseddu. 2018. "Peste des Petits Ruminants outbreaks in Tunisia in 2016." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 65, no. 6: 1416-1420.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2017 in Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Hantaviruses are a group of zoonotic viruses carried by rodents. Puumala virus (PUUV) and Dobrava virus (DOBV) are the causative agents of human hantavirus infections in Europe. Knowledge about hantavirus circulation in Italy is very scarce. West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are emerging neuropathogenic flaviviruses, both endemic in most part of the Italian territories. To monitor the circulation of PUUV, DOBV, WNV, and USUV in natural environment in central Italy, we carried out serological surveillance in wild rodents. During this study, 90 animals were captured in forested areas of Abruzzo and Marche regions and tested with serological assays for the specific pathogens. Serological test provided no evidence of PUUV and DOBV circulation in the studied area. However, four rodents (Apodemus flavicollis) were found to be positive by WNV ELISA test. Two of them were confirmed as WNV by virus neutralization test.

ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Giulia Sozio; Fabrizia Valleriani; Annapia Di Gennaro; Ilaria Pascucci; Stefano Gavaudan; Philippe Marianneau; Federica Monaco. Serological Survey of Hantavirus and Flavivirus Among Wild Rodents in Central Italy. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 2017, 17, 777 -779.

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, Giulia Sozio, Fabrizia Valleriani, Annapia Di Gennaro, Ilaria Pascucci, Stefano Gavaudan, Philippe Marianneau, Federica Monaco. Serological Survey of Hantavirus and Flavivirus Among Wild Rodents in Central Italy. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. 2017; 17 (11):777-779.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Giulia Sozio; Fabrizia Valleriani; Annapia Di Gennaro; Ilaria Pascucci; Stefano Gavaudan; Philippe Marianneau; Federica Monaco. 2017. "Serological Survey of Hantavirus and Flavivirus Among Wild Rodents in Central Italy." Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 17, no. 11: 777-779.

Research article
Published: 23 November 2016 in PLOS Pathogens
Reads 0
Downloads 0

It is widely known that prion strains can mutate in response to modification of the replication environment and we have recently reported that prion mutations can occur in vitro during amplification of vole-adapted prions by Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification on bank vole substrate (bvPMCA). Here we exploited the high efficiency of prion replication by bvPMCA to study the in vitro propagation of natural scrapie isolates. Although in vitro vole-adapted PrPSc conformers were usually similar to the sheep counterpart, we repeatedly isolated a PrPSc mutant exclusively when starting from extremely diluted seeds of a single sheep isolate. The mutant and faithful PrPSc conformers showed to be efficiently autocatalytic in vitro and were characterized by different PrP protease resistant cores, spanning aa ∼155–231 and ∼80–231 respectively, and by different conformational stabilities. The two conformers could thus be seen as different bona fide PrPSc types, putatively accounting for prion populations with different biological properties. Indeed, once inoculated in bank vole the faithful conformer was competent for in vivo replication while the mutant was unable to infect voles, de facto behaving like a defective prion mutant. Overall, our findings confirm that prions can adapt and evolve in the new replication environments and that the starting population size can affect their evolutionary landscape, at least in vitro. Furthermore, we report the first example of “authentic” defective prion mutant, composed of brain-derived PrPC and originating from a natural scrapie isolate. Our results clearly indicate that the defective mutant lacks of some structural characteristics, that presumably involve the central region ∼90–155, critical for infectivity but not for in vitro replication. Finally, we propose a molecular mechanism able to account for the discordant in vitro and in vivo behavior, suggesting possible new paths for investigating the molecular bases of prion infectivity. Prions are unique infectious agents, consisting of PrPSc, a self-propagating aggregated conformer of the host-encoded prion protein PrPC. Despite the absence of any nucleic acid information, prions exist as distinct strains that share the same amino acid sequence but differ in their conformation. Moreover, prions can mutate and are thus heterogeneous populations able to evolve and adapt to new replication environments. During in vitro amplification of sheep scrapie, we found that a prion mutant could be obtained from one natural isolate. The prion mutant identified was characterized in vivo and in vitro, showing unusual biochemical and biological features: a smaller than usual C-terminal proteinase resistant core of PrPSc, which spans aa ∼155–231, and the inability to propagate in vivo despite an efficient autocatalytic replication in vitro. With such a signature, we denoted the mutant as a “defective” prion mutant. We thus postulate a new hypothesis for the discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo behavior of the defective mutant and suggest that the central PrPSc domain ∼90–160 might have a key role in prion replication. This work provides important new insights into the mechanism underpinning prion replication and has numerous implications for understanding the molecular requirements indispensable for prion infectivity.

ACS Style

Ilaria Vanni; Sergio Migliore; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Laura Pirisinu; Claudia D’Agostino; Geraldina Riccardi; Umberto Agrimi; Romolo Nonno. Isolation of a Defective Prion Mutant from Natural Scrapie. PLOS Pathogens 2016, 12, e1006016 .

AMA Style

Ilaria Vanni, Sergio Migliore, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Michele Angelo Di Bari, Laura Pirisinu, Claudia D’Agostino, Geraldina Riccardi, Umberto Agrimi, Romolo Nonno. Isolation of a Defective Prion Mutant from Natural Scrapie. PLOS Pathogens. 2016; 12 (11):e1006016.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ilaria Vanni; Sergio Migliore; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Laura Pirisinu; Claudia D’Agostino; Geraldina Riccardi; Umberto Agrimi; Romolo Nonno. 2016. "Isolation of a Defective Prion Mutant from Natural Scrapie." PLOS Pathogens 12, no. 11: e1006016.

Journal article
Published: 08 April 2016 in Virus Genes
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Following its first identification in Germany in 2011, the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has rapidly spread to many other European countries. Despite the wide dissemination, the molecular characterization of the circulating strains is limited to German, Belgian, Dutch, and Swiss viruses. To fill this gap, partial genetic characterization of 15 Italian field strains was performed, based on S segment genes. Samples were collected in 2012 in two different regions where outbreaks occurred during distinct epidemic seasons. The comparative sequence analysis demonstrated a high molecular stability of the circulating viruses; nevertheless, we identified several variants of the N and NSs proteins not described in other SBV isolates circulating in Europe.

ACS Style

Francesca Izzo; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Andrea Polci; Federica Iapaolo; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Fabrizia Valleriani; Federica Monaco. Genetic characterization of Italian field strains of Schmallenberg virus based on N and NSs genes. Virus Genes 2016, 52, 582 -585.

AMA Style

Francesca Izzo, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Andrea Polci, Federica Iapaolo, Chiara Pinoni, Andrea Capobianco Dondona, Fabrizia Valleriani, Federica Monaco. Genetic characterization of Italian field strains of Schmallenberg virus based on N and NSs genes. Virus Genes. 2016; 52 (4):582-585.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesca Izzo; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Andrea Polci; Federica Iapaolo; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Fabrizia Valleriani; Federica Monaco. 2016. "Genetic characterization of Italian field strains of Schmallenberg virus based on N and NSs genes." Virus Genes 52, no. 4: 582-585.

Research article
Published: 13 November 2015 in PLOS ONE
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis which affects humans and a wide range of domestic and wild ruminants. The large spread of RVF in Africa and its potential to emerge beyond its geographic range requires the development of surveillance strategies to promptly detect the disease outbreaks in order to implement efficient control measures, which could prevent the widespread of the virus to humans. The Animal Health Mediterranean Network (REMESA) linking some Northern African countries as Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia with Southern European ones as France, Italy, Portugal and Spain aims at improving the animal health in the Western Mediterranean Region since 2009. In this context, a first assessment of the diagnostic capacities of the laboratories involved in the RVF surveillance was performed. The first proficiency testing (external quality assessment—EQA) for the detection of the viral genome and antibodies of RVF virus (RVFV) was carried out from October 2013 to February 2014. Ten laboratories participated from 6 different countries (4 from North Africa and 2 from Europe). Six laboratories participated in the ring trial for both viral RNA and antibodies detection methods, while four laboratories participated exclusively in the antibodies detection ring trial. For the EQA targeting the viral RNA detection methods 5 out of 6 laboratories reported 100% of correct results. One laboratory misidentified 2 positive samples as negative and 3 positive samples as doubtful indicating a need for corrective actions. For the EQA targeting IgG and IgM antibodies methods 9 out of the 10 laboratories reported 100% of correct results, whilst one laboratory reported all correct results except one false-positive. These two ring trials provide evidence that most of the participating laboratories are capable to detect RVF antibodies and viral RNA thus recognizing RVF infection in affected ruminants with the diagnostic methods currently available.

ACS Style

Federica Monaco; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Baba Doumbia; Hafsa Madani; Fatiha El Mellouli; Miguel Angel Jiménez-Clavero; Soufien Sghaier; Philippe Marianneau; Catherine Cetre-Sossah; Andrea Polci; Sandra Lacote; Magtouf Lakhdar; Jovita Fernandez-Pinero; Chabane Sari Nassim; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Carmina Gallardo; Taoufiq Bouzid; Annamaria Conte; Grazia Bortone; Giovanni Savini; Antonio Petrini; Lilian Puech. First External Quality Assessment of Molecular and Serological Detection of Rift Valley Fever in the Western Mediterranean Region. PLOS ONE 2015, 10, e0142129 .

AMA Style

Federica Monaco, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Baba Doumbia, Hafsa Madani, Fatiha El Mellouli, Miguel Angel Jiménez-Clavero, Soufien Sghaier, Philippe Marianneau, Catherine Cetre-Sossah, Andrea Polci, Sandra Lacote, Magtouf Lakhdar, Jovita Fernandez-Pinero, Chabane Sari Nassim, Chiara Pinoni, Andrea Capobianco Dondona, Carmina Gallardo, Taoufiq Bouzid, Annamaria Conte, Grazia Bortone, Giovanni Savini, Antonio Petrini, Lilian Puech. First External Quality Assessment of Molecular and Serological Detection of Rift Valley Fever in the Western Mediterranean Region. PLOS ONE. 2015; 10 (11):e0142129.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Federica Monaco; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Baba Doumbia; Hafsa Madani; Fatiha El Mellouli; Miguel Angel Jiménez-Clavero; Soufien Sghaier; Philippe Marianneau; Catherine Cetre-Sossah; Andrea Polci; Sandra Lacote; Magtouf Lakhdar; Jovita Fernandez-Pinero; Chabane Sari Nassim; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Carmina Gallardo; Taoufiq Bouzid; Annamaria Conte; Grazia Bortone; Giovanni Savini; Antonio Petrini; Lilian Puech. 2015. "First External Quality Assessment of Molecular and Serological Detection of Rift Valley Fever in the Western Mediterranean Region." PLOS ONE 10, no. 11: e0142129.

Research article
Published: 25 March 2015 in PLOS ONE
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases are a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterised by the accumulation of a pathological form of a host protein known as prion protein (PrP). The validation of abnormal PrP detection techniques is fundamental to allow the use of high-throughput laboratory based tests, avoiding the limitations of bioassays. We used scrapie, a prototype TSE, to examine the relationship between infectivity and laboratory based diagnostic tools. The data may help to optimise strategies to prevent exposure of humans to small ruminant TSE material via the food chain. Abnormal PrP distribution/accumulation was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blot (WB) and ELISA in samples from four animals. In addition, infectivity was detected using a sensitive bank vole bioassay with selected samples from two of the four sheep and protein misfolding cyclic amplification using bank vole brain as substrate (vPMCA) was also carried out in selected samples from one animal. Lymph nodes, oculomotor muscles, sciatic nerve and kidney were positive by IHC, WB and ELISA, although at levels 100–1000 fold lower than the brain, and contained detectable infectivity by bioassay. Tissues not infectious by bioassay were also negative by all laboratory tests including PMCA. Although discrepancies were observed in tissues with very low levels of abnormal PrP, there was an overall good correlation between IHC, WB, ELISA and bioassay results. Most importantly, there was a good correlation between the detection of abnormal PrP in tissues using laboratory tests and the levels of infectivity even when the titre was low. These findings provide useful information for risk modellers and represent a first step toward the validation of laboratory tests used to quantify prion infectivity, which would greatly aid TSE risk assessment policies.

ACS Style

Francesca Chianini; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Philip Steele; Scott Hamilton; Jeremy Hawthorn; Silvia Sisó; Yvonne Pang; Jeanie Finlayson; Samantha L. Eaton; Hugh W. Reid; Mark P. Dagleish; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Claudia D’Agostino; Umberto Agrimi; Linda Terry; Romolo Nonno. Correlation between Infectivity and Disease Associated Prion Protein in the Nervous System and Selected Edible Tissues of Naturally Affected Scrapie Sheep. PLOS ONE 2015, 10, e0122785 .

AMA Style

Francesca Chianini, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Philip Steele, Scott Hamilton, Jeremy Hawthorn, Silvia Sisó, Yvonne Pang, Jeanie Finlayson, Samantha L. Eaton, Hugh W. Reid, Mark P. Dagleish, Michele Angelo Di Bari, Claudia D’Agostino, Umberto Agrimi, Linda Terry, Romolo Nonno. Correlation between Infectivity and Disease Associated Prion Protein in the Nervous System and Selected Edible Tissues of Naturally Affected Scrapie Sheep. PLOS ONE. 2015; 10 (3):e0122785.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesca Chianini; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Philip Steele; Scott Hamilton; Jeremy Hawthorn; Silvia Sisó; Yvonne Pang; Jeanie Finlayson; Samantha L. Eaton; Hugh W. Reid; Mark P. Dagleish; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Claudia D’Agostino; Umberto Agrimi; Linda Terry; Romolo Nonno. 2015. "Correlation between Infectivity and Disease Associated Prion Protein in the Nervous System and Selected Edible Tissues of Naturally Affected Scrapie Sheep." PLOS ONE 10, no. 3: e0122785.

Journal article
Published: 16 January 2015 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Four goats were inoculated with an inactivated peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) vaccine. Three unvaccinated goats were kept as controls. After 36 days, the four goats were revaccinated. The immune response was monitored by virus neutralization test showing that two doses of the vaccine were able to stimulate strong immune response in all the vaccinated animals. The vaccinated goat and the controls were challenged with virulent PPRV intranasally. After PPRV challenge, the three control goats showed fever, viremia and virus excretion through mucosal surfaces, whereas the vaccinated goats were fully protected against PPRV infection and replication.

ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Andrea Polci; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Federica Iapaolo; G. Orsini; F. Izzo; G. Bortone; F. G. Ronchi; Mauro Di Ventura; M. El Harrak; Federica Monaco. Evaluation of Humoral Response and Protective Efficacy of an Inactivated Vaccine Against Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Goats. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2015, 63, e447 -e452.

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, Andrea Polci, Chiara Pinoni, Andrea Capobianco Dondona, Federica Iapaolo, G. Orsini, F. Izzo, G. Bortone, F. G. Ronchi, Mauro Di Ventura, M. El Harrak, Federica Monaco. Evaluation of Humoral Response and Protective Efficacy of an Inactivated Vaccine Against Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Goats. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2015; 63 (5):e447-e452.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Andrea Polci; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Capobianco Dondona; Federica Iapaolo; G. Orsini; F. Izzo; G. Bortone; F. G. Ronchi; Mauro Di Ventura; M. El Harrak; Federica Monaco. 2015. "Evaluation of Humoral Response and Protective Efficacy of an Inactivated Vaccine Against Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus in Goats." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 63, no. 5: e447-e452.

Letters to the editor
Published: 01 December 2014 in Emerging Infectious Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Soufien Sghaier; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Sonia Ben Hassen; Salah Hammami; Héni Haj Ammar; Antonio Petrini; Federica Monaco. Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus, Tunisia, 2012–2013. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2014, 20, 2184 -2186.

AMA Style

Soufien Sghaier, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Sonia Ben Hassen, Salah Hammami, Héni Haj Ammar, Antonio Petrini, Federica Monaco. Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus, Tunisia, 2012–2013. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2014; 20 (12):2184-2186.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Soufien Sghaier; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Sonia Ben Hassen; Salah Hammami; Héni Haj Ammar; Antonio Petrini; Federica Monaco. 2014. "Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus, Tunisia, 2012–2013." Emerging Infectious Diseases 20, no. 12: 2184-2186.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2013 in Emerging Infectious Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0

During May–July 2010 in Namibia, outbreaks of Rift Valley fever were reported to the National Veterinary Service. Analysis of animal specimens confirmed virus circulation on 7 farms. Molecular characterization showed that all outbreaks were caused by a strain of Rift Valley fever virus closely related to virus strains responsible for outbreaks in South Africa during 2009–2010.

ACS Style

Federica Monaco; Chiara Pinoni; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Siegfried Khaiseb; Paolo Calistri; Umberto Molini; Alec Bishi; Annamaria Conte; Massimo Scacchia; Rossella Lelli. Rift Valley Fever in Namibia, 2010. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2013, 19, 2025 -2027.

AMA Style

Federica Monaco, Chiara Pinoni, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Siegfried Khaiseb, Paolo Calistri, Umberto Molini, Alec Bishi, Annamaria Conte, Massimo Scacchia, Rossella Lelli. Rift Valley Fever in Namibia, 2010. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013; 19 (12):2025-2027.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Federica Monaco; Chiara Pinoni; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Siegfried Khaiseb; Paolo Calistri; Umberto Molini; Alec Bishi; Annamaria Conte; Massimo Scacchia; Rossella Lelli. 2013. "Rift Valley Fever in Namibia, 2010." Emerging Infectious Diseases 19, no. 12: 2025-2027.

Journal article
Published: 19 July 2013 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0

A duplex real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) assay was developed for a simple and rapid diagnosis of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR). qRT‐PCR primers and TaqMan probe were designed on a conserved region of nucleocapsid protein (Np) of PPR virus (PPRV) genome. An in vitro transcript of the target region was constructed and tested to determine analytical sensitivity. Commercial heterologous Armored RNA® was used as an internal positive control (IPC) for either RNA isolation or RT‐PCR steps. The detection limit of the newly designed duplex real‐time RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR PPR_Np) was approximately 20 copies/μl with a 95% probability. No amplification signals were recorded when the qRT‐PCR PPR_Np was applied to viruses closely related or clinically similar to PPRV‐ or to PPR‐negative blood samples. A preliminary evaluation of the diagnostic performance was carried out by testing a group of 43 clinical specimens collected from distinct geographic areas of Africa and Middle East. qRT‐PCR PPR_Np showed higher sensitivity than the conventional gel‐based RT‐PCR assays, which have been used as reference standards. Internal positive control made it possible to identify the occurrence of 5 false‐negative results caused by the amplification failure, thus improving the accuracy of PPRV detection.

ACS Style

Andrea Polci; G. M. Cosseddu; Massimo Ancora; Chiara Pinoni; M. El Harrak; T. T. Sebhatu; E. Ghebremeskel; Soufien Sghaier; R. Lelli; Federica Monaco. Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a New Real-Time RT-PCR Assay For Detection of Peste des petits Ruminants Virus Genome. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2013, 62, 332 -338.

AMA Style

Andrea Polci, G. M. Cosseddu, Massimo Ancora, Chiara Pinoni, M. El Harrak, T. T. Sebhatu, E. Ghebremeskel, Soufien Sghaier, R. Lelli, Federica Monaco. Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a New Real-Time RT-PCR Assay For Detection of Peste des petits Ruminants Virus Genome. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2013; 62 (3):332-338.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Polci; G. M. Cosseddu; Massimo Ancora; Chiara Pinoni; M. El Harrak; T. T. Sebhatu; E. Ghebremeskel; Soufien Sghaier; R. Lelli; Federica Monaco. 2013. "Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a New Real-Time RT-PCR Assay For Detection of Peste des petits Ruminants Virus Genome." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 62, no. 3: 332-338.

Letters to the editor
Published: 01 January 2013 in Emerging Infectious Diseases
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Polci; Tesfaalem Sebhatu; Rossella Lelli; Federica Monaco. Characterization of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus, Eritrea, 2002–2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2013, 19, 160 -161.

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, Chiara Pinoni, Andrea Polci, Tesfaalem Sebhatu, Rossella Lelli, Federica Monaco. Characterization of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus, Eritrea, 2002–2011. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2013; 19 (1):160-161.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Chiara Pinoni; Andrea Polci; Tesfaalem Sebhatu; Rossella Lelli; Federica Monaco. 2013. "Characterization of Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus, Eritrea, 2002–2011." Emerging Infectious Diseases 19, no. 1: 160-161.

Research article
Published: 17 November 2011 in PLOS Pathogens
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In order to investigate the potential of voles to reproduce in vitro the efficiency of prion replication previously observed in vivo, we seeded protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) reactions with either rodent-adapted Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) strains or natural TSE isolates. Vole brain homogenates were shown to be a powerful substrate for both homologous or heterologous PMCA, sustaining the efficient amplification of prions from all the prion sources tested. However, after a few serial automated PMCA (saPMCA) rounds, we also observed the appearance of PK-resistant PrPSc in samples containing exclusively unseeded substrate (negative controls), suggesting the possible spontaneous generation of infectious prions during PMCA reactions. As we could not definitively rule out cross-contamination through a posteriori biochemical and biological analyses of de novo generated prions, we decided to replicate the experiments in a different laboratory. Under rigorous prion-free conditions, we did not observe de novo appearance of PrPSc in unseeded samples of M109M and I109I vole substrates, even after many consecutive rounds of saPMCA and working in different PMCA settings. Furthermore, when positive and negative samples were processed together, the appearance of spurious PrPSc in unseeded negative controls suggested that the most likely explanation for the appearance of de novo PrPSc was the occurrence of cross-contamination during saPMCA. Careful analysis of the PMCA process allowed us to identify critical points which are potentially responsible for contamination events. Appropriate technical improvements made it possible to overcome PMCA pitfalls, allowing PrPSc to be reliably amplified up to extremely low dilutions of infected brain homogenate without any false positive results even after many consecutive rounds. Our findings underline the potential drawback of ultrasensitive in vitro prion replication and warn on cautious interpretation when assessing the spontaneous appearance of prions in vitro. In an attempt to transpose to an in vitro system the particular sensitivity of the vole model to human and animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), we first explored the suitability of vole brain homogenate as a substrate for PMCA. As well as observing the highly efficient replication of a variety of prion sources, we also found preliminary evidence of de novo prion generation in unseeded reactions. Careful analysis of the PMCA procedure, undertaken further to investigate these findings, showed, however, that they were the result of cross-contamination with seeded samples. We next identified and investigated the critical points of this procedure that are potentially responsible for cross-contamination. Our results suggest that in vitro systems for prion amplification could be more prone to cross-contamination than previously thought, particularly when harsh procedures, such as sonication, are involved. Experimental conditions able to reproduce spontaneous prion formation in a simple and easily reproducible in vitro system would be of crucial interest for understanding TSEs and other important neurodegenerative disorders. Given that in vitro methods are increasingly used in this field, our results emphasise the possible drawbacks of such approaches and call for the use of rigorously controlled conditions and cautious interpretation of data.

ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Romolo Nonno; Gabriele Vaccari; Cecilia Bucalossi; Natalia Fernández-Borges; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Joaquín Castilla; Umberto Agrimi. Ultra-Efficient PrPSc Amplification Highlights Potentialities and Pitfalls of PMCA Technology. PLOS Pathogens 2011, 7, e1002370 .

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, Romolo Nonno, Gabriele Vaccari, Cecilia Bucalossi, Natalia Fernández-Borges, Michele Angelo Di Bari, Joaquín Castilla, Umberto Agrimi. Ultra-Efficient PrPSc Amplification Highlights Potentialities and Pitfalls of PMCA Technology. PLOS Pathogens. 2011; 7 (11):e1002370.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Romolo Nonno; Gabriele Vaccari; Cecilia Bucalossi; Natalia Fernández-Borges; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Joaquín Castilla; Umberto Agrimi. 2011. "Ultra-Efficient PrPSc Amplification Highlights Potentialities and Pitfalls of PMCA Technology." PLOS Pathogens 7, no. 11: e1002370.

Journal article
Published: 15 August 2011 in Journal of Virology
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The susceptibility of sheep to scrapie is influenced mainly by the prion protein polymorphisms A136V, R154H, and Q171R/H. Here we analyzed the ability of protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) to model the genetic susceptibility of sheep to scrapie. For this purpose, we studied the efficiency of brain homogenates from sheep with different PrP genotypes to support PrP Sc amplification by PMCA using an ARQ/ARQ scrapie inoculum. The results were then compared with those obtained in vivo using the same sheep breed, genotypes, and scrapie inoculum. Genotypes associated with susceptibility (ARQ/ARQ, ARQ/AHQ, and AHQ/ARH) were able to sustain PrP Sc amplification in PMCA reactions, while genotypes associated with resistance to scrapie (ARQ/ARR and ARR/ARR) were unable to support the in vitro conversion. The incubation times of the experimental infection were then compared with the in vitro amplification factors. Linear regression analysis showed that the efficiency of in vitro PrP Sc amplification of the different genotypes was indeed inversely proportional to their incubation times. Finally, the rare ARQK 176 /ARQK 176 genotype, for which no in vivo data are available, was studied by PMCA. No amplification was obtained, suggesting ARQK 176 /ARQK 176 as an additional genotype associated with resistance, at least to the isolate tested. Our results indicate a direct correlation between the ability of different PrP genotypes to undergo PrP C -to-PrP Sc conversion by PMCA and their in vivo susceptibility and point to PMCA as an alternative to transmission studies and a potential tool to test the susceptibility of numerous sheep PrP genotypes to a variety of prion sources.

ACS Style

Cecilia Bucalossi; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Claudia D'Agostino; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Barbara Chiappini; Michela Conte; Francesca Rosone; Luigi De Grossi; Gaia Scavia; Umberto Agrimi; Romolo Nonno; Gabriele Vaccari. Assessment of the Genetic Susceptibility of Sheep to Scrapie by Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification and Comparison with Experimental Scrapie Transmission Studies. Journal of Virology 2011, 85, 8386 -8392.

AMA Style

Cecilia Bucalossi, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Claudia D'Agostino, Michele Angelo Di Bari, Barbara Chiappini, Michela Conte, Francesca Rosone, Luigi De Grossi, Gaia Scavia, Umberto Agrimi, Romolo Nonno, Gabriele Vaccari. Assessment of the Genetic Susceptibility of Sheep to Scrapie by Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification and Comparison with Experimental Scrapie Transmission Studies. Journal of Virology. 2011; 85 (16):8386-8392.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cecilia Bucalossi; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Claudia D'Agostino; Michele Angelo Di Bari; Barbara Chiappini; Michela Conte; Francesca Rosone; Luigi De Grossi; Gaia Scavia; Umberto Agrimi; Romolo Nonno; Gabriele Vaccari. 2011. "Assessment of the Genetic Susceptibility of Sheep to Scrapie by Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification and Comparison with Experimental Scrapie Transmission Studies." Journal of Virology 85, no. 16: 8386-8392.

Journal article
Published: 27 January 2009 in Veterinary Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The susceptibility of sheep to scrapie is under the control of the host’s prion protein (PrP) gene and is also influenced by the strain of the agent. PrP polymorphisms at codons 136 (A/V), 154 (R/H) and 171 (Q/R/H) are the main determinants of susceptibility/resistance of sheep to classical scrapie. They are combined in four main variants of the wild-type ARQ allele: VRQ, AHQ, ARH and ARR. Breeding programmes have been undertaken on this basis in the European Union and the USA to increase the frequency of the resistant ARR allele in sheep populations. Herein, we report the results of a multi-flock study showing the protective effect of polymorphisms other than those at codons 136, 154 and 171 in Sarda breed sheep. All ARQ/ARQ affected sheep (n = 154) and 378 negative ARQ/ARQ controls from four scrapie outbreaks were submitted to sequencing of the PrP gene. The distribution of variations other than those at the standard three codons, between scrapie cases and negative controls, was statistically different in all flocks. In particular, the AT137RQ and ARQK176 alleles showed a clear protective effect. This is the first study demonstrating a protective influence of alleles other than ARR under field conditions. If further investigations in other sheep breeds and with other scrapie sources confirm these findings, the availability of various protective alleles in breeding programmes of sheep for scrapie resistance could be useful in breeds with a low frequency of the ARR allele and would allow maintaining a wider variability of the PrP gene.

ACS Style

Gabriele Vaccari; Gaia Scavia; Marcello Sala; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Barbara Chiappini; Michela Conte; Elena Esposito; Raniero Lorenzetti; Gabriella Perfetti; Paola Marconi; Francesco Scholl; Katia Barbaro; Antonino Bella; Romolo Nonno; Umberto Agrimi. Protective effect of the AT137RQ and ARQK176PrP allele against classical scrapie in Sarda breed sheep. Veterinary Research 2009, 40, 19 -11.

AMA Style

Gabriele Vaccari, Gaia Scavia, Marcello Sala, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Barbara Chiappini, Michela Conte, Elena Esposito, Raniero Lorenzetti, Gabriella Perfetti, Paola Marconi, Francesco Scholl, Katia Barbaro, Antonino Bella, Romolo Nonno, Umberto Agrimi. Protective effect of the AT137RQ and ARQK176PrP allele against classical scrapie in Sarda breed sheep. Veterinary Research. 2009; 40 (3):19-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gabriele Vaccari; Gaia Scavia; Marcello Sala; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Barbara Chiappini; Michela Conte; Elena Esposito; Raniero Lorenzetti; Gabriella Perfetti; Paola Marconi; Francesco Scholl; Katia Barbaro; Antonino Bella; Romolo Nonno; Umberto Agrimi. 2009. "Protective effect of the AT137RQ and ARQK176PrP allele against classical scrapie in Sarda breed sheep." Veterinary Research 40, no. 3: 19-11.

Comparative study
Published: 01 May 2008 in Genetics
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Although susceptibility to scrapie is largely controlled by the PRNP gene, we have searched for additional genomic regions that affect scrapie incubation time in sheep, using two half-sib families with a susceptible PRNP genotype and naturally infected by scrapie. Quantitative trait loci were detected on OAR6 and OAR18.

ACS Style

C R Moreno; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Laurent Schibler; A Roig; K Moazami-Goudarzi; O Andreoletti; F Eychenne; D Lajous; F Schelcher; E P Cribiu; P Laurent; D Vaiman; J M Elsen. Identification of New Quantitative Trait Loci (Other Than the PRNP Gene) Modulating the Scrapie Incubation Period in Sheep. Genetics 2008, 179, 723 -726.

AMA Style

C R Moreno, Gian Mario Cosseddu, Laurent Schibler, A Roig, K Moazami-Goudarzi, O Andreoletti, F Eychenne, D Lajous, F Schelcher, E P Cribiu, P Laurent, D Vaiman, J M Elsen. Identification of New Quantitative Trait Loci (Other Than the PRNP Gene) Modulating the Scrapie Incubation Period in Sheep. Genetics. 2008; 179 (1):723-726.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C R Moreno; Gian Mario Cosseddu; Laurent Schibler; A Roig; K Moazami-Goudarzi; O Andreoletti; F Eychenne; D Lajous; F Schelcher; E P Cribiu; P Laurent; D Vaiman; J M Elsen. 2008. "Identification of New Quantitative Trait Loci (Other Than the PRNP Gene) Modulating the Scrapie Incubation Period in Sheep." Genetics 179, no. 1: 723-726.

Review
Published: 01 December 2007 in Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE
Reads 0
Downloads 0
ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; U Agrimi; J Pinto; A A Schudel. Advances in scrapie research. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE 2007, 26, 1 .

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, U Agrimi, J Pinto, A A Schudel. Advances in scrapie research. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE. 2007; 26 (3):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; U Agrimi; J Pinto; A A Schudel. 2007. "Advances in scrapie research." Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'OIE 26, no. 3: 1.

Journal article
Published: 09 June 2007 in Animal Genetics
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Whole-genome radiation hybrid (RH) panels have been constructed for several species, including cattle. RH panels have proven to be an extremely powerful tool to construct high-density maps, which is an essential step in the identification of genes controlling important traits, and they can be used to establish high-resolution comparative maps. Although bovine RH panels can be used with ovine markers to construct sheep RH maps based on bovine genome organization, only some (c. 50%) of the markers available in sheep can be successfully mapped in the bovine genome. So, with the development of genomics and genome sequencing projects, there is a need for a high-resolution RH panel in sheep to map ovine markers. Consequently, we have constructed a 12 000-rad ovine whole-genome RH panel. Two hundred and eight hybrid clones were produced, of which 90 were selected based on their retention frequency. The final panel had an average marker retention frequency of 31.8%. The resolution of this 12 000-rad panel (SheepRH) was estimated by constructing an RH framework map for a 23-Mb region of sheep chromosome 18 (OAR18) that contains a QTL for scrapie susceptibility.

ACS Style

P. Laurent; L. Schibler; A. Vaiman; J. Laubier; C. Delcros; Gian Mario Cosseddu; D. Vaiman; E. P. Cribiu; M. Yerle. A 12 000-rad whole-genome radiation hybrid panel in sheep: application to the study of the ovine chromosome 18 region containing a QTL for scrapie susceptibility. Animal Genetics 2007, 38, 358 -363.

AMA Style

P. Laurent, L. Schibler, A. Vaiman, J. Laubier, C. Delcros, Gian Mario Cosseddu, D. Vaiman, E. P. Cribiu, M. Yerle. A 12 000-rad whole-genome radiation hybrid panel in sheep: application to the study of the ovine chromosome 18 region containing a QTL for scrapie susceptibility. Animal Genetics. 2007; 38 (4):358-363.

Chicago/Turabian Style

P. Laurent; L. Schibler; A. Vaiman; J. Laubier; C. Delcros; Gian Mario Cosseddu; D. Vaiman; E. P. Cribiu; M. Yerle. 2007. "A 12 000-rad whole-genome radiation hybrid panel in sheep: application to the study of the ovine chromosome 18 region containing a QTL for scrapie susceptibility." Animal Genetics 38, no. 4: 358-363.

Journal article
Published: 20 April 2007 in Brain Research
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This study aimed at identifying genes that could mark scrapie infection in the central nervous system of sheep. We used the subtractive suppressive hybridization (SSH) technique on brain samples from sheep healthy or clinically affected by scrapie. Following subtraction, several discrete differential bands appeared between the two reciprocally subtracted samples. These bands were cloned and sequenced, allowing identifying the genes COX1, CHN1, PPP2CA, LRFN5, CAMK2A and RABEPK. Two of the genes identified, CHN1 and RABEPK, appear to locate inside a QTL region known to modulate prion disease incubation time in mice, and LRFN5 maps inside a QTL region identified in sheep. Furthermore, CHN1 and RABEKP showed new unreported differential splicing.

ACS Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Olivier Andréoletti; Caterina Maestrale; Brigitte Robert; Ciriaco Ligios; François Piumi; Umberto Agrimi; Daniel Vaiman. Gene expression profiling on sheep brain reveals differential transcripts in scrapie-affected/not-affected animals. Brain Research 2007, 1142, 217 -222.

AMA Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu, Olivier Andréoletti, Caterina Maestrale, Brigitte Robert, Ciriaco Ligios, François Piumi, Umberto Agrimi, Daniel Vaiman. Gene expression profiling on sheep brain reveals differential transcripts in scrapie-affected/not-affected animals. Brain Research. 2007; 1142 ():217-222.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gian Mario Cosseddu; Olivier Andréoletti; Caterina Maestrale; Brigitte Robert; Ciriaco Ligios; François Piumi; Umberto Agrimi; Daniel Vaiman. 2007. "Gene expression profiling on sheep brain reveals differential transcripts in scrapie-affected/not-affected animals." Brain Research 1142, no. : 217-222.