Genomic characterization of H1N2 swine influenza viruses in Italy

Three subtypes (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) are currently diffused worldwide in pigs. The H1N2 subtype was detected for the first time in Italian pigs in 1998. To investigate the genetic characteristics and the molecular evolution of this subtype in Italy, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of whole genome sequences of 26 strains isolated from 1998 to 2010. Phylogenetic analysis of HA and NA genes showed differences between the older (1998-2003) and the more recent strains (2003-2010). The older isolates were closely related to the established European H1N2 lineage, whereas the more recent isolates possessed a different NA deriving from recent human H3N2 viruses. Two other reassortant H1N2 strains have been detected: A/sw/It/22530/02 has the HA gene that is closely related to H1N1 viruses; A/sw/It/58769/10 is an uncommon strain with an HA that is closely related to H1N1 and an NA similar to H3N2 SIVs. Amino acid analysis revealed interesting features: a deletion of two amino acids (146-147) in the HA gene of the recent isolates and two strains isolated in 1998; the presence of the uncommon aa change (N66S), in the PB1-F2 protein in strains isolated from 2009 to 2010, which is said to have contributed to the increased virulence. These results demonstrate the importance of pigs as mixing vessels for animal and human influenza and show the presence and establishment of reassortant strains involving human viruses in pigs in Italy. These findings also highlighted different genomic characteristics of the NA gene the recent Italian strains compared to circulating European viruses.     

Application of Platelet-Rich Gel to Enhance Wound Healing in the Horse: A Case Report

A large torn wound of the dorsal elbow region was observed in a 17-year-old Arabian mare. Surgical reconstruction was performed with the horse in standing sedation, but suture dehiscence occurred 2 days later. Autologous platelet-rich gel (PRG) was then applied to the wound every 3 weeks for a total of 3 administrations to accelerate good-quality healing. The wound had healed rapidly and completely within 5 months of the first PRG treatment, without chronic effects or formation of exuberant tissue granulation and with minimum scarring. This case report suggests that topical treatment with autologous PRG, as additional therapy, might be considered beneficial in the management of large-wound healing in horses, and it can be regarded as safe and inexpensive treatment that can be used in field.     

TRAP molecular markers as a system for saturation of the genetic map of durum wheat

Target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) is a relatively new PCR-based technique that detects large numbers of loci in a single reaction without extensive pre-PCR processing of samples. The aim of this study was to integrate TRAP markers in an EST-derived SSR linkage map of a RIL mapping population from the cross of the durum wheat cultivars Ciccio and Svevo, for a more general purpose of establishing a high-throughput system for genetic map saturation. Primer combinations producing PCR products with at least 4–5 polymorphic bands were selected and analyzed across the mapping population. The PCR reactions produced a total of 2,881 fragments with an average of 52 peaks per reaction. A total of 142 new TRAP markers were mapped and found to be randomly distributed in the genome. The total length of the map was 2,043.0 cM, with an average chromosome length of 145.9 cM. Homoeologous group one had the highest number of TRAP markers (38 loci) and the longest map length (407.9 cM) for a total of 87 markers, while the homoeologous group five had the lowest TRAP marker number (5 loci) and the shortest map length (232.5 cM). The distribution of markers among the seven homoeologous groups was random. The results indicate that TRAP is highly efficient in genetic mapping, generating a large number of markers scattered across the genome. This closes many existing gaps in marker coverage and may join otherwise separate linkage groups.     

Pyrosequencing of the rabies virus glycoprotein gene to demonstrate absence of vaccine-associated rabies cases following oral vaccination

Replication competent vaccines have been used successfully for the control of terrestrial rabies, mainly in wildlife; however, these vaccine strains occasionally may induce rabies. In this study, a pyrosequencing protocol for the rapid identification of vaccine-associated rabies viruses was applied to the 2008–2011 Italian epidemic. There was no evidence of vaccine-associated rabies cases following oral vaccination of foxes with the SAG2 and SADB19 vaccine strains.     

Three open issues on Avian Influenza – H5, H7, H9 against all odds

1. Scientific knowledge and certainties on Avian Influenza infections have been completely shaken following the emergence and spread of three “odd” subtypes, namely H5, H7 and H9.

2. These subtypes, particularly H5N1, also have public health implications in addition to causing animal disease.

3. Control of infection in animals and in-depth analysis of virus antigenic and genetic properties largely rely on the veterinary community which requires better weapons that will be efficacious only if revised tactics are developed and vigorously applied.     

Left subclavian artery dissection associated with connective tissue abnormalities resembling Marfan-like syndrome in an English bulldog

The unexpected demise of a 12-year-old male neutered English bulldog solicited a gross examination, which revealed a blood-filled space occurring in the proximal left subclavian artery (LSA). It originated about 1 cm from the branching point of the vessel and progressively dilated for 3 cm distal to this origin. Histopathological investigation showed that the tunica media of the LSA was more than 50% split, with the blood-filled space dissecting through the arterial wall. In the tunica media of the LSA, severe multifocal fragmentation and/or loss of the elastic fibers was observed. The retained disorganized elastic fibers were separated and disoriented due to accumulations of acid mucopolysaccharide. Marked, diffuse medial, and adventitial fibrous tissue deposition was also identified. The cause of death was attributed to acute hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis with pulmonary edema, suggesting that LSA dissection was an incidental finding. Subclavian artery dissection is extremely rare in humans, where the involvement of the LSA in cases of aortic dissection both with or without Marfan syndrome has been reported. Aortic and pulmonary artery dissection in bovines and aortic aneurysm and dissection in dogs have been reported to be associated with Marfan and Marfan-like syndromes, respectively. Histopathological findings suggestive of underlying connective tissue abnormalities resembling Marfan-like syndrome (i.e., the appearance of the elastic tissue and the degenerative changes of the tunica media) were detected in the first case of LSA dissection in dogs and veterinary medicine, herein described.     

First report of Neofusicoccum parvum causing stem and branch canker on Cannabis sativa in Italy

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - In 2016, symptoms of stem canker with branches dieback were detected in several Cannabis sativa L. crops, located in the northeast part of Italy (Rovigo...     

Application of the consolidated species concept to identify the causal agent of strawberry anthracnose in Iran and initial molecular dating of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Colletotrichum acutatum</Emphasis> species complex

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. is one of main strawberry diseases worldwide. The disease recently arrived in Iran and become epidemic in the Kurdistan province. A combination of morphological, molecular and pathogen-host interaction approaches (referred to the consolidated species concept) were applied to isolates from symptomatic strawberry tissues collected in Iran. Multi-gene phylogenetic analysis based on ITS-rDNA, beta-tubulin (TUB2) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) identified the species as the S5 clade of Colletotrichum nymphaeae. No significant intraspecies variation was observed in terms of morphology and pathogenicity. No significant genetic variation was observed among the isolates using inter simple sequence repeat analysis (ISSR) and primer pair combination of ERIC1/BOX and ERIC2/BOX fingerprinting markers. Based on the results of this study, it can be postulated that the C. nymphaeae population in Iran established itself from a single origin due to a founder effect. More generally, molecular dating based on relaxed clocks indicates co-radiation of C. nymphaeae S5 and strawberry plants and suggests high reciprocal specificity between the host and pathogen.