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Dr. Paola Debenedictis
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Legnaro, Italy

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Journal article
Published: 18 August 2021 in Pathogens
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The illegal trade of companion animals in the European Union poses several legal, ethical and health issues to the entire community. In the framework of the Biocrime Interreg project between Italy and Austria, we surveyed puppies and kittens confiscated at the borders to identify the most frequent pathogens associated with (i) the risk of spread within the shelter, (ii) the development of fatal disease and (iii) the zoonotic potential. From January 2018 to December 2020, we examined a total of 613 puppies and 62 kittens coming from 44 requisitions. Feces, skin specimens and blood sera from confiscated animals were tested to verify the presence of major infections and to assess the rabies post-vaccination immunity. Out of the total of individuals under investigation, necropsies and laboratory investigations were also performed on 79 puppies and three kittens that had died during the observation period. Results indicated a high prevalence of Canine Parvovirus (CPV) and Giardia spp. infections, CPV as the most likely cause of fatal gastroenteritis in puppies and Salmonella and Microsporum canis as major zoonotic pathogens. Conversely, both extended spectrum beta lactamases Escherichia coli and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains as rare findings. Results highlighted that illegal animal trade could expose the human population to potential zoonotic risk and naïve animal population to potentially disrupting epidemic waves, both of these issues being largely underestimated when buying companion animals.

ACS Style

Monia Cocchi; Patrizia Danesi; Gabrita De Zan; Marta Leati; Laura Gagliazzo; Margherita Ruggeri; Manlio Palei; Alessandro Bremini; Marie-Christin Rossmann; Melanie Lippert-Petscharnig; Michael-Dieter Mansfeld; Silvia Deotto; Sofia Leardini; Federica Gobbo; Paolo Zucca; Paola De Benedictis. A Three-Year Biocrime Sanitary Surveillance on Illegally Imported Companion Animals. Pathogens 2021, 10, 1047 .

AMA Style

Monia Cocchi, Patrizia Danesi, Gabrita De Zan, Marta Leati, Laura Gagliazzo, Margherita Ruggeri, Manlio Palei, Alessandro Bremini, Marie-Christin Rossmann, Melanie Lippert-Petscharnig, Michael-Dieter Mansfeld, Silvia Deotto, Sofia Leardini, Federica Gobbo, Paolo Zucca, Paola De Benedictis. A Three-Year Biocrime Sanitary Surveillance on Illegally Imported Companion Animals. Pathogens. 2021; 10 (8):1047.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Monia Cocchi; Patrizia Danesi; Gabrita De Zan; Marta Leati; Laura Gagliazzo; Margherita Ruggeri; Manlio Palei; Alessandro Bremini; Marie-Christin Rossmann; Melanie Lippert-Petscharnig; Michael-Dieter Mansfeld; Silvia Deotto; Sofia Leardini; Federica Gobbo; Paolo Zucca; Paola De Benedictis. 2021. "A Three-Year Biocrime Sanitary Surveillance on Illegally Imported Companion Animals." Pathogens 10, no. 8: 1047.

Journal article
Published: 24 March 2021 in Cellular & Molecular Immunology
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One of the main goals of vaccine research is the development of adjuvants that can enhance immune responses and are both safe and biocompatible. We explored the application of the natural polymer hyaluronan (HA) as a promising immunological adjuvant for protein-based vaccines. Chemical conjugation of HA to antigens strongly increased their immunogenicity, reduced booster requirements, and allowed antigen dose sparing. HA-based bioconjugates stimulated robust and long-lasting humoral responses without the addition of other immunostimulatory compounds and proved highly efficient when compared to other adjuvants. Due to its intrinsic biocompatibility, HA allowed the exploitation of different injection routes and did not induce inflammation at the inoculation site. This polymer promoted rapid translocation of the antigen to draining lymph nodes, thus facilitating encounters with antigen-presenting cells. Overall, HA can be regarded as an effective and biocompatible adjuvant to be exploited for the design of a wide variety of vaccines.

ACS Style

Anna Dalla Pietà; Debora Carpanese; Antonella Grigoletto; Anna Tosi; Silvia Dalla Santa; Gabriel Kristian Pedersen; Dennis Christensen; Laura Meléndez-Alafort; Vito Barbieri; Paola De Benedictis; Gianfranco Pasut; Isabella Monia Montagner; Antonio Rosato. Hyaluronan is a natural and effective immunological adjuvant for protein-based vaccines. Cellular & Molecular Immunology 2021, 18, 1197 -1210.

AMA Style

Anna Dalla Pietà, Debora Carpanese, Antonella Grigoletto, Anna Tosi, Silvia Dalla Santa, Gabriel Kristian Pedersen, Dennis Christensen, Laura Meléndez-Alafort, Vito Barbieri, Paola De Benedictis, Gianfranco Pasut, Isabella Monia Montagner, Antonio Rosato. Hyaluronan is a natural and effective immunological adjuvant for protein-based vaccines. Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2021; 18 (5):1197-1210.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Anna Dalla Pietà; Debora Carpanese; Antonella Grigoletto; Anna Tosi; Silvia Dalla Santa; Gabriel Kristian Pedersen; Dennis Christensen; Laura Meléndez-Alafort; Vito Barbieri; Paola De Benedictis; Gianfranco Pasut; Isabella Monia Montagner; Antonio Rosato. 2021. "Hyaluronan is a natural and effective immunological adjuvant for protein-based vaccines." Cellular & Molecular Immunology 18, no. 5: 1197-1210.

Journal article
Published: 29 December 2020 in Acta Tropica
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Despite declaration as a national priority disease, dog rabies remains endemic in Liberia, with surveillance systems and disease control activities still developing. The objective of these initial efforts was to establish animal rabies diagnostics, foster collaboration between all rabies control stakeholders, and develop a short-term action plan with estimated costs for rabies control and elimination in Liberia. Four rabies diagnostic tests, the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test, the direct immunohistochemical test (dRIT), the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and the rapid immunochromatographic diagnostic test (RIDT), were implemented at the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Monrovia between July 2017 and February 2018. Seven samples (n=7) out of eight suspected animals were confirmed positive for rabies lyssavirus, and molecular analyses revealed that all isolates belonged to the Africa 2 lineage, subgroup H. During a comprehensive in-country One Health rabies stakeholder meeting in 2018, a practical workplan, a short-term action plan and an accurately costed mass dog vaccination strategy were developed. Liberia is currently at stage 1.5/5 of the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE) tool, which corresponds with countries that are scaling up local-level interventions (e.g. dog vaccination campaigns) to the national level. Overall an estimated 5.3 – 8 million USD invested over 13 years is needed to eliminate rabies in Liberia by 2030. Liberia still has a long road to become free from dog-rabies. However, the dialogue between all relevant stakeholders took place, and disease surveillance considerably improved through implementing rabies diagnosis at the CVL. The joint efforts of diverse national and international stakeholders laid important foundations to achieve the goal of zero dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

ACS Style

Garmie Voupawoe; Roland Varkpeh; Varney Kamara; Sonpon Sieh; Abdallah Traoré; Cristian De Battisti; Angélique Angot; Luis Filipe L de J Loureiro; Baba Soumaré; Gwenaëlle Dauphin; Wolde Abebe; André Coetzer; Terence Scott; Louis Nel; Jesse Blanton; Laurent Dacheux; Simon Bonas; Hervé Bourhy; Morgane Gourlaouen; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Monique Léchenne; Jakob Zinsstag; Stephanie Mauti. Rabies control in Liberia: Joint efforts towards zero by 30. Acta Tropica 2020, 216, 105787 .

AMA Style

Garmie Voupawoe, Roland Varkpeh, Varney Kamara, Sonpon Sieh, Abdallah Traoré, Cristian De Battisti, Angélique Angot, Luis Filipe L de J Loureiro, Baba Soumaré, Gwenaëlle Dauphin, Wolde Abebe, André Coetzer, Terence Scott, Louis Nel, Jesse Blanton, Laurent Dacheux, Simon Bonas, Hervé Bourhy, Morgane Gourlaouen, Stefania Leopardi, Paola De Benedictis, Monique Léchenne, Jakob Zinsstag, Stephanie Mauti. Rabies control in Liberia: Joint efforts towards zero by 30. Acta Tropica. 2020; 216 ():105787.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Garmie Voupawoe; Roland Varkpeh; Varney Kamara; Sonpon Sieh; Abdallah Traoré; Cristian De Battisti; Angélique Angot; Luis Filipe L de J Loureiro; Baba Soumaré; Gwenaëlle Dauphin; Wolde Abebe; André Coetzer; Terence Scott; Louis Nel; Jesse Blanton; Laurent Dacheux; Simon Bonas; Hervé Bourhy; Morgane Gourlaouen; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Monique Léchenne; Jakob Zinsstag; Stephanie Mauti. 2020. "Rabies control in Liberia: Joint efforts towards zero by 30." Acta Tropica 216, no. : 105787.

Journal article
Published: 22 December 2020 in Viruses
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Bats are often claimed to be a major source for future viral epidemics, as they are associated with several viruses with zoonotic potential. Here we describe the presence and biodiversity of bats associated with intensive pig farms devoted to the production of heavy pigs in northern Italy. Since chiropters or signs of their presence were not found within animal shelters in our study area, we suggest that fecal viruses with high environmental resistance have the highest likelihood for spillover through indirect transmission. In turn, we investigated the circulation of mammalian orthoreoviruses (MRVs), coronaviruses (CoVs) and astroviruses (AstVs) in pigs and bats sharing the same environment. Results of our preliminary study did not show any bat virus in pigs suggesting that spillover from these animals is rare. However, several AstVs, CoVs and MRVs circulated undetected in pigs. Among those, one MRV was a reassortant strain carrying viral genes likely acquired from bats. On the other hand, we found a swine AstV and a MRV strain carrying swine genes in bat guano, indicating that viral exchange at the bat–pig interface might occur more frequently from pigs to bats rather than the other way around. Considering the indoor farming system as the most common system in the European Union (EU), preventive measures should focus on biosecurity rather than displacement of bats, which are protected throughout the EU and provide critical ecosystem services for rural settings.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Pamela Priori; Barbara Zecchin; Gianpiero Zamperin; Adelaide Milani; Francesco Tonon; Mirco Giorgiutti; Maria Serena Beato; Paola De Benedictis. Interface between Bats and Pigs in Heavy Pig Production. Viruses 2020, 13, 4 .

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Pamela Priori, Barbara Zecchin, Gianpiero Zamperin, Adelaide Milani, Francesco Tonon, Mirco Giorgiutti, Maria Serena Beato, Paola De Benedictis. Interface between Bats and Pigs in Heavy Pig Production. Viruses. 2020; 13 (1):4.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Pamela Priori; Barbara Zecchin; Gianpiero Zamperin; Adelaide Milani; Francesco Tonon; Mirco Giorgiutti; Maria Serena Beato; Paola De Benedictis. 2020. "Interface between Bats and Pigs in Heavy Pig Production." Viruses 13, no. 1: 4.

Journal article
Published: 18 September 2020 in EMBO Molecular Medicine
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Rabies is a neglected disease caused by a neurotropic Lyssavirus, transmitted to humans predominantly by the bite of infected dogs. Rabies is preventable with vaccines or proper post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP), but it still causes about 60,000 deaths every year. No cure exists after the onset of clinical signs, and the case‐fatality rate approaches 100% even with advanced supportive care. Here, we report that a combination of two potent neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies directed against the viral envelope glycoprotein cures symptomatic rabid mice. Treatment efficacy requires the concomitant administration of antibodies in the periphery and in the central nervous system through intracerebroventricular infusion. After such treatment, recovered mice presented good clinical condition, viral loads were undetectable, and the brain inflammatory profile was almost normal. Our findings provide the unprecedented proof of concept of an antibody‐based therapeutic approach for symptomatic rabies.

ACS Style

Guilherme Dias De Melo; Florian Sonthonnax; Gabriel Lepousez; Grégory Jouvion; Andrea Minola; Fabrizia Zatta; Florence Larrous; Lauriane Kergoat; Camille Mazo; Carine Moigneu; Roberta Aiello; Angela Salomoni; Elise Brisebard; Paola De Benedictis; Davide Corti; Hervé Bourhy. A combination of two human monoclonal antibodies cures symptomatic rabies. EMBO Molecular Medicine 2020, 12, 1 .

AMA Style

Guilherme Dias De Melo, Florian Sonthonnax, Gabriel Lepousez, Grégory Jouvion, Andrea Minola, Fabrizia Zatta, Florence Larrous, Lauriane Kergoat, Camille Mazo, Carine Moigneu, Roberta Aiello, Angela Salomoni, Elise Brisebard, Paola De Benedictis, Davide Corti, Hervé Bourhy. A combination of two human monoclonal antibodies cures symptomatic rabies. EMBO Molecular Medicine. 2020; 12 (11):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guilherme Dias De Melo; Florian Sonthonnax; Gabriel Lepousez; Grégory Jouvion; Andrea Minola; Fabrizia Zatta; Florence Larrous; Lauriane Kergoat; Camille Mazo; Carine Moigneu; Roberta Aiello; Angela Salomoni; Elise Brisebard; Paola De Benedictis; Davide Corti; Hervé Bourhy. 2020. "A combination of two human monoclonal antibodies cures symptomatic rabies." EMBO Molecular Medicine 12, no. 11: 1.

Journal article
Published: 22 May 2020 in Viruses
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Mammalian Orthoreoviruses (MRV) are segmented dsRNA viruses in the family Reoviridae. MRVs infect mammals and cause asymptomatic respiratory, gastro-enteric and, rarely, encephalic infections. MRVs are divided into at least three serotypes: MRV1, MRV2 and MRV3. In Europe, swine MRV (swMRV) was first isolated in Austria in 1998 and subsequently reported more than fifteen years later in Italy. In the present study, we characterized two novel reassortant swMRVs identified in one same Italian farm over two years. The two viruses shared the same genetic backbone but showed evidence of reassortment in the S1, S4, M2 segments and were therefore classified into two serotypes: MRV3 in 2016 and MRV2 in 2018. A genetic relation to pig, bat and human MRVs and other unknown sources was identified. A considerable genetic diversity was observed in the Italian MRV3 and MRV2 compared to other available swMRVs. The S1 protein presented unique amino acid signatures in both swMRVs, with unexpected frequencies for MRV2. The remaining genes formed distinct and novel genetic groups that revealed a geographically related evolution of swMRVs in Italy. This is the first report of the complete molecular characterization of novel reassortant swMRVs in Italy and Europe, which suggests a greater genetic diversity of swMRVs never identified before.

ACS Style

Lara Cavicchio; Luca Tassoni; Gianpiero Zamperin; Mery Campalto; Marilena Carrino; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Maria Serena Beato. Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy. Viruses 2020, 12, 574 .

AMA Style

Lara Cavicchio, Luca Tassoni, Gianpiero Zamperin, Mery Campalto, Marilena Carrino, Stefania Leopardi, Paola De Benedictis, Maria Serena Beato. Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy. Viruses. 2020; 12 (5):574.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lara Cavicchio; Luca Tassoni; Gianpiero Zamperin; Mery Campalto; Marilena Carrino; Stefania Leopardi; Paola De Benedictis; Maria Serena Beato. 2020. "Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Two Novel Swine MRVs in Italy." Viruses 12, no. 5: 574.

Research article
Published: 10 February 2020 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
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To achieve the goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030, many African countries have agreed to list rabies as a priority zoonotic disease and to undertake both short and long-term control programs. Within this context, reliable local diagnosis is essential for the success of field surveillance systems. However, a harmonized, sustainable and supportive diagnostic offer has yet to be achieved in the continent. We herewith describe the organization and outcome of a proficiency test (PT) for the post-mortem diagnosis of rabies in animals, involving thirteen veterinary laboratories and one public health laboratory in Africa. Participants were invited to assess both the performance of the Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA) test and of a conventional RT-PCR. From the submitted results, while thirteen laboratories proved to be able to test the samples through DFA test, eleven performed the RT-PCR method; ten applied both techniques. Of note, the number of laboratories able to apply rabies RT-PCR had increased from four to ten after the exercise. Importantly, results showed a higher proficiency in applying the molecular test compared to the DFA test (concordance, sensitivity and specificity: 98.2%, 96.97% and 100% for RT-PCR; 87.69%, 89.23% and 86.15% for DFA test), indicating the feasibility of molecular methods to diagnose animal pathogens in Africa. Another positive outcome of this approach was that negative and positive controls were made available for further in-house validation of new techniques; in addition, a detailed questionnaire was provided to collect useful and relevant information on the diagnostic procedures and biosafety measures applied at laboratory level. Although Africa has the highest per capita death rate from rabies, the incidence of canine rabies on the continent remains a matter that needs to be further investigated; in addition, the lack of accurate information impairs the establishment of long-term actions to progress towards a rabies free status. In this scenario, creating efficient diagnostic facilities is of utmost importance for eradicating the disease and implementing effective surveillance programs in endemic areas. With the final objective of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies globally by 2030, sample submission to African veterinary laboratories for rabies diagnostic testing is expected to increase. Furthermore, in compliance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, participating to proficiency testing (PT) exercises becomes mandatory not only to regularly assess the validity of the in-house protocols but also to harmonize the techniques. Thirteen veterinary laboratories and one public health laboratory in Africa were invited to take part in the exercise in response to an invitation from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Italy, which hosts the FAO rabies Reference Center. This study presents the results obtained by applying the DFA test and the conventional RT-PCR method to the PT panel, which show that even if laboratories preferably apply the DFA test to detect the presence of rabies in animal samples, the overall concordance of results was higher through molecular testing. Importantly, the organization of the exercise proved to be a good opportunity to update the vaccine cover status of laboratory staff.

ACS Style

Morgane Gourlaouen; Angélique Angot; Marzia Mancin; Charles Bebay; Baba Soumaré; Francesca Ellero; Barbara Zecchin; Stefania Leopardi; Cristian De Battisti; Calogero Terregino; Paola De Benedictis. An inter-laboratory trial as a tool to increase rabies diagnostic capabilities of Sub-Saharan African Veterinary laboratories. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2020, 14, e0008010 .

AMA Style

Morgane Gourlaouen, Angélique Angot, Marzia Mancin, Charles Bebay, Baba Soumaré, Francesca Ellero, Barbara Zecchin, Stefania Leopardi, Cristian De Battisti, Calogero Terregino, Paola De Benedictis. An inter-laboratory trial as a tool to increase rabies diagnostic capabilities of Sub-Saharan African Veterinary laboratories. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2020; 14 (2):e0008010.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Morgane Gourlaouen; Angélique Angot; Marzia Mancin; Charles Bebay; Baba Soumaré; Francesca Ellero; Barbara Zecchin; Stefania Leopardi; Cristian De Battisti; Calogero Terregino; Paola De Benedictis. 2020. "An inter-laboratory trial as a tool to increase rabies diagnostic capabilities of Sub-Saharan African Veterinary laboratories." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14, no. 2: e0008010.

Communication
Published: 18 January 2020 in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
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As a neglected zoonotic disease, rabies causes approximately 5.9 × 104 human deaths annually, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa. In those regions, insufficient surveillance is hampering adequate medical intervention and is driving the vicious cycle of neglect. Where resources to provide laboratory disease confirmation are limited, there is a need for user-friendly and low-cost reliable diagnostic tools that do not rely on specialized laboratory facilities. Lateral flow devices (LFD) offer an alternative to conventional diagnostic methods and may strengthen control efforts in low-resource settings. Five different commercially available LFDs were compared in a multi-centered study with respect to their diagnostic sensitivity and their agreement with standard rabies diagnostic techniques. Our evaluation was conducted by several international reference laboratories using a broad panel of samples. The overall sensitivities ranged from 0% up to 62%, depending on the LFD manufacturer, with substantial variation between the different laboratories. Samples with high antigen content and high relative viral load tended to test positive more often in the Anigen/Bionote test, the latter being the one with the best performance. Still, the overall unsatisfactory findings corroborate a previous study and indicate a persistent lack of appropriate test validation and quality control. At present, the tested kits are not suitable for in-field use for rabies diagnosis, especially not for suspect animals where human contact has been identified, as an incorrect negative diagnosis may result in human casualties. This study points out the discrepancy between the enormous need for such a diagnostic tool on the one hand, and on the other hand, a number of already existing tests that are not yet ready for use.

ACS Style

Antonia Klein; Anna Fahrion; Stefan Finke; Marina Eyngor; Shiri Novak; Boris Yakobson; Ernest Ngoepe; Baby Phahladira; Claude Sabeta; Paola De Benedictis; Morgane Gourlaouen; Lillian A. Orciari; Pamela A. Yager; Crystal M. Gigante; M. Kimberly Knowles; Christine Fehlner-Gardiner; Alexandre Servat; Florence Cliquet; Denise Marston; Lorraine M. McElhinney; Trudy Johnson; Anthony R. Fooks; Thomas Müller; Conrad M. Freuling. Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 2020, 5, 13 .

AMA Style

Antonia Klein, Anna Fahrion, Stefan Finke, Marina Eyngor, Shiri Novak, Boris Yakobson, Ernest Ngoepe, Baby Phahladira, Claude Sabeta, Paola De Benedictis, Morgane Gourlaouen, Lillian A. Orciari, Pamela A. Yager, Crystal M. Gigante, M. Kimberly Knowles, Christine Fehlner-Gardiner, Alexandre Servat, Florence Cliquet, Denise Marston, Lorraine M. McElhinney, Trudy Johnson, Anthony R. Fooks, Thomas Müller, Conrad M. Freuling. Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2020; 5 (1):13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Antonia Klein; Anna Fahrion; Stefan Finke; Marina Eyngor; Shiri Novak; Boris Yakobson; Ernest Ngoepe; Baby Phahladira; Claude Sabeta; Paola De Benedictis; Morgane Gourlaouen; Lillian A. Orciari; Pamela A. Yager; Crystal M. Gigante; M. Kimberly Knowles; Christine Fehlner-Gardiner; Alexandre Servat; Florence Cliquet; Denise Marston; Lorraine M. McElhinney; Trudy Johnson; Anthony R. Fooks; Thomas Müller; Conrad M. Freuling. 2020. "Further Evidence of Inadequate Quality in Lateral Flow Devices Commercially Offered for the Diagnosis of Rabies." Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 5, no. 1: 13.

Letter
Published: 01 January 2020 in Emerging Microbes & Infections
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A second case of a novel rabies variant described once in a capuchin monkey from Mato Grosso, Brazil, was discovered in a rabid wild kinkajou from the same region, indicating a public health risk following exposure to either of the two animals.

ACS Style

Paulo Ricardo Dell’Armelina Rocha; Andres Velasco-Villa; Ernani Machado De Lima; Angela Salomoni; Alice Fusaro; Eunice Da Conceição Souza; Risia Lopes Negreiros; Vera Lúcia Zafino; Gianpiero Zamperin; Stefania Leopardi; Isabella Monne; Paola De Benedictis. Unexpected rabies variant identified in kinkajou (Potos flavus), Mato Grosso, Brazil. Emerging Microbes & Infections 2020, 9, 851 -854.

AMA Style

Paulo Ricardo Dell’Armelina Rocha, Andres Velasco-Villa, Ernani Machado De Lima, Angela Salomoni, Alice Fusaro, Eunice Da Conceição Souza, Risia Lopes Negreiros, Vera Lúcia Zafino, Gianpiero Zamperin, Stefania Leopardi, Isabella Monne, Paola De Benedictis. Unexpected rabies variant identified in kinkajou (Potos flavus), Mato Grosso, Brazil. Emerging Microbes & Infections. 2020; 9 (1):851-854.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paulo Ricardo Dell’Armelina Rocha; Andres Velasco-Villa; Ernani Machado De Lima; Angela Salomoni; Alice Fusaro; Eunice Da Conceição Souza; Risia Lopes Negreiros; Vera Lúcia Zafino; Gianpiero Zamperin; Stefania Leopardi; Isabella Monne; Paola De Benedictis. 2020. "Unexpected rabies variant identified in kinkajou (Potos flavus), Mato Grosso, Brazil." Emerging Microbes & Infections 9, no. 1: 851-854.

Letter to the editor
Published: 14 December 2018 in Zoonoses and Public Health
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ACS Style

Paola De Benedictis; Hervé Bourhy; Juan E. Echevarría; Anthony R. Fooks; Conrad Freuling; Jordi Serra‐Cobo; Thomas Müller. Comments to "Detection and phylogenetic characterization of astroviruses in insectivorous bats from Central-Southern Italy". Zoonoses and Public Health 2018, 66, 355 -358.

AMA Style

Paola De Benedictis, Hervé Bourhy, Juan E. Echevarría, Anthony R. Fooks, Conrad Freuling, Jordi Serra‐Cobo, Thomas Müller. Comments to "Detection and phylogenetic characterization of astroviruses in insectivorous bats from Central-Southern Italy". Zoonoses and Public Health. 2018; 66 (4):355-358.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Paola De Benedictis; Hervé Bourhy; Juan E. Echevarría; Anthony R. Fooks; Conrad Freuling; Jordi Serra‐Cobo; Thomas Müller. 2018. "Comments to "Detection and phylogenetic characterization of astroviruses in insectivorous bats from Central-Southern Italy"." Zoonoses and Public Health 66, no. 4: 355-358.

Journal article
Published: 04 December 2018 in Epidemiology and Infection
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The wide geographical distribution and genetic diversity of bat-associated lyssaviruses (LYSVs) across Europe suggest that similar viruses may also be harboured in Italian insectivorous bats. Indeed, bats were first included within the passive national surveillance programme for rabies in wildlife in the 1980s, while active surveillance has been performed since 2008. The active surveillance strategies implemented allowed us to detect neutralizing antibodies directed towards European bat 1 lyssavirus in six out of the nine maternity colonies object of the study across the whole country. Seropositive bats were Myotis myotis, M. blythii and Tadarida teniotis. On the contrary, the virus was neither detected through passive nor active surveillance, suggesting that fatal neurological infection is rare also in seropositive colonies. Although the number of tested samples has steadily increased in recent years, submission turned out to be rather sporadic and did not include carcasses from bat species that account for the majority of LYSVs cases in Europe, such as Eptesicus serotinus, M. daubentonii, M. dasycneme and M. nattereri. A closer collaboration with bat handlers is therefore mandatory to improve passive surveillance and decrypt the significance of serological data obtained up to now.

ACS Style

S. Leopardi; P. Priori; B. Zecchin; G. Poglayen; K. Trevisiol; Davide Lelli; S. Zoppi; M. T. Scicluna; N. D'Avino; E. Schiavon; H. Bourhy; J. Serra-Cobo; F. Mutinelli; D. Scaravelli; P. De Benedictis. Active and passive surveillance for bat lyssaviruses in Italy revealed serological evidence for their circulation in three bat species. Epidemiology and Infection 2018, 147, 1 -6.

AMA Style

S. Leopardi, P. Priori, B. Zecchin, G. Poglayen, K. Trevisiol, Davide Lelli, S. Zoppi, M. T. Scicluna, N. D'Avino, E. Schiavon, H. Bourhy, J. Serra-Cobo, F. Mutinelli, D. Scaravelli, P. De Benedictis. Active and passive surveillance for bat lyssaviruses in Italy revealed serological evidence for their circulation in three bat species. Epidemiology and Infection. 2018; 147 ():1-6.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Leopardi; P. Priori; B. Zecchin; G. Poglayen; K. Trevisiol; Davide Lelli; S. Zoppi; M. T. Scicluna; N. D'Avino; E. Schiavon; H. Bourhy; J. Serra-Cobo; F. Mutinelli; D. Scaravelli; P. De Benedictis. 2018. "Active and passive surveillance for bat lyssaviruses in Italy revealed serological evidence for their circulation in three bat species." Epidemiology and Infection 147, no. : 1-6.

Correspondence
Published: 01 December 2018 in Emerging Microbes & Infections
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Jordi Serra-Cobo; Marc López-Roig; Rachel Rachel Lavenir Institut Pasteur, Unité Dynamique des Lyssavirus et Adaptation à l’HôteWHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris Cedex 15 75724 Paris France; Elbia Abdelatif; Wahida Boucekkine; Mehdi Elharrak; Bachir Harif; Sehhar El Ayachi; Akram Salama; Sameh G. Sameh G. El Rashedy Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Sadat City 32897 Sadat City Minoufiya Egypt; Paola De Benedictis; Franco Franco Mutinelli FAO and National Reference Centre for rabies & OIE Collaborating Centre for diseases at the animal-human interfaceDivision of Biomedical Science, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie 35020 Legnaro Italy; Dino Dino Scaravelli S.T.E.R.N.A. & Museo Ornitologico “F. Foschi” 47121 Forlì Italy; Laboratory of Pathogens’ Ecology, Department of Veterinary Medical SciencesUniversity of Bologna 40064 Ozzano Emilia (Bo) Italy; Chokri Balhoul; Ahmed Hamed Ahmed Hamed Zaghloul Department of Theriogenology and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Sadat City 32897 Sadat City Minoufiya Egypt. Active sero-survey for European bat lyssavirus type-1 circulation in North African insectivorous bats. Emerging Microbes & Infections 2018, 7, 1 -4.

AMA Style

Jordi Serra-Cobo, Marc López-Roig, Rachel Rachel Lavenir Institut Pasteur, Unité Dynamique des Lyssavirus et Adaptation à l’HôteWHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris Cedex 15 75724 Paris France, Elbia Abdelatif, Wahida Boucekkine, Mehdi Elharrak, Bachir Harif, Sehhar El Ayachi, Akram Salama, Sameh G. Sameh G. El Rashedy Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Sadat City 32897 Sadat City Minoufiya Egypt, Paola De Benedictis, Franco Franco Mutinelli FAO and National Reference Centre for rabies & OIE Collaborating Centre for diseases at the animal-human interfaceDivision of Biomedical Science, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie 35020 Legnaro Italy, Dino Dino Scaravelli S.T.E.R.N.A. & Museo Ornitologico “F. Foschi” 47121 Forlì Italy; Laboratory of Pathogens’ Ecology, Department of Veterinary Medical SciencesUniversity of Bologna 40064 Ozzano Emilia (Bo) Italy, Chokri Balhoul, Ahmed Hamed Ahmed Hamed Zaghloul Department of Theriogenology and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Sadat City 32897 Sadat City Minoufiya Egypt. Active sero-survey for European bat lyssavirus type-1 circulation in North African insectivorous bats. Emerging Microbes & Infections. 2018; 7 (1):1-4.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jordi Serra-Cobo; Marc López-Roig; Rachel Rachel Lavenir Institut Pasteur, Unité Dynamique des Lyssavirus et Adaptation à l’HôteWHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Rabies Paris Cedex 15 75724 Paris France; Elbia Abdelatif; Wahida Boucekkine; Mehdi Elharrak; Bachir Harif; Sehhar El Ayachi; Akram Salama; Sameh G. Sameh G. El Rashedy Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Sadat City 32897 Sadat City Minoufiya Egypt; Paola De Benedictis; Franco Franco Mutinelli FAO and National Reference Centre for rabies & OIE Collaborating Centre for diseases at the animal-human interfaceDivision of Biomedical Science, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie 35020 Legnaro Italy; Dino Dino Scaravelli S.T.E.R.N.A. & Museo Ornitologico “F. Foschi” 47121 Forlì Italy; Laboratory of Pathogens’ Ecology, Department of Veterinary Medical SciencesUniversity of Bologna 40064 Ozzano Emilia (Bo) Italy; Chokri Balhoul; Ahmed Hamed Ahmed Hamed Zaghloul Department of Theriogenology and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Sadat City 32897 Sadat City Minoufiya Egypt. 2018. "Active sero-survey for European bat lyssavirus type-1 circulation in North African insectivorous bats." Emerging Microbes & Infections 7, no. 1: 1-4.

Journal article
Published: 17 February 2018 in Virology Journal
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Rhabdoviridae is one of the most ecologically diverse families of RNA viruses which can infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrates. Bats, among mammals, are pointed to harbor a significantly higher proportion of unknown or emerging viruses with zoonotic potential. Herein, we report the isolation of a novel rhabdovirus, detected in the framework of a virological survey on bats implemented in North Italy. Virus isolation and identification were performed on samples of 635 bats by using cell cultures, negative staining electron microscopy and PCRs for different viruses. NGS was commonly performed on cell culture supernatants showing cytopathic effect or in case of samples resulted positive by at least one of the PCRs included in the diagnostic protocol. A rhabdovirus was isolated from different organs of a Pipistrellus kuhlii. Virus identification was obtained by electron microscopy and NGS sequencing. The complete genome size was 11,774 nt comprised 5 genes, encoding the canonical rhabdovirus structural proteins, and an additional transcriptional unit (U1) encoding a hypothetical small protein (157aa) (3'-N-P-M-G-U1-L-5'). The genome organization and phylogenetic analysis suggest that the new virus, named Vaprio virus (VAPV), belongs to the recently established genus Ledantevirus (subgroup B) and it is highly divergent to its closest known relative, Le Dantec virus (LDV) (human, 1965 Senegal). A specific RT-PCR amplifying a 350 bp fragment of the ORF 6 gene, encoding for L protein, was developed and used to test retrospectively a subset of 76 bats coming from the same area and period, revealing two more VAPV positive bats. VAPV is a novel isolate of chiropteran rhabdovirus. Genome organization and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that VAPV should be considered a novel species within the genus Ledantevirus for which viral ecology and disease associations should be investigated.

ACS Style

Davide Lelli; Alice Prosperi; Ana Moreno; Chiara Chiapponi; Anna Maria Gibellini; Paola De Benedictis; Stefania Leopardi; Enrica Sozzi; Antonio Lavazza. Isolation of a novel Rhabdovirus from an insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Italy. Virology Journal 2018, 15, 37 .

AMA Style

Davide Lelli, Alice Prosperi, Ana Moreno, Chiara Chiapponi, Anna Maria Gibellini, Paola De Benedictis, Stefania Leopardi, Enrica Sozzi, Antonio Lavazza. Isolation of a novel Rhabdovirus from an insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Italy. Virology Journal. 2018; 15 (1):37.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davide Lelli; Alice Prosperi; Ana Moreno; Chiara Chiapponi; Anna Maria Gibellini; Paola De Benedictis; Stefania Leopardi; Enrica Sozzi; Antonio Lavazza. 2018. "Isolation of a novel Rhabdovirus from an insectivorous bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Italy." Virology Journal 15, no. 1: 37.

Journal article
Published: 30 January 2018 in Infection, Genetics and Evolution
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Coronaviruses (CoVs) have been documented in almost every species of bat sampled. Bat CoVs exhibit both extensive genetic diversity and a broad geographic range, indicative of a long-standing host association. Despite this, the respective roles of long-term virus-host co-divergence and cross-species transmission (host-jumping) in the evolution of bat coronaviruses are unclear. Using a phylogenetic approach we provide evidence that CoV diversity in bats is shaped by both species richness and their geographical distribution, and that CoVs exhibit clustering at the level of bat genera, with these genus-specific clusters largely associated with distinct CoV species. Co-phylogenetic analyses revealed that cross-species transmission has been more common than co-divergence across coronavirus evolution as a whole, and that cross-species transmission events were more likely between sympatric bat hosts. Notably, however, an analysis of the CoV RNA polymerase phylogeny suggested that many such host-jumps likely resulted in short-term spill-over infections, with little evidence for sustained onward transmission in new co-roosting host species.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Edward C. Holmes; Michele Gastaldelli; Luca Tassoni; Pamela Priori; Dino Scaravelli; Gianpiero Zamperin; Paola De Benedictis. Interplay between co-divergence and cross-species transmission in the evolutionary history of bat coronaviruses. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 2018, 58, 279 -289.

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Edward C. Holmes, Michele Gastaldelli, Luca Tassoni, Pamela Priori, Dino Scaravelli, Gianpiero Zamperin, Paola De Benedictis. Interplay between co-divergence and cross-species transmission in the evolutionary history of bat coronaviruses. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2018; 58 ():279-289.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Edward C. Holmes; Michele Gastaldelli; Luca Tassoni; Pamela Priori; Dino Scaravelli; Gianpiero Zamperin; Paola De Benedictis. 2018. "Interplay between co-divergence and cross-species transmission in the evolutionary history of bat coronaviruses." Infection, Genetics and Evolution 58, no. : 279-289.

Evaluation study
Published: 14 October 2016 in Journal of Virological Methods
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The most effective and sustainable method to control and eliminate rabies in wildlife is the oral rabies vaccination (ORV) of target species, namely foxes and raccoon dogs in Europe. According to WHO and OIE, the effectiveness of oral vaccination campaigns should be regularly assessed via disease surveillance and ORV antibody monitoring. Rabies antibodies are generally screened for in field animal cadavers, whose body fluids are often of poor quality. Therefore, the use of alternative methods such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been proposed to improve reliability of serological results obtained on wildlife samples. We undertook an international collaborative study to determine if the commercial BioPro ELISA Rabies Ab kit is a reliable and reproducible tool for rabies serological testing. Our results reveal that the overall specificity evaluated on naive samples reached 96.7%, and the coefficients of concordance obtained for fox and raccoon dog samples were 97.2% and 97.5%, respectively. The overall agreement values obtained for the four marketed oral vaccines used in Europe were all equal to or greater than 95%. The coefficients of concordance obtained by laboratories ranged from 87.2% to 100%. The results of this collaborative study show good robustness and reproducibility of the BioPro ELISA Rabies Ab kit.

ACS Style

M. Wasniewski; I. Almeida; A. Baur; T. Bedekovic; D. Boncea; L.B. Chaves; D. David; P. De Benedictis; M. Dobrostana; P. Giraud; P. Hostnik; I. Jaceviciene; S. Kenklies; M. König; K. Mähar; M. Mojzis; S. Moore; S. Mrenoski; T. Müller; E. Ngoepe; M. Nishimura; T. Nokireki; N. Pejovic; M. Smreczak; B. Strandbygaard; E. Wodak; F. Cliquet. First international collaborative study to evaluate rabies antibody detection method for use in monitoring the effectiveness of oral vaccination programmes in fox and raccoon dog in Europe. Journal of Virological Methods 2016, 238, 77 -85.

AMA Style

M. Wasniewski, I. Almeida, A. Baur, T. Bedekovic, D. Boncea, L.B. Chaves, D. David, P. De Benedictis, M. Dobrostana, P. Giraud, P. Hostnik, I. Jaceviciene, S. Kenklies, M. König, K. Mähar, M. Mojzis, S. Moore, S. Mrenoski, T. Müller, E. Ngoepe, M. Nishimura, T. Nokireki, N. Pejovic, M. Smreczak, B. Strandbygaard, E. Wodak, F. Cliquet. First international collaborative study to evaluate rabies antibody detection method for use in monitoring the effectiveness of oral vaccination programmes in fox and raccoon dog in Europe. Journal of Virological Methods. 2016; 238 ():77-85.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Wasniewski; I. Almeida; A. Baur; T. Bedekovic; D. Boncea; L.B. Chaves; D. David; P. De Benedictis; M. Dobrostana; P. Giraud; P. Hostnik; I. Jaceviciene; S. Kenklies; M. König; K. Mähar; M. Mojzis; S. Moore; S. Mrenoski; T. Müller; E. Ngoepe; M. Nishimura; T. Nokireki; N. Pejovic; M. Smreczak; B. Strandbygaard; E. Wodak; F. Cliquet. 2016. "First international collaborative study to evaluate rabies antibody detection method for use in monitoring the effectiveness of oral vaccination programmes in fox and raccoon dog in Europe." Journal of Virological Methods 238, no. : 77-85.

Short report
Published: 12 August 2016 in Virology Journal
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Mammalian Orthoreoviruses 3 (MRV3) have been described in diarrheic pigs from USA and Asia. We firstly detected MRV3 in Europe (Italy) in piglets showing severe diarrhea associated with Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea. The virus was phylogenetically related to European reoviruses of human and bat origin and to US and Chinese pig MRV3.

ACS Style

Davide Lelli; Maria Serena Beato; Lara Cavicchio; Antonio Lavazza; Chiara Chiapponi; Stefania Leopardi; Laura Baioni; Paola De Benedictis; Ana Moreno. First identification of mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 in diarrheic pigs in Europe. Virology Journal 2016, 13, 139 .

AMA Style

Davide Lelli, Maria Serena Beato, Lara Cavicchio, Antonio Lavazza, Chiara Chiapponi, Stefania Leopardi, Laura Baioni, Paola De Benedictis, Ana Moreno. First identification of mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 in diarrheic pigs in Europe. Virology Journal. 2016; 13 (1):139.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davide Lelli; Maria Serena Beato; Lara Cavicchio; Antonio Lavazza; Chiara Chiapponi; Stefania Leopardi; Laura Baioni; Paola De Benedictis; Ana Moreno. 2016. "First identification of mammalian orthoreovirus type 3 in diarrheic pigs in Europe." Virology Journal 13, no. 1: 139.

Evaluation study
Published: 01 August 2016 in Journal of Virological Methods
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In the last decades, molecular techniques have gradually been adopted for the rapid confirmation of results obtained through gold standard methods. However, international organizations discourage their use in routine laboratory investigations for rabies post-mortem diagnosis, as they may lead to false positive results due to cross-contamination. Cleaning and disinfection are essential to prevent cross-contamination of samples in the laboratory environment. The present study evaluated the efficacy of selected disinfectants on rabies-contaminated necropsy equipment under organic challenge using a carrier-based test. The occurrence of detectable Rabies virus (RABV) antigen, viable virus and RNA was assessed through the gold standard Fluorescent Antibody Test, the Rabies Tissue Culture Infection Test and molecular techniques, respectively.None of the tested disinfectants proved to be effective under label conditions. Off label disinfection protocols were found effective for oxidising agents and phenolic, only. Biguanide and quaternary ammonium compound were both ineffective under all tested conditions. Overall, discordant results were obtained when different diagnostic tests were compared, which means that in the presence of organic contamination common disinfectants may not be effective enough on viable RABV or RNA.Our results indicate that an effective disinfection protocol should be carefully validated to guarantee staff safety and reliability of results.

ACS Style

Roberta Aiello; Barbara Zecchin; Silvia Tiozzo Caenazzo; Giovanni Cattoli; Paola De Benedictis. Disinfection protocols for necropsy equipment in rabies laboratories: Safety of personnel and diagnostic outcome. Journal of Virological Methods 2016, 234, 75 -79.

AMA Style

Roberta Aiello, Barbara Zecchin, Silvia Tiozzo Caenazzo, Giovanni Cattoli, Paola De Benedictis. Disinfection protocols for necropsy equipment in rabies laboratories: Safety of personnel and diagnostic outcome. Journal of Virological Methods. 2016; 234 ():75-79.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberta Aiello; Barbara Zecchin; Silvia Tiozzo Caenazzo; Giovanni Cattoli; Paola De Benedictis. 2016. "Disinfection protocols for necropsy equipment in rabies laboratories: Safety of personnel and diagnostic outcome." Journal of Virological Methods 234, no. : 75-79.

Evaluation study
Published: 23 June 2016 in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
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Rabies is a neglected zoonotic disease that causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths annually. The main burden lies on developing countries in Asia and Africa, where surveillance and disease detection is hampered by absence of adequate laboratory facilities and/or the difficulties of submitting samples from remote areas to laboratories. Under these conditions, easy-to-use tests such as immunochromatographic assays, i.e. lateral flow devices (LFD), may increase surveillance and improve control efforts. Several LFDs for rabies diagnosis are available but, except for one, there are no data regarding their performance. Therefore, we compared six commercially available LFDs for diagnostic and analytical sensitivity, as well as their specificity and their diagnostic agreement with standard rabies diagnostic techniques using different sample sets, including experimentally infected animals and several sets of field samples. Using field samples the sensitivities ranged between 0% up to 100% depending on the LFD and the samples, while for experimentally infected animals the maximum sensitivity was 32%. Positive results in LFD could be further validated using RT-qPCR and sequencing. In summary, in our study none of the tests investigated proved to be satisfactory, although the results somewhat contradict previous studies, indicating batch to batch variation. The high number of false negative results reiterates the necessity to perform a proper test validation before being marketed and used in the field. In this respect, marketing authorization and batch release control could secure a sufficient quality for these alternative tests, which could then fulfil their potential. Despite being preventable with adequate biologicals, rabies still causes an estimated 60,000 human deaths annually. The main burden lies on developing countries in Asia and Africa, where dog rabies surveillance is hampered by laboratory confirmation of disease due to a number of reasons, including laboratory infrastructure and logistics. Lateral flow devices (LFD) may increase surveillance and improve control efforts. Several LFDs for rabies diagnosis are available but, except for one, there are no data available regarding their performance. Therefore, we compared six commercially available LFDs for diagnostic and analytical sensitivity. With sensitivities ranging from 0% up to 100% depending on the LFD and the samples, none of the tests investigated proved to be satisfactory, and the results somewhat contradict previous studies, indicating batch to batch variation. The high number of false negative results reiterates the necessity to perform a proper test validation before being marketed and used in the field. Only when sufficient quality is assured for these alternative tests, then they can fulfil their potential. In this respect, we demonstrated that positive results in LFD can be further validated and characterized using RT-qPCR and sequencing.

ACS Style

Elisa Eggerbauer; Paola De Benedictis; Bernd Hoffmann; Thomas C. Mettenleiter; Kore Schlottau; Ernest C. Ngoepe; Claude T. Sabeta; Conrad M. Freuling; Thomas Müller. Evaluation of Six Commercially Available Rapid Immunochromatographic Tests for the Diagnosis of Rabies in Brain Material. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2016, 10, e0004776 .

AMA Style

Elisa Eggerbauer, Paola De Benedictis, Bernd Hoffmann, Thomas C. Mettenleiter, Kore Schlottau, Ernest C. Ngoepe, Claude T. Sabeta, Conrad M. Freuling, Thomas Müller. Evaluation of Six Commercially Available Rapid Immunochromatographic Tests for the Diagnosis of Rabies in Brain Material. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 2016; 10 (6):e0004776.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Eggerbauer; Paola De Benedictis; Bernd Hoffmann; Thomas C. Mettenleiter; Kore Schlottau; Ernest C. Ngoepe; Claude T. Sabeta; Conrad M. Freuling; Thomas Müller. 2016. "Evaluation of Six Commercially Available Rapid Immunochromatographic Tests for the Diagnosis of Rabies in Brain Material." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 10, no. 6: e0004776.

Journal article
Published: 06 May 2016 in Zoonoses and Public Health
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The current European Union (EU) legislation decrees that pets entering the EU from a rabies-infected third country have to obtain a satisfactory virus-neutralizing antibody level, while those moving within the EU require only rabies vaccination as the risk of moving a rabid pet within the EU is considered negligible. A number of factors driving individual variations in dog vaccine response have been previously reported, including a high rate of vaccine failure in puppies, especially those subject to commercial transport. A total of 21 001 observations collected from dogs (2006-2012) vaccinated in compliance with the current EU regulations were statistically analysed to assess the effect of different risk factors related to rabies vaccine efficacy. Within this framework, we were able to compare the vaccination failure rate in a group of dogs entering the Italian border from EU and non-EU countries to those vaccinated in Italy prior to international travel. Our analysis identified that cross-breeds and two breed categories showed high vaccine success rates, while Beagles and Boxers were the least likely to show a successful response to vaccination (88.82% and 90.32%, respectively). Our analysis revealed diverse performances among the commercially available vaccines, in terms of serological peak windows, and marked differences according to geographical area. Of note, we found a higher vaccine failure rate in imported dogs (13.15%) than in those vaccinated in Italy (5.89%). Our findings suggest that the choice of vaccine may influence the likelihood of an animal achieving a protective serological level and that time from vaccination to sampling should be considered when interpreting serological results. A higher vaccine failure in imported compared to Italian dogs highlights the key role that border controls still have in assessing the full compliance of pet movements with EU legislation to minimize the risk of rabies being reintroduced into a disease-free area.

ACS Style

E. Rota Nodari; S. Alonso; M. Mancin; M. De Nardi; S. Hudson‐Cooke; C. Veggiato; G. Cattoli; P. De Benedictis. Rabies Vaccination: Higher Failure Rates in Imported Dogs than in those Vaccinated in Italy. Zoonoses and Public Health 2016, 64, 146 -155.

AMA Style

E. Rota Nodari, S. Alonso, M. Mancin, M. De Nardi, S. Hudson‐Cooke, C. Veggiato, G. Cattoli, P. De Benedictis. Rabies Vaccination: Higher Failure Rates in Imported Dogs than in those Vaccinated in Italy. Zoonoses and Public Health. 2016; 64 (2):146-155.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Rota Nodari; S. Alonso; M. Mancin; M. De Nardi; S. Hudson‐Cooke; C. Veggiato; G. Cattoli; P. De Benedictis. 2016. "Rabies Vaccination: Higher Failure Rates in Imported Dogs than in those Vaccinated in Italy." Zoonoses and Public Health 64, no. 2: 146-155.

Article
Published: 08 April 2016 in Virus Genes
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Straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum), which have been identified as natural hosts for several zoonotic pathogens, such as lyssaviruses, henipaviruses, and ebolavirus, are associated with human settlements in Nigeria where they are commonly consumed as a delicacy. However, information on the viruses harbored by these bats is scarce. In this study, coronavirus sequences were detected using a nested RT-PCR targeting 440 bp of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) in six of 79 fecal samples collected from an urban colony of E. helvum in Ibadan, Nigeria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all six sequences were monophyletic and clustered in lineage D of Betacoronavirus. The extension of two fragments allowed us to classify our sequences within the RdRp Group Unit defined for Kenyan Betacoronavirus from the same host species. These findings are consistent with the previous suggestion on the existence of a single epidemiological unit of E. helvum across sub-Saharan Africa. This theory, which is supported by the genetic structure of continental E. helvum, could facilitate viral mixing between different colonies across the continent.

ACS Style

Stefania Leopardi; Daniel Oluwayelu; Clement Meseko; Sabrina Marciano; Luca Tassoni; Solomon Bakarey; Isabella Monne; Giovanni Cattoli; Paola De Benedictis. The close genetic relationship of lineage D Betacoronavirus from Nigerian and Kenyan straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) is consistent with the existence of a single epidemiological unit across sub-Saharan Africa. Virus Genes 2016, 52, 573 -577.

AMA Style

Stefania Leopardi, Daniel Oluwayelu, Clement Meseko, Sabrina Marciano, Luca Tassoni, Solomon Bakarey, Isabella Monne, Giovanni Cattoli, Paola De Benedictis. The close genetic relationship of lineage D Betacoronavirus from Nigerian and Kenyan straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) is consistent with the existence of a single epidemiological unit across sub-Saharan Africa. Virus Genes. 2016; 52 (4):573-577.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefania Leopardi; Daniel Oluwayelu; Clement Meseko; Sabrina Marciano; Luca Tassoni; Solomon Bakarey; Isabella Monne; Giovanni Cattoli; Paola De Benedictis. 2016. "The close genetic relationship of lineage D Betacoronavirus from Nigerian and Kenyan straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) is consistent with the existence of a single epidemiological unit across sub-Saharan Africa." Virus Genes 52, no. 4: 573-577.